Applying makeup is my favorite part of the morning – aside from drinking coffee first thing after waking up! I’ve been a beauty junky for years and have always enjoyed being creative, precise and transformative with makeup.
I worked at Sephora for a few years and went ALL out with my makeup every day. I thrived on that Kardashian contouring, intense cat eyeliner, vibrant colors and perfect brows – even if I was just staying at home or going to class! It was so fun to pour enormous amount of creativity into just one makeup look with the right techniques and skills. These days however, working an 8-5 office job (and working from home) isn’t the most appropriate place for the same vibrant looks. My makeup routine has definitely toned down since I stopped working at Sephora, but it was a welcome change to shift more towards a natural look and easy application.
Here is my makeup routine and favorite products that I currently do every day with the products listed below!
1. Prep the Skin & Eyelids
My skin is incredibly dry, so I gravitate towards hydrating products to get a dewy finish. My favorite primer at the moment is the Colourpop Hyaluronic Hydrating Primer, which has worked so well with my skin and foundation! I love anything with hyaluronic acid because it is such a lightweight and moisturizing texture that leaves my skin feeling supple. Plus, it’s only $12 for a quality vegan product. You can’t beat that!
Most days I do not apply eye makeup unless it’s a special occasion or I have extra time while getting ready. But if I do just a few neutral colors on my lid and crease, I use the Too-Faced Shadow Insurance Eye Shadow Primer or NYX Proof It Eyeshadow primer. If I’m doing a more intense look or need more of a base to last longer, I use this and the Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot. For some reason eye shadow creases easy on my lids, so that’s why I double up my primers if I’m layering a lot of shadow and need it to last longer!
2. Apply Foundation
I’ve bounced around from foundation to foundation for years because I sometimes have difficulty finding a formula, brand and tone that works for my skin. I am 75% Scandinavian and very pale, so oftentimes the lightest shade is still too dark for my skin LOL!
There are so many brands and formulas that I currently love, but my go-to for the last 2 years has been the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. It’s medium to full coverage, hydrating, has great staying power and works for combo skin types! (Because I have dry skin I use a lightly hydrating primer, but if you have combo-oily skin I would recommend a regular to light mattifying primer so you don’t look too dewy.)
Because I like to set my makeup and not look overly dewy, I use a fluffy brush to lightly dust the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Powder over my liquid foundation. I use that product currently because I’m on a budget, but my powder of choice is the Compact Cover FX Perfect Pressed Powder because it’s much higher quality, vegan and cruelty-free (I’m not a vegan but I prefer natural products due to my sensitive skin and animal-friendly procedures!)
3. Define the cheeks with highlighter, blush and/or bronzer!
I’ll usually apply a highlighter after doing my foundation to bring a subtle definition to my cheekbones. It also adds more dewiness to my overall finish! My all time favorite is of course the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter by Becca. I cannot find another highlighter to replace the smooth and pigmented formula of this highlighter. I absolutely adore it.
However, I try not to spend $38 every time I need a new highlighter so I’ve found a temporary one to sustain me until I run out, the Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter in the shade Stole the Show. It has a similar creaminess to Becca’s, a wonderful shimmer and overall good quality. Plus it’s only $8, so I’m happy to use it until it’s time to splurge for Moonstone again!
Lately however, I've been using the Lovecraft Beauty Aurora highlighter! WOW its shine and quality is so amazing!
4. Sculpt Those Brows!
I love a defined brow, but not as chiseled as I used to do. What I do most days is use an angled brush to sculpt my brows with a taupe shadow, then finish it with the NYX Tinted Brow Mascara. This gives my light blonde brows some subtle definition and a color boost! When I want a bolder look, I’ll use the Colourpop Precision Brow Pencil in dope taupe. For only $6 you get a highly pigmented product that gives your brows a nice crisp look – I would highly recommend!
5. Natural eyes
I will write another blog on what my favorite eye shadow brands are for different looks, but my day-to-day usually includes eye shadow on my bottom lash lines. I like my eyes to look defined, but not too cakey and dark with a pencil eyeliner. What I use instead of that is a smudge brush and dark brown or black eyeshadow. I brush it on my lower lash line from my outer crease to where my lashes end for a blended and defined finish! As far as brands go, I gravitate towards Tarte, Urban Decay, Clinique and Too Faced – any darker brown or black will do!
100% of the time I apply a shimmery white eye shadow to my inner tear duct area. It’s amazing how much definition it brings to your eyes and livens up your whole look! Even with no other eye shadow on, it is a game changer that I never go without. My favorite shadow to use for this is a shimmery bright white with great staying power – like Urban Decay or Mac.
If I want more definition but still no eye shadow on my lid, I’ll use the Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen on my upper lashline. It’s a great product for a very thin line, but my all time favorite is the Kat Von D Tattoo Liquid Liner. I have not found another liquid eyeliner that can ever replace the smooth application, precise tip and staying power of this product – 10/10 would recommend!
6. Make Those Lashes Pop
If I’m going bare-faced with nothing else on, I will usually still apply mascara because it adds so much definition to your eyes. I’m a total mascara addict and will proudly admit it! I’m split 50/50 between two favorite mascaras that add both volume and length:
The first one is the Benefit Roller Lash Curling mascara. It lengthens, volumizes and spreads your lashes to get a perfect look. It has a unique curved brush that has two different purposes: first, you apply the U shaped brush to your lashes to add base volume, then you flip it to lengthen and spread your lashes. With a unique formula, you will see no clumps and no flaking towards the end of the day.
My other favorite is the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara, sounds intense doesn’t it? That’s because it is! I’ve had so many people ask me if I was wearing false eyelashes when I used this product because it adds so much length and volume to natural lashes. This is the most voluptuous mascara I’ve ever tried that doesn’t clump your lashes. It doesn’t spread them out as much as Roller Lash, but it adds more volume and length. This is why I’m split between the two products.
7. Add Lipstick or Lipgloss!
For this natural day-to-day look, I will usually add a nice natural pink gloss for moisture and shine. My all-time favorite is the Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Gloss. It adds a subtle pout to your lips, while adding intense shine and moisture that lasts for hours. I'm usually not a huge fan of plumping products because I do not care for the tingly and stinging sensation since my skin is so sensitive. This product however has a cooling sensation rather than a sting, so you still get a subtle plumpness without the discomfort!
If I don't use Buxom however, the Colourpop Ultra Glossy Lip is my next go-to! This is not plumping, so it adds nice hydrating shine and subtle color.
Comments