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Hi beauties! I just wrapped another lifestyle TV segment on KTLA Morning News and I’m feeling great! I love getting dolled up when I do TV appearances! One of my mottos is, “when you look good, you feel good,” and it’s so true! Sometimes, I’ll be feeling blue, then take a look in the mirror and realize, oh, that’s why I feel like crap… My hair isn’t brushed, my eyes look tired, I’ve been wearing athleisure for too many days straight… Does this ever happen to you?

Currently, 75% percent of my life is being a stay-at-home mom, and the other 25% is as freelance TV host and journalist. Sometimes, I find myself spending waayyy too much time wearing sweats with a ponytail and ball cap when I’m mom-ing about town. Then, when I get dressed up for a TV segment or special event, I suddenly feel so much better! It’s like I’m my old pre-kid working-girl self again!

I know this could be an unpopular opinion, since there’s such a movement toward being “natural” and accepting yourself as you are. But, that’s not necessarily what I’m talking about here… Of course, I want women to love themselves with or without makeup! But, I also believe in respecting yourself, and for me, that means taking care of my appearance. It doesn’t even have to be full hair and makeup. I honestly feel better with only a simple swipe of mascara and concealer under my eyes!

There’s really something remarkable about the confidence boost you can get when you put yourself together… So, ladies, if it’s been a while since you’ve felt good in your own skin, take an extra couple minutes to respect yourself and feel beautiful today. Just do one thing! It could be adding a layer of lip gloss or forgoing the same pair of lulus you’ve worn for the last 2 days for a pair of real pants. Try it, I promise you’ll feel better! Let’s make a girls’ pact that we’ll do this at least half of the week… good? Deal!

Now, getting ready for the other 25% percent of my life that’s dedicated to TV appearances takes more than just a couple minutes. I always do my own hair and makeup (maybe one day I’ll be “big” enough to hire pro hair and makeup artists), and my get-ready routine takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. I actually love the process of getting ready for TV or a special event. I put on some hype music and enjoy taking my time being creative with makeup products and making myself feel good. It’s like a self-care ritual!

Here are my tried-and-true products that I think you’ll love, too!

FACE MAKEUP:

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating

I always use Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating before applying foundation to keep my skin hydrated and extend the wear of my makeup.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+

I’ve been using IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation with SPF 50+ in Fair Light for about 3 years now, and it’s the best. I feel like it offers full coverage, but is so light on my skin. It doesn’t crease or dry me out like some foundations. They have so many shades available to match your skin tone.

tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer

I got introduced to tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer (my shade is 10N Fair) from a couple beauty influencers, and I’m obsessed. It doesn’t dry out my eye area, doesn’t clump in fine wrinkles and generously covers dark circles. A little goes a long way, so it lasts forever.

NARS Bronzer Powder

I love adding NARS Bronzer Powder in Laguna for a healthy, sun-kissed look. I swipe at my hairline, then make a sweeping C motion down to my cheekbones. I also add to the tip of my nose and chin – basically anywhere where sun would naturally hit my face.

NARS Blush

Ladies (including me) have been obsessed with NARS Blush‘s Orgasm shade for years, and it’s easy to see why. The shade’s peachy glow looks fabulous on all skin colors. I also put a small amount on my eyelids to make my blue eyes POP!

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

The final step of my makeup routine is brushing Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder over areas that I tend to get oily, like my forehead and chin. It helps my makeup stay in place longer, too.

EYE MAKEUP:

Too Faced Natural Eyes Eye Shadow Palette

This Too Faced Natural Eyes Eye Shadow Palette is the only eye shadow palette I’ve ever owned where I truly use every single shade depending on the day and the look I’m going for. For an easy daytime look, I’ll swipe the Heaven color across my entire lid and brow bone and use the Erotica color for my eyeshadow. If I’m doing a look for TV, I’ll use 6 shades: Heaven, Silk Teddy, Strip Poker, Chocolate Martini, Honey Pot and Push-Up. Let me know if I should do a tutorial? The Silk Teddy color is perfect for highlighting my face, too! I’ll add it to the tip of my nose, cheek bones and above my eyebrows.

KVD Beauty Tattoo Liquid Eyeliner

I’ve been using KVD Beauty Tattoo Liquid Eyeliner in Trooper Black for 8 years now, and I love how easy it is to apply. It’s my favorite to use to create a cat eye look. My only issue is that I feel like it sometimes dries out too fast, so I have to buy it often. Once it starts to dry, it’s challenging to apply.

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

I discovered ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara in 2021 when I took a poll on social media asking my followers their favorite mascara and so many people recommended it! I have been using it almost every day since, because it goes on so smooth, truly lengthens my lashes without clumping and doesn’t easily smudge to the top of my eyelids (I have deep set eyes, so this is a frequent problem with other mascaras). Bonus – it’s clean beauty!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil 

I love Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz® Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil  (my shade is Taupe) because it goes on so smooth and it’s the perfect amount of application. Before finding this brow pencil, I could never find a brow pencil that easily gave me the right amount of color. I was either pressing too hard to see color or trying to remove bold color. Anastasia is the BEST!

LIP MAKEUP:

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Several years ago, I read about Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk being one of the best, most universal shades, so I ordered it online immediately. To be honest, I didn’t think it worked for me then. I was so used to having very light pink lips (it was the the look of early to mid-2010s), and I thought it was too dark for me. Fast forward to now, and I’m obsessed!!!! I always over-line my lips to make them look fuller. I often fill in my lips with a bit of this liner, too, before adding lipstick and gloss. I do agree the Pillow Talk shade could work on all skin tones – give it a try!

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick

This Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick has a bit of a matte finish, but it’s so very soft and hydrating. Sephora’s website describes it as a “cashmere” finish… dreamy! Charlotte Tilbury is a genius! I have this lipstick in shade Nude Kate. You can wear this lipstick alone, but it looks SO GOOD with my favorite lip gloss, below.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss

This Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss in shade Fenty Glow looks amazing on everyone and over every shade of lipstick or alone. My go-to makeup artist who I trust with my makeup life recommended this to me, and I’m eternally grateful. I also have this lip gloss in shade Fu$$y for when I want a bit of a pinker lip.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick – Jennifer’s Nude

This L’Oreal lipstick is the only drugstore brand makeup item on my list, but I haven’t been able to find it in drugstores the last couple of years, so I get it on Amazon. I hope they never stop making it, because the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in shade Jennifer’s Nude (inspired by Jennifer Lopez, yes, J-Lo!) is the perfect nude shade!! It’s perfect for every day but also looks dressed up under Fenty Gloss Bomb Lip Gloss mentioned above.

HAIR PRODUCTS AND TOOLS:

Olaplex Bond No. 7 Bonding Oil

I started using Olaplex Bond No. 7 Bonding Oil as a recommendation from my hairstylist. I had some major damage done to my hair, and this bonding oil has helped repair it. I’ll add about a dime size amount to wet hair and then add another pea size amount to dry hair before adding styling tools to it.

Ouai Wave Spray

I have stick straight hair naturally and need all the help I can get to keep a curl. I spray this Ouai Wave Spray on my hair before adding hot tools and it helps keep my waves from falling as fast. I also love the smell!

R+Co Sun Catcher Leave-In Conditioner

Living in Southern California, my hair is so dry, so I add a few pumps of R+Co Sun Catcher Leave-In Conditioner to my hair when I get out of the shower then brush through. It helps soften, seal and detangle my hair.

Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand

This Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand gives my hair soft beachy waves. What differentiates it from other curling irons is its tapered shape and it’s snag-free ceramic barrel for smooth curls. I love this wand because it heats up quickly. My hair will typically keep a curl for two days after using this product!

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray

I finish my hair with TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray. I’ve been using this trusty hairspray since high school!

Do you use any of these products? Let me know your favorites in the comments section below! Or, if you have any questions about how I use these hair and makeup products, I’d love to answer them! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more! And, see my hair and makeup looks on TV!

XO Maggie