Soft, Feminine Makeup: Product Recommendations

Here are recommendations for makeup products for someone who wants to wear makeup but isn't into bright, in-your-face colors. These are soft, neutral and complimentary to most skin tones.

Base
I chose BB Cream, Tinted Moisturizer because most women don't need foundation. I don't have perfect skin. I have scars that are taking months to fade but what I have found is I look waaaaaay better if I apply concealer on the spots then put some powder on. It looks like I naturally have flawless skin and my face doesn't get oily and look like my makeup is melting off. If you wear full coverage foundation, give it a try and let me know how it works.

Budget: ELF BB Cream ($6)

Mid: I haven't tried any mid priced TM or BB creams. Only ELF and pricey ones =/

HE:  Nars Tinted Moisturizer ($42 at Sephora)

Eyeshadow Palettes

Budget: Covergirl Eye Enhancer 4 Shadow Kit in "Daring Nudes", "Fairy Tale" and "Prima Donna" ($4-$6 at your local drugstore)

Mid: Clinique A Black Honey Affair ($36 at Sephora)

HE: Guerlain  Écrin 6 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette - Rue des Francs-Bourgeois ($90 at Sephora)

Mascara

Budget: Wet N Wild Mega Volume Mascara ($2 at local drugstore). This is the first brand of makeup that I've tried and I will always love. They produce great quality at amazing prices.

Mid: L'oreal Voluminous Mascara ($9 at CVS)

HE: Benefit They're Real Mascara ($23 at Sephora). Most would consider this mid range and not high end but $23 for a small tube of mascara is expensive to me LOL This is the one I currently use. The formula is pretty wet though so I suggest not blinking rapidly for a minute until it dries

Lips

Budget: NYX Megashine Lipglosses ($2-$5 depending on where you buy; CVS, Ulta or online)

^^ Since our lips tend to be pigmented, the brighter pinks still don't look very bright so you can get away with Tea Rose in an everyday look

Maybelline Baby Lips ($4). These are more like chapstick but certain flavors have a tint to them

Mid: Revlon Lip Butters ($6-$8)

^^They look scary lol but they are sheer versions of lipsticks. Like with the nyx lipglosses, since our lips are more pigmented, they don't show up as bright. My favorite is Brown Sugar :)

HE: Stila Lip Glaze ($22). They are pretty thick and goopy so use sparingly. A little goes a long way

Cheeks
I usually don't wear blush in the daytime but if you aren't wearing a bold eye or lip, color on your cheeks won't clash.

Budget: NYX blush in "Terracotta" or "Raisin" ($3 at cherryculture.com)

Mid: L'Oreal True Match Blush in "Sweet Ginger" ($7 at CVS)

HE: MAC blushes in "Sweet As Cocoa", "Raisin", or "Format" ($22 at MAC)

Sweet As Cocoa

Raizin

Format

You can also wear a little bronzer instead of blush. Covergirl queen collection has a few that are beautiful! They contain shimmer, which bring attention to the area so if you have large pores and/or acne on your cheeks I would stay away from shimmer and use a color that's matte or satin finish.

Did you notice the color palette for these products? Using soft colors on your face will give a natural and soft feminine look. Brown, pink, purple all look good on brown skin, no matter the hue. I left out eyeliner on purpose as I think it looks pretty harsh in the daytime. If you'd like to wear eyeliner, try a dark brown instead of black.If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below. Thanks!