I really hate wearing makeup unless it is for a special occasion but as I approach my thirties, I am starting to realize that it is a necessary evil so that I don’t look like I’m sleep deprived or risen from the dead. I am also devastatingly pale and still have acne scars that need some kind of coverage. Although I enjoy an occasional splurge at Sephora, I consider most makeup from there ridiculously overpriced and buy everything from drugstores. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about my skin or our planet so I try to purchase the most natural, non-comedogenic, and cruelty free items I can find.
Let’s start with the base. If ever I am in a rush or going somewhere that I hope I won’t run into anyone I know, I simply rub on a thin layer of tinted moisturizer to hide my major blemishes and dark under eye circles. I’ve been perfectly content with Maybelline BB cream in the past but recently upgraded to La Roche Posay’s SPF 50 tinted moisturizer and my skin couldn’t be happier. Its liquid consistency is great for dry skin but also light enough that it won’t clog pores. It also gives my skin the slightest bit of color so passersby don’t wonder if they’ve just seen a ghost.
Another item I have come to love is Baby Skin solid blush. The name is horrific and makes it sound like I’m applying something much more morbid to my cheeks but it is the easiest blush I’ve ever used and you can also smear some on your lips if you’re too lazy (like me) to apply lipstick. The peach shade is especially flattering on my fair-skinned face.
I hate wearing mascara because my eyes are really sensitive but when you have blonde eyelashes that are virtually invisible, a quick touch up is the difference between a creepy Guillermo del Toro character and an actual person. The verdict is still out on this one because I haven’t found a brand that doesn’t make my eyes itch the next day but I’m currently testing out Almay’s hypoallergenic mascara.
Usually I just apply some chapstick to my smoochers and call it a day but I recently bought Neutrogena’s hydrating lipstick and liked it so much that I went back and purchased it in a much more daring color – RED. I always have chapped lips and most lipsticks make it worse but this is the first lip tint I have used that didn’t need to be followed by Carmex. I’m in love.
There you have it; my insanely simplistic makeup routine in a nutshell. Feel free to comment below if you have any other low-maintenance makeup pro-tips.