It’s no secret by now that I am a creature of habit when it comes to my makeup routine. After some years of experimentation in my early twenties, I feel like I’ve really found what works for me and my lifestyle. I don’t often have many excuses to do a full look, but at the same time I still like to feel alive for on-camera meetings or even just to put a little spring in my step.
While I am no expert when it comes to makeup, I do know what I like: a dewy, skin-like base, punchy blush (always in a cream formula), and a comfortable lip colour so I don’t look like a Victorian ghost child. So without further ado, here are my tried and true favourites for my everyday makeup routine.
Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation (shade 4.5): This is my all-time favourite foundation, but in my mind it almost crosses over into tinted moisturizer territory. I’ve tried quite a few skin tints in my day, but this one always comes out on top because it has slightly more coverage, doesn’t feel greasy, but still leaves a gorgeous sheer, dewy finish. I also love that it’s got hyaluronic acid and glycerin, so it keeps skin feeling hydrated throughout the day.
Glossier Stretch Concealer (shade G11): This product has been making the rounds recently on TikTok with Glossier’s recent expansion into Sephora, but I’ve been using this stuff for years. It’s a really creamy consistency that offers buildable coverage with a radiant finish, and it blends out so seamlessly. It’s perfect for brightening up the under-eye area and concealing any redness, which for everyday is all I’m looking for. While most concealers go patchy on my dry under-eyes, this is one of the few that doesn’t.
Ilia Multi-stick Cream Blush (shade Dreamer): I love a cream blush for everyday because of the finish they leave on the skin, and the Ilia multi-stick is one of my favourites (not least because it doubles as a lip tint). For a full day I would set this with powder blush for longevity, but for most occasions I find it lasts just fine. Dreamer is the loveliest warm nude shade that leaves the perfect, dewy flush.
Saie Dew Blush (shade Rosy): An honourable mention for the Saie Dew Blush, because I use it whenever I’m not using the Ilia. It’s more of a gel consistency, and I love the doe foot applicator. It’s a little less dewy than the Ilia, but probably has a bit more staying power. It’s also super pigmented, so it’s quite similar to the Rare Beauty blushes in that sense (but I like the Saie one better). Rosy is my favourite shade for an I-just-got-out-of-the-sun, summertime flush.
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara: In my early twenties, I went through a bit of a phase of trying all sorts of mascaras, from Marc Jacobs, to YSL, to Milk Makeup. I ultimately settled on the Ilia one for two reasons: it’s natural enough for everyday yet buildable when I need it to be, and it doesn’t flake or clump. A quick swipe of this is usually all I need, but I also love how it looks with a couple extra coats. I was finding that some mascaras would run or flake or clump oif I applied more than a single coat, but the Ilia gives me all the versatility I need in a mascara, which is why it’s the only one I’ve used in over 3 years.
Milk Kush Clear Brow Gel: My brows are quite full as they are, so for everyday I skip the brow pencil and tinted gel in favour of this clear one from Milk. It’s just the right amount of hold for me personally, and keeps the hairs in place without feeling crunchy. I go back and forth between this one and Glossier Boy Brow; I find they are very similar!
Merit Signature Lip: In my opinion, this is the perfect lipstick. It’s sheer but buildable, feels like a lip balm, and looks best when it’s a little bit messy. There are few things I dislike more than a lipstick that dries out the lips and needs to be precisely reapplied every few hours. This one keeps my lips hydrated, and I can reapply without looking in a mirror or being too precious about it. I love the shade Tiger for the autumn & winter months, and recently picked up Millennial for the springtime. Next on my list is Cabo, which is the perfect orange-red shade that I think would look amazing with a tan.
And that’s all! I really do keep things simple most days, and sometimes will honestly keep it at just concealer and blush. But when I want to feel a little bit put-together yet not too done up, these products really hit the nail on the head for me.
