My Daily Makeup Routine

I'm not very creative with my makeup routine and I've been doing essentially the same thing for years. It takes me maybe 15 minutes tops to do my makeup each day. I don't wear eye makeup because I get eyelash extensions every two to three weeks so I don't really need to. If I'm feeling lazy sometimes I'll just use primer and concealer but more often than not the below is my go-to routine.

Step 1: Sunscreen and a Primer with SPF

Before I begin applying makeup I will wash my face either with a gentle cleanser (like the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash) or just a quick rinse with water. Then depending on the time of year and the weather, I will put a layer of sunscreen on before anything else. In fact one of the things every doctor and expert agrees upon is the importance of a 30SPF or above sunscreen. Because I have oily/combination skin, my favorite sunscreen is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch because it dries pretty matte. Then I'll use a primer to make sure my makeup applies evenly and will stay on for longer throughout the day. I love the one that I've been using for the past year or so called Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. Like the sunscreen, it has a very soft and matte-like finish that provides the ideal base for the rest of my makeup. 

Step 2: Creamy Concealer 

The next thing I do is swipe some concealer under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, in the corners of my nose, and across my chin. I will also cover up any spots or pimples I may have at the time. I smooth and blend it in where needed with my finger. When I used to have severe acne, this step was much more involved, but thankfully I can now use just a thin layer each time. I like the NARS Radiant Creamer Concealer because it goes on smoothly and doesn't get cakey like a lot of concealers tend to do. 

Step 3: Liquid Foundation

Then, using a wet beauty blender, I'll dab a couple pumps of liquid foundation all over my face and down my neck. This is just to give an even complexion and color to everything. I like the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation because it is light enough to be comfortable all day yet the color is thick enough that it covers everything well. I use the shade Marble (117 = Y225). 

Step 4: Powder Foundation 

At this point, though my complexion will be pretty even, I hate when my face looks shiny so I'll then a layer of powder foundation on top of the liquid. With a Sephora PRO Large Domed Stippling Brush, I dab on the same type as the liquid, the Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation in the shade Golden Ivory (117).  

Step 5: Bronzer

I don't really know how to contour (though I have a lot of admiration for those that do) so the closest I get is when I apply bronzer. I make a fish face and using the Sephora PRO Precision Blush Brush #73 brush, I swipe bronzer in a line down my cheekbones from the middle of each ear to about the middle of each cheek. I've always used the Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer in the natural bronze shade. 

Step 6: Blush

Using the same Precision Blush Brush, I then apply some blush to the apples of my cheeks, just above where I applied the bronzer. Especially for some pale like me, I can always use a little extra color. The blush I use is NARS Blush in the shade Desire (cotton candy pink). 

Step 7: Setting Powder

The last layer I add is a translucent setting powder. Using the same Large Domed Stippling Brush, I apply MAKE Beauty Soft Focus Translucent Powder, which I will swear by as one of the best setting powders out there. It keeps my makeup in place almost perfectly all day long, even in the summer and when I work out and get sweaty. 

Step 8: Lip Color

Finally, I add lip color. This is where I mix it up the most. My every day go-to is the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in the color Tulip. I also love YSL Beauty Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain in the color Rose Ink and Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in the color Baby Doll. 

Hello, World!

So there you have it! That's the basic makeup that I wear every day. Do you have any suggestions or questions? Let me know in the comments below.