Whether you’re managing a morning rush or you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of putting on your face…my 10-minute summer day makeup routine is a simple way to look fresh-faced with minimal effort. I’ve embedded a few of my makeup #JustHaves in italics too – so be sure to check them out (most are available at your local drugstore, Sephora, Ulta or Amazon).
Minute 1-2 Oil and Water. Cleanse your face with a damp Microfiber Facial Cloth (a pack of 10 is more than enough for a week and they’re machine-washable) – yes, it’s just a fancy, ultra soft washcloth and water! Moisturize with a few drops of Cold-Pressed Argan or Jojoba oil (I like the Leven Rose brand – available on her website or Amazon). You’ll think I’m crazy, but for most skin types, this one-two punch of oil and water is both anti-microbial (what typically causes unbalanced skin issues) and incredibly skin-nourishing/brightening. Over time, your pores will tighten and your complexion and tone will balance out – giving you an authentic glow without the usual harsh chemicals.
Minute 3: Primo Primer. Primer is a must – it helps makeup go on evenly, last longer and stay out of your pores and creases/fine lines– but did you know there are actually new primers that do more? One of my favorite primer lines right now is from the drugstore brand e.l.f. Cosmetics. In addition to the green color-correcting variety (perfect for evening out my sometimes blotchy-ish skin tone), there’s also an illuminating option and a poreless primer as well. All are excellent options – and at such a low price point, you can get all three and experiment! Apply lightly and give about thirty seconds to dry.
Minute 4: All-In-One Foundation and Powder. With just a few swipes and some blotting from a beauty blender, applying stick foundation is about as easy and unfussy as it gets. Bobbi Brown makes a decadent Skin Foundation Stick that gives a light and silky, almost transparent, finish. Of course, it also costs about fifty bucks. For a tenth of the price, my current go-to is the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Oil-Free Stick Foundation – it has a silky outer layer and a “powder” inner core that helps to control shine. I like to purchase a few shades – one that matches my skin tone and another in a shade lighter and darker, respectively – so I can play around with contouring and concealing. It truly is an all-in-one product!
Minute 5-6: Lips/Cheeks/Lids. While you’re waiting for your foundation to set, let’s move on to the lids and lips – finishing with cheek color in the last fifteen to twenty seconds. Did you know a blush stick works as lip and eye color too? It’s true. If you’re going for a natural, daytime look, this monochromatic approach – with varying levels of intensity (heaviest on the lips, lightest on the lids) – is flattering to every face. Personally, I love the NARS Multiple Stick (available at Ulta, Sephora and even Amazon) — apply dry (with a lip brush) for an eye-popping high-impact burst of color and apply wet with a makeup sponge so it glides onto your cheeks and lids for a more subtle and sheer finish. One-and-done!
Minute 7-8: Mousse and Define Brows. By now, we’ve all been schooled about how important a brow really is – a good brow frames the face, makes you look younger and can make even an un-made-up face look put-together. Of course, not all of us are blessed with the “on fleek” variety, which is why brow mousse is pretty much the best thing ever. It can help you tame brow hairs that like to move around and to enhance the hair you can’t quite see with the naked eye. My personal favorite is by Blinc Brow Mousse because it adheres to even the most microscopic of hairs at the front of the brow and makes them pop for hours on end. It’s sweat-proof, too! The application does take a bit of practice, so play with it the night before.
Once the mousse has dried (about 30 seconds), lightly define the shape of your lower brow line with a pencil and feather the line upwards into the main brow. Do NOT pencil above your brow line – if filler is needed there, stick to powder to keep the look soft and natural!
Minute 9: Curl and Coat Lashes…plus an Eyeliner trick! This is a weird tip that actually works. You can apply eyeliner and curl your lashes – at the same time! It’s true. I’m not talking cat eyes or anything fancy – but if you apply eyeliner along the top edge of your curler and press that edge against the line of your top lid while curling your lashes, you’ll leave a nice bit of eye-popping definition behind! Swipe on a coat or two of your favorite mascara last — Blinc Mascara is extremely waterproof and cry/sweat-resistant or, if the falsie-look is what you’re after, try SuperHero Mascara from IT Cosmetics, which beefs up your lashes in every direction!
Minute 10: Set and Protect. You can’t do all of this hard work and just let it sit there, unprotected? Mist that beautiful visage with a setting spray – not powder – and you’ll leave behind a nice dewy glow that lasts for hours on end. Don’t get me wrong, powder is great for a heavier makeup load or for the winter months, but setting spray is a much better option for this time of year. And, if you get a bottle of Coola Setting Spray with SPF 30, you’ll be doubly-protected!
Do you have any makeup #JustHaves including double-duty products and time-saving beauty tricks? Find me on Facebook.com/SantanielloJustine, @JustineSantaniello on Instagram and @JNSantaniello on Twitter and tell me what they are!