Everyday Easy Makeup

I watch tons of makeup tutorials and honestly have tried to follow their example. However, I’m just too impatient to make it all the way through. This is also why I rarely bother blow drying my hair (my hair is super fine, but there’s still a lot of it and it takes forever to blow dry).

Over the years, I’ve found tricks and products that help me clean up my routine and spend minimal amount of time in front of the mirror.

Primer

I always start with a good primer for a couple of reasons.

1. It helps me apply the rest of my makeup smoothly and makes it last longer. I’m not one for piling extra makeup on throughout the day for touch-ups because I don’t like for it to feel cakey.
2. I like to use a primer as something of a protective layer between my skin and the rest of my makeup.

Lately, I’ve been using this Maybelline primer that is a dupe for a more expensive brand. By far, it is one of the best drugstore brand primers I’ve tried. And, believe me, I’ve tried several. Unfortunately, I’ve found that many of the popular inexpensive primers on the market either do absolutely nothing for me or leave with clogged pores.

After using this one for over a month, I can honestly say it gives me that pore-blurring effect I look for in a primer and hasn’t caused any breakouts.

If you’re looking for a more splurge-worthy primer option, I also recommend this cult classic from Benefit.

Brows

If you also lived through the sad time in our history when overplucked brows were all the rage but weren’t fortunate enough for them to grow back completely, I can relate.

However, spending 10 minutes a day and multiple products to sculpt my brows just doesn’t work for me. And, as someone who routinely goes more than 6 months without a haircut because I can never remember to book an appointment, microblading is out.

I have yet to find a brow pencil or product that I totally swear by, but there are a few that have worked better than others and are extremely affordable.

I’ve purchased this one by NYX more than a few times. They offer several shades to choose from, the shape of the pencil makes application quick and easy, and I really like using the brush to blend it out and make it look more natural. But, the actual brow pencil is pretty short and it runs out quickly.

Another product I use pretty regularly is this Maybelline brow gel. It’s super long-lasting (I even wore it in the pool and it didn’t budge) and it makes for an easy one-step brow filler. On the downside, the applicator brush gets pretty gunky with the product and I always have to wipe off excess before applying.

Concealer

I have genetic dark circles under my eyes so I pretty much always wear concealer. It’s also one of the only products I splurge on because I’ve yet to find a drugstore brand that gives me the type of coverage I’m looking for.

Like many, I’ve been a fan of the much-raved about Tarte concealer for several years. To put it simply, it works. Even the darkest of eye circles (like mine) don’t stand a chance against this stuff and it does a great job of lasting throughout the day.

I’m also a fan of this anti-aging concealer from IT Cosmetics. It’s thicker than the Tarte concealer and acts like spackle to cover any blemish on your face. And, of course, the anti-aging benefits are great for those of us who need them. It is a pretty heavy product though, which is why I typically reach for the Tarte concealer.

Foundation

I’ve noticed the texture of my skin become much dryer recently, forcing me to switch up my go-to foundation.

This BB cream from Tarte used to be my favorite everyday product. Unfortunately, because my skin has changed, it doesn’t work as well for me anymore. If your skin falls more towards normal or oily, however, I would highly recommend it.

Now I reach for this Too Faced foundation that’s super hydrating and never leaves my skin feeling cakey. It offers buildable coverage so I can keep it light for my everyday look or go heavier for special occasions.

Bronzer/Blush/Eyeshadow

I use a little hack to streamline my routine that also helps with traveling. Instead of using a separate bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow palette, I use this one Maybelline contour kit. In addition to using the shades for contouring, I also use them as a subtle eye look (highlight under my brow, bronzer along my brow bone and under my lower lashline, and the blush on my eyelid).

I’ve only been able to find this particular kit online in the light-to-medium tone, but I did find this similar kit on Ulta that comes in three skin tones.

Mascara

I’ve been obsessed with this Too Faced mascara for several years now. It honestly gives my lashes so much more length and volume than any other brand I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many). Typically, I prefer using waterproof mascara, especially in the summer when it gets crazy hot and humid in the South. However, I will say that the waterproof formula of this mascara does not work the same and I don’t like it.

For a waterproof formula, I’ve been loving this 2-step L’Oreal mascara. One brush applies a black primer, the second applies a fiber-based mascara that adds extreme volume. And I can attest that it does not budge, even in the pool.

Under Eye Setting Powder

This is the last thing I apply for my everyday makeup routine. I’ve tried a few drugstore brand setting powders that always emphasize the shadows under my eyes and I can’t bring myself to spend $30 on a more expensive option. But then I found this E.L.F. powder and it has been a game-changer.  

It adds a subtle brightness to my undereye, doesn’t make my skin appear dry or cakey, and keeps my concealer from creasing. It comes with a (very) small brush for application that I threw away because it was pretty pointless. I found it applies much better using my favorite makeup sponge.

Lips

My lip color couldn’t be anymore simple.

Sure, if I’m really doing it up, I do the whole liner-lipstick-gloss combo. But, for every day, I just stick to my favorite NYX gloss. It comes in tons of colors, feels moisturizing, and costs around $5.

You can also find more of my favorite makeup products under the Beauty Finds section on my Shop The Blog page!