My sisters are both amazing at makeup, and lately, I’ve taken more of an interest in experimenting with different products and techniques myself. I am by no means a beauty blogger—I’ve been doing the same five-minute face daily face routine for years now—but when I have more time to get ready, like before going out on Fridays or on the weekends, I love trying out new looks or doing something a little bit out of my comfort zone.

I’ve learned a lot from my sisters, but also have spent more time recently watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, IGTV, and Instagram Live. Maybe it’s just me, but there’ something oddly relaxing about watching others do their makeup. I’ve also learned a lot along the way—like how to contour or curl my lashes with a spoon if I’m in a pinch (real life, all the VS models seem to do this!)—and discovered some great, new-to-me products. I also just signed up for the Sephora Play! box as a way to consistently try out new products. (I did Birchbox and Ipsy years ago and found some great makeup and skincare products through those services, but after a while, I wasn’t enjoying them as much, so I canceled my subscriptions. Excited to see how the Sephora Play box compares!)

Because beauty has been on my brain a lot recently, I wanted to share the products I continually find myself reaching for in my makeup bag—and would love to know what your favorites are or if you have any favorite makeup tutorials!

FACE //

+ Becca Be a Light Face Palette—this is my all-time favorite makeup palette. My sisters introduced me and it makes your skin look so glowy! It’s a four step kit that blurs out imperfections, allows you to contour, and finish with the most beautiful blush ever. I’m not a makeup expert and I’ve found this one really easy to follow.

+ Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick—if I want a more full-coverage look, this is my go-to foundation. I’m lucky to have pretty blemish-free skin most of the time, so I rarely wear anything full coverage and I don’t wear foundation most days of the week. But sometimes, you just want to glam it up a bit, and I love that this foundation isn’t too heavy but still evens out my skin tone.

+ Lune+Aster RealGlow Undereye Brightener—this was a sample I received with a recent Bluemercury purchase, and I’ve bene obsessed ever since. I wear this with and without foundation under my eyes—it makes me look so much more awake.

+ IT Cosmetics Perfect Lighting Radiant Touch Magic Wand—this is a product I’ve used for two or three years now, also under my eyes to combat those annoying dark circles. It’s very similar to the Lune+Aster product, but probably a bit more appropriate for daytime since it doesn’t have as much of a glimmering undertone.

+ Maybelline Fit Me Concealer—if I need a full-coverage concealer for under my eyes or a blemish, this is my go-to. It sets really nice with powder and stays in place all day.

+ IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush in Sweet Cheeks—this blush is very similar to NARS Orgasm. It’s a beautiful color with shimmery undertones. I love wearing this for a night out with friends.

+ IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush No. 7—one of my favorite brushes ever! I have several and love that they are great for applying powder to both large and small areas. If I am without a concealer brush, I use the smaller brush for that, too.

+ IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush No. 6—this is the brush I use when I’m using any full-coverage cream/liquid foundation and it works great.

+ Eco Tools Angled Concealer Brush—I love using this angled brush to apply any sort of product to my undereye area.

+ Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush—SK has amazing brushes at an amazing price point! I own several of these brush blushes. They hold their shape really well overtime, too.

+ Sonia Kashuk Contour Brush—I use this brush whenever I am contouring with bronzer and it works so well! I love the gold handle, too.

BROWS //

+ IT Cosmetics Brow Power Powder—I fill in my brows everyday, and I always start with this powder. A little goes a long way, and to make my brows appear most natural, I usually start in the center and work my way out so that I don’t have any harsh lines.

+ IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Brow Power Brush No. 21—I apply the above powder with this brush, and it’s amazing! The opposite end of the brush is great for combing through my brows to make them look more natural.

+ Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow in #1—I usually finish my brows with this gel if I want a more punchy look since it adds some color while also setting them into place.

+ IT Cosmetics Brow Power Pomade—if I’m looking for something super natural or an everyday look, I finish my brows with this pomade. It’s just a clear gel, so it doesn’t add more color—just sets them in place so they don’t move throughout the day.

EYES //

+ Eyelash Curler—I wasn’t always a believer of the eyelash curler, but now I really think it makes a difference when my lashes are curled.

+ IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara—one of my favorite mascaras ever! I find that it lengthens and volumizes your lashes. This mascara does have a tendency to clump, so my advice would be to not brush the excess product off on the side of the tube.

+ Revlon Volumazing Mascara—this is my favorite drugstore mascara. It’s a lot like the IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara, but a little less potent. It’s very buildable, so it’s easy to wear a lot of layers.

+ Ulta Lash Separator—I love this tool for making sure my lashes are separated once my mascara is on—a great way to combat any clumps.

+ Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner—this is one of my tried-and-true makeup products as I’ve used it for well over a decade now. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t smudge throughout the day.

+ Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner—I use this pencil to line my undereye or if I want a softer look on my lids. Again, this is one of my tried-and-trues and I think it’s the best one on the market!

+ Urban Decay Naked Palette—I still use the OG palette (RIP—I bought several before they sold out everywhere!), but I love that these palettes are super pigmented, beautiful colors that stay on for a long time. Plus, with so many color options, it makes it easy to blend or try new looks.

LIPS //

+ NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil—I discovered these around Christmastime, and I love them because they add a punch of color while still being natural. I love the colors Cruella, Dolce Vita, and Do Me Baby.

+ Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick—the best drugstore lipstick ever! I love the colors Cherries in the Snow, Wine with Everything, and Spicy Cinnamon.

ETC. //

+ Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray—when I was in college, my sorority sisters used to spray their faces with hairspray to set their makeup. Oh, how we needed this then! It’s worth every penny—it keeps my makeup in place all night or all day.

+ IT Cosmetics Brush Bath Purifying Cleaner—I try to clean my brushes at least once a month, and I am a big fan of this IT Cosmetics cleaner. It takes off everything without getting my brushes too wet or impacting their shape. I used to wash my brushes in baby shampoo, but I like this a lot more.