I’m back with part two of my Sephora Beauty Insider Spring Sale recommendations! If you missed part one, which is my skincare picks for nursing or pregnant moms, you can go back and find it here. Today, I’m going through my makeup recommendations for people who like no-makeup makeup. For those who don’t know me, I am a 30-something year old mom with East Asian heritage. I’m also currently nursing. I normally have oily, acne-prone skin, and I’m definitely moving into the anti-aging category for makeup. So if any of that sounds like something you need, keep on reading! *This post contains affiliate links.
No-Foundation, Natural Makeup
So, I know this is supposed to be my makeup recommendations for the Sephora sale, but something amazing happened during quarantine. I stopped using foundation!
Part of this is due to all the mask-wearing and home-staying. I just stopped bothering to wear makeup. And after a year of almost no makeup, I almost completely stopped having acne. I don’t know if it’s also my pregnancy/nursing hormones changing, but this is huge for me. My skin has never been this good. Definitely part of it was also using a good skincare routine, so check out my skincare post if you haven’t already!
But seriously, my biggest recommendation for natural makeup and good skin: try to stop wearing foundation! Instead, I just use concealer on parts that need color correcting. For me, this means under my eyes, around my nose, and chin. Sometimes I’ll use concealer to cover up my sun spots on my cheeks, but not always.
Best Concealer for Fair Asian Skin
Unfortunately, my favorite concealer is not sold at Sephora. Currently I use the Shiseido Synchro Skin Gel Stick Concealer, and it is my HOLY GRAIL. It has good coverage but is never cakey. It also feels super light and moisturizing. However, Sephora does carry the liquid concealer version in the same Shiseido line. I’ve tried this concealer as well and really liked it; it’s for those that want the MOST opaque coverage. In the past, I also used the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, which I also liked. Both Shiseido and the Nars have shade ranges that match my yellow-undertone, light Asian skin really well.
By the way, since getting a better skincare routine, I’ve also been able to keep my oil under control. I used to use setting powder, but now I don’t need to. If you are looking for one, however, I previously liked the classic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.
Best Eyeliners for Oily Eyelids
Aside from a little concealer, I still like to use eyeliner and mascara to complete my daily makeup. My Asian eyes are.. not quite monolids, but also not quite double eyelids. They’re somewhere in between, sort of similar to a hooded eye. I also tend to have oily skin still on my eyelids, so mascara and eyeliner ALWAYS SMUDGE ON ME. Seriously. ALWAYS. There’s only two eyeliners that I have found to really stay. They are my favorites for ever and ever and ever.
Liquid Eyeliner for Oily Eyelids
The first is the Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner. I’ve been using it for years now, and nothing compares. Well, okay, sometimes I use the Nyx Epic Liner because that formula seems to be the same. So I guess that compares. But the packaging is not as good, so it dries out way faster. If you like liquid eyeliner with a thin, easy to handle brush, you’ve got to try the Kat Von D.
Best Stick Eyeliner for Asian Eyes
The second is the Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner. The tip is SOOOOO THIN, it is perfect for tight lining your eyelids. It’s especially great for Asian eyes because our lid space is so small. And it DOES NOT SMUDGE OR SMEAR. It is amazing.
Mascara for Oily Eyelids: Tubing Mascara
Sorry, folks. I know I said I use mascara in my daily makeup, and I do. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any at Sephora I like. I only use tubing mascaras these days, which is a type of fiber mascara. Because it’s a fiber and not like a paint, it never smears. Seriously, every other mascara gives me raccoon eyes. The tubing mascaras that I like are both drugstore brands: the L’oreal Paris Double Extend and the Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Long Wear Tubular Black.
Best Natural-Looking False Lashes
Lately, when I’m taking photos for Instagram, I’ve found it just as fast to put on falsies as it is to do liner and mascara. My all time favorite false lashes are the Velour Effortless Line. They look really natural, and they feel the most comfortable. True to their advertising, I do not have to trim them at all to get them to fit! Normally I find other drugstore brands of lashes to not fit well. I’m not sure if it’s the shape of my eyes (being Asian) or what. Using the Velour lash glue, which also has a really nice, thin brush applicator, it only takes a minute for me to apply. So easy! I’m also a fan of the Lash and Go Eyeliner and Lash Adhesive Hybrid. You don’t even have to put the glue on the lashes! It helps keep me from getting glue in my real lashes, which can be… ouch.
My Favorite Clear Brow Gel for Natural Brows
I have been blessed with strong brows, so I don’t need to fill them in most days. I used to use the Glossier Boy Brow, but I find that this Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel holds my brows much better.
High Quality, Cheap Lipsticks – Sephora Collection
Maybe I’m tired of keeping my mouth covered all the time, but lately I’ve been getting back into lipsticks. But also, I realized how BOMB the Sephora Collection lippies are. Why aren’t more people talking about them? They’re so underrated! The LipStories are only $9, which is the same as a drugstore lipstick, but the quality is so good! I’ve got them in #3, Oui, which is a cream nude (think MLBB) and #89 in the Astrology Line, Aries, which is a matte orangey-red. I also have the Sephora Collection Rouge Lacquer Lipstick in 29 Girl to Know. It’s shiny, glossy, and highly pigmented. At $14, it’s slightly more expensive, but still way cheaper than the high end brands.
And what’s even better – Sephora is doing 30% off their Sephora Collection during this sale (cannot combine promotions)! So the LipStories will only be $6.30! You have to try at least one!
That’s it! No foundation, no eye shadow. This is all I’m using right now, and I’m super happy about it. Do you have any favorite makeup picks that I missed? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram. Happy shopping!