Disclosure: Our FoodFamilyTravel.com® Luxury Makeup Guide for Fall of 2026 recommendations are based on hands-on testing, research, and personal experience. Some links are affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Some products featured in this guide were provided for editorial consideration. All selections reflect our independent editorial judgment, and all opinions are our own.
Every single day, I get asked what I use on my skin, what I do with my hair, and- especially- what makeup I wear on television. After years of working in front of the camera, I’ve learned that the products that look beautiful in person aren’t always the ones that perform best under studio lights (or in the field in the hot sun).
I’ve been testing the products in this guide for at least the last six months, and some of them have been in my beauty arsenal for years- two decades, in a few cases! These are the makeup products I genuinely reach for, from my longtime television staples to the luxury splurges and surprisingly affordable finds I think deserve a place in your makeup bag.
I’ve organized everything by category, with my personal favorites, what I love about each product, and where to find them. Whether you’re looking for a polished television-ready look, a natural everyday glow, or the perfect lipstick, these are the products I keep coming back to.
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The Complexion: Foundations, Tints & Glow
Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s talk about the foundation of a great makeup look. For television, I want skin that looks like skin- only more polished. I really dislike thick foundation or makeup. I love products that even out my complexion without looking heavy, and I have a few different favorites depending on whether I’m heading into a studio, out on a travel shoot, or just running errands.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation & Concealer
My 20-year TV staple
If there’s one foundation I can confidently say has stood the test of time, this is it. Luminous Silk Foundation and Concealer have been my go-tos for television for the last 20 years ( the concealer has been my go-to since it hit the market). My love affair with Armani actually began with the now-discontinued Designer Shaping Cream, and I’ve been loyal to the brand ever since. My makeup artist, Frances from ABC News first introduced me to the line, and no matter how many times I try to look for alternatives (and I love to try out different brands), I keep coming back to Armani.
What I love most is the medium coverage. You can build it where you need it, but it doesn’t look or feel like you’re wearing a lot of makeup. That’s especially important when you’re working under bright studio lights, where heavy foundation can look cakey or overly obvious.
My take: This is the foundation I reach for when I need a polished, camera-ready complexion that still looks natural.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
My purse essential
I keep Opal and Suede in my purse and mix them when I want a little tint and sun protection (SPF 30) without looking like I’m wearing makeup. The gel-cream texture feels incredibly lightweight, and the coverage is sheer enough to look natural while still giving me enough evening-out to feel put together.
I also use Suede as a light bronzer in the winter, which makes these two shades particularly versatile for me.
My tip: Mix the two shades to customize your everyday tint, or use a little Suede to add warmth when your skin is paler.
Mama Sol Facebrella Tints
Natural tinted sunscreen
When I want a little glow and extra sun protection without a full face of makeup, this is a lovely option. Facebrella Tints is a 100% mineral SPF 45 glow serum with a silky, lightweight texture.
It gives skin a luminous finish while helping to hydrate, brighten and visibly blur the look of uneven texture. I especially like the idea of a product that combines a skin-enhancing tint with mineral sun protection for everyday wear.
The highlight: A natural, luminous finish that can stand on its own on low-makeup days.
The Eyes: The Products I Trust on Television
My eyes are one of the first things I think about when getting ready for a television appearance. Studio lighting can wash out color, and products that look beautiful in person don’t always translate on camera. These are some of the eye products I’ve been reaching for again and again.
Prime Prometics Eye Brightener
A frequent TV favorite
I use this all the time on television. It’s one of those products that makes getting ready so much easier, especially when I want to brighten my eyes without spending ages blending multiple shadows. My favorites are Vanilla, Estrella (above for shimmer), and Vintage Mauve, which blend beautifully together. The line was created for women over 50, and while I’m not quite there yet, I absolutely adore the line for making me look younger and not having the dreaded hooded look you can get from powder shadows.
I also love the eyeshadow from Prime Prometics. The brand has a range of products I haven’t tried in its entirety, but everything I have tested has impressed me. The brightener is one of my most-used items, and I can’t recommend the products I’ve tried enough.
Prime Prometics Eyeliner
Another product from the line that has made its way into my regular rotation. I love having an eyeliner that makes eye definition simple and easy, whether I’m doing a quick daytime look or getting ready for the studio. I use black and emerald (and together!) a lot. My mom loves Wood and Smoky.
It works particularly well alongside the eye brightener and mascara for a more defined look.
Prime Prometics PrimeLash Tubing Mascara
My color and tubing mascara pick
I love a tubing mascara for television to prevent flaking, and this one has become a favorite. The thing I particularly appreciate is that it doesn’t flake on me. Ever.
It also comes in emerald and navy, which are fun alternatives to traditional black. I love being able to change up the look of my eyes with a little color without having to reinvent my entire makeup routine.
My favorite mascara tip: Use black mascara on top lashes and colored on the bottom for extra definition without being too bold.
Lancôme Lash Idôle Original Mascara
My go-to black mascara
This is stunning and makes my eyelashes look so long you can see them from space. I reach for it when I want beautiful, defined lashes and a finished eye look. I do not wear false eyelashes on camera, and with this mascara you can see why.
I know mascara is one of those products everyone has a favorite of, but this is the one I keep coming back to.
The Cheeks: Blush, Bronzer & Highlighter
For me, blush and bronzer can completely transform a face. They bring dimension back into the complexion, especially when you’re wearing foundation under studio lights.
I love a highly pigmented blush for television, but I also appreciate easy cream products that I can apply in seconds on an everyday makeup day.
Elaina Badro Luxury Blush Set
My TV blush and bronzer combination
I use Elaina Badro’s highly pigmented blush and bronzing blush for television, and I absolutely love them. When you’re on camera, you need color that shows up and adds definition without having to layer on endless amounts of product. The products are also talc-free, which is fantastic for those of us who have talc allergies or are concerned about their health.
The pigmentation is a real highlight for me, and I love how easy it is to create a more sculpted, polished look.
Elaina Badro Makeup Brushes
My favorite tools
Her brushes are outstanding. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that a great makeup brush can make a big difference in how a product applies and blends.
I love having brushes that give me control over my makeup, especially when I’m working with highly pigmented blushes and bronzers.
These are tools I genuinely enjoy using and that will help you seamlessly incorporate your products.
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Rosé
One of my favorite highlighters
I LOVE this highlighter. Peau de Rosé is a soft, cool rose shade, and the cream formula is beautiful for adding a little glow to the cheeks, lips and lids.
It’s one of those luxury products that feels like a treat to use. I love a highlighter that gives the skin a gorgeous finish without looking like a stripe of shimmer. This will become your go-to for a beautiful, dewy look.
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Truffle
Everyday contour & bronzer
I use Truffle as a great bronzer and contour for easy makeup days. It’s one of my favorite ways to add a little dimension without having to do a complicated makeup routine.
I also love that it’s a stick, which makes it so convenient when I’m getting ready in a hurry. I can swipe it on and blend it out for a soft, natural-looking sculpt.
N°1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm
The multi-tasker for cheeks and lips
This is one of those products I love keeping in my purse because it gives you an instant touch of color wherever you need it. The red shade works beautifully on both cheeks and lips, adding that fresh, just-enough flush without requiring a full makeup routine.
It’s also a makeup-artist favorite for film and television for good reason- it looks beautiful on skin and translates exceptionally well on camera.
The Lips: Statement Colors, Gloss & my Forever Red
I’m a lipstick person. I have a million red and red-variant lipsticks – my husband will tell you that’s a true and possibly conservative number. From Armani to Dior, MAC, Tom Ford and Christian Louboutin, I’ve tried more than my fair share.
But there are a few that stand out above the rest. And one of my all-time favorite lipsticks isn’t even a true red.
Now I also love a great pink, purple, nude, and bold lip look (perhaps I’ll put together a guide JUST for lips), but here are some of my favorites that earned a permanent spot in my collection.
Christian Louboutin Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss in Rouge Louboutin 001V
My favorite lip gloss
I have every Rouge Louboutin formula, from matte to satin to sheer, and nothing- nothing- compares to Rouge Stiletto Vinyl Gloss.
The red lip lacquer is absolutely gorgeous. It gives me that high-impact, glossy red lip I love, and it’s the one I keep reaching for despite having an enormous lipstick collection. The presentation is also one of a kind.
A little travel warning: Make sure you warn TSA before you go through security and fly! I was once detained when my bag was being scanned, and I had to show all of my Louboutin lipsticks to a very confused male TSA agent after he saw what looked like terrifying bullet-like containers and couldn’t figure out what they were. He was shocked they were gorgeous lipsticks- in stunning containers.
Prime Prometics Lip Stain & Plumping Lip Balm
Lip stain & plumper
I love the lip stain, especially because it’s great as a liner. It’s a useful way to define the lips before adding your favorite lipstick or gloss.
Their plumping lip balm is another standout for me. They’re all incredible, but my favorite is Velvet Rose. It’s the shade I would pick if I could only keep one. It adds just the right touch of mauve rose and makes your lips extra glossy.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow
My iconic lipstick pick
Here’s the funny thing: I have so many red lipsticks, from luxury designer brands to professional makeup favorites, but my favorite isn’t a true red at all. It’s a fuchsia red, and it’s so iconic that I’ve replaced it countless times.
Cherries in the Snow is one of those shades that just makes me happy. It’s a bold, gorgeous color that stands out from the crowd, and it’s a reminder that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a lipstick you absolutely adore.
My advice: Buy it. Wear it. You won’t be disappointed.
My final beauty takeaways
If I had to sum up my approach to makeup after years in front of the camera, it would be this: invest in the products that make you feel confident, find a few reliable staples you can count on, and don’t be afraid to mix luxury beauty with affordable finds.
My Armani foundation and concealer have been part of my television routine for decades. My Lancôme mascara and Westman Atelier products are favorites I love reaching for, while Prime Prometics has become a go-to for beautiful, effortless makeup that works great on all skin types, and Elaina Badro’s brushes and stunning blushes are the kind of tools that make applying makeup feel genuinely easier. Revlon Cherries in the Snow is proof that a drugstore lipstick can become an absolute classic in your collection.
Most importantly, don’t assume that what works under studio lights is the only way to do your makeup. Sometimes the best look is the simplest one: a little tint, a touch of bronzer, a beautiful blush, mascara and your favorite lipstick.
Editorial note: This guide reflects my personal experience with the products I’ve tested and used. It is not a review of every product in each brand’s full collection. Product availability, shades and formulas may change.