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While we may not all have attended cosmetology school or host our own YouTube series, beauty editors know a thing or two about makeup. We get to play with tons of products and gadgets for a living, often before anyone else in the industry does. We have access to the world's top skin care and makeup experts, learning all the tricks of the trade. And for the most part, we're like walking Google searches, if you're ever wondering what the best "fill-in-the-blank-product" is for your skin type or preference. So when it comes to our own beauty regimen, we're extremely particular.
If you follow any beauty editor on social media, you know that we receive stacks (upon stacks) of makeup samples on a weekly basis. It's nearly impossible to get through them all, but every so often, we find a product or two that we love so much, we'll incorporate it into our daily routine.
Here are the products that 11 beauty editors wear (almost) every day to the office.
Sara Tan (@saratan) West Coast & Fashion Beauty Editor, Bustle
Over the last few years, my beauty routine has shifted heavily to being skincare-focused, which means I spend a majority of my morning cleansing, treating, and hydrating my face. Since that takes a good chunk of my time — and because I'm a huge fan of that natural, radiant Korean Beauty-inspired look — I like to keep my makeup routine quick and simple.
Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact, $60, Sephora
First, I'll prep my face with Etude House Beauty Shot Blur Primer, which brightens my complexion while also blurring my skin (like an Instagram filter!). It also has SPF in it, which is a huge priority for me. Then, I'll use my absolute favorite cushion compact from Amore Pacific in Medium Yellow, which gives my skin a dewy glow. It also has SPF in it and other good-for-your-skin Asian botanicals, so I don't feel bad about it clogging my pores.
I'm all about my brows, so I make sure I never leave the house without a combination of Benefit Precisely My Brow in shade 5 and Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade in Dark Brown. I'm addicted to eyelash extensions and have them filled every two weeks, which means I forgo both eyeliner and mascara. If I'm feeling a little extra, I'll swipe on some eyeshadow from Too Faced's Sweet Peach Palette.
It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow, $32, It Cosmetics
I'll use Benefit Hoola Powder and IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow Blush to add some color to my face and if I have time, a little bit of ColourPop's School Is Fun Highlighter (from their Hello Kitty collab) on my cheekbones and nose.
I'm constantly changing up my lipsticks, but right now, I've got Glossier's Generation G Matte Lipstick in Jam, LORAC Pro Matte Lip Color in Mauve, and ColourPop's Ultra Blotted Lip in Slip in my purse.
Kara McGrath (@diosmioitskara) Deputy Editor Fashion & Beauty, Bustle
Kara McGrath admits that she loves to experiment with different products, but even if she's switching up brands, she'll "almost always wear a primer, foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, eyebrow pencil, highlighter (or two!), and a lip color."
Instant Eclat, $90, Sisley Paris
Lately, McGrath has been using Sisley's Instant Eclat to prime her face followed by CoverGirl's Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation and Glossier's Stretch Concealer. For blush, she loves Make Up For Ever's powder in Peachy Pink and for highlighter, she uses a combination — ColourPop's Spoon on her cheekbones, under her brows, on her nose, and her Cupid's bow, and BECCA Cosmetics' Champagne Pop layered on top of her cheekbones.
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Shirley, $34, Sephora
To finish, McGrath reaches for Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Definer in Taupe, Buxom's Big Tease Plumping Mascara. She switches up lipstick a lot as well, but lately she's been fangirling for NARS Audacious Lipstick in Shirley.
Marie Lodi (@agentlover) Beauty Editor, Hello Giggles
Marie Lodi describes her "eternal beauty look" as a red lip with winged eyeliner and a matte face "à la Dita Von Teese." However, as many beauty editors can probably attest to, her makeup routine changes constantly ("usually weekly, but sometimes even daily!"). Currently, she's using Fenty Pro Filt'r Foundation, which "deserves all of its hype — the coverage is phenomenal."
Lodi will set her face with Too Faced's Banana Pudding Powder from the I Want Kandee collection, which helps "blur out" her pores. For eyes, she's been loving Huda Beauty's Desert Dusk Palette and ColourPop's She palette from the Karrueche Fem Rosa collab, "but not before putting on Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer."
Smith & Cult B-Line Eye Liner, $26, Bloomingdale's
"I take my liquid eyeliner very seriously," Lodi tells me. She's been alternating between Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, and her new fave, Smith and Cult B-Line. For lashes, she's been enjoying the new Troublemaker mascara from Urban Decay.
Hollywood Lips Too Bad I'm Bad, $34, Charlotte Tilbury
When it comes to lipstick, she changes her color every day. "It's usually a Besame red like American Beauty or Kat Von D Everlasting Lipstick in Outlaw, but I've been experimenting with soft pinks like Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips in Too Bad I'm Bad and ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Mrs. (also part of the Karrueche collection)."
Stephanie Saltzman (@stephsaltzman) Beauty Editor, Fashionista
Depending on how Stephanie Saltzman's skin is feeling or how much coverage she wants, she'll start with either 3Lab Aqua BB Cream (for an "extra-dewy finish") or First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Triple Protection Skin Tint (if it's humid outside). Regardless of which one she chooses, she always uses a Beautyblender for "the most natural finish, every time."
Next, Saltzman uses NARS Soft Matte Concealer. "The creamy consistency of this concealer allows it to blend so seamlessly, but I love that it's so dense with pigment, so it actually covers the things you want covered." To set her concealer and foundation, she reaches for Glossier's Wowder for a "sort of velvety finish that's not too matte or chalky, but doesn't end up looking overly shiny or greasy later in the day."
You won't catch any shimmery or sparkly bronzers on Saltzman's face ("That's what highlighters are for!") which is why she loves Benefit Hoola Powder. She also doesn't like her highlighter "too noticeable or glittery," so she uses RMS Living Luminizer and ColourPop's Super Shock highlighter in Might Be for a slight sheen.
MARC JACOBS Feather Noir Ultra-Skinny Lash Discovering Mascara, $24, Sephora
Saltzman has been blessed with full brows (thanks in part to Revitabrow) so she uses Diorshow Brow Styler Gel in Brown to give "just a bit more definition." She loves the plastic tip of the pen which allows you to comb the product through your brows with precision. Saltzman then uses Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Duo Pencil's non-shimmery side to line her lower lids and make them look "more open and awake." She tops it off with Marc Jacobs Feather Noir Ultra Skinny Lash Discovering Mascara, which she praises as "the best mascara I've ever used." Last, she'll swipe on Bite Agave Lip Balm to hydrate her lips and make them feel "soft and quenched all day."
Faith Xue (@Faith_Xue) Editorial Director, Byrdie
Before Faith Xue applies any makeup for the day, she preps her skin with Tatcha's Pore Perfecting Sunscreen. "It leaves a velvety-matte finish and doubles as a primer," she tells me. When it comes to her daytime makeup look, Xue likes to keep it light and let her skin breathe, so she opts for a tinted moisturizer instead of a foundation. She switches between Milk Makeup's Sunshine Skin Tint, "which is more sheer and gives you a nice dewy look" and First Aid Beauty's Triple Protection Skin Tint, "which offers a bit more coverage."
FIRST AID BEAUTY Hello FAB Triple Protection Skin Tint, $34, Sephora
Xue's makeup mantra? "Smear it until it looks good." For this reason, she chooses creamy blush and highlighters over their powder counterparts. "Wander Beauty's On-the-Glow Highlighter in Coral Rose is the most amazing three-in-one product on mornings when I'm especially rushed: I dab the peachy coral tint on my cheeks and on my lips for a healthy flush, then swipe the pearly highlighter on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and above my cupid's bow to instantly look more awake."
If she's got a little more time in the morning, she'll "amp up" her glow with Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers, which she calls one of the most exquisite products she's ever used. "They melt in the skin so that it looks like you're just naturally a light-reflecting ethereal being."
Rituel de Fille Color Set: Rare Light Luminizer, $87, Rituel de Fille
Since getting her eyebrows microbladed, all Xue has to do is brush Benefit's Gimme Brow in shade 5 "to add a bit more definition." Thanks to lash extensions, she can skip the eyeliner and just trace her waterline with BeautyPie's Ultra Colour Wondergel.
"This whole routine takes all of three minutes and allows me to arrive to work still looking polished, as well as provides a nice base for all the makeup I usually end up testing on myself throughout the day."
Olivia Muenter (@oliviamuenter) Fashion & Beauty Editor, Bustle
Olivia Muenter starts her beauty routine by applying Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturizer and then layers Smashbox Photofinish Primerizer (a primer and moisturizer in one) over it. Once it all absorbs, she uses COVER FX's Natural Finish Foundation as a base, and then Wander Beauty Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer and Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer to highlight and define her face.
Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, $29, Wander Beauty
To add some brightness, Muenter will go in with NARS blush in Threesome, Essence Cosmetics Make Me Brow eyebrow gel, and Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance mascara. For some "glossy hydration" Muenter turns to Kopari Coconut Lip Love and then sets everything with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.
BECCA Champagne Pop, $38, Sephora
Oh, and she can't forget a light dusting of BECCA Champagne Pop "to make everything glow."
Beth Wischnia (@BethWischnia) Beauty Editor, Brit + Co
Beth Wischnia always starts her day with Erborian BB Creme. "Simply put: There is nothing else like it," she tells me. "I get my daily dose of SPF, it evens my skin out, and gives the most natural looking, light coverage I've ever experienced with a BB cream. "
Next, she'll use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, which she's used "religiously for several years." Wischnia notes that it's great for covering discoloration or redness around the eyes. If she needs more coverage, she'll use Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation. "This is the best foundation I have used in a long time," she tells me, saying it actually holds up on her 15 hour days. If she's breaking out, she'll use BareMinerals BarePRO Powder Foundation to spot conceal.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, $9, Ulta
Wischnia says she's "a total Benefit cheeks girl," which means she uses Hoola Matte Bronzer and either Dallas or GALifornia every day. She'll usually forgo highlighter for work, unless she has an event or is doing something on camera. For those occassions, she'll wear Urban Decay Naked Skin Illuminizer. "It isn't shimmery (which I love) but gives you a subtle, natural glow that lets your skin shine through. It's like a non-highlighter highlighter."
Wischnia then curls her lashes with her "trusty" Shiseido Eyelash Curler and Benefit Roller Lash, which she calls the best mascara on earth. "These two are absolute non-negotiables!"
For her brows, Wischnia opts for 100% Pure Green Tea Fiber Brow Gel. "I have tried so many and I swear, this one is unlike any others. It's dark, super lightweight and even holds up through sweaty SoulCycle classes." If she's looking to amp it up, she'll add some drama with Benefit Precisely, My Brow eyebrow pencil.
Green Tea Fiber Brow Gel, $22, 100% Pure
Although she despises anything related to bananas, Wischnia has been obsessed with Too Faced's I Want Kandee Banana Powder as of late. She says it makes your pores instantly invisible and smooths out your makeup. Thankfully for her, it does not smell like bananas.
Stephanie Montes (@stephanie_montes) Beauty Director, The Zoe Report
Stephanie Montes' daily makeup look consists of a cat eye, a nude lip, groomed brows, and fresh skin. "I'm always running late, so I look for products that are easy to use and get the job done quick," she tells me.
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $30, Sephora
First, she'll apply Koh Gen Do's Aqua Foundation with her fingers to make her skin look hydrated and dewy. Since the coverage on the lighter side, she'll use her favorite NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer on "areas that need some extra love."
For her signature cat eye, she'll use Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner because it has the thinnest brush applicator, which she swears makes creating a cat eye easy, "even on [her] off days." To finish, Montes will swipe on IT Cosmetics Superhero mascara and Benefit's Gimme Brow gel.
Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner, $20, Sephora
To give her complexion some color, she'll blot on a rose taupe lipstick, like NARS Do Me Baby Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, on her lips, cheeks, and eyelids.
Amanda Richards (@amandakater) Fashion & Beauty Editor, Bustle
When it comes to her beauty regimen, Amanda Richards is more a skin care person, which means she doesn't wear a ton of makeup to work. "Sometimes, I even layer up my skin care as if I was going to bed, and then go to work with like seven products on my bare face," she shares with me.
Urban Decay's Troublemaker Mascara, $24, Sephora
However, when she does wear makeup, she keeps it simple. A little Rituel De Fille Creme Pigment in Eclipse for blush, Urban Decay's Troublemaker Mascara on her lashes, and WUNDERBROW Eyebrow Gel on her brows.
NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $27, Sephora
For lipstick, she'll switch it up between NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, MAC's Liptensity Lip Pencils, and "any lip stains [she] can get [her] hands on."
Amanda Montell (@amanda_montell) Features Editor, Byrdie
Amanda Montell says she's going through a phase where she doesn't want to spend "more than six and a half minutes" on her makeup and wants to be able to apply most of her products with her fingers. "I also want to come out of the whole thing kind of looking like a glossy, wet-faced, monochromatic alien." In other words, radiant, youthful, and with a pop of color on the eyes, lips, and cheeks.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, $27, Ulta
"I start every makeup application with tiny dabs of Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer under my eyes, on either side of my nose, and over any blemishes," which she'll pat in with her fingers or a damp Beautyblender. Next, she'll brush her brows "up to the heavens" and use Benefit's Gimme Brow in shade 3 to fill them in.
If she's feeling fancy, she'll use her "outrageously expensive, [but] totally worth it" Kashoen Series Powder Brush to apply Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Bronzer down her cheekbones and around the edge of her forehead. "This step makes me look like I actually go outside and experience sunshine."
When it comes to color, Montell gravitates towards coral shades. She's also super into the monochromatic makeup look currently, so she'll dab Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek in Perk onto the apples of her cheeks and her eyelids. Then, she uses her "holy grail" Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in Coral on her lips and a little on her lids to bring some extra dimension to her eyes.
Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek in Perk, $24, Sephora
"I add Glossier's Haloscope Highlighter in Quartz to the top of my cheekbones and my cupid's bow, maybe slap some of their lip gloss onto my lips if I'm feeling it, and by then, my face is glistening to the gods," she shares. To finish things off, she'll swipe on Too Faced's Waterproof Better Than Sex Mascara.
It should be noted that all of the products Montell wears is cruelty-free, because "there's nothing cuter than a cruelty-free face," she says.
Katie Dupere (@KatieDupere) Associate Beauty Editor, Bustle
Katie Dupere knows it sounds ridiculous, but she uses 21 different products to achieve a minimal makeup look. It's about the ritual, more than anything else. "For me, applying makeup is a long process that I find calming and creative. But the end result is often simple in appearance, but heavy on the self-care," she tells me.
Most of the products Dupere uses are skin-centered. First, she preps her face with two primers — Guerlain L’Or Pure Radiance Face Primer and Benefit POREfessional Face Primer. For coverage, she'll mix Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight into Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation in Warm Linen and then conceal with Kevyn Aucion Sensual Skin Enhancer Concealer in Sx04 and Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair.
Guerlain L’Or Pure Radiance Face Primer, $74, Sephora
To add color and dimension to her face, Dupere uses Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit in Fair, Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff, Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Sin, and two bronzers — Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Natural and Ciaté Bamboo Bronzer in Palm Island.
Dupere primes her eyes with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original before applying Huda Beauty Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, Sephora Colorful Shadow & Liner in Let It Snow to rim her waterline, and L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in Blackest Black on her lashes.
Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss in Lovechild, $20, Sephora
"Aside from the occasional bold eye, the focus of all my makeup looks is a bold brow," Dupere shares. To achieve that bold brow, she uses BrowGal Skinny Eye Pencil in Medium Brown. As for her lip look, Dupere likes a neutral pout, so she'll usually wear Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss in Lovechild.
To set her face, she uses Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder in Translucent, IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder in Light, and Kat Von D Lock-It Makeup Setting Mist. Because if you're going to layer it all on, you might as well make sure it lasts.
