With the exception of a new shade of blush, bronzer, or type of mascara, I have stuck with the same simple everyday makeup routine for the last few years. I have been a die-hard bareMinerals gal since my freshman year of college. The products I use on a daily basis give me that polished, yet seemingly natural look I want to achieve. Point blank, the small handful of products I use? They work.
OK, fine. Ten products (with five corresponding brushes) does seem like a lot, but the results are very natural looking. I love when the following statement — or is it a question? — comes out of someones mouth: ‘you don’t wear a lot of makeup, do you?’ BINGO! That’s exactly the look we’re going for, people!
So allow me to walk you through my daily make-up regime. I try to have everything from primer to lip color completed in under ten minutes:
FACE
Once I began incorporating Smashbox Photo Finish into my routine (at the tender age of 19) I was hooked. Foundation primer is completely essential in securing an even matte-finish. It allows your foundation to last all day. Seriously, all day!
Next, I liberally apply bareMinerals serum concealer on the dark circles under my eyes, old acne scars that never seem to disappear, and current pimples that are bright red and unsightly. I work them in with a cheap-o brush I bought from CVS. And that is IT for the liquids (you know I have a strong hesitancy for using anything liquid).
OK, and now for the loose powders that get everywhere in the bathroom while applying…
4 bareMinerals powders, 4 separate brushes.
- Starting with a conservative amount of foundation (the original formula) on the brush, I work in small circles over the areas I applied the serum, in order to smooth it out. Then I work in larger circles to ensure I hit every surface area of my face.
- Next, a ridiculously small sprinkling of bronzer with a Sephora brand brush (#46, bronzer). The smallest amount of bareMinerals Faux Tan goes a long way. Needless to say, that 0.03 oz of this stuff lasts a long time.
- I’m a little more loosey goosey with blush (I love rosey cheeks). After running the bareMinerals blush brush up and down my cheekbones, I even dab a bit on my forehead, chin, and the tip of my nose.
- I finish off with Mineral Veil (and a Sephora brush, #78 their AirBrush blender). Mineral Veil is a total godsend from bareMinerals. Ask anyone that uses it: total freaking magic.
EYES
When it comes to eyeliner, I’m a MAC girl, all the way. Focusing solely on my upper lids, I use MAC’s Penultimate liner to sweep a clean, and thin run of black across the lash-line. The Penultimate liner is amazing, and takes away the frustration of, well… everything that comes with applying liquid eyeliner. It rolls on so smooth and sharp — like a fine point gel pen on delicate paper.
And then I do something that grosses out most people (read: men) to watch: I apply Pro Longwear (non-liquid) to the inner, upper eyelid. Oh come on! It’s not that gross! It completes the look, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.
I finish with Volum Express, The Falsies Waterproof Mascara. Cheap, drugstore mascara that is 100x better than the expensive designer stuff. I could go on a super long rant about why cheap, drugstore mascara is the ONLY way to go, but I’ll save that for another post (read here).
LIPS
I have really pale lips that practically blend into my really fair skin. I absolutely must wear some sort of color, or I don’t look human. I mentioned in a previous post how much I adore Fresh’s SUGAR lip line. I swipe a dab of Rosebud Salve as a base, because… winter, and then I alternate between Fresh and stowaway (specifically their Cranberry shade) for a pop of a pink-lip.
FINISHED RESULT
