My 10-minute Makeup Essentials
Like skincare, makeup routines have become more complex over the past few years. Applying makeup resembles more and more a guided ritual from products to techniques. But what can we do when we don’t have enough time? Here’s my basic 5 to 6-step makeup routine.
Don’t get me wrong. I love playing with makeup, different formulas, and textures. I love bringing my dull skin to life with a couple of things. But I must be realistic: I don’t always have the time to apply primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, and a setting spray. Plus, allowing everything to sit before leaving the house for work or putting my face mask on.
Even though I’ve recently swapped jobs, I still work far from home (about a 1h30 commute, each way). This means every minute counts - especially in the early morning hours when 10 minutes can mark the difference between a free road and an awful jam.
My partner usually gives me a ride to a more central subway station on his way to work, and most days, we leave our apartment a few minutes late thanks to my makeup routine… I decided to narrow it down to my bare minimum.
These items work for me and help me look better (and more confident) without following all the steps. It doesn’t mean you have to apply the same product categories I do. I recommend you play with your different products (and formulas) when you have a little bit extra time and come up with a minimalist combo that does wonders for you.
And if you can use one product in more ways than its original function, that’s a WIN-WIN!
So, without further ado, here are my makeup essentials when I don’t have more than 10 minutes to do my makeup.
Foundation
First things first, a reliable foundation. By reliable, I am talking about something that works for you not only in terms of tone but also in terms of formula.
From mate to glowy and different levels of coverage, plenty of options exist. Your skin type also plays a significant role here. If you have dry skin, you’ll probably want a more hydrating formula that will make you feel more comfortable throughout the hours.
And if you have oily or combination skin (like I do), you’ll probably feel better using something that helps you control shine and oil.
Here’s the thing: finding the perfect foundation isn’t an easy task. There are so many factors involved. So, how can you know that something works for you? Ask for help at local beauty stores, tell them your concerns (skin type, what type of cover you want, and if you want your foundation to have skincare properties), seek product/brand/shade recommendations, and ask for a sample - so you can actually put it to test (for hours and with the products you already have at home) - before spending your hard-earned money.
In my case, I always go for something with a mate finish and low to medium coverage because I like my skin to still look like skin (not like some mask I’ve put on) after getting my makeup done.
Out of all the conscious foundations I’ve tried so far, Stay Naked from Urban Decay and Liquid Touch Foundation from Rare Beauty are my favorites.
Even though the Urban Decay one has a lot of coverage, I’ve always toned it down a notch by adding some moisturizer to it (and mixing it) before applying it on my face. See, the problem is solved easily! And if I need full coverage, I would just use its original formula.
That’s one of the things that I love the most about this formula - its versatility. Oh, and also the fact that it is available in so many shades.
Yes, that’s another big topic. While most brands nowadays have 30 to 50 foundation shades within a specific product line… it wasn’t always the case. I have a fair, neutral complexion, and I had to use foundations that weren’t my exact shade for most of my life—making me feel even more anxious about my poor makeup skills and acne skin.
To sum up:
Find a foundation that goes with your skin type.
Find the right tone for you.
Ask for a sample before you actually spend over 30 or 50 euros on a new product.
Concealer (optional)
Ok, I’ve written optional because this isn’t a priority step for me. Not because I was blessed with dark circles free under my eyes. No, quite the opposite.
I have dark circles that I still haven’t figured out how to adequately cover, no matter how many concealers or pre-concealers I try.
So, why did I put this step as optional? Because I don’t feel that it makes a significant difference in the final result - most days.
But, if I have slept poorly or have acne that day… I like to have this option.
My favorite concealer so far? Dior Forever. Besides having a creamy formula, it sits perfectly on the skin, leaving a hydrating sensation for hours.
Liquid Blush
After using powder blushes for most of my makeup, I discovered cream and liquid formulas last year, which was life-changing.
Why? I still have a lot of texture on my skin due to severe acne for over a decade. So, powder formulas would sit oddly on top of it, making my skin issues more noticeable.
On the other hand, cream and liquid formulas blend seamlessly with my foundation. And besides longer, better, these also last longer on my skin, which is perfect for days that I’ll be wearing my makeup for longer than 12 hours.
Nudestix Nudies Bloom All-Over Dewy Color, in the tone Cherry Blossom Babe, was the product that made me fall in love with this sort of formula. However, after my trip to London, I’ve been wearing Glossier’s Cloud Paint in the shade Puff non-stop, especially on my office days.
Why? It’s even easier to use, the beautiful shade lasts all day, and I can also use it on my eyelids as a (reliable) eyeshadow base.
As a primer, Glossier’s Cloud Paint is actually more effective than my Fenty Beauty’s Eye Primer. Making my lids look smoother and the eyeshadow I put on top last longer.
Highlighter
While I love a highlighter, I am also extremely picky with the formulas and shades I wear. I prefer the natural glow and particle-free ones instead of the metallic and chunky glittery formulas.
Of all the highlighters I have tried so far, my favorite ones are Tarte’s Shape Tape Glow Wand and Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter. But, if I have to pick one… Tarte’s Shape Tape Glow Wand is my absolute favorite.
I love the formula and its wet effect on my skin. But I am also a big fan of its smaller, lighter package with a more convenient applicator.
Eyeshadow
I am a big eyeshadow fan. This is the makeup category that I spend the most money in.
Even though I love creating an eye look using three or four different eyeshadow tones and finishes, I have been avoiding it in the morning - I don’t have enough time to do it properly.
Instead, I’ve been applying a bit of Glossier’s Cloud Paint on my eyelids with Urban Decay’s Space Cowboy all over them.
On other days, I just dab KVD’s Dazzle Stick eyeshadow in the shade Hail Surge all over my eyelid without any previous prep and that’s it!
Mascara
No matter how in a hurry I am, my makeup is never finished without a few mascara coats.
On days my skin looks better, I might skip almost every step - except eyeshadow and mascara.
Out of all the mascaras I have tried so far, Charlotte Tilbury’s Legendary Lashes Volume 2 is the one that I have purchased more often.
I prefer a mascara that allows me to create a more natural or intense look. And this one does!
What about you? What are your makeup morning essentials?
