Make It Up To Me

I have a strange relationship with makeup. On the one hand, I love trying new products, I completely geek out at Sephora over pretty packaging, scents and colours, and I consider at least basic makeup a must-have when going out in public (if I want to look alive, that is). On the OTHER hand, I abhor anything high maintenance and spending an hour "primping" every morning (no one's got time for that!), and I don't like to wear lots of makeup or LOOK like I'm wearing lots.

I have developed a pretty standard beauty routine that works for me and that easily fits into my lifestyle. I have a few go-to products that I use daily to get the "look" that I want. It's nothing amazing (again: low maintenance is my game when it comes right down to it) but it works for me! I thought it would be fun to share some of these current make-up must-have's with you!

I say "current" because I'm generally a fickle person who bores easily with the same routine and changes things up regularly. I'm sure this routine may change down the road, but for now these are the tools I am loving right now:

1. Liquid eye-liner

This was always a product that scared the bejeesus out of me. It seemed far too complicated for a plebeian like me to use. Makeup artists, yes. Me at home in my bathroom with shaky hands? Not so much. But I took a leap and bought some one day and surprisingly it wasn't so hard to apply after all! Once I used it a few times, it didn't seem intimidating anymore. Practice makes perfect, as with most things.

You do need a steady hand to apply, but I always start small and add from there - start with a very thin line and add colour to thicken as needed. I love that I can control the drama of the line (thick or thin) and add tiny flourishes, such as a cat eye, if I'm in the mood for something a bit more fun. My FAVOURITE part about it is that it lasts ALL DAY. Seriously, after 8 hours, it still looks the same as when I applied it at 7am. I have oily skin so eyeliner and shadow, etc, tends to melt off by the end of the day, but not-so for liquid liner! It's great for a day when you have to rush somewhere after work and don't have time to touch up. And just sweeping a line of this on only takes a few minutes but has big impact - my eyes look super awake and the liner also accentuates my eye shape.

A brand I have been using and enjoy is the Sephora brand. I currently have glitter black, which I know sounds tacky but the glitter is so subtle you don't even notice it. Appropriate for work, believe it or not! At $12 for a tiny tube, it seems a bit expensive, but the tubes usually last me several months, and that's using them (almost) every day. I also bought a Maybelline version in brown recently that I am enjoying (I tend to stick to black or brown), although this version is waterproof and I am learning it can be tough to take off (even when it comes off, it tends to be in flakes, so make sure you rinse your eyes out after removing).

2. Mascara and eyelash curler

These two combined are an absolute MUST for me. I have strange eyelashes - they are super long but not super thick, and they are as straight as a pin (like my hair). If I don't curl them it doesn't even look like I have lashes. On top of all this, I wear glasses, so using lengthening mascara on my already super-long lashes just results in said lashes pressing up against my lenses! Alas, not wearing any eye makeup is not an option for me - I have wide lids so if they are bare my eyes look very tired and droopy - so trying to find a mascara that thickens and curls without lengthening too much or making the hairs look "spidery" (you know what I mean, ladies) is tough.

My current fav mascara is Too Faced Lash Injection. It really thickens without lengthening, which amazes me, plus (oddly enough) it has a nice, slightly floral scent! To my major disappointment, the last time I stopped by Sephora to stock up, they were out (!!) so I bought the Lashgasm style instead and I'm not as much of a fan. This one definitely gives me the "spidery" look. Dislike. Will definitely go back to my tried-and-true next time.

I don't really prefer a particular eyelash curler - to me they are all basically the same. Mine is Revlon and I have had it forever and it gets the job done. Even if I don't have time or energy to put mascara on, I try to at least take 2 minutes to give my lashes a little curl - that way I at least look slightly less zombie-esque.

3. Translucent Face Powder

As mentioned, I have oily skin and I find the best remedy for this is loose powder. I don't use as much in the winter because my skin is generally drier, but in summer I take time to sweep this on every day, particularly on the t-zone. Translucent feels lighter and looks more natural than coloured powders, so that is generally my preference (those coloured powders can be really tough to match exactly to your skin tone and if they don't exactly match you can easily look clownish).

I'm currently using Marcelle and I really like it. It's a great value since the large container will likely last you at least a year. That being said, in my experience, face powder/foundation are things that are worth splurging a bit on (you really get what you pay for).

So, that is basically it! If I only have 5 minutes in the morning (which is most mornings), I try and at least get the first two products in there. If I have a few extra minutes, I will sometimes put on a bit of bronzer, maybe a touch of eye shadow, or even concealer if I have a problem spot I want to hide. But generally, this is my routine. As long as I have something on my lids, soak up the oil on my face and give my lashes a bit of curl, I go out into the world feeling good.

What about you - what are your makeup must-have's? Or, if you don't wear makeup, what is your general beauty routine? What steps do you have to take to feel ready for the day?