makeup monday — ever after emery

I am not really one to don a bare face, but that's mostly because I like makeup. It's a form of artistry to me, and I enjoy expressing myself in that manner. Over the years, and with some help of my favorite makeup artist at Nordstrom, I have acquired a few staple products that I'm really passionate about, or I think are good universal go-tos. There are so many products I could add here, and I'm sure I will do another beauty post again soon to share more, especially as I am continually trying out new products.

In a particular order:

1. If I were only allowed to wear one makeup item the rest of my life, it would probably be mascara. I formerly used and swore by one that's no longer on the market. We've all been there, and it's a major bummer, and then we go into a search and rescue mission until we find a new one. Thankfully, a few years ago I found this L'oréal one, which is the closest I've ever gotten to my old flame... I mean fave. Recently, L'oréal launched a new variation of the Voluminous Superstar in this XFiber version, which I've been using for the last few months. I haven't completely decided which version I like better because they're both great. What I love about the purple tube is that the primer is black, and I think I'm able to get a slightly more dramatic effect in length and volume. What I don't like is I think it's a little more likely to flake during the day with the fibers, and it's definitely more challenging to remove when I'm washing my face at night. Disclaimer: I've shown the waterproof version of the silver tube here, but I use the regular unless I'm going to be in water and need to make sure it never moves again.

Anyway, I am aware I have a nice base of long full lashes. To date, I have never used any serums or gotten extensions and my lashes are completely au natural, but either version of these mascaras won't steer you wrong. I have tried a lot of mascaras, and nothing else has compared, or if it's been close, this is still way cheaper being a drug store brand.

My suggested use: apply the primer, do something else for a couple minutes (I usually brush my teeth), then apply 3-4 coats of mascara. I probably take longer on mascara than any of the rest of my makeup combined.

I promise the rest of these won't be quite as long. I'm just so passionate about my mascara, I literally sold it to the Ulta cashier on my last restock.

2. Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift

While mascara may be my "if I could only have one makeup product on a deserted island" pick, this under eye concealer is a very close second. My Nordstrom beauty stylist first introduced me to this before my brother's wedding in 2014 and I've never looked back since. I use Shade 1.

Apply in the "triangle of light," which is an upside down triangle underneath the eyes. It's long-wearing, offers plenty of coverage without being cake-y, is rejuvenating and feels good upon application, plus it reduces fine lines, pores, and puffiness. I personally like to apply it with my concealer and set it with powder before moving on to adding color.

The two shades aren't great for olive or darker skin (please come out with a broader spectrum, Trish!), but I do have another suggestion below (see #6) for those looking for an under eye concealer.

3. Eyebrows. I have loved the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and Brow Definer, but this new Maybelline pencil is a pretty close rival, to the point I've been using it for my day to day, and saving my more expensive Anastasia for special occasions and some photo shoots.

4. MAC Bronzer in Refined Golden, but I also recommend Matte Bronze for a pretty matte. This stuff is my secret weapon to not looking washed out and pasty. At least on my face and blended neck.

5. NARS Albatross. My favorite highlighter for the eyes. I always use it on the inner corners of my eyes and across my brow bones. When I'm looking for a shimmery highlighter I will dust it across the tops of my cheek bones.

6. For non shimmery highlighter, I love this MAC Prep + Prime. (I use Medium.) It also doubles as a great under eye triangle of light, especially if you are obsessed with the Trish Instant Eye Lift and you run out. Just saying...

7. MAC Blush in "Peachykeen". While I often layer this shade over my Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Flush, it's also just the perfect shade with the perfect amount of glow.

So, there you have it. Seven [+ a few bonus links] of my 172 "if I am ever on a deserted island," makeup products... so here's hoping I never find myself on a deserted island.