My Go-To Makeup Routine

While I haven’t been wearing much these past few years, I have been using the same brands and products for the past 5+ years. This is my go-to makeup routine with my tried and true products. I try to make the process very streamlined (you know I love a good routine). I can easily do my makeup in less than 15 minutes because I know exactly which 10 items I need. I do have some “nice-to-use” products but I only use those for special occasions.

Disclaimer: I’m no makeup expert or skincare guru so I don’t actually know if these specific products are *bad* for your skin, it’s just what works for me!

My Makeup Mix

I have a mix of drugstore and higher-end products. I think it’s important to have high-quality products because you’re wearing them on your face for 10+ hours a day, but also don’t want always want to splurge on luxury products. You’ll know based on the products below which are drugstore vs. high-end!

Prep + Skincare

I always like to prep my skin before I apply my makeup, mainly with these two requirements: (1) A freshly washed face and (2) moisturizer. There’s something about having grease on my face and then putting makeup ON TOP of that gives me an icky feeling so I need a fresh face to work with.

• Cleanser: fresh Soy Face Cleanser ($38)
• Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ($24)

Essential Tools

I’m a believer that a good makeup tool (ie. brush, sponge, etc) can make a difference in makeup application (not that I have any basis for this). Depending on what product I’m applying, I try to use the “appropriate” tool for that. Here are my essential makeup tools (in the order that I use them):

Note: Anything with an * is what I consider an “upgrade” to my normal makeup routine that I only use for special occasions, or when I’m feelin’ myself.

• Foundation brush: Morphe M406 – Large Duo Foundation Brush ($12)
• Face powder brush: Real Techniques 201 Powder Brush ($6) – My specific version is discontinued, but this is similar
• Bronzer brush: Morphe E4 – Angled Contour Brush ($16)
• Blush brush: Real Techniques 400 Blush Brush ($7) – My specific version is discontinued, but this is similar
• *Highlighter brush: Real Techniques 402 Setting Brush ($8) – My specific version is discontinued, but this is similar
• Eyebrow brush: Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe ($25)
• *Flat eyeshadow brush: e.l.f. Eye Shadow Brush ($2) – My specific version is discontinued, but this is similar
• *Eyeshadow crease brush: Sonia Kashuk Professional Tapered Blending Makeup Brush No. 227 ($9) – Not my specific brush, but this is similar
• Eyelash curler: Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($23) – I love this for my almond-shaped eyes!

Products

As I mentioned before, I don’t do this every day but these are the main products I use when I do wear makeup on any given day. I try to keep my routine very simple to make my life (and honestly packing for trips) a lot easier. I’ve listed the items below in the order that I apply them with notes for how I apply them. Here are my go-to makeup products and routine:

• Primer: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer ($32)

To start my makeup routine, I apply a dime-size amount of primer on my ring finger and warm it up (between the ring fingers) before I apply it to my face. I focus the primer on my nose, under-eye area, chin, and forehead because that’s where *I think* my pores are the largest and where I get the oiliest.

• Foundation: Make Up For Ever Water Blend in Y405 ($37) – This was reformulated to the MUFE Watertone foundation

After I left my primer set in, I put 1-1.5 pumps of my foundation on the back of my hand. I use my foundation brush to take small amounts to blend into my face – usually from my cheeks, under eyes/eyelids (leftover amounts), forehead, nose, then neck (ESSENTIAL). You have to work quickly because it does dry fast, but it sets on your skin so well and it truly looks blended (I mean also as long as you blend well). If I feel I need extra coverage, I’ll add another light layer, mainly under my eyes.

• Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer in 25 Medium ($7)

If I have some pretty bad undereye circles, which *SPOILER ALERT* I do on most days, I’ll add some concealer. I feel like concealer application has changed over the past year or so from the infamous Makeup by Mario technique of a thiqqq layer of concealer in an “upside-down triangle” shape to just a dab under your inner and outer eye. I’ve done both, but I like the new technique where less is more. I use my same foundation brush to blend that out under my eyes and any remainder on my eyelids.

• Face powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Sandstorm ($4)

Once I have all my liquid face products applied, I set everything with a pressed powder using my face brush. I use the classic YouTube makeup guru technique of swirl, tap, apply. I used to do the “baking” technique but out of not wanting to put a lot of stuff on my face (and laziness), I go for the quick and easy way.

• Bronzer: Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Contour Kit in Light to Medium ($40)

Using my bronzer brush, I apply the shade Java from the palette right under and slightly on top of my cheekbones to give my face some dimension after the base layers. I also apply bronzer on my forehead near the hairline, on my jawline, and sometimes on the bridge of my nose (when I’m feeling it). I try to keep it light and natural and not heavy and “dirty” looking (if that makes sense). Just sunkissed enough!

• Blush: Milani Baked Powder Blush in 02 Rose D’Oro ($10)

I’ve used this blush for probably a decade, so you know it’s tried and true. Using my blush brush, I take a respectable amount of blush and apply it on my cheeks but closer to my cheekbones. I heard on TikTok once that if you don’t have enough blush on to make it look like your *blushing* then why have any on at all. While I don’t go that hard, I do like to put enough on to add some more color to my face.

• *Highlighter: BECCA x Khloé Kardashian & Malika Haqq Bronze, Blush & Glow Palette ($27) – Discontinued 🙁

If I’m feelin’ fancy, I’ll apply my highlighter with my highlighter brush (which is really a setting brush). The specific palette I use, and actually the entire company, was discontinued but any highlighter is fine. I apply this at the very top of my cheekbones, right where the sun would shine on yo face.

• Eyebrow pencil: IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe ($25)

I stumbled upon this at Ulta one random day when IT Cosmetics was doing some sort of free makeup trial. Let me tell you – THIS PENCIL IS UNIVERSAL! It somehow blends into my black eyebrows but still looks natural. I first brush out my brows with the brush on one end, lightly fill in my brows with the pencil end, then brush/blend them out with the brush again. I’ve recommended this to my sister who loves it too – I mean who doesn’t love a 2-in-1 product!

• Eyebrow gel: Maybelline Great Lash in Clear ($8) or Glossier Boy Brown* in Brown ($16)

I’ve used this “technique” for as long as I’ve been doing my eyebrows (college maybe?). On a “casual” makeup day, I’ll use the cult classic clear mascara gel to set my eyebrows. If I’m wanting some extra color and staying power, I’ll use a tinted brow gel for added thickness to my brows.

• *Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat Eyeshadow Palette ($29)

I normally don’t use eyeshadow because I already have a light layer of foundation/concealer and some powder on my eyelids. If I want to add additional color and dimension to my eyelids, I’ll use this eyeshadow palette to do a light base layer with the shades Inhale and/or Vibrate with my flat eyeshadow brush. Then I may add some “contour” in my crease with the shades Hot Spell and/or Heist with my crease brush.

• Mascara: Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black ($8)

Before applying mascara, I use my Shiseido eyelash curler to curl my lashes. I start at the base of my lashes, and in a “C” shape, curl “outward” toward the end of my lashes to get that perfect curl. My lashes grow straight and down so this is an essential step. Once I get that perfect (or tbh a good enough) curl, I use the mirror in my Naked palette to apply my mascara while looking down to prevent any mascara from getting on my eyelids.

YALL – I will forever use this mascara. I have not found another mascara that HOLDS MY CURL ALL DAY. It’s not clumpy, doesn’t flake, and truly keeps my lashes curled all freaking day. I apply from the root to the tip until I get the thickness I like. Sometimes I do two layers but generally, I do one layer on the “front” and *maybe* swipe on the “back” of my lashes for added thickness.

• Lip balm/chapstick: Burt’s Bees Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm ($4) or fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm ($26)

My lips get very dry, especially around the crease, so I like to apply lip balm to keep them hydrated. I’m not one to constantly apply (honestly because I don’t like the sticky residue that’s left on my cups/straws when I drink), but I’ll apply to get the day started.

• Setting spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray ($33)

My skin can get extremely oily, but this setting spray keeps me looking *less* oily at the end of the day and keeps my makeup in place. I’m talking – looking straight up flawless after dancing/singing/screaming at a 2+ hour Taylor Swift concert – so you know it works. I do 5-6 sprays all over my face from 6-10 inches away to keep my makeup in place ALL DAY.

In general, I prefer having a clean, makeup-free face but I also enjoy wearing makeup to enhance my natural features! I love a natural look, but also appreciate a full face of makeup. If you’re open to exploring new products, hopefully, this gives you somewhere to start. But makeup or no makeup, do whatever makes you feel comfortable in your own skin!

Happy makeup-ing!

Vivian