My 4 Step Fast & Affordable Minimal Makeup Routine
Some days 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. We have all been there, right? Recently, I have been doing a minimal, fresh face look. 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 put together.
My current no-makeup makeup routine consists of four steps but makes a big difference. You can recreate it yourself for a naturally enhanced look that can be worn anytime, anywhere!
Step 1: Tinted Moisturizer/BB Cream
Whether you are dealing with uneven skin tone, or your skin has minimal issues a tinted moisturizer is the way to go, but if you want a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer provides, then go with a bb cream. When I am at home and not going anywhere, I use a tinted moisturizer and when I have errands or heading out for lunch or dinner, I use a bb cream.
What I am currently using:
I alternate between these three products, depending on what’s going on for the day: CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Sheer Tint SPF 30 $16.99 Sheer tint, evens out my skin tone, has a radiant finish and provides SPF protection. Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Cream SPF 30 $8.99 (in shade 110 Light/Medium) gives me light to medium buildable coverage, a satin finish, and sun protection. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ $14 (in shade #23 Natural Beige) This bb cream gives me a good buildable medium coverage, a satin finish, and protection against the sun.
Step 2: 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:
e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow Gel $4 (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.
Step 3: 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:
e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash It Loud Mascara $6 This is my favorite daily mascara right now, and only $6 it’s a serious steal! It lifts, separates, thickens, and lengthens for fluttery lashes that don’t look clumpy or heavy.
Step 4: Defining The Face
When it comes to minimal 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:
Milani Baked Powder Blush $9.99 (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. Then I apply a clear lip balm unless I am heading out, then I put on a tinted lip balm.
In just four 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? If you do, what does your routine look like? Comment below and until next time, be happy, healthy, and beautiful!
*This blog post is not sponsored. All of these links are affiliate links and I make a small commission from these links which is used to support my blog. You are under no obligation to use any of these links, but if you do, thank you very much and I appreciate your support of Glam Budget Beauty!