In my next Thursday Thoughts, I’m going to be talking about the downsides of wearing makeup and the unattainable standards of beauty. I know that these topics have been heavily written about but I wanted to throw in my two cents. So, before I launch into a rant next week about how society is lying to us about the reason for makeup, I though I would share with you my makeup routine. As a feminist, I can see the problems with makeup but as a female, I love using makeup and playing with different looks. The reason I didn’t put daily in the title is because I am a firm believer in not using makeup everyday (more on that in Thursday’s post). But when I do wear makeup, I like to go for a subtle, ethereal look that is minimalistic but sophisticated. This look functions as a great way to present yourself during the day and as a pretty barely there look for parties. As you will see below I have taken pictures of the products and described my routine but you do not see my face (which seems like an important part of a makeup routine). Unfortunately, its a lot easier to be confident behind a screen and a cute username than it is in reality. For now, I’ve opted out of showing my face but I hope you still enjoy seeing the products and who knows? maybe one day i’ll update! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy!
1. The Base
To start off my makeup, I apply my concealer and foundation. I’ve always struggled with dark circles so I count on Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser to help me with those. I apply this in a deep v under my eyes and then soften it with my ring finger for that Kim K look. I love a bright under eye so I don’t really use a brush for this part. Even though this product is meant for under eyes, I also use it as a highlight for the bridge of my nose, cheeks, and brow-bone. For my foundation, I’ve been loving Benefit’s Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation which is an oldie but a goodie. It has really light coverage so you can decide how much you want to build it up and it’s really moisturizing with SPF. I brush this on to my face in circular motions with my Real Techniques Expert Face brush which I pretty much use for everything.
2. The “Pop”
After my foundation and concealer, my face tends to show a little too much shine. While I love a dewy look, especially for spring, I apply my Bare Minerals foundation powder with my Real Techniques Powder Brush to mattify and set my T-zone and under my eyes where I tend to get really oily. After applying a full base it can seem like your face looks unnaturally flawless and 2D. Sometimes, I feel like people actually look prettier when they have no makeup on because any unevenness adds dimension to their face. To fix this, I love playing with my Bare Minerals Bronzer (Warmth- All over Face Color). I suck in my cheeks and apply this just under my cheekbones with my Real Techniques brush or an angled brush. I’m still searching for a good blush and I’m thinking about getting the Too Faced Sweetheart’s Blush in Very Berry which has such pretty colors but is a little on the pricey side.
3. The Eyes
To me, the eyes are my favorite part but they’re also the hardest part of my makeup. There’s so many options even if you only have eyeliner or a palette and each of them range in skill level. For my eyeshadow, I love a simple, shimmery look that can transition from day to night. I’m currently in love with the Too Faced Natural Eyes palette because it has the perfect balance of shimmery and matte colors that are all pretty neutral. I usually just take Silk Teddy which is a shimmery blush color and put that all over my eyelid, then go in with Cashmere Bunny in the crease. Finally, I take a small brush and use Erotica on my upper lash line and just below my lower lashes for a smudged out look. After blending all of that out, it’s usually nice enough for a regular day but sometimes I will take my Gel Eye Liner from Julep and make my lines a little more defined but still pretty soft. This eye liner is so creamy and easy to use and I’ve noticed that brown eyeliners compliment my eyes a lot better than black liquid liners. However, when I am going for a bolder look for a party, Maybelline Line Stilleto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black is the best liquid liner I’ve ever used. The felt tip is so nice to use although you do still have to practice to create a nice line. I line my eyes with this and do a small flick at the end because cat-eyes are not my thing. To finish my eyes off, I love wearing mascara. Even though I have pretty long lashes naturally, using mascara can give you that fanned out, thick lash look after your lashes get covered in foundation. I love Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara because it doesn’t clump and I just need one stroke to create lashes that look really thick but not loaded with mascara.
4. The Lips
To finish my look off, I love to wear nude lip colors. I think lighter, nude shades can really tie a look together and once again transition really well from day to night. I start off with a tinted lip color from Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment called Honey. This is a nude almost brown color that moisturizes really well. I have an entire set of the Sugar Lip Treatment collection which I really love but they are definitely pretty expensive. I was gifted the set and I know that you can sometimes score them at Tj Maxx so be on the lookout for that. I then add some shimmer with Maybelline’s Baby Lips in Peach Kiss. To give some extra shine and finish everything off, I use Nyx’s Mega Shine Lipgloss in Sweet Heart.
And that’s my makeup routine all finished! I hope you enjoyed and please comment below if you would like to see a skincare routine or any other type of post.
XOXO, S
simplysutton 