As a follow-up to my skincare post, here is my basic beauty routine and favorite products.

On a day to day basis, I like to keep it simple by using products that are easy to apply.

I actually timed this once, and it took me just under five minutes.

This post, however, is pretty wordy, so I can’t promise that it’s a five-minute read.

Step One: Face Base

The first step of my makeup routine is the final step of my skincare routine: primer and BB cream. If I have the time and the inclination, I apply concealer on my cheeks and under-eye.

Primer: CC Red Correct, Erborian

I use this as a primer layer and extra color correction when my cheeks are extra red. I sometimes use just this on my whole face if I’m feeling lazy.

BB cream: Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 in light to medium, Dr. Jart

This is my favorite face product. It makes my skin look and feel lovely, and adds more sun protection. As I mentioned in my skincare post, this was a favorite that I recently returned to.

Concealer: Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Nars

This one blends well and I like it, but I’m not married to it. I’ll probably try something else when I finish this.

Step Two: Brows

I comb my brows, then either go in with pencil (for more definition) and brow gel, or just brow gel. Below, it’s: spoolie, pencil, brush through, gel, shape.

Spoolie

Any kind is okay! I like to have two: one to keep product-free (to comb and shape brows), and one to use to use with product (to disperse it throughout my brow; for this I usually use one attached to a pencil).

Pencil: Brow Definer in Dusk, Vapour Beauty

This is new to me, as in got it this month. I like it so far because it’s very soft and the color is good for me.

Brow Gel: Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in 4.5, Benefit

This brow gel is easy to apply and works pretty well.

Step Three: Lids

I add a swipe of my chosen product on my upper lid, and smudge it with a brush or my finger. This adds a bit of depth to my lash line, and is easy to fix if it creases. I don’t apply highlighter directly from the stick, but use my fingertips to put it on the top of my inner corner, and brow bone, and cheeks.

Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Nars

This is the best eye base product I have ever used. I use this product more when wearing eyeshadow, but it’s the best.

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Mushroom, Urban Decay

Overall, the 24/7 pencils have great texture, great staying power, and great colors. Mushroom is my favorite, which I’m almost sorry to recommend because it isn’t as easy to find anymore.

Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in Moonlight, Laura Mercier

These caviar sticks are not uniformly great in texture, in my experience. I still recommend them, especially moonlight. It’s similar to Mushroom, but a little bit creamier and sparkly.

Magnetic Eye Color in Twilight, Nudestix

This is another product, formula, and color that’s very similar to the above two. It’s more of a pencil than the caviar stick, but not as sparkly. Also comes in a lot of great neutrals.

Highlighter: 100% Natural All Aglow Highlighter Stick in Opal Mist, Burt’s Bees

I read a review of this highlighter once that said that it barely did anything, and I thought “this is the one for me.” It’s very subtle, maybe it does nothing, but I like it anyway.

Step Four: Lashes

I apply a coat of base and then layer on some mascara, combing out clumps as necessary.

Base: CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Lancôme

It’s a white base for your mascara that adds length and volume. And it is sometimes available in a mini, which usually ends up being more cost effective.

Mascara: BADgal Lash Mascara, Benefit

It’s not the absolute best, but it is the most commonly good across categories that matter to me. Add the cils booster and it’s great. If I had to get a different mascara, it would probably [unfortunately] be the Pat McGrath FetishEyes mascara, which is beautiful, but made my eyelashes rebel into my eyeballs more than normal.

Metal comb

I don’t recommend a specific brand of comb much as I recommend a specific kind: metal. A metal comb is like using a safety pin to separate your lashes, but safer and with better leverage. Still, be careful. I recommend getting one that folds in on itself.

Step Five: Lips

I pick a lip that suits my outfit for the day, and I’m done. Lip products are my favorite, my most-varied, my constant temptation, my biggest collection. That being said, I have a set of favorites that I wear most often. These are those lipsticks.