Mornings are always such a crazy time for us. As a serial snoozer, I’m usually running behind, and when you add on the madness of waking the kiddos up, getting them ready, and feeding them, it’s a modern-day miracle if we get out the door even 5 minutes delayed.
So, when getting ready, I’ve had to really optimize my time and products! Here’s the run down of my routine every morning — how I prep my skin, and how I apply my makeup for a “fresh, natural glow”.
Prepping For Makeup
This is actually the part I spend the most time on! Throughout my 32 years, I’ve had a lot of skin issues — and to be honest still do occasionally — so I’m very particular about my skin, what goes on it, and how I take care of it. I’ve personally seen that if your skin is balanced and healthy, you will have a natural glow, whether or not you’re wearing make up.
I’ve also found that simplicity with products is usually best when it comes to skin care. The more I load my skin with extras, the more it tends to break out. So I tend to stick with the basics! I’m always trying out new things, so my routine is frequently changing particularly as I evolve and age, but the below is what I do currently every morning.
Clean skin with micellar cleansing water
I recently started using micellar water and can’t speak highly enough about it! Every morning, I put micellar cleansing water on a cotton pad and gently clean my face. My skin is very dry, especially in the winter, and I find that this helps to combat dryness over washing with face wash. (Which I still do at night, mind you!) It also helps to tone my skin for a more even complexion and start the day right.
Right now I’m using Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water, which I love! This is a great product for anyone dipping their toes in micellar water — it’s actually the number one cleanser in France! Not only does it work well, but it’s vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin, and free of alcohol and all synthetic chemicals, gluten, GMOs, and fillers. BOOM.
I’ve also used Kiehl’s Herbal-Infused Micellar Cleansing Water and like that product, also!
Eye Cream
I currently use InterFuse Treatment Cream from Skin Better Science, which was a recommendation from my dermatologist after I complained about the fine lines I’m beginning to get around my eyes!
Serums
After cleansing, I use serums all over my face. I think of them like a daily vitamin for my skin.
Right now I’m a huge fan of the Glossier “Super Pack” — I use all three serums regularly. The ones I use during the day are Super Bounce, which is a hyaluronic acid serum that helps to hydrate, soften and plump skin, and Super Glow, which is is a vitamin c serum that helps to energize skin.
Right now Glossier is sold out of their Super Pack, and I’m almost all out, so in the meantime, I’m eyeing the Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Serum to try out next! (Can you tell I’m such a wannabe French girl?! Ha!) It has amazing reviews and is the winner of the Women’s Health beauty award!
Moisturize
The most important part of my morning routine! My skin is so dry, so it needs a lot of help in the moisture department. Right now I’m using Glossier’s Priming Moisture Rich Moisturizer. I swear that this moisturizer makes my skin more dewey and feels so nourishing!
My “Fresh, Natural Glow” Makeup Routine
Once I’ve prepped my skin, it’s time to apply my makeup!
I love for my makeup to amplify my features, not hide them. I really love a natural look — something that’s not too overbearing and doesn’t take too much fuss. It’s not that I don’t love makeup — I adore a fabulous smokey-eye or bright red lipstick — but on an average day with kiddos and working, I simply don’t have time to do more than a few minutes of application! I save the extras — the more “done” looks — for special events or night time application.
During the day, I’ve gravitated toward a fresh, natural make up look. One that looks like I tried, but perhaps not too hard. One that you almost have to guess if I’m wearing makeup. Here are the exact products that I use right now to get this look!
Tinted Moisturizer
This is a recent add on for me, especially since I’ve been trying to work on protecting my skin from the sun. (I’m very fair and have actually gotten burned in the winter or in cloudy weather before!) I started using tinted moisturizer for the SPF, and one benefit I’m really loving is that it provides nice, even coverage without being overwhelming.
The current tinted moisturizer I use is Yves Saint Laurent All-In-One Glow. I use the “Almond” shade when my skin has more color, and “Ivory” in the winter months and when I’m extra pasty. (Ha!) I love that this goes on light and smooth. It feels like I’m not wearing anything once applied. It protects my skin with SPF 23, and also has lots of added goodness that’s great for skin such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants!
Concealer
After my skin has tinted moisturizer on, I cover up added imperfections (i.e. Pimples. Still got ’em!) with NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I also put this concealer under my eyes to bring added brightness around my eye area.
Blush
This is one of my essentials, beyond tinted moisturizer and mascara! Blush adds the perfect pop of color. Again, I’m pretty fair skinned, so a little color always helps!
I recently picked up Milk Makeup’s Lip and Cheek Stick in “Swish” and it’s so lovely! A very young, fresh glow. In the past, I’ve also used Glossier’s Cloud Paint in “Puff”, which is a light, cool pink too and very pretty.
Highlighter
This is a nice add on for if I have time, but I like to swipe a subtle highlighter right above my cheek bones, where the natural sunlight hits if it were on my face. This helps to bring an added dewey glow to my skin and look. Glossier’s Haloscope is very natural and lovely looking!
Brow Definition
Lately I’ve been into brows. The bigger and bolder, the better. That said, I love to amplify a natural brow look as opposed to drawing them in. Make sense? Right now I’m using Milk Makeup’s Kush Fiber Brow Gel in “Dutch”. It’s the perfect amount of coverage while still being super natural looking!
Eyeshadow
Lately I’ve been rotating a skin-tone, sand color or soft browns on my eyelids. These bring out the blue in my eyes, which I always like to play into with color choices! Urban Decay has some great palettes with these colors – definitely check out their Naked Palette is really pretty!
Mascara
This is another area where I’m all about! The bigger the lashes, the better. I’ve been using the Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara and it definitely delivers on high volume!
Vaseline
So simple! But, truth be told, Vaseline is one of my most used beauty products. I swipe some on my lips at the beginning and end of each day to keep them soft and hydrated. Right now, I’m really into the Rose Tinted Lip Tins!
