As much as I LOVE make-up, I'm not a huge make-up wearer on a day-to-day basis. For everyday,  I like to keep my make-up to a minimum, but still like to even out my skin and add a litte brow, mascara and highlighter to keep things fresh. To keep it even more natural, I tend to stick to mostly cream-based products to keep things dewy and blended, avoiding a powdery, caked-on or matte look. I wanted to share with you my current go-to make-up routine. This look will take me a total of 7-10 minutes to achieve, and it doesn't take more than 5 or 6 steps (that's including brows...which I can NEVER skip, since I basically have a total of 3 brow hairs thanks to plucking them pencil thin when I was 12...).

Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to all products used in this post, and drugstore alternatives!

Step 1: Prep your skin

I always make sure to cleanse and moisturize my skin before applying any make-up (skin care routine coming soon!). After using your favourite cleanser and mositurizer, be sure to apply a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen on the face, ears and neck. I'll be elaborating on the importance of sun safety (even in winter months) in a later blog post, but bottom line: never skip yo sunscreen. 

Step 2: Tinted moisturizer or BB cream 

Lately I am loving a very light, natural coverage finish to my skin. My current favourite is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude. It's oil free, lightweight and evens out my skin just enough where I get a desired amount of coverage and hydration, but it also doesn't look like I'm wearing much of anything. Bonus:  it contains SPF 20 broadspectrum protection. A drugstore alternative I absolutely love (but I don't think it has SPF), is the NYX BB cream (shade Natural). I top up any blemishes or redness with the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla.  A great drugstore alternative that I've used for years is the Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer. 

Step 3: Bronze & Scuplt 

To add dimension and warmth back to the face, I apply bronzer to the contour areas of my face: cheekbones, jawline, hairline. Currently I am loving the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Face Sculpt and Highlight palette. Anything with a reasonably matte finish, neutral undertone (as in, not too red or orange) with minimal shimmer will do. An awesome drugstore alternative for fair skintones is the Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer 

Step 4: Highlight for 'dat glow 

I do not discriminate when it comes highlighters. Gimmie dat glow! I tend to prefer more natural "lit from within" highlighters as opposed to the "Blinding to the Gods" highlighters in general (there is a time and a place, though!). I am loving the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer for my more natural looks. It creates the perfect dewy finish and contains no glitter so all you get is a perfectly pretty glow. For a drugstore alternative, the NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Sunbeam is a great liquid option. If you prefer powders, the e.l.f cosmetics Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearl will give you that shimmering glow for under $6. 

Step 5: Multi-task - Lips, Cheeks, Eyes

I love it when products I use are multi-purpose and work for me. This is exactly why the Bite Beauty Multi-sticks are awesome. Their name is self-explanatory,  and I use these almost daily. My favoutire shades are Almond, Cashew and Brioche (all neutrals...pattern much?). I use them on my eyes, cheeks and lips to add a little more 'sumthin 'sumthin to my look. They apply like a cream, and blend into a weightless powder with a ton of staying power. They are super pigmented, so be advised, a little goes a long way. I haven't been able to hunt down a drugstore alternative to the Multi-stick as of yet. I would highly recommend Bite Beauty and suggest you try them for yourself! They are made in Canada, they are eye-safe, and their lip products are actually edible since they are made of all-natural ingredients. Yum. 

Step 6 : Mascara and you're done!

This is self explanatory. Right now my current fave is Roller Lash by Benefit. Any mascara will do. Or, to keep it even more natural and Parisienne/Jeanne Damas-inspired, skip the mascara and you're done! 

Remember, you don't need make-up to look or feel beautiful....

That said, I love to play with make-up and I feel great when I like what I've created. Let me know in the comments what you use and how you achieve your everyday make-up looks!

Stay gorgeous.

xo,

Christina 

Photos & Edits: by me. 

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