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Before I blogged, I remember actually enjoying my mornings applying makeup. It was the only tranquil part of my days as I made sure I felt confident and flawless in every angle. As narcissistic as it may sound, I valued the rare moments I get to appreciate myself (especially since self-love is hard to find as a young adult).
Now that I wake up early every day to create content, I feel like my makeup routine isn’t as enjoyable. From being the girl who owned 20 different eye shadow palettes to now being the girl who carries the same mini makeup palette that only contains two shadows and a blush, I have downsized my makeup routine to a T. While my products aren’t as interesting, I often get asked what products matter to me when I travel. When I asked my online friends on Instagram Stories what you preferred me to discuss, so many of you encouraged me to make a blog post about my foundation-free makeup routine! So, here’s the entire scoop on what I apply on my face everyday:
My Foundation Free Makeup Routine
Step 1: Apply Moisturizer
No matter what climate it is, I will always wear moisturizer on my face! While the type of moisturizer will depend on the activities you’ll be doing during the day (ex: waterproof, anti-aging, SPF included, brightening, etc), I have listed the moisturizers I use often and have re-purchased above. I’ve been such a fan of Clinique’s CC creams for years! However, I’ve recently switched to Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Facial Moisturizer for the spring/summer season and definitely recommend it!
Step 2: Apply Face Primer
Because I have normal to oily combination skin, I do think there’s a significant difference in my makeup when I do remember to wear face primer. The only way I’ve been able to keep up with this step is by purchasing in the mini trio from Benefit. My favorite face primers are the Bad Gal Primer and Porefessional Primer from Benefit’s collection!
Step 3: Dust on Face Powder All Over Face
To prevent your face from looking extra shiny, I lightly dust face powder all over my face. To trick is to focus on the T-zone area! If you over-apply face powder, it can look really cakey and defeat the purpose of not wearing foundation since the layer of powder would be too thick. You can either use a lightly-colored powder or even use a translucent powder! My favorite powders have been either Mary Kay’s (you heard that right, it really does work well!) or Clinique’s.
Step 4: Apply Eye Shadow Primer
While I’m still searching to find the ultimate eye shadow primer that works best for me, the eye shadow primers listed above work well for my skin type. I’m currently using Etude House’s Proof 10 Eye Primer, and I only use the smallest amount of product to sweep on my eye in order for my shadow to last for a long period of time. I was impressed that it was able to hold my eyeshadow even during my trip to the Philippines (when it was over 100 degrees outside), so if you’re traveling to hot climate countries, it has my seal of approval!
Step 5: Apply Eye Shadow
While I couldn’t find the exact makeup palette I’m currently using online, I did find makeup palettes that I would personally purchase for this step! Again, I prefer to pack as little makeup products as possible, so I’d actually use blush as eye shadow (and vice versa). When applying shadow, I’ve been using my fingers to apply the product directly onto my eyes. If I do bring eyeshadow brushes, then I’ll only bring one brush to sweep a darker shade of shadow in windshield wiper motion on the crease. This will add some drama to my overall makeup look.
Step 6: Apply Concealer
Concealer, in my opinion, is the most important step to my makeup routine! This step really targets the flaws of my face because concealer evens my skin tone and helps brighten the under-eye area. While I’m a huge fan of Clinique’s Beyond Perfecting Concealer (no surprise, right?), I am currently using Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer and would consider re-purchasing the product again!
Step 7: Apply Eyeliner
Let’s be honest, I’ve been addicted to eye liner since I was in 7th grade. While I don’t think it’s necessary for a makeup routine, I don’t feel like myself without my winged eyeliner (and I hope the cat-eye look trend never goes out of style). I’m slowly transitioning into trying some of Etude’s Houses’s liquid eye liners, I’ve enjoyed using my Maybelline Eye Studio Master Liner.
Step 8: Define Brows
While I am #blessed with naturally thick brows, I like to even out the color by using a combination of brow powder and gel. For the past few months, I’ve been using Maybelline’s brow chalk powder and sculpting gel during my travels! However, if I could choose one product, I’d pick up my It Cosmetics Universal Eye Brow Pencil any day!
Step 9: Apply Bronzer
I apply bronzer on my face for a little dimension and glow! No need to do crazy contouring like Kim K, I just use a thick bronzer blush to sweep bronzer right below the apples of my cheeks. While there may be a lot of great high-end bronzers out there, I enjoy using drugstore products like Elf’s.
Step 10: Apply Blush
Like I stated in Step 5, I would use the same palette for my eyes and apply it to my cheeks. The only difference is that I would recommend using a travel blush brush for this makeup step. Trust me, I’ve tried applying blush with my fingers, and it doesn’t work the same way as eye shadow. The mini cheek palettes from Elf and Morphe are affordable products that work beautifully!
Step 11: Apply Highlight
Again, highlight isn’t necessary, but I just can’t leave this step out in my makeup routine! If I have a light shade in my eyeshadow palette, I would use my fan brush to sweep it on as a highlighter! However, the products I listed above work wonders for my face if you do decide to use a separate product. Believe it or not, I’ve been using Elf’s highlighters for years! It’s such a great shade dupe for Becca’s highlighters!
Step 12: Spray Makeup Finishing Spray
Again, because I have oily skin, carrying a travel sized finishing spray is a must for me! I love my Tony Moly makeup setting spray! However, I’ve used finishing sprays, such as Urban Decay, and also enjoy the way my makeup sets with that product! While it’s trendy overly spray your face with finishing spray products, I recommend spraying 1-3 times so your makeup won’t get too runny.
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Although my foundation-free makeup routine consists of 12 steps, it takes 5-10 minutes to apply it to my face every morning. What do you guys think of the products I use? Do you have any makeup products that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments below! As always, please share my blog posts and follow me on social media for more of my travel adventures! Until next time!
I’ve been doing that look with just concealer, powder and brows. It so much easier to do and you still look flawless.
Like you, too much of my time is spent creating content. Therefore I don’t spend enough time on my face. Some great tips here, and a few steps I usually skip, but this is a good reminder not too. Also, under blush, you have a product at the end with rows of several shades. How do you use that? (I have one too, but it just sits in my drawer.)
Thanks for reading, Rhonda! Are you referring to the Revlon product? For that one I would individually pick up each shade in a fluffy brush or with fingers and use it for eyeshadow! I’ll also use the top two shades for highlight, the middle two shades for my bronzer, and then the last shade/swirl all colors for a bronzy blush! Hope this helps!
This is your every day make up routine? I’m lucky if I get some mascara and BB cream on! Lol
Yes, applying my routine is actually a lot quicker than it seems, haha! Funny enough, this makeup routine is much simpler than what I did in my younger days! Still on the journey to making it more simpler as well! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
I need to try this makeup routine when I travel. Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ Interested in doing collabs? xx
Thanks For Share This. I loved it