How to Master the Quick, Everyday Makeup Look
If you’re anything like me, you feel refreshed and put together when you have a little makeup on. But let’s be honest–unless you’re the rare Type A Morning Person, you don’t have a lot of spare time in the morning to spend on makeup.
Even so, it’s nice to feel confident and professional when you walk out the door and head to the office. That’s why I’ve put together this how-to guide–to help you create a morning makeup routine that is quick and long-lasting with the products I love most.
MOISTURIZER – A MUST
Even if you have oily skin, you can still benefit from the use of a daily moisturizer. And no, moisturizers don’t have to leave your skin feeling greasy–moisturizers are meant to hydrate by improving the water content of the skin, not oil! The trick is to find the right product.
PRIMER – A MUST
If you want your makeup to last through your 9-to-5 and beyond, you need primer. Primer acts as a foundation for your makeup, allowing it to go on smoother and stay put longer. My two favorite eye primers are from Mary Kay and Urban Decay. For the face, I prefer the Mary Kay foundation primer with SPF 15, or this skin perfecting primer from NYX.
EYESHADOW – OPTIONAL
Many people skip eyeshadow because it can take so long to get right, but it doesn’t have to! For quick and easy eyeshadow that looks great, I recommend creamy eyeshadows like the ones from ELF or Mary Kay. Both come in multiple colors, but Mary Kay’s Cream Eye Color comes in matte, shimmer, and metallic shades!
Pro Tip: do your eyes first! Getting rid of eyeshadow fallout, fixing eyeliner, or getting rid of accidental mascara smudges is a whole lot easier when you don’t have to redo your concealer or foundation, too.
EYELINER – OPTIONAL
Eyeliner is fun, but it can also be time-consuming. If your lashes are on point, eyeliner isn’t necessary!
For those of you who love eyeliner and have the time to do it, I recommend Marc Jacobs’ Highliner Gel Eye Crayon or Mary Kay’s eyeliner in black or brown.
Pro Tip: If you’re going for the smudged look, make sure you smudge the liner immediately after applying it. If you wait, the eyeliner will dry and it won’t smudge well.
MASCARA – A MUST
If there’s one thing that can make you go from tired- to bright-eyed in the morning, it’s mascara. It’s the easiest way to make your eyes stand out. So sweep some L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise or Mary Kay Lash Love over your top and bottom eyelashes to put the finishing touch on your eyes.
Mary Kay CC Cream
FOUNDATION – A MUST
Both the dewey and matte looks are in right now, but your skin type can help determine what look you should go for. For lighter coverage, I recommend using a CC cream, which can provide enough coverage to cover up any redness or discoloration while still looking natural.
For medium to full coverage, I recommend balancing out dry skin with a dewy foundation and oily skin with a matte foundation.
Pro Tip: only one of your products needs to have SPF. Of all the products I’ve recommended so far, Mary Kay’s CC Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is my absolute favorite.
SETTING POWDER – A MUST
There are many setting powders out there–some are sheer, and some have a hint of color. For this everyday look, I suggest using a translucent powder. Rather than adding color or coverage, a translucent powder will set makeup and control shine. With a large powder brush, sweep a light layer of powder around your face. Don’t go too heavy, though! Too much setting powder can leave you looking cakey.
My two favorites? RCMA’s No-Color Powder and Mary Kay’s Translucent Loose Powder.
BLUSH – A MUST
When we’re exhausted from a late night or a long work week, we tend to lose a little color. There’s no better way to bring that color back than with blush. I love Mary Kay’s Mineral Cheek Color. Loving the highlight trend? This blush also comes in semi-matte to add a little shimmer. For blush on a budget, check out the Studio Blush from ELF.
LIPS – A MUST
To finish off this everyday look, I recommend adding a little color back into your lips! You don’t need a bright red or pink to complete your look–there are many natural shades that can subtly tie your entire look together. L’Oreal and Mary Kay both have some gorgeous, everyday nudes.
SETTING SPRAY – OPTIONAL
Do you ever get home after work only to realize your makeup has faded or creased? To stop your makeup from melting and smudging, you can finish your look off with a setting spray. More hold means fewer touch-ups throughout the day! Mary Kay’s Finishing Spray and this Setting Spray are two of my favorite tools to help my makeup stay put.
Sound daunting? Don’t worry! With a little practice, this makeup routine can be done in just a few minutes. To perfect this look or create a routine that is customized to you and your style, skin, and schedule, contact me! PriscillaM Beauty provides customized makeup routines and one-on-one makeup lessons to help you master this or any other look.
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