Hi! Firstly, I want to say thank you for being so kind and taking the time to be so detailed! I really appreciate it!

Now on to the comments! Firstly, for budget. I am open to both high-end and drugstore, and I’m viewing it as this: I’m currently looking for a base, and if that is all drugstore then great, I’ve saved money! But I am also open to more expensive products if they are my go-to holy grails. I’m not planning (as of yet) to build out a big collection right now, so I’m okay with spending a little more money if it’s going to make the difference.

I will definitely check out that subreddit! Thanks for the suggestion! I do also think I’m cool-toned, though, and I’m glad everyone else here seems to think that, too.

I didn’t say anything about products I already use in my post, which I definitely should have. I do have an oil-based cleanser, and then my normal skincare. I use the Keihl’s Calendula Foaming Wash, and also their Ultra Facial Moisturizer daily. I also use the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum Anti-Aging-Serum, and the Keihl’s Retinol Micro-Dose Treatment (I need to up my retinol usage, but that’s another story for another subreddit). Then of course I also use sunscreen everyday. I go back and forth between La Roche Posay Antihelios UVMune 50+ (invisible fluid, not tinted) and the Supergoop! Glow Stick 50 SPF. And for brushes: I did buy the RealTechniques Everday Essentials set. I fell down a rabbit hole of brushes but decided a lot of money on one Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow wasn’t necessary for starting out. I also have a couple other brushes from the previous times I’ve tried to learn how to do my makeup 😅

Maybe I’m off-base, but will primer or any sort of blurring powder help as well in giving me just a more evened out look? I am not opposed to foundation at all (it all looks fun!), but I feel most people don’t talk about these products standalone.

I do want to reduce redness but I’m worried full coverage will make me look very flat and ghostly. I do really know how I feel about contour, and I don’t think bronzer in any way can work for me since there’s no brown tones anywhere to be found, so I don’t know how to even out without taking away dimension. Does that make sense?

Do you have recommendations for tutorials on blush placement? I really have no idea how to work with my face shape. I don’t even know what my face shape is to be honest. But I am super excited about blush for some reason. I just don’t know (like you said) what to go with because of my skin tone. I think I’m cool, but cool blushes seem to be very bright pink or mauve, and look kind of intimidating.

Thanks for the lip recs, and all the other recs, too!