I have always enjoyed experimenting with makeup, trying out new looks, and getting all gussied up. Before kids, I had ample morning time to do ALL THE THINGS. Now our mornings have to be more streamlined and I don’t have a whole lot of time to look presentable before I walk out the door. I’ve had quite a few requests for my daily makeup routine, so I wanted to share what I use and how I manage to typically put on my full face in 5-10 minutes every day.
When we built our house, we put a vanity for me to sit and do my makeup in our master bathroom. I love my vanity and I love spending the time there getting ready in the mornings and doing my skincare routine at night. Then we had Levi and mornings became crazy. I literally couldn’t sit at my vanity for 10-15 minutes every morning without a kiddo in my lap or getting into every drawer in my bathroom. For a while, I figured it just meant that I couldn’t find the time to wear makeup every day or that in order to do so I had to get up earlier than Levi – neither of which are necessarily true.
It donned on me that I needed to look at where I was struggling, why I was struggling and see what I could change. I decided that getting ready in the bathroom created too many issues, but is it possible I could get ready somewhere else? Yes. And so I did. Now I sit on the couch in our living room every morning and put on my makeup while Levi plays. And now getting ready every morning isn’t an issue anymore. It isn’t the most ideal place for me to get ready every day, but in this season of life it is easy and it works great, which is the goal – making mornings and life easier in this given season of life.
And since I am now putting on makeup in between helping with puzzles or reading books to a demanding toddler, I have also simplified my makeup routine. Depending on what I am doing that day, where I am going after work, or the time I am allotted to get dressed, I have various “levels” of my makeup routine. This is important to figure out for maximizing the time that you are given and getting the most out of your makeup every day. So take some time to think about – what is necessary for me every day and what isn’t? Cut some things out of your routine in order to make time for the things you deem important. For you, spending time on brows may be a necessity every day whereas, for me, it isn’t.
Another big thing when it comes to makeup (and skincare) routines is STICK WITH YOUR HOLY GRAIL FAVORITES! Far too often we jump from one product to another product to another because we want the next big thing. It is fine to try out products to figure out what you like and what looks good on you, but once you find it, stick with it. This will really help give you a “cohesive” everyday look and it will cut down the time you are spending trying to figure out how to best apply and use each new product every time.
For the post today, I am just sticking to the most basic, everyday wear routine.
**MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS **
First, before I apply any makeup to my face, I go through my morning skincare routine. If you missed that post, you can find it here.
BASE/MOISTURIZE
First I apply my base or primer which also happens to moisturize as well. I am currently using this Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. It is a light and sheer base that goes on great. I do feel like I need to give it a little time to soak in. As far as primers go, I don’t feel like it extends the life of my makeup any, but it does provide a nice, sheer, and moisturized base for my makeup to go on. After I put this on, I let it soak in and move onto eyes.
EYE PRIMER
I have used the same eyeshadow primer for years. It is literally one of my OG makeup products that can always be found in my bag. The one from Urban Decay just can’t be beaten. I love the application and the way it wears. There is no other for me.
EYESHADOW
The benefit of applying my shadow BEFORE I put on anything on my face is that I can remove any fall out that may happen from my eyeshadow application. Applying my eyeshadow first also really allows any skincare to soak in and also maximizes my time.
Most eyeshadow palettes are often too big, have too many colors I won’t wear every day. Here are a few I’ve found that are great for everyday use and they don’t take up a ton of room in your bag: Urban Decay Naked II, Tartlette In Bloom Clay Palette, or Natasha Denona Beba All Natural Palette. For eyes, I really love all of my brushes from Sigma. They are great brushes for an incredible price point.
Most days I don’t do much to my brows if anything. I will brush them or if they are particularly wild that day, I may use a brow gel. Otherwise, I leave brows to fancier days. I also don’t wear eyeliner for my most basic, everyday makeup.
SKIN TINT OR CONCEALER
I used to wear the NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland every single day over my entire face and THEN concealer on top. For me, it seemed like a lot for every day and I got the idea from a natural makeup look from Lisa Eldridge on Youtube (she’s a must follow and her voice is so soothing!) to only use concealer on the places on the face where you need it and that’s it.
So now, I use only the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC30 and apply to any places on my face that need it. Typically, the inner corners and under my eyes, around my nose where there is some redness, and on my chin. I typically apply this just with my fingers or this concealer brush from Sigma and then buff it out so there isn’t a big harsh line.
BRONZER, BLUSH, & HIGHLIGHTER
BECCA and NARS are my go-to brands when it comes to highlighters and bronzers. Currently, I use the cult favorite NARS Laguna Bronzer paired with the NARS Orgasm Blush and finishing it off with the NARS Highlighting Powder in Forte De France. I have all three in a compact palette, which they also no longer make, but you can get a blush/bronzer combo palette. The one from Urban Decay is also pretty good too.
As far as the actual application of these products, I highly recommend checking out Andreea Ali on Youtube. She’s an incredible makeup artist that will help fix a lot of common mistakes most people make when applying makeup.
SETTING SPRAY
Before I apply my mascara, I use a setting spray. Another OG makeup product for me. I’ve used the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray for years. I travel with the mini version as well. And I have yet to find one that works as good for me. It literally sets your makeup in place ALL DAY LONG. I set before mascara because I tend to find that it can cause my mascara to smudge if I use it after I am completely done with my mascara. Maybe it is just me, but whatever.
MASCARA
So I’ve been a long time user of Lancome mascara – for years I never ventured from Lancome because it is what worked the best. I have found a couple of great alternatives to my Lancome favorites. I really like to pair mascaras together depending on how they work. I love a mascara that first lengthens and gives definition to your lashes and then over top I love a more clumpy mascara that gives the lash a good chunky/thick look.
Typically, you can tell the difference by the applicator. Lengthening and defining type mascaras will usually have a smaller (sometimes plastic) applicator with small tips whereas the chunky/thick type mascaras will have a larger more fluffy brush type applicator. For giving length and definition, I really like NARS Climax, Benefit They’re Real, and Lancome Hypnose. For adding that chunky, thick look to your lashes, I love It Cosmetics Superhero and Lancome Monsieur Big. And I always use a mascara primer, the Lancome CILS Booster I have used since I started wearing makeup, another OG makeup product for me.
LIPS
Depending on my mood, I may put on lipstick. If I do, I typically wear only Lipsense. Seriously, the fact IT DOES NOT COME OFF is a HUGE selling point for me. I hate getting lipstick everywhere. Otherwise, one of the best long-lasting lipsticks that I’ve found is a drugstore one: Maybelline Superstay Matte Liquid Ink. This lipstick is incredible for the price point and I love all of the colors.
If I don’t put on lipstick (which is most days), I will put on NYX Butter Gloss. It is the only lipgloss I own and I just love the neutral colors. My favorite is Tiramisu, Creme Brulee, or Eclair.
BRUSHES & TOOLS
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