The Natural Makeup Ritual

Certified favorites, all Clean at Sephora

CARE

Sam Livingston

Apr 17 2023 | min read

certified favorites, all Clean at Sephora

My philosophy with makeup is very simple: if it works, it works. I’ve had the same routine for years, and only occasionally will I introduce something new. My skin is on the drier side so once I find products that blend into my skin easily, I don’t really care to start that process over. All in all, I’m pretty loyal to Ilia with a light sprinkling of Saie, Milk, and others here and there. You can pick up any of these products at Sephora, and I thought the timing would be ideal because of the 2023 Savings Event.

And! If you’re interested in my haircare essentials, here’s everything I currently use.

Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream, $46

I start off with this under-eye brightener which features sea fennel extract, avocado extract, caffeine, and peptides for de-puffing, smoothing, and firming effects.

Ilia C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen w/ Vitamin C + Niacinamide, $64

This serum makes a great base and is my ideal format for applying SPF: it melts into my skin so well and doesn’t make it complicated to layer other products on top of it.

Ilia True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide, $54

When I’m looking for a little more coverage, I’ll go with this foundation: it’s breathable, seamlessly blending and building for skin that looks like skin. This formula is non-comedogenic, safe for sensitive skin, and contains active levels of niacinamide and allantoin, which smooth and soothe to visibly improve bare skin over time.

Glossier Stretch Concealer for Dewy Buildable Coverage, $20

This buildable concealer uses adaptable mineral pigments for a brightening effect and natural-looking coverage that blends seamlessly into the skin for a dewy finish. It’s free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, coal tar, and other concerning ingredients.

Ilia Illuminator, $36

No sparkles, no glitter—just pure dew. This barely-there highlighter stick delivers a soft, subtle shimmer that adds dimension to the face and body. Warm it up with your finger and dab it along cheekbones, brow bones, inner corners of the eyes, the bridge of the nose, or anywhere else that needs extra glow.

Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush, $20

I love this multitasking tinted balm for ultra-glowing lips and cheeks. It features green tea and aloe vera extracts for a smooth and hydrating finish.

Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick, $24

This easy-to-use twist-up stick effortlessly builds and blends for a summery bronze look all year long. The multi-use, shimmer-free formula can be worn as a bronzer, eyeshadow, lip color, or all over your body for natural-looking warmth. Each stick gets you more than 1,000 swipes.

Ilia Balmy Tiny Hydrating Lip Balm, $28

The lip product I swear by: Hold Me is my favorite, and available in an array of other easy-to-wear shades for a buildable kiss of color you can dial up or down, this buttery balm slides on with a smooth, satisfying slip. The blend of botanical butters and oils quenches dry skin on contact, helping lips look smoother, softer, and plumper.

Saie Mascara 101 Lengthening and Lifting, $26

This clean mascara formula uses nourishing shea butter, beeswax and our hydra-mineral complex to lift and separate every lash. Buildable, lightweight and volumizing, lashes are left full and feathered, never cakey or flakey. Designed with a unique molded brush to extend, lengthen and define lashes.

Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder, $30

Honestly, the only setting powder I’ve ever liked. This one is packed with clean ingredients like squalane to lock in hydration and give skin a plump, moisturized appearance plus low-level (ethically sourced) mica for effortless luminosity. Saie’s formula has a weightless, velvet-cream texture that blends in seamlessly and leaves a radiant glow without looking heavy.

Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Pomade Gel, $24

A nod to the brows of the ’80s, this pomade gel adds color and volume for healthy-, fluffy-looking brows. The mineral-based formula fortifies brows with vitamin B5 while providing a flexible, all-day hold that never smudges or flakes, and the tapered precision brush helps you coat every single hair.

I wrote about some of my favorite empties, the perfect facial oil, and my tried-and-true razor if you’d like to read more. Have a beautiful week!

Disclosure: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to buy any of the products I refer to and promote. All opinions are my own.