I’ve always dreamed of being one of those girls who never needed makeup, the ones with perfect skin and dark lashes and brows. I wanted my beauty routine to consist of washing my face and leaving the house.
I’ve finally figured out how to do that. Or at least how to look like I am.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer, Benefit The POREfessional, Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, Smashbox Brow Tech Trio, Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick, Minerologie Natural Cream Concealer
The real secret to going makeup-free is having great skin, which starts with liberal sunscreen use (ideally in your 20s, or sooner) and daily cleansing. I also see my dermatologist twice a year and I use a prescription gel every day, to combat acne and wrinkles. Yes, I have both. Life is not fair.
But now that I’m in a good maintenance groove, the actual makeup part of my day is super easy. I start with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer, a light tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 20, and follow that up with Benefit’s The POREfessional, to minimize pores and manage shine in my T-zone. A little bit of concealer, applied with a brush, evens out my eyelids and covers any dark circles under my eyes. I’m really loving Minerologie’s Natural Cream Concealer right now; it’s light and creamy, not cakey, and the color stays true all day.
I have fairly sparse eyebrows, despite the fact that I have them tinted every three weeks, so I fill in a bit with SmashBox’s Brow Tech Trio (a powder filler and a wax to seal and style); since I also have my lashes tinted, I skip mascara the majority of the time. Lash and brow tint are the best money I have ever spent on a beauty product or service, hands down. I’m not even kidding. Not having to mess with mascara has changed my life.
I add a little dab of cream blush and some lip gloss, and I’m out the door. The whole thing takes about three minutes. So easy!
What are your everyday makeup essentials?
Just my style – no wonder I like reading what you write. I hate the heavy make up look and am always looking for light makeup that enhances what’s already there.
I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and a little Clinique quickliner in smoky brown because I look exhausted if I don’t. (People ask me if I’m feeling okay if I don’t have a little eye liner on so I try not to skip it!) Sometmes mascara. I’m going to try that cream blush because I had one I loved and it was discontinued.
I’ve tried using concealer and can’t seem to get the hang of it. It seems to emphasize any wrinkles I have under my eyes instead of making me look refreshed.
I agree with Gina. I have the hardest time with concealer. If I use enough moisturizer to offset the “wrinklyness” the concealer ends up running into my eyes somehow. I can’t seem to get it right…
Exactly! I’ve tried using more moisturizer too! I know Susan has done blogs on this but that method didn’t seem to work for me either. And I dont have super wrinkly eyes!
I don’t think I could go without mascara — it’s not just the darkness I like (my lashes are pretty dark, anyway) — I really like for them to be long and thick. But the rest, I’m totally on board.
Love the pore minimizer. And will be trying the Neutragena once my Laura Mercier runs out. I have dark lashes naturally but I like to add some clear mascara for grooming them and a quick swipe on my brows keeps everything neat and tidy.
I love eyelash tinting, but sadly can’t seem to find an aesthetician who has a tinting formula that doesn’t send my tear ducts into overdrive…so much so that they can’t get the coloring to stick. Gah!
I like to combine my foundation (Mac spf 20) with my moisturizer (hope in a jar oil free) Then when I need a bit more coverage or concealing I use a small brush with straight foundation. The best advice about coping with wrinkles was from my French Grandmother. “Just take one step away from the mirror,” and “No one notices wrinkles if you’re smiling.”
Oh! P.S. I too tint my eyebrows (not lashes that for professionals to do) but I do it when I color my hair and use a disposable brow brush.
Love talking make-up!
What shade do you use in the Neutrogena enhancer? I’m running out to buy it now!
Thanks.
I use the Ivory to Fair, which is the lightest shade. Because I am a pale, pale person.
Friends, I have a friend who swears by doing her own lashes with Roux lash tint she buys online–I think through Amazon? I have not tried it myself (yet), but since my AMAZING AND TALENTED brown/lash person moved away last fall after I’d seen her only three times and I have yet to dare to try anyone new, I am considering doing it myself. My friend swears it is EASY and much cheaper. If anyone’s tried this, let us know!