If You Could Have Only One... What Would it Be? Tag :)

Hi, everyone! I recently saw a great tag on Kimberley's Beauty Blog that involved picking your single, go-to, must-have makeup item in a number of categories. I thought it would be a fun, challenging and really telling exercise (you really have to figure out your favourites!), and since she tagged everyone, I'm giving it a go!

So below is a list of categories and the goal is to choose one single item for each- If you had to choose one, what would it be?

Here are my choices, with my thoughts on each- hope you enjoy!


Primer- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer
I've never used a foundation primer regularly until I found this one. Makes makeup last without getting cakey, controls oil without drying the skin, and doesn't break me out. The light texture makes it a pleasure to use!

Base Product- Revlon ColourStay Liquid Foundation Combination/Oily Formula in Buff
I've tried countless foundations from all price ranges and this is the one I always come back to. It ticks all the boxes for me- great coverage without getting cakey, ultra-long wear, oil control, and a fab colour match. Can't ask for more!

Revlon ColourStay Makeup Combination/Oily Skin in Buff

Concealer- Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory
This is by far the most luxurious pick on my list, but it really is incredible. Amazing coverage, but blends seamlessly into the skin with a comfortable lightweight texture. The only reason it's not in my kit at the moment is the price, but will definitely re-purchase down the line!

Powder- MAC Blot Powder in Medium
An oily-skinned gal's best friend. Sheer, natural coverage that sets foundation all day and keeps shine at bay. I've gone through at least 10 of these over the years. Always come back to it!

MAC Blot Powder in Medium- well used!

Blush- NARS Powder Blush in Deep Throat
Although I'm a blush fiend, Deep Throat has held its place as my favourite blush for some time now. It's the perfect balance of peach and pink that's uber flattering on my fair skin, with a lovely amount of shimmer. You can really wear this with everything, but it's far from boring. And the name is ultra saucy!

NARS Powder Blush in Deep Throat

Me wearing NARS Deep Throat Blush

Bronzer- Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Hula Hula
This bronzer has been in my makeup bag for a couple years now and it's still going strong. Not bad for a $6 product! The shaded works really well on my fair skin and it has just the right amount of shimmer to give a glow to the skin without looking frosty. A total winner in my books! 

Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Hula Hula

Highlighter- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Year
This was a tougher one because I don't wear highlighter daily and have never committed to a go-to. But looking through my collection, the one that stands out the most is this lovely nebula-like Skinfinish from MAC. Gives a pretty peachy pink glow with golden shimmer. Adds impact, but is still quite wearable, and is so pretty to look at!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Year

Me wearing MAC MSF in Light Year

Makeup Brush- Real Techniques Blush Brush
This really is the ultimate multi-tasking face brush! I have used it for powder, blush, bronzer, and highlighter and it performs flawlessly with all of them. Plus, the bristles are super soft, so it's a treat for the face each morning :)

Eyebrow Product- Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Ash Blonde/Taupe
I will never, never be without this product. My brows are ultra sparse and this brow powder gives them definition while still looking perfectly natural. The formula lasts all day (even in the sweatiest humidity!), which is a must. Nobody wants melty eyebrows! This has truly been a godsend.

Eye Shadow- Laura Mercier Powder Eye Shadow in Sandstone
This was a super tough pick, but I ultimately chose a shadow that I can wear completely on its own and still look totally put together. Sandstone is a warm ivory champagne shade that gives a lovely sheen to the eyelids and even doubles as a face highlighter. I've almost used up the entire thing, which is saying a lot! Great everyday shadow that is also perfect for Marilyn-inspired eyes- just add winged liner!

Laura Mercier Powder Eye Shadow in Sandstone

Eyeliner- Tarte emphasEyes Amazonian Clay Eyeliner in Brown
While I rave about my Revlon Liquid Eye Pen constantly, I realized that I wear my Tarte emphasEyes liner far more often. It's a wearable chocolate brown that adds great definition to the eyes while staying a touch softer than a traditional black liner. The formula really lasts all day and the smudge tip is fantastic for creating a cat eye look!

Urban Decay Primer Potion Original formula (not on the list, but a staple of mine!), Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black, Tarte emphasEyes Clay Liner in Brown, Revlon ColourStay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black (runner-up for my eyeliner pick!)

Mascara- Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
Clinique's mascaras are my hands-down favourites and I think Lash Doubling is the best among them. Adds incredible length and volume without clumping and flaking. The best mascara for some daily drama without venturing into the false lash extreme. I'll always come back to this one!

Lipstick, Lipgloss, or Stain- MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Lickable
This was by far the toughest category! I have a shameful formidable lipstick collection, each one with a unique shade, formula, and effect. But I had to go with one of my oldest and most-worn lipsticks- MAC Lickable. It introduced me to the wonders of bright pink lips and I haven't looked back. It's a cool-toned shade that works incredibly well on my neutral-warm skin. Adds a pop of colour that makes me look awake. It's fun in a tube!

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Lickable

Me wearing MAC Lickable

Lip Liner- MAC Lipliner Pencil in Subculture
I only wear lip liner a few times a year, but my go-to is MAC Subculture. It's close to the shade of my natural lips (a light-to-medium toned peachy pink), so I can wear it with everything! Plus the name is kind of cool :)

Lip Balm- Bonne Bell Lipsmacker Dr. Pepper flavour
This is perhaps my favourite budget buy- I've been using it since I was 10 years old! It keeps lips moisturized and leaves a flattering rosy glow. Plus the scent is spicy and sweet. Will always have this in my bag!

Bonne Bell Lipsmacker Dr. Pepper Flavour- $2 of goodness!

Nail Polish- O.P.I. Nail Polish in Cajun Shrimp
My nail polish collection has grown exponentially lately, but I will always have a soft spot for O.P.I. Cajun Shrimp. It was the first higher-end polish I ever bought and is still my go-to summer shade for my toes. The ultimate vibrant coral that looks perfect with a tan :)

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp

And that's it! I'm really happy to have done that tag- some categories were no-brainers and others were quite the challenge! In both cases, it reminded me of my all-time favourites, those products that have a permanent place in my makeup bag, no matter how much my eye wanders!

I tag everyone who wants to do this post! If you end up doing it, let me know; would love to check it out!

Thanks for reading :)