Here Are 18 Of The Best Products I Use In My Daily Beauty Routine

A peek into a BuzzFeed writer's beauty routine.

Hi friends, my name is May and I'm one of the writers here on BuzzFeed Canada's shopping team. I'm also a beauty enthusiast and I basically spend all my money on makeup and skincare. So, I thought I'd make a list of some of my favourite products!

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1. The Ordinary's Balance skincare set that'll give you a ton of bang for your buck, from cleansers to moisturizers. It'll help your prep your face for makeup or help you take it off and get ready for bed.

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I'm a firm believer that to make your makeup look good, you have to take care of your skin. That's why I like to prep my face before putting anything on. I swear it makes the makeup last longer and look less cakey. This little bundle of products have become a staple in my routine, keeping my skin clear and glowy.

Since the squalene cleanser is lipid-based, it’s great for removing makeup, and it cleans your skin without stripping it of moisture. The niacinamide literally cleared my pores overnight, since it works by regulating your sebum levels. I use the salicylic acid once every other week, or whenever my skin is feeling dull, to draw out any impurities. And lastly, my favourite product of the bunch is the moisturizer that's packed with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, ceramides, and other nourishing goodies. It's non-greasy but keeps my skin hydrated all day long.

Get it from Sephora for $29.

2. An Clinique eye cream that'll perk you up in the morning with the help of peptides and caffeine. You can use the round head to give yourself a little massage to help de-puff your under-eyes.

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I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a morning person, AT ALL. The only things that'll fully wake me up in the morning are coffee and this baby right here. It feels really light and refreshing on my tired under-eyes, and I've noticed my dark circles becoming less visible after using it for a while. The head is perfect for a quick massage to help me drain the fluid that builds up overnight (because my eyes also get puffy – lucky me, right?).

Get it from Clinique for $37.

3. The Burt's Bees tinted lip balm that'll keep your puck hydrated and add just a hint of colour. It's made with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter, that'll keep your lips hydrated all day long.

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Okay this is the last product I use for "prepping" before the actual makeup routine. But on days where I'm not wearing makeup or I'm doing a more natural look, I only use this. It adds just a touch of colour, making it look like I actually have some life in me. It's also long-lasting and keep my lips from chapping, even hours after I apply it. I use the shade Red Dahlia.

Get it from Amazon Canada for $5.97. Available in five shades.

4. The Elf putty primer that has a satin finish and hydrating ingredients (like squalene). A layer of this stuff under your foundation will create an instant smooth effect and help to reduce any cakiness. It’s like an Instagram filter in a jar.

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On no-makeup days, I'll still use this primer to just give my skin the appearance of being more smooth. It really works to fill in your pores. When I do wear makeup, it makes a nice, even base for the makeup to stick to. It also adds one more layer of hydration, without looking greasy. Reviewers say it's a much more affordable dupe of the Tatcha Silk Canvas primer.

Get it from Amazon Canada for $9.97.

5. The Beautyblender Pro makeup sponge that'll help you seamlessly blend out your face makeup. It bounces on the skin like a dream it'll help absorb some of the extra product, meaning your makeup will look smooth and natural.

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I like this version of the Beauty Blender better than the classic pink one because I find it doesn't look as dirty when my foundation is all up in it (tip: the best way I've found to clean your Beauty Blender is with any regular bar of soap). It's the softest beauty sponge I've ever used, and I honestly think it's worth the splurge if you wear foundation on a semi-regular basis.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $26.

6. The Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation that'll last all day long (it's tested for 24-hour wear) without creasing or oxidizing. It's so versatile too, you can mix it with a face oil or cream for a dewy natural look or build it up when you're going full glam.

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This is my ride-or-die foundation. I've been using it for years and I'll never stop. I love how natural it looks on my skin and that it's matte but non-drying. And hello? 56 shades? We love that. Not only can you find a colour that best suits you, but you can also match it to your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral). Your face will never not match your neck again. The coverage is really buildable (though I like to blend it out for a more natural look). I use the shade 3N2 (Wheat).

Get it from Sephora Canada for $54 or Estée Lauder for $54. Available in 56 shades.

7. The Two Faced Born This Way concealer that'll cover up any spots (or the fact that you only got 2 hours of sleep last night). It's also great for highlighting or contouring, since it comes in 30 shades.

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I don't have too many blemishes, so I get this concealer in a lighter colour and I use it solely for highlighting (because I do have dark circles). It's lightweight but still covers everything up, and a little definitely goes a long way. I use the shade Natural Beige.

I've read reviews saying that this is a good dupe for the cult-favourite Tarte Shape Tape (which we can't get in Canada for some reason). So, if you've been getting concealer FOMO with that product, you should probably check this one out.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $19+. Available in 30 shades and in two sizes.

8. The Fenty Match Stix that'll help you sculpt your face like a pro (with a contour, concealer, and highlighter). They magnetize together, making them perfectly portable and easy to find.

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For my go-to look, I just use the contour stick because I love my other face products so much. But when I used to travel a lot, I just brought this trio because it was so handy. Just a warning, these babies are dry (because the finish is matte), so you have to warm them up a little before using them. I use the shade Tan 300.

Get the trio from Sephora Canada for $34.50. Available in two shade options.

9. The Nyx Born to Glow liquid highlighter that'll have you shining bright like a diamond. Since it's a liquid formula, you can also add a bit into your foundation or body lotion for a natural glow.

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I love me some cream and liquid products, since I find they blend better and look more natural than powder products. This one is great because it doesn't have any chunky glitters and just adds a sheer glow to my skin. I like that it has just a tiny touch of colour, too. I use the shade Gleam.

Get it from Nyx Canada for $14.

10. The Laura Mercier translucent setting powder that'll help you set your face makeup, so you won't look like an oil slick at the end of the day. It's milled extra fine, so it'll fill in all your pores and lines, giving you an airbrushed look.

May Ning

I love love love this powder for setting my makeup. It gives the most natural effect out of all the powders I've ever used (keep in mind, it's low coverage). I've tested this powder in photos, and it doesn't flash back (which is the worst, if you know what I'm talking about). I get the mini version of it, because I like throwing it my purse for touch-ups while I'm out. I use the shade Translucent.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $30. Available in three shades.

11. The Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pomade that'll help you fill out the sparse areas in your brows. It's very pigmented, so you can emulate the big, bold brows of your dreams (or blend it out with a spooly for a more natural look).

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I've had my jar of the ABH Dipbrow for years (sorry if that's gross), but it's seen me through the Instagram brows of 2015 to the more natural fluffy look that's trending now. It's water and sweatproof, so you won't have to worry about it running down your face if you get wet (I've literally gone swimming with this stuff on). And when I'm in a pinch, I'll use it as eyeliner, too. I use the shade Dark Brown.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $24. Available in 11 shades.

12. The Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner that'll help you achieve a sharp cat-eye wing without smudging. It's pigmented, but you can also blend it out for a smokey look (just make sure you do it before it dries, it won't budge afterwards).

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I’m not great with eyeliner — I seem to always mess up with liquids, and pencils aren’t sharp enough for me. Using this gel liner with a fine liner brush gives me enough control to come out with a pretty clean wing. It’s long-lasting, too! I’ve worn it to a festival on a hot humid day (pre-COVID) and it came out looking intact.

Get it from Amazon Canada for $9.96. Available in two colours.

13. The Shu Uemura lash curler that'll help you achieve the perfect curl without ripping half your lashes out. The hinge design is literally patented, so you can bet the brand takes lash curling technology seriously.

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I never really thought that splurging on a lash curler would make a difference, but OG YouTube makeup guru Michelle Phan used this curler, so I went and got this curler. I've used it for years now and my short, straight lashes have thanked me. My little trick for making my lashes stay curled all day is to shoot this baby with a hair dryer for a few seconds (test how warm it is on your wrist first), and then curl. Boom, all-day curl.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $26 or Shu Uemura for $26.

14. The Maybelline Rocket volume mascara that'll make it look like you have extensions in. The micro bristles are stiff and they'll brush through each individual lash so you won't end up in clumpy town.

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I was not blessed in the lash department and I've always struggled to find a mascara that doesn't weigh my brittle lashes down. This one adds volume AND length and can hold a curl all day long. Plus, it's less than five bucks, so it's worth a try right?

Get it from Amazon Canada for $4.98. Available in three shades and also in a waterproof formula.

15. The Bare Minerals Gen Nude powder blush that'll help you get that sunkissed look without the skin damage. It's smooth, pigmented, and will last all day long.

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I've been really into that blush look where you apply it across your whole face where the sun naturally hits. I think it looks so cute and in dreary Ontario, it gives me some semblance of having vitamin D in my life. The formula is blendable and has a really natural finish (not too shiny, not too matte). I used the shade Call My Blush.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $32. Available in four shades.

16. The Mac matte lipstick that'll glide on your lips like a dream and packs on the pigment like nobody's business. It's also really nourishing (and smells like literal cake).

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These lipsticks are a classic and there's a good reason for it. They feel velvety smooth on and don't try out your lips like liquid lipsticks or liners do (great for us chapped-lip peeps). There's a shade for every look, but my favourite is the shade Taupe.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $24. Available in 30 colours.

17. This Fenty gloss that's buttery smooth, non-sticky, and hydrating (it's packed with shea butter). The wand is bigger than most lip gloss wands, making application a breeze.

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I remember when this product first came out. I'm pretty sure it was the first one that Rihanna launched and everyone raved about it. It's honestly still one of my favourites to this day and reviewers agree. It makes a statement when layered on lipstick or liner but is a bit more sheer and natural when used alone (she can do it all!). I use the shade Fenty Glow.

Get it from Sephora Canada for $25. Available in six shades.

18. The Avène Thermal Spring Water mist that'll help put some moisture back into your skin. It shoots a super fine mist, so it'll help you look dewy instead of like you just got caught in the rain.

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I might get flack for this one because I don't actually set my makeup with a setting spray. But I find that my combination of products has pretty good holding power. The only thing I really need is to add moisture back into my skin because I'm so dry. And yes, I know it's just water, but I haven't been able to find a bottle that shoots out the mist as finely as this one, so I think it's worth it. It's also a great pick-me-up for when you need a little refreshing throughout the day.

Get it from LookFantastic for $12.

And voilà! Here's the finished look. I hope you liked seeing what I use and that you found a new beauty product to try out!

May Ning/BuzzFeed

How I feel every time I do my makeup:

Walt Disney Pictures / Via media.giphy.com

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