When it comes to makeup, I tend to take the no frills approach.
Don’t get me wrong: I love makeup. It’s fun to play with, and as much as I like to feel confident without it on, makeup helps me feel more pulled together. So even though I love to air on the side of a more natural look, you better believe it’s a must in my daily beauty routine!
Flawless In Five: My Everyday Makeup Routine
I generally approach my makeup routine, and the choices I make surrounding it, with two key questions.
1. What VIBE do I want to portray?
Lately, I’ve really been gravitating toward a natural, less-is-more look. I’m not sure if this is a phase, or if I’m becoming more confident in my own skin, but it’s a mentality I’ve been increasingly leaning into over the past year. Either way, I see makeup as something to enhance my features and not as a means to cover anything up.
On an average day, I like to keep my “vibe” more on the naturalistic side. One that’s easy, simple, and straightforward. That’s the place I’m most comfortable, from both a makeup application approach and also a presentation stand point. (I work from home, and usually the only people who see me are my kid’s teachers or coffee shop baristas. So to waltz in all “done up” would be pretty ridiculous, ha!)
That said, I love to get glammed up! If I have an important meeting, am going on a fun outing, or perhaps even getting ready for a date night, I’m ALL FOR a sassy red lip, or enhancing my eyes with eyeliner. Those approaches aren’t something I’d lean into for an average day, but when I do have the opportunity to put in a little added time and effort, I always feel great!
2. How much TIME can I allocate?
I’m forever running behind in the mornings; in between getting the kids and myself ready for the day, having even 5 minutes to apply makeup can be a tough ask. I’ve learned to be quick and to work with the essentials, which I’ve perfected down to a science! This is where my quick, natural-leaning beauty routine comes in. (What I’m about to share with you below!)
If I’m getting ready for a bigger night or event, then I’ll definitely take more time than normal with my makeup. And by more time…I mean like, 5 more minutes. Ha! Honestly, even if I’m getting more “glammed” up, I like to keep it all pretty simple.
On an average day I go for a natural vibe, and I give myself about 5 minutes to apply my makeup from start to finish.
I’ve embraced the Flawless in Five routine from BeautyCounter and absolutely love the results. It’s quick, easy to apply, and manageable while also presenting a beautiful and pulled together look. Plus, all the products in the Flawless in Five routine are free from 1,500+ questionable ingredients! I’ve been slowly overhauling all my beauty products to clean beauty and can’t speak highly enough about what BeautyCounter offers in terms of quality.
The great thing about “Flawless in Five” is that you get to customize your own beauty routine by picking from options that are best for you! (In each of the steps below I’ve provided info on the alt options you can go with, for clarity.) What’s great overall is that the quality and performance of these products are simply amazing, and they’re ALL clean beauty options. So no matter what, you can feel really good all the options!
Here are the exact products used in my average-day “Flawless in Five” beauty routine!
STEP 1: Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
I love that this provides SPF 20 protection, and it’s also slightly tinted so that it provides lightweight coverage. There’s this really subtle, dewy glow that it creates while hydrating at the same time, and it definitely helps to firm my skin. It comes in 5 different shades — I actually have two shades depending on the season! I use No. 2 for when I don’t have a tan (most of the time), and No. 3 for summertime and need a shade darker.
I’m not a big foundation person, so I always prefer a tinted moisturizer as my base. But, if you are a foundation person, here’s a great alt option!
ALT product for STEP 1: Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation
A lightweight, creamy foundation that actually cares for your skin, this formula goes on seamlessly and blends effortlessly to cover imperfections and visually even out skin tone. Buildable and natural-looking, it leaves you in control of the coverage: For light coverage, apply with the Retractable Foundation Brush; for medium coverage, apply with the Flat Complexion Brush. It comes in 10 flexible shades, each of which is formulated to suit a range of skin tones. (So you don’t necessarily have to change shades as the seasons change.)
STEP 2: Touch Up Skin Concealer Pen
The first thing I do with this pen is put it under my eyes. I draw it on, then dab it in lightly using my ring finger. This helps to cover up any dark circles, and it also brightens my eye area, and thus my entire face. It also works for covering up redness and other imperfections like the occasional pimple. (YUP…33 and still get them! Gah!) The shade I use is “Light”.
STEP 3: Brilliant Brow Gel
Confession time: I very rarely pluck my eyebrows. Is that weird? The shape doesn’t bother me, even if there are sometimes a few stragglers. In fact, I love to enhance full brows! This Brilliant Brow Gel is great because it provides shape, natural color, and definition without being “drawn” on. The shade I use is “Neutral Deep Brown”.
ALT STEP 3: Color Define Brow Pencil
Developed to define brows so they appear thick, natural, and polished, these easy-glide pencils go on smoothly and include a built-in brush wand for flawless blending and fast brow-grooming.
STEP 4: Volumizing Mascara
If there’s one essential besides SPF moisturizer for me, it’s mascara! I have very light eyelashes so without mascara I sometimes feel like my face looks…mousy. Ha. Mascara immediately helps my eyes to be more defined and look more pulled together. I love this mascara because it never has clumps, and it plumps for significantly more volume. After applying a few coats to my top lashes, I’ll throw a coat on my bottom, and the result is brighter eyes that look more alert and open.
ALT STEP 4 :Lengthening Mascara
Add alluring length and definition without the harmful ingredients. Smudge-proof, this new formula stays put all day, yet can be removed in the blink of an eye.
STEP 5: Satin Powder Blush
Love me a beautiful flushed cheek! It just looks healthy and vibrant. I lightly apply this blush to the apples of my cheeks, and slightly blend upward. The color I use is “Melon” and I love how soft and bright it is!
STEP 6: Lip Gloss
Sheer color and beautiful shine! This lip gloss is also long-lasting — it provides nice, sheer color for hours without being super sticky. It also has a nice vanilla flavor, which is a great value add. The color I have and LOVE is “Peony” – it’s a soft, warm pink.
If you’re interested in customizing your own “Flawless In Five”, don’t forget to swing by this link to be easily taken through the customization process and choose your own products! It’s so fun to go through and play around with all the options.
What is your everyday beauty routine? Do you have products you use on the daily that you love? Would love to hear in the comments below!
PS – 5 BeatuyCounter Products That Made Me A Believer + How Going With The Flow Leads To Happiness