My Daily Makeup Dance
Sometimes I wear makeup, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I go all out with a full face for a special occasion, sometimes I only wear mascara. With that said, I’ve gotten pretty into makeup lately and have a lot of fun with it. This is what I would wear on a workday or for a daytime weekend rendezvous.
Moisturizer: I would say I have somewhat oily skin, so although it sounds counter-intuitive, I usually moisturize with just plain oil, like rose hip seed or coconut oil. I keep reading/hearing that it’s supposed to replace your bad oils with good and balance your skin, plus I’d WAY rather have oily skin that just needs a little blotting than dry, flaky skin that makes me want to rip all of my makeup off. If I’m feeling particularly shiny, though, and want more of a matte moisture, I’ll go with an oil-free gel, like Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream.
Primer: The only reason I use primer is because it came in my Bare Minerals Starter Kit, and it’s listed as one of steps. Supposedly it makes the powder stick better. It appears to work, so I’ve decided it’s best not to ask questions. Sometimes I will mix in a pea-sized drop of BB cream with it and cover my whole face and neck using one of those God-sent egg sponges that are apparently the wholly grail of makeup blending.
Concealer: I’m not sure if it can be considered a concealer, but I use Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Neutralizer – more detail on my favorite beauty products post here – to dab onto my under-eye area and hide other unattractive spots. Then I tap and blend and poke around with the egg sponge again until everything looks even and ready for a powder party.
Powder: I just started using Bare Minerals a couple of months ago because ULTA was having a Christmas sale on it with $30 starter kits that included primer, powder, travel powder, an applicator brush, lipgloss, and mascara. I’d used the brand before and remembered liking it and also they’ve been around forever, unlike other infomercial makeup, so I thought: Alright! I only use a tiny bit and it will probably last me 2 years, as makeup products usually do, and I use the brush it came with to apply it.
Blush: I love blush. I probably wear too much of it, but I’ve always liked the look of flushed cheeks. I used NARS Orgasm for a really long time - it’s the bee’s knees of blush, but hella expensive. I think I still have a couple compacts of it in my “makeup storage” box, but I recently switched to Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso because it looks the same (maybe a little peachier) and it’s supa dupa cheap. I use an inexpensive blush brush that probably needs washing to apply it.
Bronzer: I’ve been using Physician’s Formula Baked Bronzer in Baked Tan since I was like, 13 years old and probably won’t stray from it anytime soon. You can get it for like 12 bucks at almost any drug store. It’s a loose-enough pressed powder bronzer with just the right amount of color and shimmer (for me!)
Eyebrows: As mentioned before, I recently starting getting into doing my eyebrows and I’ve gotten pretty quick at it, as long as they’re already plucked and trimmed. I use the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil in Brunette to outline and lengthen them, and then I use either Anastasia’s Dip Brow Pomade, or the e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium to fill them in.
Mascara: For a more casual day-to-day look, I usually wear only mascara on my eyes. I don’t have a brand at the moment that I’m bananas about. I’ve gotten several in my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions that I liked enough, and I use the one that came in my Bare Minerals starter kit for my bottom lashes because it has a tiny little brush. I used to not wear mascara unless I was going OUT, or it was some other special occasion, because I like being able to rub my eyes during the day. But damn, it really does make you look more awake and professional…so there’s that.
Lips: Whatever lip color matches my nails/outfit that day, on top of 50 layers of Chapstick.
I guess this seems like kind of a lot for just casual wear, but it doesn’t take me more than 10 minutes to apply. I get ready very quickly and don’t shower most days – like Britt from the Bachelor. Back off, okay? – so my prep time is pretty low. Plus, like I said, a lot of times I just say “Fuck it!” and walk out the door with nothing on.
