My Daytime Makeup Routine

For those of you that are new, before I was lucky enough to stay home with my baby, I worked in spas/salons as an esthetician and hairstylist. I did love it, and I definitely fulfilled a childhood dream by working in the “beauty” field. For now, there’s nothing that I’d rather be doing more, than being home with Lyla, but I do still use all of the tips and tricks I learned along the way, almost daily (unless we have nothing planned, then it’s frump express) 

Here’s a very small glimpse into my quick makeup routine. This is what I do, if we’re running into the grocery store or something similar. You’ll notice that my hair is not done. I have really fragile/fine hair, and try to give it a break as often as possible. So my daytime makeup routine is usually synonymous with the most simple hair that I can pull together. Fine by me. Praise Meghan Markle for making casual hair more acceptable 🙌🏼

You’ll notice that a lot of these products are drugstore products. I promise you, I have tried it all. Every once in a while, I like to treat myself to a Chanel lipgloss, or anything MAC, but these are my beloved staples in this post. Some of these products, I’ve been using for 20 years. Recently, I had my own little undereye concealer drama, when Neutrogena did away with my very favorite. Don’t you hate that? I literally tried everything under the sun to get the same effect..and I ended up on the E.L.F. brand. I find E.L.F. Studio to be almost identical to NARS, from the packaging, the colors, and the staying power. 

Here’s a little glimpse into what works for me. My main focus is just to look awake - bright eyes, a touch of bronze on the skin, and a glossy lip (makes them look bigger). I don’t do any contouring, because I’m not a Kardashian, and that’s just not realistic for me. 

My make-up cabinet. 👆🏼 I love this thing, so very much. I’m not sure how I’ll ever not have this kind of setup. The Amish really knocked this one out of the park for me. Inspiration: spice cabinet/Pinterest. I have an identical cabinet below, and keep some of Lyla’s stuff in there 

I always start with a BB or CC cream. As long as it has sun protection in it, I’ll try it. I haven’t found one that I absolutely have to use all of the time, or any that I wouldn’t use again. These can all be pretty interchangeable to me. Currently I’m using 

Supergoop! CC cream, spf 35 (med)  and I really like it. It’s thick, so somedays it’s more coverage than I prefer. I forget where I even heard about this..I want to say a magazine? That’s weird, because I haven’t read a magazine since I got my first iPhone. Who knows.. 

What a ridiculous picture. Lol. This is post CC cream, pre-anything else. As you can see, I just smeared that concealer all over my eyes, then applied the dual/other-side liquid highlighter to my ring finger (least amount of pressure), and blended. There is nothing technical here. 

E.L.F Studio concealer/highlighter

Now to add some color. In keeping with the theme of using E.L.F. Studio, I adore their bronzer and blush. In fact, I *may* have used a bit too much in these pics. I use the lighter bronzer all over my cheeks, bridge of my nose, under my chin, and across my forehead. Then I’ll use a shade of pink on the apples of my cheeks, from the blush pallet - depends on my mood that day, which color.

E.L.F Blush Pallet, light

E.L.F studio contouring blush/bronzer

The most important part: eyes. Again, totally laughable pic. I did my left eye, and left the right completely plain. Before contouring and brows were a huge deal, the biggest secret or trick that I knew of in the makeup industry, was to use a good eyelash curler. I linked my very favorite below (Shu Uemora). It is a miracle, and is even referenced in The Devil Wears Prada. 

After I rub that concealer all over the place, and curl my lashes, I swipe a light shade of eyeshadow all over my lids. I just think that it looks nice. I have several different pallets, and go with what I’m in the mood to use. I do like to spend my money on eyeshadow. I just think that it stays on better. Some of my favorite brands are Too Faced, Lorac, and Lancôme 

After some shadow, for color, I do what I’ve been doing since I was allowed to wear make-up in public. Liquid black eyeliner on my upper lid, and a gajillion layers of black mascara (again...on the upper lashes only). I absolutely swear by L’Oreal Paris’ liquid eyeliner (link below). It just adds the right amount of definition, and is so easy to use. I’m a total mascara freak, and I always go back to using Revlon and L’Oreal simultaneously. I just layer and layer. I always get black, never waterproof, and any variation that’s volumizing and lengthing. Believe it or not, the more expensive mascaras tend to bother my eyes (that might be because I USE so much. I ❤️ a good spider lash). 

L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Precision Liquid Eyeliner, Black

Shu Uemora Eyelash Curler   

Revlon Mascara 

L’Oréal Mascara

If I’m going out for a special night, I’ll do all of this, but maybe shape my brows, do a little undereye liner, and a darker shadow in the crease of my eyelids. 

I like to finish it all off with a spray of toner. Right now, I’m using Teddie’s (featured below). It just keeps the skin dewy and hydrated looking. As I was getting ready to take pics of the finished look, Lyla and Cinderella joined in (they had been playing at my feet, or on the counter the entire time).

Teddie Organics Rose Water Facial Toner

Here’s to a little bit of glamour and girliness! XO