My best friend was looking to overhaul her skincare and makeup routine so she asked for a breakdown of what I use. I realized I have different routines for different occasions so I broke down each one. My waterproof makeup breakdown that’s perfect for everything from pool or beach days to Taylor Swift’s rain shows is coming soon!
My step-by-step AM & PM skincare routine breakdown can be found here. Once I finish my morning skincare routine, I do one of the below makeup routines depending the on the day and event. I also have a breakdown of different types of allover face products – tinted moisturizers, CC creams, foundations, etc. – and the coverage they offer here!
Daily Routine: Work Day, Full Face but Sheer/Medium Coverage
This routine is my to-go daytime makeup routine. It offers buildable coverage without feeling of looking cakey or unnatural.
Brightening Eye Balm – This Cooling + Brightening Eye Balm is a hybrid skincare and makeup product. I apply over my eye cream to under my eye and sweep up onto my brow bone as a highlight. I have been using this since it launched and continue to repurchase time and time again.
Tinted Primer – Holy grail status! I have been using Tula’s Filter Primer for four plus years and do not go a day without it. Even if I’m not wearing any other makeup, I always apply this tinted primer to even out my skin tone with a “filter-like” finish. This is one of my top favorite products of all time.
Tinted Moisturizer / Foundation – I alternate between this tinted hydrator and this tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 depending on the weight and finish I want. The tinted moisturizer is slightly thicker and more blurring while the tinted hydrator provides lightweight, sheer but buildable coverage. If I want more coverage, I use this matte CC+ Cream, a longtime favorite.
Concealer – This dark circle eraser is my everyday go-to for under eyes.
Setting Powder – I apply this translucent setting powder with this brush to help control oil and help my makeup last through the day.
Bronzer – This Physician’s Formula bronzer is a holy grail product for me. I have used it for years now and always reach for it over my higher end bronzers.
Blush – I recently added blush into my everyday routine and found it really brightens up my face. I alternate between this blush in Exposed and Paaarty.
Mascara – Mascara is a game changer for me! I was blessed with long eyelashes but they are light so without mascara, you can’t see them. I curl them with this Allure Best of Beauty Award winning eyelash curler and then I typically switch my mascara up but have been loving this tubing mascara. I also have used L’Oreal mascaras for years and find them just as good, if not better, than high-end mascara. Their Voluminous Original, Lash Paradise and Butterfly Voluminous mascaras are my favorites.
Minimalist Daytime Routine: Weekend Day, Errands
This is my minimalist makeup routine when I want to even out my skin tone but keep it very natural.
Brightening Eye Balm – This Cooling + Brightening Eye Balm is an everyday essential!
Tinted Primer – Like I mentioned above, I apply Tula’s Filter Primer whether or not I’m wearing makeup.
Tinted Moisturizer – To even out my skin tone more while staying natural, I alternate between the tinted hydrator and tinted moisturizer I use in my daily routine detailed above.
Concealer – This dark circle eraser is light enough to look like no makeup makeup while still covering dark circles.
Sometimes I will add this translucent setting powder but when just running errands, usually I leave it off a dewy, natural look.
Day or Night Out: Medium-to-Full Coverage
This is my makeup routine when I’m going out to dinner, to an event, or just need my makeup to have minimal transfer and last for hours. I edit the steps to remove some or add in eye makeup besides mascara depending on what I’m doing and where I’m going.
Brightening Eye Balm – This Cooling + Brightening Eye Balm also goes from day-to-night.
Primer – I apply this pore minimizing primer when I really want my makeup to last. It’s matte and provides a slightly tacky base for the rest of your makeup. I then apply Tula’s Filter Primer because I love the slight tint and additional blurring it provides.
Foundation – This full-coverage CC+ cream has been my go-to for years for when I want full coverage but not a true foundation. For true foundation, I alternate between this foundation for a matte, full coverage finish and this foundation for a more natural, medium coverage finish.
Concealer – Lately I have been using this full-coverage anti-aging waterproof concealer but also like this medium coverage concealer or this full-coverage concealer.
Setting Powder – I switch between this setting powder and this setting powder. I have been using the pressed powders for a while now and think I prefer them for their ease but this loose setting powder was a longtime I always keep on hand.
Cream Bronzer – I rarely used cream bronzer/blush until DIBS launched their Desert Island Duo in the last year or so. Since then, I have been loving their bronzer in Shade 2, Mood Boost. I also like this cream bronzer in shade Seychelles. I apply the bronzer from the where the top of my ear meets my face to the middle of my cheek, down the sites of my nose, under my chin, and at the top of my forehead around my hairline then blend it in.
Cream Blush – This blush that was selected as one of Vogue’s Best Cream Blushes has been my favorite recently. It is on the other end of the Duo stick. I use it Shade 2, You Do You. I recently purchased Shade 2.5 but still need to try it. I also like this blush in shade Pink Sky.
Powder contour – If I really want my face to appear sculpted, I use NYX’s Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder in shade So Taupe to contour just under my cheek bone, chin and the sides of my nose. While looking to link it, discovered it is sadly discounted but in researching online, am seeing Fenty’s Cream Contour Stick and Cream Bronzer, both in shade Amber, as well L.A. Girl’s Just Blushing in shade Just Because to be close matches.
Powder Bronzer – I set my cream bronzer with my favorite powder bronzer that I’ve been using for years.
Powder Blush – Once I set my bronzer, I set my cream blush with this NARS cult classic blush or one of Tarte’s blushes in shade Dollface, Exposed, or Paaarty.
Highlighter – I have a collection of highlighters but always go back to Champagne Pop. I have seen people rave about this highlighter recently and how beautiful it looks as an eyeshadow so may have to add another to my collection to test it out.
Mascara – As I do in my everyday routine, I curl my lashes with this eyelash curler and then follow up with this tubing mascara.