My Quick Six Minute Makeup Routine
I have fond memories of hearing my mother say that she was not ready to start her day until she’d “put her face on”. I remember thinking what an odd expression it was, but it was pretty self-explanatory. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree because I don’t feel ready to start my day until I’ve put my makeup on too… Whether I am going out or not.
Some days I get creative and experiment with new techniques and colors, but for most of my days, its a quick six minutes, and I’m done.
Here’s my routine:
Tinted Sunscreen
I’m one of those women who never found the perfect foundation, and it wasn’t for lack of trying… 🙂 My daughter always ribs me for never being satisfied with any foundation and she’s right. Either the color seemed off, the product gravitated to my lines which made them stand out, or it made my face look cakey. I was introduced to tinted sunscreen and never looked back. I have two favorites that I interchange and sometimes mix together. This Elta MD one is a bit sheerer than this one, but both add a subtle wash of color that blends in beautifully.
Eyebrows
I don’t know about you but my eyebrows are getting sparser and wispier by the day. I’m not brave enough to try microblading so I have to fill them in. They are the frames to my eyes and without them enhanced, I look naked no matter how much eyeshadow I’m wearing. I’ve been using Anastasia brow products for years and love them! I go back and forth between this pomade and this pencil but currently, it’s the pencil because it’s the quickest to use and fills them in nicely. I use the taupe in both.
Lipstain
I’ve used this stay-on Lip Fixation from Jane Iredale for years! It has color on one side and gloss on the other. It’s funny, but I never, ever, use the gloss! I wish they sold it individually. The good news is it never ever rubs off on the inside of my mask and acts as the perfect base for every lipstick I wear. It never dries out my lips and the color “Fascination” is a natural rosey shade on me. After it dries, I often add a lip pencil which gives it extra staying power and definition around my lips.
Blush
I prefer a cream blush for my dryer skin and have two favorites I alternate. This Kjaer Weiss is a gorgeous consistency and color (I use “Romance”) in a refillable case. This Ilia is a multi-use stick in “At Last” which I often use on my lips too. Be sure you apply your blush along the cheekbone in an upsweeping direction. Applying it on the apples of your cheeks is “old school” and very aging on mature faces.
Eye pencil
I’ve been experimenting with new eye pencils lately because most of them seem to lack something I need. I was a big fan of Urban Decay eye pencils until the I had two leads fall out. After trying multiple other pencels I’ve gone back to it the Urban Decay in a deep-taupe matte gray called “Desperation” because:
- they’re available in an amazing range of colors
- they are very soft so they never tug on my lid
- they are water-resistant which is mandatory during my allergy flair ups.
The gal at Ulta thinks it happened because they got old and dried out. I don’t know but I am willing to give them another try.
Eyeshadow
I don’t get too creative with color here and never have. I want people to notice the color of my eyes not the color of my shadow so I always use a soft, neutral taupe. I buy kits with cool tones and never too many. My current favorite is this one in Nude Fair. I sweep the palest color over my entire lid, then the medium color in the crease of my eye and the darkest color just on the outside of my eye. I occasionally use a narrow brush to use the darkest color over the pencil but not always.
Mascara primer and mascara
I curl my eyelashes and apply a thin coat of lash primer followed by two coats of mascara. As mentioned, my new favorite is navy, which many of you discovered before I did:). I am currently using this primer, but when it’s empty, I’ll go back to this one because it’s a tinier tube. No other reason, which may seem silly, but there you have it.
Concealer
Finally, I swipe a small amount of this concealer under my eyes and dab it on any little spots then smooth it in with this brush. I’ve been loyal to this concealer for many years because:
- the color is perfect for me (Fair)
- it’s very creamy so never tugs on my skin
- its tiny brush allows me to dab in on tight spots my finger would make a mess of
That’s it! Easy, peasy and gets me ready to face the day…bad pun:)
Would you be interested in see a video of how I apply this routine?
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I would love to see a video of your makeup routine. Thank you for sharing so much great advice and information Jennifer!
My pleasure. I have one over on Instagram but need to get one on here too.
Love your blog! What eye primer do you use? Most of them make my eyelids look like lizard skin and your eyes look lovely.
I have only ever used this one and I love it. Pat a tiny bit on and never under your eyes or it will make that skin look dry.
Over the years I have tried many foundations and tinted moisturizers and never found one that worked for my skin- until now- After reading this post I decided to try the Australian Gold SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer and am impressed. It evens out my skin tone and looks natural. Thanks for sharing your routine and products.
My brows were so sparse and I got tired of trying to color them in every day…and they never looked all that great. I finally decided I was going to go ahead with microblading and found someone near me that looked like she does fabulous work. But then a friend of mine recommended a woman that does permanent makeup (tattoo) and I went to her for a consultation. She is very much against microblading and convinced me not to try it. So I made an appointment with her and my only regret is I didn’t do it sooner. Oh my gosh, what a difference it makes. No one knows they aren’t my real brows. The tattoo strokes look like my natural hair. And she uses the “soft tap” method, so there was no pain. I then made an appointment to get upper and lower eyeliner (again, no pain with this method). However, then the pandemic hit and she has been shut down. I had to book a year in advance to get my brow appointment (she is very popular), but so worth the wait. Thanks for this post. Good tips.
Yes, I would like to see a video on your six minute make-up routine.
Thanks.
Dee
Yes to the video thank you Jennifer for the suggestions. I don’t like foundation on days when I am not working….but love Anastasia eyebrow pencil though I always find it breaks pretty easy.
Change of subject but please can you do a Etsy favorite sites some time….would love some new necklaces or bracelets.
Happy weekend 🙂
Yes, I would love to. Etsy is a favorite of mine for accessories.
Jennifer, I get so many great ideas from you about beauty products. Thank you for sharing your experience with products. I’m trying the magnesium cream mentioned earlier. I’m sure I will need the navy mascara too!
Thanks for sharing your tips for makeup. I am looking for some better options than what I am using now. We will try some. I especially liked the lip stain and lip pencil because wearing a mask is a problem. The best to you
I discovered Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation last winter. It is amazing. I’m 72 and it lasts all day, doesn’t settle in lines or pores and gives about a medium to light coverage. For $14 you can order a sample set of either warm/neutral colors or cool colors, so you can color match and try it out without committing to a full bottle. Love the stuff.
I am a big fan of that Clinique concealer. The fair is too light for me, but the fair neutral works.
Another YES to video.
My bathroom counter holds almost the exact same pile of paints and goo’s.
Only difference, a pot of Bobbi Brown’s creamy cheek stuff that i use on lips too. One pot will last a lifetime! Great goo 🙂
I’ve used Anastasia eyebrow powder (dual light brown) for a few years. My eyebrows are getting lighter and it covers well. The light color for my brows and the dark one covers my growth between salon visits. Brows, lip and Elemis spf cream and I am out the door.
I’ve been very curious to try Elemis.
Hi, Jennifer. A resounding yes for the video.
As I have been following you for a long time, your recommendations brought a smile to my face, as, per your suggestions over the years, I use pretty much everything you recommend. The tinted Australian Gold is an awesome sunscreen which I have recommended to some friends and they all enjoy it as much as I do. Jane Iredale ‘Fascination” is also a go to, along with “Rapture” for the
Winter (yikes) months. At age 76, all the products mentioned have been tried and true.
Thank you for your continuing blog which is always uplifting, informative, encouraging, truthful, and consistently done with grace.
My question about the Clinique concealer – do you use Neutral Fair or Fair Cream. My sin tone is fair with lots of lines (😉) and I have short gray hair.
Enjoy the special gift of time with your daughter up here in Canada.. Our two week self-isolation in mid-March was a challenge. However, we live in a condo and have wonderful neighbours who did our grocery shopping, dropped off flowers and phoned or emailed daily – blessings abound. The last couple of days my mind imagined our wooden door to the hall as a HUGE metal barrier.
I didn’t realize they were out of my shade where I linked! I use this Fair https://shopstyle.it/l/blBgx which is neither neutral cream or neutral fair.
I, too, never found a foundation that I liked. Tinted moisturizers didn’t do the trick for me. Suddenly I discovered La Mer foundation, and I am thrilled! Hands down, best stuff ever! Doesn’t sneak into fine lines, very sheer coverage but buildable. At 63, my makeup finally looks decent.
Eyebrows… never had any to speak of, always had to create them. When microblading came along, I was skeptical, but intrigued. After much research, I found a girl whose work I loved and went for it. Oh my word, best thing I ever did for myself! When you first have them done, it’s a little shocking because it’s such a new look. They settle and lighten over just a few weeks. It’s been two years and now time for a touch up. She has moved about 25 miles from me, but you can bet I will follow her anywhere!