Makeup for the Minimalist

How to Streamline Your Makeup Routine & Declutter Your Makeup Bag

I often get asked the question, “Why did you want to become a makeup artist?”. One of the many answers is while I have a deep love for makeup, and love to play with and collect makeup - I personally don’t like to wear a ton of it. Which is why I love doing makeup for others because it allows me to play and tailor looks for my client’s personality and preferences.

Whether you’re looking for your go-to everyday look, are looking to scale down the products cluttering your vanity or makeup bag, or maybe you’re a beginner to makeup and are confused on where to start, approaching makeup with a minimalist mindset can be helpful to you. If you are overwhelmed on where to even begin, focus on the facial features you love about yourself and start there. The possibilities are limitless even with just a few choices, and you will always have the space to expand your arsenal and skills.

When I do my own makeup, I tend to go for more of a minimalist look. I love products that are simple to use and are multi-purpose. Something that I learned early on in my career is to read labels on your makeup products with a grain of salt. Meaning - if it says it’s a lipstick, it doesn’t have to be JUST a lipstick. Why can’t it also be a cream blush? It’s a great way to cut down on the products you use and to keep your colors coordinated (you can also save yourself some money if you’re just beginning to build your makeup collection). If the formula works for you, you don’t have to ascribe your product to be used for one thing!

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Here are my current favorites:

1) foundation & concealer
2) eyeshadow/highlighter/contour/bronzer
3) brow tint
4) lip scrub/balm/tint
5) blush/lippie & gloss
6) mascara
7) fragrance

THE BREAKDOWN:

1) Now that the weather is warmer and masks are mandated, I’ve taken a break from wearing a full face of foundation. It’s done wonders for my skin in all honesty. However, if you and foundation eau are still going strong, one of the best tips I can give is to find a foundation with some skin care benefits such as SPF or a built in moisturizer. You can lessen the amount of steps and layers you put on when you get ready in the morning! I’ve been relying more heavily on my concealer so that my skin can breathe more. If you prefer a lighter concealer to brighten under the eye, you can also use your concealer to brighten the high points of your face for a natural looking lift.

2) For the eyes, I typically stick to 2-3 colors to work with. One to brighten and swipe across the lid, one medium shade to apply in the crease of the eyes for depth, and the darkest shade to add definition to the eye (think eyeliner) or outer corners to transition to a nighttime look. Depending on the shade, you can use the lightest shade as a highlighter and the medium to deeper shades as a contour. If you can incorporate a warm tone in your eyeshadow selection then you can use the same shadow as a bronzer! My Dior Backstage Contour Palette is my complexion AND eyeshadow all in one, but you can choose individual eyeshadows that suit your skin tone and preference.

3) Brows. They intimidate a lot of people but are a quick and easy way to frame your face. I highly suggest to give this feature of yours some love when considering which features you want to accentuate. I love using a brow tint because it’s as easy as a swipe through my brow hairs, and will sometimes use my brow tint as a mascara if I want something softer than black. But if you like a little more shape, go for a pencil. You can easily use the same pencil as an eyeliner if you choose.

4) I love my lip balms. Nay, I NEED my lip balms. I have notoriously dry lips no matter the season. So when I discovered TINTED lip balms? My heart about melted. Tinted lip balms are great for a wash of color on the lips while also giving them some sweet, sweet hydration. They are also a great way to test out a bold shade that you might still be a little intimidated to try, since tints tend to run more sheer in color. My current favorite from Glow Recipe is a lip scrub, balm, and tint all in one. The holy grail.

5) With blush, my personal preference are cream or liquid formulas. They generally will melt into the skin better without the risk of a powder formula looking dry on the skin or fading throughout the day. I find I have more control over the intensity of color, blendability, and placement with cream or liquid formulas. Cream/liquid formulas also provide the flexibility of your blush product to be a (nicely coordinating) lippie. On the days I want a little bit more of a dressed up lip, I tap my cheek tint onto my lips and add some gloss on top.

6) Mascara is like the little black dress of your makeup wardrobe. A good one can be hard to find, but once you find yours, you’ll reach for it over and over again. Mascara is one of my staples, and I rarely leave my house without at least a touch of it on. Undoubtedly the easiest way to dress up your eyes is with a swipe of mascara, so if eyeshadow is scary for you or if you’re just not interested, invest in a great mascara. *Hint: if you love clear mascara, use it to set your brows after you fill or shape them!

7) For some, fragrance is not really considered part of their every day look. I definitely used to feel the same. When I started playing with fragrances, I realized how much the right fragrance can uplift my mood and confidence. A signature fragrance is like your finishing touch, it adds to the “story” of who you are and how you wish to present yourself to the world. Even if it’s just for a single moment, spritzing on your favorite fragrance is a moment for yourself, right before you walk out of your door to take on the world.

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At the end of the day, makeup is all up for interpretation by the wearer as they see fit. I personally love a natural and minimalistic look, where as others cannot see themselves leaving their house without a full beat and lashes. And that’s just as equally beautiful. There is no right or wrong way to wear or apply makeup. Experiment with what you have and see if you can wear your products in totally new ways. As a makeup artist, one of the things that makes my job so exciting is being able to push the boundaries of what I think a certain product can do in order to translate the artistic vision I have in my head. As Ms. Frizzle used to say in The Magic School Bus, “take chances, make mistakes!”. It’s only makeup.

MASKNE. Yes, it's a real thing and it's wrecking my face too.

Perhaps you’ve noticed you’ve been breaking out more around your jaw line, across the bridge of your nose, all over your chin, and around your cheeks a little more viciously than normal. Basically anywhere under where your mask lays on your face.

That my friend, is maskne.

Stylized Maskne. Maybe the new concealer trend?

So what is it?

Maskne, or scientifically dubbed, “acne mechanica” is acne caused by the friction of fabric against the skin. If you’re an athlete you’ve probably experienced these types of breakouts. Since masks are a new necessity with the outbreak of COVID-19, forgive us - we’re just now catching up.

Maskne can also be caused by the compound of excess moisture, sweat, dead skin cells, and oils trapped underneath our masks. Coupled with the heat and humidity of the summertime, this makes it damn near difficult for our skin to breathe. The friction of masks on our skin can also break down the skin’s barrier, making it more sensitive and lowering its ability to retain moisture from our skin care.

So what can I do?

*FULL DISCLOSURE: I am not a licensed esthetician or dermatologist, so if you have any questions about your skin type or are thinking of trying a new product, consult a medical professional. I’m just a makeup artist who loves skin care, and learned myself a thing or two.

1) Cleanse regularly

Use a mild cleanser that isn’t heavy with fragrance or foams up so that you won’t strip your skin’s barrier further (bonus points if it has acne fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. My current favorite is Murad’s Time Release Acne Cleanser). In between your trips outside, use a micellar water after your mask comes off. This will help to prevent buildup on your skin without over washing your face.

2) Keep your daytime skincare routine sweet and simple

Because the skin under our masks are unable to breathe, it’s best to keep the products to a minimum. Unfortunately, your tried and true 10-step skincare routine is probably overwhelming your skin and doing more harm than good with the restricted air flow. Keep your day time routine minimal, and use products that have a lightweight formulation. I’ve been dipping a lot into my water gel moisturizers, like the Belief Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera and the Moisturizing Eye Bomb. They absorb quickly into my skin and don’t leave a thick layer of product (if you’re particularly dry or need a little extra moisture, try spritzing with a face mist, like the Rosewater from Heritage Store before you leave your house). Save your active ingredients like retinol, AHAs, or BHAs for your nighttime routine.

3) Skip your makeup. Sincerely, a makeup artist.

Makeup is another layer that you can probably do without. If you wear makeup, not only will it likely rub off on your mask, but it’s just another layer of stuff getting trapped underneath. It’s also a really easy way to contaminate those cute masks you’ve been rocking. One positive of having to wear masks regularly is that the bottom half of your face is covered! If you absolutely can’t go without makeup, try opting for a tinted moisturizer, all the better if it has SPF. A popular choice is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, great for its lightweight formula.

4) Be mindful of the masks you choose

Cotton masks are the best option for breathability. They’re also easy to clean, super durable, and less likely to irritate your skin.

5) Mask Maintenance

You masks should be washed as often as possible. Try to have several in rotation so while one is in the wash or you’re waiting for it completely dry, you aren’t left without one. Be mindful of the detergent or soap you’re using to wash your masks too. Try to use a detergent without dyes or fragrances, as these ingredients can sit in the fabric that’s rubbing and pressing against your skin.

6) Treat Maskne at night

Topical treatments are a great option for targeting those pesky friends that have popped up on your face. Some of my favorites are the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion, or your favorite retinol cream as a spot treatment (mine is the Drunk Elephant A-Passioni). You can also incorporate skincare products with AHAs. AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, help exfoliate the skin’s surface on a molecular level. This is beneficial because it helps your skin to rid itself of all the nastiness on its surface, but also exfoliating the top layers away help your skin to absorb your moisturizer more effectively.

7) Be kind to yourself

At the end of that day, we are going through a global pandemic. We are all anxious and stressed to a certain degree. Our “normal “ is in flux and we are all just trying to get through this. Please take care of yourself through your diet, getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water, taking time out to do something you love, or whatever self-care looks like to you. Your skin will bounce back and acne is t e m p o r a r y.

I hope y’all found this helpful. If you have any tips or tricks that worked for you, please share with a comment below! Otherwise, might I suggest covering breakouts with little pink hearts?