My Updated Skincare + Makeup Routine

Though I don’t often do a lot of beauty posts on my blog, I absolutely love makeup and getting ready every day is one of my favorite activities. With that being the case, I love trying new products and discovering those that I can dub as my holy grail, go-to items that I can recommend to others. Keep reading for all the details on my updated skincare and makeup routine, as well as why I love and grab for the products that I do over any others!

SKINCARE

Honestly, I’ve been blessed with really great skin considering I don’t eat as healthy/non-greasy as I should and definitely don’t drink enough water. My mom didn’t really get acne until she had kids, so let’s hope that doesn’t happen to me! A majority of my skincare routine takes place before bed when I get into the shower and use my Aveeno face wash. I use it to scrub off a majority of my makeup, which is always the best feeling after a long day. I don’t use any sort of washcloths or anything for it, just my hands.

While I’m still in the shower or after I get out, I’ve now been using the Olay Daily Facials for some extra suds and cleansing. If I’m just taking a body shower and not washing my hair, I always have leftover makeup around my hairline and eyes that I wasn’t able to fully get off the first time around. The Olay wipes turn soapy when you get them wet and they seriously make my face feel SO CLEAN! One side of the wipe is a gentle exfoliant, which I really love for cleaning those hard to reach spots, especially around my nose and jawline. The cloth makes cleaning my eyes much easier!

Next, I’ve been using Clean & Clear astringent lately for oil control and blemish prevention. I apply it with a cotton pad to my t-zone since that’s my most oily spot by far and tends to be where I break out. This has a stronger scent and may sting a little bit when you put it on, especially if you have any fresh blemishes. Every time I use this, I always wake up with my bad spots looking better!

I apply Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar face lotion everywhere else, including down my neck. Moisturizing helps with anti-aging and I love how gentle and light this one is. I tend to get dry skin around my nose, so I always focus it there most. I love having the SPF 30 version for summer since I wear it under my makeup as well! I do not like getting burnt and always kick myself later when I do, so I take sunscreen pretty seriously.

While Justin and I watch a Netflix episode before bed (right now it’s Scandal & we’re hooked!), I apply a combo of Kopari Coconut Melt and Aveeno lotion to my entire body. This helps my self-tan last longer and maintains the baby smooth, soft skin I’m always striving for. I typically put the coconut oil on my feet, elbows and knees, and the Aveeno lotion everywhere else. Both smell like coconut, which is so beachy and fresh to me!

The use and combination of these products have helped me slowly grow to love the process of getting un-ready every day before bed. I usually absolutely hate the mundane process of washing my face and envy Justin for only having to brush his teeth before crawling into bed, but I’ve found using products that I’m excited about makes it not feel like a chore.

 

MAKEUP

I always strive for a natural, effortless glow every day when doing my makeup. I’m someone that truly wears a full face of makeup every single day simply because I love it. I love getting up early enough to watch YouTube videos while taking my time to put all of my products on at own pace. It sets me on the right track and puts me in a good mood!

I tend to stick with the products I love once I find them, so my makeup routine evolves only a little bit here and there. My #1 favorite foundation that I’ve been using for years and recommend everyone tries is the No7 Stay Perfect. I saw blogger Amber Fillerup recommend this years ago, tried it myself and have been using it ever since. It’s priced in between drugstore and high-end foundations at a $20 price point. I get mine from Target in the lightest shade and just darken it up with a bit of bronzer if I’m on the tanner side.

I’ve been a longtime Maybelline FitMe concealer user as well (it’s the closest dupe to the NARS one I’ve found) in the shade Fair Clair, which I apply to my under eyes, around my nose, chin, eyelids and on any blemishes. I blend everything, including my foundation too, with a damp Real Techniques sponge for as close to an airbrushed look as I’m ever going to get. I’ve been setting everything with a loose Lorac powder for months and I’m obsessed! I have pretty oily skin, so baking with this powder is the only thing that keeps me as matte as possible without having to blot. Trust me, baking is not overrated and you should definitely try it.

The ELF blush & bronzer duo in St. Lucia serves multiple purposes in my makeup routine since I use it to contour and as eyeshadow as well. If you’re wanting some buildable definition in your eyes, using bronzer as eyeshadow is the simplest way to do that. I apply it with a fluffy blending brush to my link and under my lower waterline for a bronzed look.

Lately I’ve been doing my brows first before my foundation and I’ve found it to be really helpful for building the overall shape and thickness I want. Doing them first allows me to wipe away any excess color that gets outside the lines for a much cleaner look. I’ve been watching brows tutorials online on how to build a thicker brow shape and I think it’s been working well for me! I have naturally dark eyebrows that are on the thicker side anyway, so my Benefit Precisely My Brows Pencil helps me to further enhance that. I’d always used the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil in the past, but made the switch to Benefit this month to change it up & I’m liking it! I set everything in place with the NYX Control Freak Brow Gel by brushing my hair upwards and outwards.

I tried the L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara on a whim a few months back and now I’m OBSESSED. I curl them first for a full, lengthening look and I’m so in love with it. Let’s not talk about my eyelash curler slipping this morning and chopping off a chunk of my eyelashes…

Lastly, I always apply highlight and set everything with a setting spray before doing my lips. I use a combination of the NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator and Becca Cream Poured Highlight in Pearl for the prettiest summer glow. I find that using both products helps it last better throughout the day. To help with that, I lock everything in place with Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray.

Last but not least, I finally started wearing lipstick on a regular basis this year and looking back, I can’t believe it took me so long to do so. My lips naturally aren’t very dark, especially in comparison to the darker shade my face is with self-tanning and makeup, so I need a lipstick to make my lips stand out. My go-to’s are always ELF Matte Lip Colors in Praline and Natural. If there’s one product you try from this post, it should be this one! These guys are only $3 and the color last way longer than you’d expect. I add either a Neutrogena or Buxom lip gloss on top, both of which are linked below.

That’s everything I’ve been using lately! What are your go-to’s and what do you recommend I try? I’d love to know! Thanks so much for visiting my blog today & you can read up on all my previous beauty posts here.