Sammy Swanks, A Makeup Queen

Hi all!! I’m Sam, one of Chloe’s Siena Sistas! I am also a broke millennial with a makeup obsession. This means I am pretty cautionary when buying new products. When I do invest in a new product, I want it to work and make me look as fabulous as I feel. In order to achieve this, I watch a bunch of YouTube beauty reviews. Some of my favorite channels are Tati Westbrook, Kathleen Lights, Lolaliner, and Jeffree Star (even though he is controversial, I think he gives brutally honest reviews). Watching reviews is super helpful because it stops me from wasting money and also helps me narrow down my makeup routine, which I will share with all of you. Side Note** even though I am a broke millennial, I still have some pricey items in my routine because I am a diva and believe splurging here and there is okay ☺ but I will include less expensive items for those of you who are on a budget!

The very first step in my makeup routine is to wash my face. Ladies and gentlemen, you MUST have a solid skincare routine that fits the needs of your skin!!!! Your makeup will only look as good as the skin that is underneath so make sure you take care of it!! This is an important first step because you want to start off with a clean base. Once my face is clean, I move onto my eyes. I like starting with my eye makeup because it is much easier to clean up any mistakes without worrying if you’ll mess up your foundation.

Step one for eyes is to prime. I prime with concealer but you can use an actual eye primer (I don’t think it makes a difference). Priming will help your eye shadow last longer and make colors appear more pigmented. Next, choose an eye shadow palette. Some of my favorite palettes include the Morphe X Jaclyn Hill original ($38) and Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Vault collection ($15 for the individual palettes, $49 for the bundle). The original palette is user friendly and I would recommend for someone just getting into makeup. I also love Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH) eye shadow palettes. Right now my top two are the Riviera Palette ($45) and Norvina ($42). I love bright and colorful shades, which both these palettes have. If you are into more neutrals, I would check out ABH Modern Renaissance ($42), Soft Glam ($42), and Sultry ($45). Also, Morphe has a bunch of neutral palettes that are in a more affordable price range. You can also check out Tarte and Too Faced, although I think their colors aren’t as pigmented as the other brands already mentioned. There is also Colourpop which is super affordable and makes super cute palettes. Colourpop isn’t in my heavy rotation but a lot of my friends love them. In terms of drug store eye shadow, I honestly have never found a palette that has suited my liking… sorry ☹ However, the above youtubers have enjoyed palettes from NYX, Maybelline, and some Makeup Revolution palettes (found at Ulta).

As far as eyeliners, I use Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner ($32…I actually forgot how much I paid for this and almost fainted looking up the price). Other liners include Maybelline ($8.99 for liquid and $9.99 for gel) which honestly gives just as good results. If you want to splurge on a great pencil, check out Marc Jacobs ($25)!

For mascara, I currently use Too Faced Better than Sex ($25) but Maybelline and L’Oréal make great ones for cheaper prices ($8.99 - $10.99). And that completes my eye routine!

Now back to the face!!!

First step again, is primer! This will help your makeup last longer and will prevent your foundation from seeping into your skin/wrinkles and giving immediate lines in your makeup. I currently prime with Tatcha Silk Canvas ($52) and I will not be re-purchasing this item. It is pricey and I honestly am not sure it does anything for me. I still use it because I am not wasting this expensive product. I have also used Too Faced Hangover primer ($34) which gives a tackier feel after applied. For drug store, I would again recommend Maybelline (they really kill it) (~$7.99).

After I prime, I contour with a foundation stick a few shade darker than my skin tone. I currently use Makeup Revolution ($9.00) which can be bought at Ulta. After I blend, I go into my foundation. Right now I use the La Mer Soft Fluid Foundation ($120). Yes, I am aware this is extremely pricey, but it is worth every damn penny!!!!! My skin looks perfect when I use this foundation but also natural as if I am not wearing any makeup! Some alternatives that I also love are Too Faced Born This Way ($39) and Maybelline Fit Me (~$7.99). Please note all these foundations are full coverage. Next up comes concealer. The ONLY concealer I will recommend is Tarte Shape Tape ($27). This concealer will cover up everything…she is THICK!!! But if full coverage concealer is not your thing, you can check out the drug store for Maybelline, L’Oréal, and Makeup Revolution (only at Ulta).

Now that all our liquid products are on the face we must set it with a powder product to make sure it does crease, move, or wear off. I currently use Maybelline Fit Me loose setting powder in shade Fair/Light ($7.99). I like going a shade lighter than my actual skin tone because it will help brighten the under eye area and give more dimension to my face. I then set my contour with a bronzer. I primarily use Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer ($30) but again Maybelline has a more affordable bronzer and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is a big hit for Tati Westbrook. For blush I use Tarte Make Every Moment Count Cheek Palette ($30) but check out any drug store brand or Morphe for cheaper blushes. The last face powder I use is highlighter. Currently, I am using Maybelline Master Chrome in the shade rose gold ($9.99). Last but not least, I set alllll the product on my face with a setting spray, again this helps your makeup last longer. I use Mario Badescu facial sprays. Prices vary depending on the size you buy but the cheapest size is like $7.

For lips I keep it very simple and go for a nude or a pink nude. Right now I love Nude Stix ($26) but again pretty much all drug store lip sticks are great.

And almost 2 hours later I am done!

After writing out my routine, I realized that my makeup is not as budget friendly as I thought but, for me it is 100% worth it! My makeup heightens my confidence, strength, and beauty, which is what really matters!

Please note not all products will work for every skin type 100% of the time. Also, prices of drug store products may vary depending on the retailer.

Isn't she cute?? ^^