A 5-Product Makeup Routine For The Mornings I Can’t Even

At almost 35, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m just not wired to be a morning person. I love a good life hack to streamline my morning routine and maximize those sleep-in moments (see: helpful habits for non-morning people) and an easy 5-product makeup routine is my one of my favorites.

Here’s a rundown of the handful of multi-tasking makeup products I reach for when I want bronzed, glowing skin and I’m short on time.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links denoted by a โ€˜*โ€™. I may earn a commission from the retailer if you make a purchase from these links.


1. Base

To start, I use my fingers to apply the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation* all over my face and down my neck. It’s my new favorite multitasker: it hydrates, protects with SPF 50, and gives excellent coverage; all while treating your skin to some beneficial ingredients that aid in the absorption and efficacy of your morning skin care routine. It also contains diamond powder that gives your skin a lovely glow.

I used the It Cosmetics CC+ Cream for years, but this natural-looking foundation bumped it from the top spot. The Bye Bye Foundation* wears comfortably all day without creasing, cracking or separating. And I prefer the satin, luminous finish to the matte, full coverage CC cream.

(For more details, Veronika shared a helpful post comparing the two!)

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer SOF 50+ next to a leopard print makeup bag.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation*

2. Bronze

The MILK Matte Bronzer* is still my #1 pick for quickly warming up the skin. After lots of trial and error with application, my favorite ways to use it are 1.) tapping it on with my fingertips and blending out the edges, or 2.) buffing it on with a small brush for more control.

I focus the product on the high points of my face where the sun would hit. I apply it to my temples and tops of my cheekbones (without bringing it in farther than my pupils). Then I work it into my hairline around my forehead, and finish with a tiny bit across my nose.

In a minimal routine like this, I use it as an eyeshadow, too! I swipe it onto my lids with a finger and blend out the edges with a fluffy brush. Then I use a smaller brush to sweep it onto my lower lash line.

3. Blush

My current favorite goof-proof blush is the rms beauty Lip2Cheek* cream color in ‘spell’. It’s a lovely rosy mauve that pairs really nicely with the MILK bronzer for a natural flush. All of the rms beauty cream products have a coconut oil base, so they’re really hydrating and dewy on the skin. (Their Living Luminizer* highlight makes you look a little sweaty, but in the best way.)

I use my fingers to tap the product onto the apples of my cheeks, blending it out into my bronzer for a seamless finish. For this routine, I dab some onto my lips, too.

5-product makeup routine featuring rms beauty lip2cheek cream color in the shade 'spell'
rms beauty lip2cheek in ‘spell’*

4. Brows

After trying nearly every brow gel on the market, the Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel* is my top pick. If you have full brows and want a one-and-done product that feathers, fills in sparse spots, covers gray hairs, and holds your brows in place all day, you’ll love this stuff*. I brush it on — starting in the middle so I’m not loading the front of my brows with product. Then I work it through my brows until all the hairs are covered. Next, I kind of ‘back-comb’ my brows with the brush to build up the fibers. To finish the full, feathered look, I brush my brows straight up through the front, and tame the tails.

5. Bold Lashes

I finish off the look with a couple coats of my favorite super-black mascara that wears all day and never smudges: the MILK Kush mascara*. It contains tiny fibers that build up lots of volume, but it never feels clumpy or crunchy. I’m on my 4th or 5th tube of the stuff; it’s the only mascara I use these days.

Which products would you include in a 5-product makeup routine? I’d love your recommendations!

Shop My 5-Product Makeup Routine

Responses

  1. Just 5 products and you look radiant! I am especially intrigued by your goof-proof blush. I always seem to pick the wrong thing. Putting this on my shopping list!

  2. Got some nice tips for a fresh new look. Thanks!

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