Full Coverage Face – Caroline in the Burbs

This was impromptu. I was doing a full face for our maternity photoshoot, and have never used the time lapse feature….I thought it would be cool to experiment. Y’all were interested in learning more, so here I’m providing you the details- steps and products.

This would be much easier to explain in an actual tutorial, which maybe I’ll get the nerve to do one day. For now, I hope the info below is helpful.

Disclaimer: As most of y’all know, I am all about non toxic living and have been making safe swaps in our home- from cleaning products, to food, to cosmetics. My makeup is still in transition. I am including the Environmental Working Group (EWG) toxicity rating so that you can know where the product falls (1 being the least toxic and 10 being the most)- I am happy to say ALL of these products fall at either a 5 or below.

As a full time mom and being SUPER pregnant, it is RARE that I do a full face. But this is my go to for events and photos. And yea… I’m a control freak about my makeup to the level that I did my own wedding makeup after learning from YouTube. I’m not a beauty guru, just a gal that loves skincare and beauty!

FACE

Primer – Cotz Prime and Protect SPF 40
EWG RATING: 2

I love this one and highly recommend it not just because it’s a great primer for makeup (similar feel to Benefit Porefessional), but it contains SPF 40, and a totally SAFE, non toxic formula! It looks tinted, but goes on clear. I wear EVERYDAY

Foundation– IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Medium
EWG RATING: 4

This may not be the cleanest formula, but I only use this when I would need a full coverage foundation. I like that it has safe sunscreen (Zinc & titanium dioxide), so it’s great for outdoor events. I apply with my fingers.

Concealer- Tarte Shape Tape in Light Sand
EWG RATING: 5

This concealer is the best I’ve ever used in terms of FULL coverage. It’s not the cleanest formula and contains a fragrance (WHY do we need a scent in our concealers?!), but since I only use this product for events, I buy the travel sized version from Ulta. (Sold out at Ulta, so I’ve linked it to Amazon). I dab out with my fingers- weird I know, but I get the best application.

Cream Contour– NYX Wonder Stick in Universal
EWG RATING: N/A

If contouring intimidates you, don’t let it! This stick makes it easy… I take the dark shade and outline the perimeter of my forehead, halfway down the angle of my cheekbones, sides of my nose, below bottom lip and along jawline. Then I dab in outward motions with a damp beauty blender. I take the light side and “cut” into my contour by lining below my jawbone and blending out.

Bronzer/Powder Contour- BeautyCounter Radiant All Over Bronzer in Surf
EWG RATING: 3

If you have seen my Insta-stories, then you’ve seen me rave about this bronzer. This is highly pigmented, very blendable and while it doesn’t have any glitter or sheen, it provides a radiance, YET it’s matte enough to use to contour. To contour I use this brush and for an all over glow I use my tried and true Bare Minerals Kabuki. The color “surf” is definitely a medium . If you are pale to light, I would go with the lighter shade, “dune”.

Blush– BeautyCounter Satin Blush in Nectar
EWG RATING: 3

Ok, so I’ve also been raving about this beauty. A TOTAL dupe for Nars Orgasm (which contains Parabens, Endocrine Disrupters and Triclosan), at the same pricepoint. This provides a beautiful glow. I apply with a flat top kabuki on the apples of cheeks (and on lids during most days).

EYES

Undereye Setting Powder: MAC Shaping Powder in Emphasize
EWG RATING: N/A

Described as being “off white with fine pearl” this contour powder sets undereyes beautifully, and is very brightening. I tap my damp beauty blender into the powder then dab under my eyes and anywhere else I want a highlight. This is a pan refill that I keep in my Z palette (along with my Makeup Geek shadows). Similar formulation to Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Sold out on Mac.com, so I’ve linked to Amazon).

Lids– Makeup Geek: Peach Smoothie, Cheetah Bear & Staycation
EWG RATING: N/A, (but Makeup Geek products are talc-free, paraben free, cruelty free gluten free and vegan)

Top Lid: Apply Peach Smoothie all over lid with fluffy brush, Cheetah Bear in Crease with this brush, then smoked out with Staycation using same brush.

Bottom Lid Below Lashline: Applied Cheetah Bear using this flat definer brush, then smoked out with Staycation using this brush.

Inner Eye- Jane Iredale Pencil in White
EWG RATING: 1

White eyeliner on your bottom waterline makes your eyes pop like no other. If this is too dramatic for you, try a nude!

Top Lid Eyeliner– NYX Epic Ink Liquid Eyeliner in Black
EWG RATING:N/A but hypoallergenic and free of Fragrance, Gluten, Nickel, Top Common Allergy Causing Preservatives, Lanolin, Soy, Topical Antibiotic, Parabens

I love a clean liquid line on the top lid. This is an amazing liquid liner… I am VERY particular. This is a great dupe for Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner. I try to “feel” it out and not over think it. I start mid-lashline and carefully pull my eyes taut then drag to end. I then go from the inner corner and connect.

Brows- BeautyCounter Eyebrow Pencil in Medium
EWG RATING: EWG Verified! Highest rating possible.

Brows make the face. This is an excellent pencil, goes on easily and lasts all day. Versatile colors and EWG verified! I use this everyday.

Brow Gel: Anastasia of Beverly Hills Eyebrow Gel in Clear
EWG RATING: 4

Glue for your brows. I have some brow hairs that grow downward. Most days, I don’t care about them, but for events where I want everything in place. I use this stuff. Been on the same tube for a couple years… no joke. I have tried drug store dupes but none with this staying power.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Setting Spray: The Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin
EWG RATING: 2

At this point in my makeup routine, I spray the whole face. GO BUY THIS NOW. It’s amazing. It’s cheap, super clean formula and does more than just set makeup. This can be used a primer, setting spray, to dampen your beauty blender for flawless makeup application, as a midday refresher mist and as a toner. Talk about a multi-tasker. Oh.. I HATE powders. SO I set this way.. I will spray then pat the makeup in with a beauty blender.

Mascara: BeautyCounter Volumizing Mascara
EWG RATING: EWG Verified! Highest rating possible.

After I spray my face, I apply mascara. This is a new product for me. It’s a drier formula, but NO clumps or flakes. And I curl lashes before AND after mascara… if a mascara can hold up to that (most can’t).. it’s a keeper for me. Held my curl. I also like the large wand and that it removes easily at night. For the photoshoot I wore 2-3 coats. Everyday, I wear one. I know some women add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the tube to make it more emollient.

Highlight: Becca Highlighter in Champagne Pop
EWG RATING: 3

Gosh, I love a good highlight. TIP: Apply highlight AFTER your setting spray. Trust me on this one… it makes your highlight pop. Champagne Pop is a cult classic and I’ve had it for years… granted it’s now shattered. It is SUPER pigmented and gives the most beautiful glow. I use my fingers to tap it above cheek bones, down the center of the nose, just below brows, in my cupids bow.