Everyday Makeup Routine
I love how makeup can enhance features we already love.
For me, it’s always been owning my bold brows followed by a pop of color on the lips. Even when plucking was a thing, my brows were still front and center. For a short time, I even had one pierced!
In my 20s, I often remember going out with girlfriends and laughing the next day at photos because of how much lipstick I had on. My party trick was to reapply with every drink.
Turning 40 this summer has me embracing the signs of aging in a new way. I’m trying to appreciate the lines popping up as proof that I’m living a life full of smiles, laughter and contemplation. Seriously, what a gift it is to be able to express ourselves even without words.
Last weekend at the pool with friends, the stories I heard made enhancers and plastic surgery seem like the norm these days. I don’t know if it’s my age or the times, but it just made me a little sad that we don’t all just love ourselves the way we are. I get it, society sets a standard, but I wonder who’s ever going to break it if we all just follow it? For now I’m owning my natural beauty, lived in character and all.
Over the years, living with an autoimmune disorder (Hashimoto’s) has inspired me to fully transition over to clean makeup products. Through trial and error, I’ve learned what works, what lasts, and what makes me feel good—so I thought it might be helpful to share my everyday routine. It’s about 5 steps and takes about 5 minutes.
As an entrepreneur, I used to work in yoga pants and squeeze in workouts mid-day. But many years ago, I started craving more structure. So now my morning shower and makeup routine is a ritual, even if I have no plans of leaving the house. It grounds me and makes me feel cared for. I wear makeup for me!
Step 1: Base
I always start with a tinted moisturizer—my current go-to is the Saie Slip Tint. It goes on so smoothly with your fingers and also has SPF coverage. Then I use the RMS UnCover Up concealer under my eyes.
For more coverage in the evening, I use the Ilia Super Serum. I recently picked up the Tower 28 Tinted Sunscreen to try; it has a little more coverage than the Saie, but the warmer undertones are too yellow for my skin. I’ve learned I prefer blue undertones, even in summer, so my next purchase will definitely be the Saie again.
Step 2: Cheeks
At the peak of summer or for an extra boost, I’ll choose a more saturated color like bright pink or orange. I also love a soft pink for everyday— I have an old Beautycounter shade that’s sadly discontinued, and I’m still searching for a replacement.
Step 3: Eyes
I usually start with the brows. I stopped plucking about 10 years ago, but I still have some sparse patches, so I brush them and fill in with the RMS Back2Brow Pencil, then set with Kosas Brow Gel for a bolder look.
My eyelids are slightly hooded (something I didn’t even notice until I heard of people my age getting upper eyelid surgery), so I like to brighten them with RMS Cream Eyeshadow in Moondust, or go tonal with Ilia Liquid Eye Tint in burnish and let a bright lip be the star of the show that day.
My ultimate favorite mascara is Caliray—it comes off in tubes with water, no remover necessary. Also it won’t smudge if your eyes water or cry!
Step 4: Lips
My daily go-to is a rosy pink pop. I avoid anything sticky—I like moisturizing, and saturated formulas.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm gives a glossy finish I love, and I’m still obsessed with the Beautycounter Conditioning Lipstick in Rose—it’s not a traditional lipstick, not a tinted chapstick, just perfect and unexplainable until you try. So glad they brought it back under the new Counter brand, I just ordered a few new colors to try!
Ilia Balmy Lip Glosses are also great for noticeable color and a natural shine- my go-to color is Tahiti. I use the Kosas Lip Balm as an anytime chapstick, it’s a hint of color with lots of moisturizing.
Occasional Boost
The RMS Luminizer adds subtle brightness on the tops of cheeks, around the eyes and brow bones. And last but not least I’ll use eyeliner here and there on my top lids- I love the rich brown Jillian Dempsey one because it goes on so smoothly. Clearly I’m about ready for a fresh one!
Now I’m inspired to try some new cheek and lip shades for fall- I’m thinking browns and berries. Will report back if I learn anything worth sharing! And please share in the comments if there’s anything you’ve been loving in the clean beauty world too.
