Hey everyone! So for a long time now I’ve been telling my sister Sarah that she should do a guest blog for me about all her makeup/fashion/shoe finding secrets. Well the wait is over! She has always been my go to person for anything and everything fashion and makeup related.  I can remember when I was little and I was always fascinated by all the products going on in the bathroom – I’ll be honest I had no idea what most of them were haha. Over the years she’s done my makeup for numerous occasions and will always give it to me straight up about what to wear or what not to wear.

So without further delay – here are her top ten favorite makeup items. Great for everyday use and helpful for all my brides out there who are doing their own makeup for the big day. She just got married in May  (see photo below) and did her own hair and makeup which looked gorgeous.

Thanks again Sarah! Feel free to leave comments/questions about future topics you’d like advice on. Would love to make this a monthly post!

SECRETS FROM SARAH : Top Ten Favorite Makeup Items

Growing up with red hair, freckles, fair skin and blonde eyelashes, one looks for ways to add some color to the canvas. I have been into makeup since I can remember. My Grandma and Grandpa Brown built miniature dollhouses, but there was only one house and one room I was ever interested in-the bedroom with an elaborate vanity that included perfume bottles, several lipsticks, brushes and pink blush. I was obsessed with looking at it! I actually wanted to get in the house, sit on the vanity stool and get to work. I have gone through various stages with my makeup, some good, some bad and some very bad. I remember my mom telling me in middle school that I looked like a ghost because I was using a powder and foundation that was about 10 shades too light for me, yet I argued with her. Looking back at pictures, wow, she was right-really scary and I have tried to destroy the evidence. In college, I was only excited to come back from Christmas break each year for one reason: because my friend Rachel always got the Estee Lauder holiday gift set and I couldn’t wait to see what it contained and start experimenting. One of my favorite memories was doing make-up for Becky and three of her friends before their prom. It was quite the day and I felt a real sense of accomplishment. I have many other examples, but they all come back to the fact that I love makeup and how it can transform someone. Over the years, I have pared down my collection and my routine significantly-if you ask me anyway! Even with paring down, I would never go without the below items. I used them on my wedding day and they’re with me each time I travel:

#1 bareMinerals Foundation: This mineral powder foundation is awesome and super good for your skin. It is especially great if you have sensitive skin. I’ve heard it’s actually used on burn victims because it’s so gentle and natural-looking and lets skin breathe. I have never had perfect skin, but I believe this has improved my complexion because it doesn’t do harm to my skin throughout the day and clog pores. The coverage is amazing too and you can control how much you want with different brushes. They have a vast color range to choose from, so it’s nearly impossible not to find a shade that fits. I use 2-3 different shades depending on the season. Even if you hate makeup, this is a must have product. I’ve converted at least 10-12 people so far.

#2 MAC Studio Fix Powder: Always in my purse or work bag. This can actually be used as a foundation, but I use it for touch-ups throughout the day and to lock-in concealer in certain areas. It’s light, but has great coverage and stays true to color. To avoid caking when you touch-up, blot skin first.

#3 Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage: This is the most awesome concealer EVER. It covers everything and stays put all day long. The tip here is that you need very little and its best applied with a tiny makeup brush and then pat it into your skin. It is a little more expensive, but it lasts a long time and each compact comes with two colors; one light and one dark so you can mix and match.

#4 NARS Blush in Orgasm: Laugh it up on the shade name, but this blush looks great on everyone. It’s this perfect shade of pink and peach and has gold flecks which compliment your skin. I have used this every day for the past 7 years. I have tried others, but I always come back to this and I will no longer be shopping around for others. I have decided to commit.

#5 NARS Bronzer in Laguna: As a fair-skinned person, I wear a bit of bronzer every day. I don’t think it’s a product just to be used in the summer. To the contrary, I think you need it more in the winter to punch things up a bit. You don’t want to look orange, but if you use a light hand, that won’t happen. I usually apply it like the number 3 on each side of the face starting with the forehead, then cut into cheekbones and lastly at the jaw line. I’ve found Laguna to have the best coloring for me, but they have others to choose from. Bonus: can also be used as a blush.

#6 Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: My mom will laugh since she’s a low-key makeup gal, but I actually first knew what an eyelash curler was because of her. I used to watch her put on her makeup (which took all of 2 minutes) and I was amazed by the results, yet a little scared of this device. I used to get the ones from Revlon, but then I kept reading about how amazing this one was, so I tried it and loved it. It has better coverage when curling your lashes, is gentler and never gives you that dent the others tend to.

#7 (Day Time) L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara: I’ve recently gone back to this drugstore favorite. I have tried numerous mascaras over the years, but I like this one best for the day. It makes lashes look long and thick, but doesn’t flake or cake. It’s cheap and you can find it anywhere. Night time Fav: Diorshow. This stuff makes you look like you have fake eyelashes on. For a less expensive version, my pick would be Maybelline Falsies Volume Express.

#8 MAC and Chanel Eye Shadows: I’m like a kid in a candy store at the MAC counter. They have the best color options hands down. I love that you can apply them wet or dry, they stay put without creasing and they have just the right amount of pigment. I also love Chanel, but stick to the neutral shades because they’re expensive. Some of my favorite colors are MAC Green Smoke, Shroom, Satin Taupe and Retrospeck and Chanel Safari.

#9 Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Undereye Concealer: I love this stuff. Period. It covers redness, dark circles, late nights, too many glasses of Pinot Noir-you name it. The waterproof formula stays put, but it doesn’t make your skin dry and it washes off very easily. If you try it, you will be hooked.

#10 Lip Gloss/Lip Liner: I don’t like to play favorites with my makeup, but I am a little obsessed with lip gloss. My sister doesn’t believe I own a gloss without a plumper, but that’s not entirely true. Since I can’t dial this down to just one favorite brand and color, I will list my go-to’s…with and without plumping action: Chanel Glossimer in Spark, MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar and Luminary, MAC Lipglass in New Spirit, Lip Fusion in Bloom and Sexy, bareMinerals Buxom Lips in Destiny and NARS in Babe.

All of the above look great with any of these Lip Liners: MAC Whirl, Dervish and Spice, Rimmel London 014 Wild Clover and Sonia Kashuk in Natural.

Sarah