In the midst of a beauty world with options such as cherry red lipstick, firecracker glitter nail polish, teal eyeliner and hot pink kabuki blush, sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics. And what better time to return than fall? September marks the time to complement the tan you worked so hard for and accentuate your best features with an effortless disguise. Here’s a running list of some products for oomph while staying au naturale:

China Glaze’s Fast Track
Originally from the Hunger Games-inspired collection, this nude shade (with bits of gold shimmer) goes with any outfit while remaining neutral enough for a job interview. 
 

Jouer SPF 15 Lip Sheer in Capri
This one always makes me feel like I’m wearing lipstick without the commitment of wearing lipstick. It’s sheerness and baby pink color makes itsuper natural and wearable everyday without having to touch up every 5 minutes. 

Smashbox Eye Beam Double Ended Brightener
This pencil is my dream come true. I’m obsessed with highlighting my browbone, the inner corners of my eyes and lining the rims…and guess what? This one DOES IT ALL. #winning 

Rimmel Glam’Eyes Trio Eyeshadow in Orion A more affordable option than the Naked Palette — good for quick & easy on a daily basis. Use the lightest shade for a highlight, the darkest for the crease and the medium to blend it out! 

Urban Decay Naked Palette (1)
Cause the original is always the best. I use all shades on a regular basis (minus the 3 to the right) and am running out, using my Naked 2 and weeping. #semiwhitegirlproblems 
 

Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener
Looking awake is going to be important and a priority, especially when classes start. Save the kohl-rimmed eyes for the bar and opt for a lighter option during the day. Thank you, Tarte, just thank you.
 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup 
The name of the product is kind of a spoiler in its own right. Weightless? Check. Naked skin? Check. Ultra definition….maybe is Urban Decay lingo for a matte finish with luminosity. 

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Foundation. The step one. The basis. The…foundation. #gottalovenamesakes

As a loyal Bobbi Brown foundation user for the past year, I decided to branch out. (Change is good, right?!) And it may just have been one of the wiser decisions I’ve made lately. 

The letters HD on Make Up For Ever’s bottle always intrigued me. After chatting up the sales associate at my local Sephora (that I’m the Foursquare mayor of — woot woot), he recommended M.U.F.E’s because it begins with medium coverage but is completely build-able. Tip: he also told me that applying foundation is like “oil painting” and that I must dab and blot and paint a masterpiece with my foundation brush. What a winner.

We like bullet points, so let’s do bullet points. Only pros, no cons. Because really, this stuff is amazing. 

• Comes in 25 shades - so you will find a shade that matches your skintone. Say goodbye to the days of being off-color (even minutely)!
• Long-lasting - it outlasts all my crazy, all day long. My eyeliner will start to run before this foundation (and I assure you I essentially bulletproof my eye makeup on the daily). 
• Keeps skin hydrated - I don’t know how or why, but it’s quite a miracle. No cakey look will ever plague you again. It’s perfect especially with the cold weather coming. Your skin stays soft and it somehow preserves your moisturizer. Lovely.
• Soft-focus effect - it’s designed for people who are to appear onscreen but works wonders in real life too. It’s finish is flawless, so no need to fear fluorescent lighting ever again!
• Smooth and even - you’ll never see those creases or lines along the jawline. Nope nope nope.
• Illuminates your complexion - it contains an ingredient called Sericite that spreads light rays across your face. Who woulda thunk?

$40 at Sephora

Sephora Professionel Platinum Foundation Brush #47

A good brush is hard to find…

Discovering this brush was such a nice surprise! I had been looking for a reasonably priced brush for liquid foundation for a while and nothing seemed to be streak-proof. The Sephora #47 actually blends liquid foundation in seamlessly, minimal streaks and the brush feels great against the skin. Provides great coverage and the bristles are synthetic, which is apparently great because it doesn’t absorb oil. Sanitary and streak-free. What’s not to love?

Pros: blends smoothly, great price, does not leave streaks (which are the bane of my existence), GREAT FOR LIQUID

Cons: needs to be cleaned pretty often (no one likes hardened foundation on their brushes)

$27 at Sephora

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer

A real drugstore gem

Sadly, foundation primers are often left in the dust when there are so many more exciting and obvious options that come in assorted colors. Foundation primer simply gets overlooked a lot of the time. So, where to begin? Almost all brands have their own, but which ones are worth it? And how much should you pay for it? 

My best friend introduced me to Rimmel’s Fix & Perfect. Inexpensive and perfect for priming the skin for liquid foundation. Goes on super smooth and makes your skin feel like velvet. Feels like a moisturizer. 

Pro: a bargain, non-greasy, makes makeup last longer, evens out complexion

Con: the formula isn’t super heavy-duty (so for people who want a heavier coverage primer or one that matches your skin tone precisely, this isn’t for you!)

$7 at your local drugstore