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If you haven’t subscribed to my Substack yet, here’s where I get a little more personal: writing from the heart about self-care, motherhood, wellness, and everything in between. My community loved this post, so I wanted to share an excerpt with you here..
Something most people don’t know about me is how much I LOVE makeup. Yes, I keep it simple and really natural, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t fully embraced the magic of a skin-perfecting cc cream, a plumping lip color, or a mascara that makes my lashes look a mile long.
I worked at the Clinique counter in college and it was there that I saw the transformative power of beauty in action. A woman who would shyly approach would let me show her the blush that highlighted her cheekbones or the lipstick that really suited her skin tone, and she would walk away feeling like the most beautiful version of herself. That experience permanently shaped my way of thinking about makeup: it should be simple and it should make you feel like you.
Thanks to the strange world of influencer marketing, I get sent tons of new products to try. When it comes to makeup, I end up keeping maybe 5% of what I receive. I’m very picky when it comes to products that actually work and I’d rather have a makeup drawer full of simple, easy products that I use daily than one packed with things I rarely use.
However, here’s what I’ve noticed: most people’s makeup drawers tell a different story. Too many products, too many steps and somehow it still takes forever or is completely skipped on busy days when you really want to look good.
So today I’m sharing with you the routine that I’ve spent years perfecting down to its most essential form. Five minutes, from start to finish, whether it’s a day full of Zooms or a night out. I’m also sharing the natural nail rehab routine that finally made my post-gel nails grow back.
I’ve never actually written this step by step before, so consider it the closest thing to watching me get ready in the bathroom. Below is the exact routine and the products that make it work.
My daily makeup routine
After taking care of my skin (full details here), I prime myself with this mattifying primer. I should mention that my T-zone gets very shiny throughout the day, which is not flattering to the appearance of my pores. So my goal is to create a more matte look throughout the center of my face and let the shine and highlights occur on my cheekbones and brow bones, wherever the light naturally hits.
I then use my fingers to apply this foundation to my nose, forehead, under eyes, eyelids and chin, press it into my skin and then blend it out. I always come back to this one thanks to its good coverage and natural finish, plus it looks like your real skin. And it really lasts all day.
Unlock the full post here to see my exact 5-minute makeup routine, which I’ve perfected over the years to feel polished, natural, and actually doable on busy days. I share every step, the products that make it work, and the nail rehab routine that finally made my post-gel nails grow back.
