Makeup Monday: My Fast & Affordable Minimal Makeup Routine (Summer Edition)
There are days when we don’t have time to put on a full face of makeup, or we just don’t feel like putting on a full face especially during the hot, humid summer months. We have all been there, so I have updated my minimal summer makeup routine (which hasn’t really changed except for a few new products I am currently using). I still add some definition to the focal points of my face, but it’s as close to a no-makeup makeup look I can get while still feeling and looking put together.
My current summer makeup routine consists of four steps but makes a big difference. You can recreate this look for yourself for a naturally enhanced look that can be worn anytime, anywhere! Here is my four-step minimal summer makeup routine:
BB Cream/Tinted Hydrator
Whether you are dealing with uneven skin tone, or your skin has minimal issues a bb cream is the way to go, but if you want a little more coverage than a bb cream provides, then go with a tinted hydrator. When I am at home and not going anywhere, I use a bb cream and when I have errands or heading out for lunch or dinner, I use a tinted hydrator.
What I Am Currently Using:
I alternate between these two products, depending on what’s going on for the day: For days when I am working from home, I use Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Cream SPF 30 $7.44 (in shade 110 Light/Medium). This gives me light coverage, a satin finish, and sun protection and Wet n Wild Tinted Hydrator $5.28 (in shade Light Medium) This tinted hydrator gives me a good buildable medium coverage and a satin finish and I use this if I am heading out the door (sometimes I will mix these two together, and WOW! The coverage is fantastic when I mix these two together and great for days, I want more coverage). Side Note: I will also use It Cosmetics CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder SPF 50+ $39 in shade Light when I am pressed for time and need to be out the door quick, but I still want coverage and SPF protection).
Defined Brows
Clean, defined brows are the trick to looking made up with little actual makeup. I fill mine in with a tinted brow gel with fibers to create a neat look, making sure to even out any sparse areas. If you already have full brows and don’t need to fill them in, use a clear brow gel to hold your brows in place. Brow powder, pomade or pencil products are another way to fill brows easily and subtly.
What I Am Currently Using:
This should come as no surprise to anyone, but I am still using e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow Gel $5 (in shade Neutral Brown) This has a buildable wax-gel formula, hair-like fibers and can be used alone or over another brow product. This is my absolute favorite budget-friendly brow product. It reminds me of a high-end product that I love and delivers the same look at more than half the price. This brushes through brow hairs easily to fill in and even out sparse areas, and it lasts all day.
Mascara
Finally, adding a coat or two of mascara can really transform your eyes, accentuating their shape and giving you a more awake appearance. Choose a mascara that keeps your lashes separated to avoid clumps. For maximum effect, curl your lashes first so that they stay lifted.
What I Am Currently Using:
Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara $4.99 This is my favorite daily mascara right now, and only $4.99 it’s a serious steal! It lifts, separates, thickens, lengthens, and curls for fluttery lashes that don’t look clumpy or heavy.
Defining The Face
When it comes to minimal summer makeup, you want to add some color and light back onto your face, but don’t want to take the time to apply bronzer, blush, and highlighter, so using a radiant bronzy blush shade will accomplish this with one product.
What I Am Currently Using:
This should come as no surprise also, but I am still using Milani Baked Powder Blush $8.10 (in shade Bellissimo Bronze) This radiant blush shade is an all-in-one for the face for me. This gives my face a bronzy, blush look with a radiant glow, but this is very pigmented, so use a light hand when applying this (I also sweep a little of this blush into my crease and lid, so my eyes don’t look so bare).
Lips: Last but not least, I finish off my minimal summer makeup routine with lip gloss! Lip gloss is not only quick and easy, it also gives your lips a hint of color as well as lots of shine!
What I Am Currently Using:
My faves are at the moment are: Maybelline Lifter Gloss $7.28 in shade 004 Silk or NYX Butter Gloss in shades Angel Food Cake or Tiramisu).
In just five steps, I feel like this minimal makeup routine does a lot for my face, as well as my confidence! It’s quick, versatile, and adds the perfect amount of touching up while maintaining your natural looks.
Do you have a minimal makeup routine for summer? If you do, what does your routine look like? Comment below and until Wednesday, be happy, healthy, and beautiful!
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