My Natural Glowy Makeup Routine
In all honesty, my relationship with makeup was not born of the purest intentions. I used to use makeup to conceal the parts I was most insecure about, rather than enhance the good. Simply put, makeup was a shield that I used to fit into a status quo. But as I got older, I grew in self-confidence, and I came to realize that I never really loved the idea of wearing makeup to conceal. Why should I strive to look like someone else? Should I not embrace the beauty that God has graciously gifted me? After coming to the realization of embracing all parts of me, I became more conscious about how I approached beauty. Now, I prefer to be bare faced. Truthfully, sunscreen is all that I really need. But when I do wear a little bit of makeup, it is no longer for the reason to conceal. Rather, it is to highlight my natural beauty.
I don’t like to wear makeup often. But when I do, I reach for a few trusty products in my collection to enhance my natural beauty. It took a very long time for me to discover products that I really like, but after some trial and error, I found a few key staples that help me achieve a natural glow that feels authentically me. My ideal makeup product has to fit the following criteria:
- Lightweight
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin
- Clean Ingredients and Added Skincare Benefits (optional, but a plus!)
These highlighted items have been in my makeup collection for YEARS, so you know that it’s good. On days where I feel like adding a few more steps to my routine, I’ll reach for these products to enhance my inner glow.
1. Tinted Moisturizer
The Saie Tinted Moisturizer is my absolute favorite. It balances my skin tone, feels lightweight, and offers light coverage. The shade that I wear is three and half: light to medium golden. I apply this product on top of my sunscreen with my fingertips. It is really the easiest product to apply and the perfect base for your makeup. The tinted moisturizer also has some skincare benefits too! It has SPF 35 protection and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. I have pretty sensitive skin, so I am always wary of putting on foundation or tinted moisturizer on my face. The Saie Tinted Moisturizer has been nothing but kind to my skin. I cannot recommend this tinted moisturizer enough. It is a fan favorite for anyone who loves clean beauty and wants a product that actually enhances and heals your skin.
2. Blush
After I put on my tinted moisturizer, I like to apply blush to add warmth and color to my face. On days where I want to use a powder blush, I reach for the Milani Baked Blush in the shade Luminoso. This is an incredibly buttery, smooth, and shimmery blush that I have used since 2018. This product has always been in my makeup bag, and I cannot imagine going anywhere without it. The shade Luminoso is a cult favorite — a peachy, warm shade that adds so much vibrance, color, and depth to my skin. I swipe my blush on the high points of my cheeks and the tip of my nose to achieve a sun-kissed look.
3. Highlighter
If you can’t tell by now, I love a glowy look. The Balm Mary Loumanizer is my favorite product to use to achieve a subtle glow. Back in the day, people were obsessed with this highlighter and for a very good reason. I have hit the literal bottom of the pan with this highlighter. It is the best pigment and formula. The product is blendable and provides the perfect amount of shimmer. If I do not want to use a powder highlighter, I’ll reach for my Saie Glowy Super Gel in the shade Starglow. This is a recent addition to my makeup collection. While it does not provide as much shimmer as the Mary Loumanizer, it is dewy and gives me a youthful glow. Just like the tinted moisturizer, this Saie product also has skincare benefits such as Vitamin C and Squalene Oil. I sometimes put the gel on before the tinted moisturizer, but I achieve a brighter look when I put it on top of my tinted moisturizer.
4. Eyeshadow
I rarely wear eyeshadow because I really believe in the philosophy of “less is more.” However, if I want to add depth and shadow to my eyes, I usually reach for my bareMinerals Hidden Treasure eyeshadow palette and use the shades Wheat, Good Spirits, Boardroom, and Merry. I apply Wheat (matte light tan) all over my lid as a base and Good Spirits (matte warm brown) on the outer corner of my eyes, crease, and lashline. Using an angled liner brush, I lightly apply Boardroom (matte dark brown) like an eyeliner. Lastly, I apply Merry (shimmery white) in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten my eyes. I try to keep it as simple and natural as possible. Unfortunately, this is a limited-edition palette and no longer available for purchase. However, I think the bareMinerals Mineralist Ultranatural Eyeshadow Palette can help you achieve the same look. I find that bareMinerals is a rather underrated makeup brand. Their eyeshadow is vibrant, pigmented, and blends like a dream.
5. Lipstick
To finish the look, I wear the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This “almost” lipstick combines both the benefits of a lipstick and a gloss. For years, I used lip tints and stains to add color to my lips. I usually don’t like the feeling of lipstick products because I find that it either makes my lips dry or sticky. But when I heard about this lipstick, I knew I had to give it a try. Lo and behold, I met my match. This lipstick is the lippie of my dreams. It has a sheer coverage and a beautiful shine, and it travels with me wherever I go (my makeup bag, purse, school backpack). Some days, when I’m feeling rather lazy, I wear nothing but this lipstick. It is moisturizing and super comfortable to wear. I take this lipstick with me wherever I go!
So that’s it, folks! These are all of the makeup products that I use to achieve my natural and glowy look. If you have decide to add these products to your routine, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I am pretty confident that you’ll love these products as much as I do. Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for my lifestyle posts. You can find more life-related content here.
Emily
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