Make-up Essentials

My make-up routine got cut down to the bones in recent years. There were maybe 2-3 years in the beginning of Youtube make-up tutorial years that I was making more effort to experiment and do a full face (at least for evenings out), but especially since COVID, I can’t be bothered. Not even for special events. The only reason my make-up box is still bursting at the seams was my never-ending search for the “perfect foundation” (I tried countless options, see Alternatives) and some remains of the party years (rainbow eyeshadow palettes, whoop whoop). And I feel bad throwing it all out (because maybe someday I will need it, you know?).

So fast-forward to today: I use exactly 8 products and 2 brushes. The foundation is sublime, I have never had such a perfect fit. Everything in this toolbox is just right and fits together beautifully. So proud.

Routine

1. First moisturising – usually a bit lighter version if I do make-up.
2. Then I do a light layer of the tint slip with the foundation brush.
3. Next, I do some blush & bronzer with the powder brush.
4. Then I fix the brows with the gel.
5. I spray the face with the fix spray.
6. After, go over it with some fixing powder with the powder brush. That’s usually just in the summer, as an extra precaution.
7. The last step is the mascara.
8. And a little lip oil, just to hydrate the lips.

Products

Staples

I feel like this is the ultimate list. Those 8 things are my holy grail and everything I use. Yes, my makeup box is still bursting at the seams, but I could easily throw everything else away.

1. Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer (shade 3.0)
2. Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer (shade Medium Bronze)
3. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint (Spritz)
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
5. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
6. Essence Fixing Compact Powder
7. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (Chocolate)
8. Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil (Warm Beige)

Tools

I used to do the whole routine with just the foundation brush but recently switched to the second powder brush. The first one though, is the real MVP. I’ve been using the same model for a century. No beauty blender or fingers can do what this brush does with my foundation. No matter the product I’m applying, it goes on smooth as hell. Love it.

1. Real Techniques Expert Face Makeup Brush
2. Real Techniques Ultra Plush Powder Makeup Brush
3. Real Techniques Brow Duo

Occasional Extras

If there’s a special event and I’m feeling really extra, I’ll do a bit of eyeliner, a smoky kajal or some red lipstick. But that’s pretty much it when it comes to my makeup these years. I can’t be bothered with anything more.

1. Makeup Revolution Renaissance Flick Eyeliner (Black)
2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (Zero)
3. Golden Rose Longstay Liquid Matte Lipstick (18)
4. Milk Makeup Highlighter (Turnt)

Alternatives

I’ve tested many products throughout the years and even though I don’t currently use them, they’re still good. I will continue adding things as the routine changes.

1. NIVEA 3in1 Hyaluron Serum Foundation (Light)
2. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF50 (Medium)
3. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream (23)
4. Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer (Baked)
5. NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
6. MAC Fix+ Spray
7. benefit Badgal Bang Volumising Mascara
8. Maybelline Sky High Lash Sensational Mascara
9. Kosas The Big Clean Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara
10. Nudestix Browset Gel XL Eyebrow Gel
11. REFY Brow Sculpt
12. Kosas AIR BROW Clear Lifting Treatment Gel