Get Ready With Me: My Daily Makeup Routine

Ever since I applied my first swipe of mascara many moons ago, I started a love affair with all things cosmetics. I love the trial and error process; the excitement when I triumphantly find a product that lives up to it's promises, and the hunger to keep searching that arises when a product falls short of it's claims. It definitely is addicting, and I love feeding my addiction.

But now that I am a bit older, I have come to realize that I can sometimes get a bit overwhelmed by all the cosmetics I own. I tend to flit from one product to the next, and I like to share my love to all my beauty products. But, that can be difficult when I am getting ready on a daily basis. So, I have created a daily routine that creates a bright, fresh day face that takes mere minutes. But when the weekend rolls around, and I have more time to achieve fun, more time-consuming beauty looks, I get to go crazy.

At some point, I'll do a post that chronicles my weekend looks, but today, I would like to have you get ready with me, so that I can share my tried-and-true daily makeup products that are my makeup bag essentials. Because, after all, sharing is caring!

Keep scrolling to see what products I use, how I apply them, and my step-by-step process to achieve my clean, day makeup look.

*Sorry in advance for the crazy fly aways going on, but y'all are getting to see an unfiltered day in my life, getting ready*

1. Prime my skin

I don't usually use any primers, because my skin is extremely sensitive, and tends to break out. But I just make sure to moisturize my skin so that my makeup applies smoothly. I spray on Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater ($7). This product is gentle, making it perfect for all skin types. I hold the bottle a few inches away from my face and apply it liberally, letting it sink in. This helps to create a smooth canvas so that my makeup applies nicely.

2. Apply foundation

I live for my foundation. It gives me life. I thank the good Lord for this product. It is (in my humble opinion) the Holy Grail of CC creams. I use IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+ ($38). It's a mouthful, I know. But TRUST ME!! This stuff is a game-changer. A little goes a long way. I use only one pump of foundation, and dip my finger in the CC cream, applying it on my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. I then take my #7 Complexion Perfection brush and swirl the foundation into my skin. It evenly smoothes into my skin, blurring the appearance of my pores. But the craziest aspect is that this product has made my bare skin look better!? Over time, it has smoothed the texture of my skin, evened out any discoloration, and hydrates my face so that it has more elasticity. Oh, have I mentioned that it contains SPF of 50+? WOW. That's a ton. I never leave that house without it on. This foundation is buildable, comfortable, and luminous.

3. Apply concealer

After many failed attempts at finding a good concealer that goes well with my oily skin (thanks huge pores!!) I have found one that works well. I use IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye ($24). I dollop a small amount on the back of my hand, and dip my pinky finger in the product, and then work it out under my eye. I then turn over the #7 complexion brush to the concealer side and buff out the product. I love this product, especially in the summer, because it is waterproof. This is perfect to wear during wedding season, when the tears are free-flowing. I also use this concealer to cover up any blemishes, and buff it out with my makeup brush.

4. Apply powder

I have always been extremely picky about face powders. I like certain textures and finishes, again due to my skin type. So it would only make sense that I use the companion powder to my foundation. They work soooo well together, and they make my skin look luminous. I swirl my complexion brush into the IT Cosmetics CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder ($35) and then buff it out in circles on my skin. This product also contains SPF 50+, and in my opinion, you can never have enough SPF.

5. Apply Blush

When it comes to blush, I usually like a strong pop of color on the apples for my cheeks. but when it comes to my everyday, fresh look, I don't want anything too heavy. So I have been gravitating towards cream blushes. I am now ride or die for the Glossier Cloud Paint ($18). It is SO easy to apply. I just drop a pea sized amount of the cloud paint in the shade Puff to the back of my hand. Now I dip my middle finger in the cream blush and dot it onto the apples of my cheeks. This product is so sheer, you are never in danger of applying too much. I love that this sheer flush of color makes me look like I just woke up from a nap. It's the perfect product for those who have never tried a cream blush, and are looking for a starting point. Also, no brushes used here, meaning you don't need to clean them afterwards! (Bless the Lord).

6. Eyeshadow Now onto the eyes. I am keeping everything minimal here. I want my eyes to look awake and bright, but not like I spent hours on eyeshadow and such. Being that I am a glitter fiend, I reach for a shimmery nude eyeshadow. Any brand will do, but here I am using Ubran Decay Eyeshadow in the shade "Urban Cowboy Rides Again" ($11). This is my favorite eyeshadow in my makeup bag; I use it almost everyday. I can use it during the weekday whan I am keeping my makeup simple, or on the days when I am building up a more defined, dramatic look. It truly does it all.

I smudge the eyeshadow along my lash line, and dragging upwards onto my whole lid. Once I have packed that on, I take whatever product remains on the blending brush and buff it into my crease, making my eye look more awake. Easy peasy.

7. Lashes

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with my eyelashes, and I am picky about my mascara choices. I derive extreme pleasure from stretching my lashes to new lengths. I have been known to say that the best compliment anyone can make to me is saying that my eyelashes look great today. Sound a little vain? I know, but I can't help it! Mascara is my vice in life.

I start off by curling my lashes, using an E.L.F. Cosmetics eyelash curler ($2). Once I get the desired effect, I then grab my two favorite mascaras. I like to layer multiple mascaras, usually blending together a lengthening formula with a volumizing formula. I grab (insert first mascara name here). This mascara is the holy grail in terms of lengthening your lashes. Honestly, every time I apply this product onto my lashes, they reach in my eyebrows. Not kidding, at all. Then I reach for Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express Mascara ($7) and apply a coat on top. The curved wand grabs each lash and naturally curls each hair upwards. I always have a tube of this mascara in my makeup bag. Always.

8. Lips

Last step!! Considering that this look is meant to be natural, I aim to add just a flush of color. Glossy lips are a major trend right now, (thank the good Lord above) so I apply my new go-to lip gloss. I glide on NYX Butter Gloss ($4) in the shade "Eclair". This gloss is flawless. I prefer it to pricier lip glosses not only because of the low price point, but because the formula is so creamy! Plus, it smells amazing.

Finished!!

I know that it seems like it's a lot of steps, but I have perfected this routine and can do it in about 10 minutes. That's not that bad considering it's a full face of makeup! This is my personal routine, and I wanted to share with my readers the products I use everyday, and how I achieve my day-to-day look.