Look Better in Less Time With These Simple Steps!
If you’re that woman who wants to look better than what you woke up looking like, BUT, you’re just not that into a super obvious makeup routine, then this is the post for you!
If you’ve been following me on SAACA for a while, you know I am NOT scared of a full glam look - it’s actually my preferred way to go. I mean, Dolly Parton IS one of my idols. I love that she is unapologetic about her love of over the top makeup, hair, nails, etc - she owns her over the top look because it helps her feel like her personal best self.
However I realize that this over the top approach isn’t what a lot of my friends/clients are looking for when it comes to their beauty routines…
But as we age, we all know and recognize that we need a little extra help to boost our skin radiance, open up our eyes, and add some color to a colorless face.
So I want to make this look as simple and straightforward as possible - giving you the exact steps to go in AND the exact makeup products you can grab to get this fresh faced makeup look. Of course, it needs to look like you put a little effort into your face, but I promise these products are some of my go-tos for my clients that truly can’t stand a complicated and heavy makeup routine.
*Disclaimer, none of this look is full coverage, it’s subtle, so if you’re looking for more dramatic coverage, let me know in the comments so I can make a new post about that type of look for the future!*
I’m excited to share with you below my list of no-makeup makeup must-haves and how to get the look…
TL;DR
Jennifer shares how to look better in less time
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
Look Better in Less Time With These Simple Steps!
STEP ONE: SKIN PREP
You cannot expect even undetectable makeup products to look good, if your skin isn’t smooth and hydrated to begin with. At the least, use an exfoliating pad first (they’re the easiest way to get brighter smoother skin quickly) and then follow with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.
Product suggestion: Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads, $65, for baby smooth skin in one swipe! Moisturizer with SPF of course, from the brand new It Cosmetics Hello Sunshine Invisible Hydrating Serum, SPF 50, $35. I’ve been loving this stuff lately because it also contains skin-healthy ingredients like Vitamin B5 + Hyaluronic Acid and can substitute for primer as well. Doesn’t leave a white cast on darker skin either.
SHOP THE POST
STEP TWO: EYEBROWS
I’m a broken record about this, but please don’t ignore your eyebrows if they’re super sparse and lacking shape. If you have lots of brow hair past 40, you’re so lucky and can move on to the next step! But if you lack them, draw them back in where you see skin poking thru.
Use a skinny brow pencil with a fine tip that leans a shade lighter than the actual brow hairs on your face for the most realistic look. Take the pencil and draw tiny hairlike strokes where you see gaps in your brows - even a few strokes can make a big impact!
Product suggestion: It Cosmetics Universal Brow Power Pencil in “Universal Taupe,” $26. I promise you, if you don’t know your brow shade, try this one - it magically works for everyone.
SHOP THE POST
STEP THREE: EVEN OUT COMPLEXION
Heavy foundations + concealers need not apply! Grab a tinted face serum that is thin enough to feel weightless and can be applied with your fingers to easily just rub it in like moisturizer. Do this first all over the face. Then go in with a super sheer eye brightener product to use over those dark circles and hollows of eyes to make your eyes not look so tired. Finish with a light veil of loose translucent powder to set it all.
Product suggestions: L’Oreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic tinted serum, $19, has long been my favorite for truly getting better looking skin without that makeup-y look. I’m using shade 4-5 here bc I’m cutting out the bronzer step so I went a bit deeper with shade.
If you hate concealers that show up in your eye creases/wrinkles, look no further than the remarkable Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener, $24. This stuff is thin and magical - I’m wearing shade light-medium. Set all of this, focusing mainly on the center T zone of the face and over the concealer, with a loose powder like the Pixi Beauty H20 Skinveil powder, $24, to blur the skin with a velvet finish.
SHOP THE POST
STEP Four: CREAM EYESHADOW + LINER
No need to get complicated but you do need to put the most work here because the eyes are where the focus and skill should be used. Grab a neutral shade of shadow stick and apply along the crease of the eye bed and smudge in until the edges are blurred. Then take a soft black eyeliner, and tightline the upper lash line. This requires no skill, but just by darkening the underneath of the upper lash line only, it really wakes up the eyes.
Product suggestions: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise, $35, “Oyster Pearl,” gives maximum impact with minimum effort! I dot my shadow onto the lid then blend in with a dry brush from lash line to crease, then along the lower lash line. This particular formula goes from cream to sheen - really beautiful. I used the Sephora collection waterproof retractable liner in “matte black,” $13, because it’s super soft and requires no sharpening!
STEP Five: NON-CLUMPY MASCARA
Curl your lashes first, pretty please! Then apply a coat or two of mascara at least on the upper lashes. I went for one coat on the lowers because the more lashes the better IMO and looks so feminine.
Product suggestion: I am loving the Jason Wu Hot Fluff mascara, in volume + length, $17 that truly gives fluffy looking lashes minus the clumping. You can see it in action here on my Instagram post. (Are you following along with me on Instagram yet? Would love to have you over there to see my makeup tips in action!)
Shop the Post
STEP Six: CREAM BLUSH
One of the easiest ways to get a flush of realistic color is with a cream blush instead of a powder. Preferably a stick cream blush because they just roll up then allow for easy control and placement. Dot or swipe the color on, then blend in circular motions with your middle finger and voila. I add a touch of it in the center of my nose to bring some sunshine to my face 🙂
Product suggestion: If you haven’t tried the Milk Makeup lip + cheek cream sticks,$24, do it! I’m wearing shade “Werk” here which is an easy to pull off dusty rose shade that’s one of their best sellers.
STEP Seven: PLUMPING LIP GLOSS
Lips could also be finished with the lip + cream stick mentioned above for something super subtle, but I HAVE to have more shine and color than that personally. Also, I want my lips to appear a bit more plump because thin lips just don’t look as youthful and healthy as a plump shiny lip does. Lip liner isn’t required if you use a plumping product because it gives fullness to the mouth without having to fake it by overlining the lips.
Product suggestion: I believe I have found THE most flattering lip gloss color - Buxom Full On Lip Plumping Polish in “Whitney,” $25. It’s a gorgeous brown pink shimmer that honestly just makes me feel pretty and not overdone. If you can’t stand super glossy lips like I prefer, do try the Buxom Powerful Plump Lip Balms, $20. They give just enough plumping but with only a moisturized tinted lip balm finish that blooms to create your custom shade by reacting with the pH level of your lips! I own Dolly Fever + First Crush and love them both.
* Do not forget Mother’s Day is coming up on May 12th - you still have time to order mom that perfect gift to show her your appreciation and I’ve created the BEST MOM’S DAY BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE to give you ideas you can copy today!*
Okay I’d love to hear if you try out any of these products/steps if you’re one of those ladies that truly hates a full face of makeup, but wants a face boost but doesn't know where to start!
The rest of my outfit details: Similar chambray shirt dress from Target, $35 // Multi Colored Cameron bead necklace from Bauble Bar, $58 (seriously goes with ANY outfit) // Large water drop Amazon earrings, $11
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared recipes for Cinco de Mayo. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Jen, you read my mind! I have needed this post! Minimal makeup is my thing! And I didn’t know Jason Wu had a cosmetic line! Next time I’m at Target I’m buying the mascara.
I wish Jason Wu marketed their stuff better!! But I really luv that mascara so def try to get your hands on it! Glad the more minimal look spoke to you 🙂
Love this make-up tutorial! Thank you!
Glad you liked it Nancy!
Jennifer, I’m more of a “no-makeup look” person but I enjoy all of your posts and always learn something (or about a new product I may want to try). Plus, I discovered from one of your posts this year you have the same birth-date (not year) as my twins! I liked your horoscope makeup post (I’m also an Aquarian). Thank you!
Well hello fellow Aquarian!! How cool I have the same bday as your twins! And that means a lot you enjoy my posts despite not being much of a makeup gal – that’s high praise!