I'm so used to getting up every morning and painting my face for the day, usually taking an hour each time. I mean, the blending alone can take 15 minutes per eye! I've been working for corporate cosmetic brands for over a decade and a typical day would involve some sort of creativity in my look. Quarantine has since changed my entire routine.
"I have a finer appreciation for my job as a makeup artist and what I was able to do for people. I wonder if I will remember how to work with clients again...that is if this ever goes back to they way it was before"
Since the new store closings rolled out and phases in place, my job as a makeup artist has been rendered obsolete. I was one of the last brand vendors still in store in my zone, working up until they closed the doors to Ulta's and Sephoras and sent me home. I even remember the last customer I had. She was a Youtuber visiting Seattle from Denver. She has a crafting channel and as I did her makeup she explained how she was going to be speaking on a panel to a crowd of subscribers about her crafts. We now follow each other on Instagram.
So, I put away my brush belt and focused more on my own skincare and day to day easy looks for possible Facetime or Zoom calls. Here's what I found to be my go-to makeup kit for just that.
I keep this bag downstairs. It's easy to reach and most of the time I'm putting it on in my living room while catching up on my current binge, whatever that may be on t.v. (Below Deck, reruns of Rupaul's Drag Race, Forensic Files...)
Most of it can be applied with my hands so there's only one brush in there. I feel that for an easy look, my fingers work in the product better for more natural looking skin, plus it's quicker.
So What's Inside?
BB Cream
I like Tarte because it's natural. I worked for the brand for a year and loved the team. This is the BB cream in "medium" with an SPF of 20. I like the wear of it with just a tint of color and I work it in with my hands.
Concealer
I actually do like the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. It has a sponge applicator that makes application go on super easy. The coverage isn't incredibly intense, which is good with a BB. You don't want full coverage concealer with a minimal coverage base or vice versa. It looks off.
Blush
This blush is PIGMENTED. A dash with your brush is all you need to paint a little color on your high points or the apples of your cheeks depending on where you like to place it. I do intend on buying a cream stick blush so I can apply literally everything with just my fingers.
Contour Stick
Laritzy is a new brand to me. I received this stick in a beauty subscription box. I use it down the sides of my nose, under my cheekbones, and under my chin then rub it in with, you guessed it, my fingers. It adds a hint of tan to my face as well as contours very subtly.
Brow Pencil
Morphe makes a $5 brow pencil that is a dupe for the Anastasia Brow Definer. It's really thin and easy to flick little hair strokes through. I find it to be the cheapest and fastest way to fill in my brows without any fancy technique involved.
Nude Pencil
I use this in the waterline to brighten up my eyes so they appear more awake. My waterline is usually always red whether I get 8 hours of sleep or 4. This one is by Essence and costs under $2. It's not my most favorite but it was the only one I could find during quarantine shopping in the cheapy section of the grocery. Rimmel makes a good one, and so does Tarte.
Mascara
The "Big Ego" by Tarte is what I tossed into my makeup bag. It's a pretty good mascara, I tend to be sensitive to them as they can burn my eyes easily and Tarte's mascaras don't do that to me (I've tried them all). It has a large wand and can build up to a full bushy lash if that's your thing.
Eyeshadow Stick
I ordered three different colors of these eyeshadows sticks by NYX. It adds just a hint of champagne sparkle to my lid, then I just rub it in with my finger. I like eyeshadow sticks for travel, would be great for the gym, or even a back up in your purse if you get ready in your car.
Lipstick
I love rosey lips on natural skin. I find these YSL lipsticks are just creamy enough that it melts into your lip and gives a plumping effect. This is a cherry red color but fades to a natural blush within minutes. Sometimes I tap the top with my finger than dab my lip if I'm going somewhere and have on a mask. It adds a tint of color without making a mess.
Well, that's it!
This is my "no-makeup" makeup where I can get ready in about 10 mins using mostly my fingers to apply it. I realized a lot of these products are drugstore, which I find is all that is open for me to shop...my drugstore makeup aisle.
I also pop in my clip-in extensions for a little extra zhuzh. They usually just need a little quick curl at the ends to make them blend with my hair. It makes me feel cuter and is another quick fix. The extensions I use are from Zala.
Hope you enjoyed some of these tips and tag me on Instagram if you have a go-to!
Much love, Seanna
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