The Best Makeup — Skincare & Base
My favorite drugstore and high-end skincare, base products
Originally published on Sep 25, 2023.
Update (February 6, 2025): This post is old but I still use everything listed. Also, this post is almost 2,500 words long. I am not saying that to gloat about how I can write a lot but to say l am committed to the cause.'
*= Affiliate Links
The title says it all. Today, I will discuss the best (subjective) makeup products of all time!
This was another topic from Google Trends, and as you know, I am all about views.
Unless you are a beauty editor reading this— who is looking for freelancers — that was a joke. I am very passionate about beauty and like to write stories that resonate with readers.
How this will work
So I thought really hard about how to format this article because I wanted it to be easy to read. And if you dgaf about the whole post and just want to find a specific topic, you can.
Also, I wanted to account for several skin types, face shapes, skin colors, etc. So, best believe this will be a super long post.
Another note, I have seen my makeup collection transition from drugstore to higher-end brands over the years, which is normal for a beauty writer. However, I will make sure to include drugstore makeup because I love drugstore makeup just as much as high-end makeup.
I also have podcast episodes about my favorite high-end makeup AND drugstore makeup. These posts are actually a regurgitation of those episodes with more detailed information. So again, if you dgaf about reading, listen to those below.
Best Makeup Products
Best Makeup Products — Drugstore Edition
Update (February 6, 2025): My podcast is down since I am moving it from Spotify to Substack, but I will reupload the above-mentioned episodes and update you via Substack notes when I do it. Soooo subscribe <3
EDITOR’S NOTE: I originally was going to write about *ALL STEPS* in the makeup routine in one post, but once I hit 1500 words just talking about primers and skincare, I was like ehhh let me give the girls a break. So this series will be split up into separate posts.
Finally, I will be sprinkling in posts about my favorite beauty looks from all the fall fashion weeks so be prepared for those as well.
Update (February 6, 2025): I never got around to continuing the series or doing my favorite fall fashion week beauty looks series.
FACE
Skincare
Now before any good makeup application, is a good skincare routine. Granted, having great skin will definitely make your makeup look great, but don’t worry if you don’t have the best skin.
The first step is knowing your skin type. If you do not know or feel it has changed, here are some questions to ask yourself:
After a few hours of wearing foundation (w/o touching it up), does your skin look oily or dry?
If you answered dry above, your skin is either dry from lack of oil AND/OR hydration. Ask yourself, how much water am I drinking per day? If you feel like you do, then your skin maybe lacking oil.
If you answered oily above, you probably need oil control in your skincare routine. You can also have oily and dehydrated skin at the same time.
Update (February 6, 2025): Sometimes your skin can become oily because it lacks adequate hydration.
If you answered both above, then you probably need both.
If you are confused or have already addressed these concerns — it is ok! Skin is so so so personal. There are almost 100,000 things that can affect your skin, like stress, pollution, medications, foods you eat, underlying health issues, and more. I don’t think it is fair to make it seem so simple.
The best thing you can do is be patient with yourself and keep track of your skin.
More Tips On Finding Your Skin Type
If you have the opportunity — please consult with a dermatologist. A dermatologist can at least get you on the right track with what skin type you might have, and with their knowledge and experience, remove any possible things affecting your skin that you don’t know about.
Your skin’s health can change throughout your monthly cycle. This happens to me. Right before my period, my skin gets 10x oilier than usual. While on my period and after, it is a lot more dry.
Your skin’s health can change throughout the seasons. Another thing that happens to me. In summer, my skin gets oily as usual but once we get into the dry winter months, my skin becomes much drier.
It’s honestly a mix and match situation. Sometimes, your skin is in a very good condition to get away with using makeup products that your skin wouldn’t necessarily use. For example, trying new skincare and now your skin is doing great, and you don’t need that primer or foundation type. If this is confusing, I will touch on it again later.
The Best Skincare / Makeup Prep
Now since my skin is oily, I like to do a little skincare prep before applying makeup. I find throughout the day, my skin just gets oily and it is nice to have a little refresher before applying my makeup.
I use the Garnier Matte Micellar Water to cleanse my skin first.
Then, I use my skin conditioner from Hatomugi just to add a little pearlescent glow and hydration.
After, I apply my niacinamide serum. I use the one from The Ordinary.
Then, use my BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream. I like this one because it also has niacinamide and green tea, which are great for oily skin. Then finally, sunscreen.
At night, I still use serums and essences for hydrating my skin.
Oil Control Products I Love:
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer* — Phenomenal oil control moisturizer.
Pore Scrubber*—Not a product, but if you have oily skin, getting facials to remove any built up oil and clogged pores is a great idea. Or, if you are like me, using a pore scrubber to help remove oil/clogged pores at home is another great option.
Garnier Matte Micellar Water*—If you need a skin touch up throughout the day, I love this one. I have been using it for years.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum*—Another product I have been using for years. I use this every morning and every makeup application to control my facial oil.
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream*—Another face product that uses niacinamide and also green tea to help control oil.
Jumping into dry and dehydrated skin types. With dehydrated skin, the only thing I can say is to drink more water. I know, super annoying, but that is the best remedy.
On the other hand, dry skin is influenced by a lack of oil. You can fix this by implementing a serum and essence in your routine. Also, a face oil at night.
Don’t forget to exfoliate with any skintype.
Dry Skin Products I Love (& Others Love):
The Ordinary Rosehip Oil *— A very hydrating face oil. I used to use this at night during the colder months and it was nice. It is on the heavier side but it feels really nice and luxe.
The BYOMA Hydrating Serum* (main moisturizing ingredient is glycerin)— If you follow my podcast, I have mentioned several times my favorite hydrating skin ingredient is glycerin. This is one of only face serums I have found that has glycerin as the main hydrating ingredient. While most skincare products do contain glycerin, it is more like a sub ingredient compared to other main ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic Acid Serums—I know I just dogged on hyaluronic acids like 10 seconds ago, but I do like them!! They leave my skin with a supple texture.
Belief Aqua Bomb Moisturizer*— This is a product I have sampled before, but this recommendation is from my friend’s sister. She said this changed her skin, and I trust her.
Update (February 6, 2025): If you follow the weekly newsletter, you would know I started using this and I love it!
Added Reading & Resources:
Face Primers
Now, if you have followed me for sometime, you would know that I have always been skeptical of face primers. I have come to love them, but I still give them the side-eye.
I decided to put primers under the skincare category because, while primers can enhance your makeup, I use them primarily to elongate the time it takes for my skin to get oily while wearing makeup.
You can’t stop your skin from getting oily or dry while wearing makeup — but you can prolong your makeup wear and keep your makeup looking fresh longer with proper skincare and primers.
My advice is to get a primer for your skin type and then get the foundation to match the finish you want for your makeup. For example, I have oily skin but I want a glowy finish for my look. I am going to use a mattifying primer and then use a glowy foundation.
Now primers go one of three ways. Either that thick silicon blurring type primer (good for pores), a more opaque cream type primer (nice general), or a straight-up gel (light finish/tacky). There are probably more. but these are the most common.
Update (February 6, 2025): There are also color correcting primers but I have not tried any to recommend.
As an oily person, I love all three! It just depends on the brand. I also use different primers and layer them depending on my needs. Is it excessive? yes. Does it work? yes.
My Favorite Primers:
Glossier Priming Moisturizers* (normal and oil control) — I actually love these primers. The formula is closer to a skincare product but it still helps a lot with makeup wear. Not heavy, and if you need a primer in your collection and have the budget — get these. I love the oil-control one, which has a gel-texture.
Elf Poreless Putty Primers*— even though I am oily, I prefer the original one over the matte one. These are considered a dupe for the Tatcha Silk Canvas but I tried both and Tatcha sits better on the skin. However, I still love these primers. Opaque cream finish.
Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer *— Literally my favorite. GOAT. If you have the budget, buy this. Opaque cream finish.
Milk Hydrogrip Primer*— It has been a while since I used this and it didn’t really work for me but it does wonders on people with dry skin. It has a really nice light gel finish that gets slightly tacky. Elf also makes a dupe for this. Gel-type.
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer*—I actually love this primer. I have repurchased twice several years ago. If you don’t know what primer to try, I would suggest this. It has that silicon look to it but it is a lot lighter and smoother than other silicone primers I have tried. Opaque cream and gel texture hybrid.
MAC Prep + Primer Natural Radiance in Yellow*—This primer is a similar formula to the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Oil-Control. However, it has a subtle radiance that is pretty. Very nice for people with combination skin. I would let it set for a few minutes before applying base makeup. Gel-type.
I have tried a ton of makeup in my days, so if you have a specific product question, need a specific recommendation, need some more resources — ask and I will be happy to help!
Eye Primers
For eye primers, it is the same theory with primers too.
If you have oily lids like me, then you have to get a primer that pushes back the time it takes before the oil comes to the surface.
A very common eyeshadow primer people use is concealer. If you are looking for your eyeshadow to pop or to just even out your lids, concealer can be good.
HOWEVER, if you are like me and struggle with oily lids and watery eyes, getting a good eyeshadow primer is a better option.
I have a few eye primers I reach for because I am very picky.
My favorite eye primers:
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots* in Painterly, Soft Orche, and Art Thera-Peachy — My go-to for when I really need my eye makeup to last and pop! They are super dry so build them up in thin layers but you honestly don’t need a lot. MAC has a lot of colors and finishes to choose from.
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer*—Another really good eye primer if you are on a budget and need oil control. The formula is light, blendable, and has a soft matte finish.
MAC Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extended Eye Base*—As you probably already noticed, I am a MAC user through and through. But I really like this eye base for those with oily and watery eyes. It is one of my favorites.
Setting Spray
Now I know this is a strange one to put in the base and skincare section but I believe setting spray is closely related to skincare and primers. Also, a lot of setting sprays can be used for their skincare properties and/or as primers.
I saw a MUA say that setting sprays don’t actually do anything (a common argument for primers as well) and that your makeup will look the same with and without them.
I agree AND disagree.
When you look at setting spray from the perspective of making your makeup last (which makes sense because it is literally called “setting spray”), it won’t be as effective.
However, I like to look at it as a skincare product. Like I said earlier, I can’t stop my skin from getting oily/dry while wearing makeup. BUT I can prolong the freshness of my makeup using proper skincare and primers.
If you have a phenomenal skincare routine and makeup routine, where your makeup stays put and looks great for hours — then you probably don’t need a primer or spray.
But if your skin gets dry and your primer is ok (it works but for only a period of time), then a setting spray is the move to refresh your makeup.
Some people like to spray setting spray 50x during the makeup application process and that is ok, whatever works for you.
You just need to figure out what works for you.
My favorite setting sprays:
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray *— No one will ever be her fr! One of the best sprays I have ever tried. If I really need my makeup to last, I like to spray it throughout the makeup application process to ensure my makeup is not going anywhere.
MAC Fix+* — Another GOAT in setting sprays. I would use this as a setting spray/refresher if you have dry skin. However, I still like using this to set my primers and blend my makeup together at the end of my makeup application process.
Finishing Thoughts
If I confused you, I am sorry.
The point I am trying to make is that with the base routine, there are a billion different combinations you can try to get the best makeup application and wear. But you will never know unless you try different things.
It starts with awareness, making note of your skin, and how it reacts.
With that being said, this is the end of the first post in my The Best Makeup series. Next, we will cover foundations, concealers, and setting powders. I am going to make a landing page or master post that links each article at some point.
Update (February 6, 2025): you know the above is a lie.
Other than that, follow me on TikTok and listen to my podcast.
Update (February 6, 2025): I barely use TikTok anymore and my podcast is nonexistent as of now lol
Till we meet again ❤
Love
Laila