We are all about simplicity here, especially when it comes to makeup! While I do like and appreciate a bold makeup look, it’s just not practical or even my style. I love the look of simple, natural makeup that simply brings out a woman’s natural beauty and features. Also, a simple makeup routine saves me so much time and I can get ready in under 20 min (10 min if I focus lol). It’s also 100% not necessary to spend tons of money on high end makeup to achieve a soft, feminine, simple yet beautiful makeup look! Here is the simple and affordable minimalist makeup routine that I have stuck to for the last couple years.
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Start with Skincare
First things first, if you want to achieve healthy looking skin, focus on your skincare, not makeup! While makeup can do a lot to cover redness and blemishes, it’s hard to cover skin that is textured and bumpy. When I was struggling with fungal acne on my forehead, makeup actually made the appearance of it worse! The makeup added extra texture and it was just a mess. I started doing some research and placed my focus on healing my skin first. I finally found some products that worked for my skin that were fungal acne safe. If you want to know more about my skincare routine, you can read that here.
Minimalist Makeup Routine
Okay, so once I got my skin under control, I decided to stick to products that wouldn’t make me break out. I stopped experimenting with different makeup because I actually found products that I liked and worked. Becoming a more of a minimalist also helped me stick to this simple makeup routine, I basically only buy makeup when I need to replenish something.
1. Primer
Honestly, when it comes to primer I just use the ELF blemish control primer. As I got older, I thought I should upgrade my primer to a more expensive one thinking it would be better. However, once I tried other primers, I realized that I liked ELF more! Like the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. ELF primers have always worked for me and could it get any cheaper than ELF? It’s a win win.
2. Shape Your Brows
If there is any makeup step that is a MUST it’s shaping your eyebrows. On days where I don’t feel like wearing any makeup at all, I still fill in my eyebrows. Your eyebrows help shape your face and frame your eyes, which is a focal point on your face. It makes all the difference and your brows are filled in and shaped! Don’t go overboard of course! Remember that phase when girls (myself included) would over fill their eyebrows? It was a scary look in my opinion, glad to have moved past that!
Anyway, my favorite brow pencil that I buy over and over again is the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. I also use the NYX brow gel which helps my brows stay in place.
3. Foundation
I rarely ever wear REAL foundation anymore because I hate how it feels on my skin. Also, I found out that one of my favorite foundations is not very fungal acne safe. While it didn’t seem to be the main product causing my skin to break out, I decided to stop wearing it altogether just in case.
I switched to the NYX Tinted Skin Veil (have you noticed a trend here?) and haven’t looked back! Sure, it doesn’t have the best coverage, but I wasn’t looking for full coverage! It’s super lightweight and gives your skin a natural looking healthy glow. I apply this with a beauty blender just as I would regular foundation. Sometimes I put a little more on if I want more coverage, it builds really well!
4. Finishing Powder
I always add finishing powder after applying foundation to my skin. It helps it last longer and prevents it from looking greasy and feeling tacky. If you haven’t already noticed, I love NYX products so I use the NYX translucent finishing powder of course! It’s nothing special I suppose, but it works really well.
5. Bronzer
Next, I go in with my favorite bronzer (& no it’s actually not from NYX!). The Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer is the only bronzer I use. It’s buttery (really lives up to it’s name!) and a little bit goes a long way.
6. Blush
Next, I apply a little bit of blush to give me some color. Lately I’ve been using the Fit Me Blush by Maybelline. I still haven’t decided if I actually like it though. I works fine but I feel like it doesn’t do much. I’m not to worried about it because it gets the job done, but I might try something else once I run out. If anyone has any suggestions on blush I would love to hear them in the comments!
7. Highlighter
When I decided to declutter a lot of my makeup, I went back and forth trying to decide whether or not to keep using highlighter. I tried going a few days without it to see how I would like it, but I decided that I really enjoy the glowy look a little bit of highlighter gives me! I use very little, but I feel like it gives me a nice glow and highlights my cheekbones, which are one of my favorite features about myself! I was gifted a highlighter that I really like by PUR, so I am currently using that one.
8. Setting Spray
Next, I like to use the NYX dewy setting spray to set my makeup and give it a dewy look. I prefer dewy over a matte look, but they also carry a matte setting spray if that’s what you prefer! I have noticed that using a setting spray really makes a difference in how long my makeup lasts throughout the day (or night!).
9. Mascara
Mascara is one of the final touches I like to add. I like to apply mascara after using the setting spray because otherwise the spray makes my mascara smear everywhere. When it comes to mascara, I’m not really that picky. I am happy with drugstore mascara and it gets the job done. I curl my lashes and apply the mascara I am currently using, which is the Maybelline Falsies Mascara.
10. Lip Balm/Gloss
Finally, I always like to apply lip balm at the very least. Some days, I like to add some tinted or clear lip gloss for a little something extra.
This minimalist makeup routine usually takes me about 15 min (10 min if I focus, 20 min if I am taking my sweet time). It’s quick, easy, and super affordable! As you can see, most of these products are drugstore products, so they are also easily accessible!
Sincerely,
Denise XOXO
