A term often misused, minimalism simply translates to living with fewer possessions, including make-up. In today’s world when there are so many choices, your make-up routine can sometimes get both confusing and time-consuming. Therefore, I think it’s best to minimise your morning beauty routines. Not only will this help you save time but also help maximise productivity. After giving it some thought and going through products I usually have in stock, I came up with three minimal make-up looks that are ideal for rushed mornings and night-outs.
Start by washing your face with a mild facewash. Splash your face with micellar water or use a day cream before trying out any of the routines.
POPxo Recommends
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser (Rs 399)
L’Oreal Paris Micellar Water (Rs 475)
Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Lightening Day Creme (Rs 290)
Three Step Make-up Routine
A fuss-free routine, this is ideal for anyone who has little time in the morning or prefers to catch a few extra winks. I usually sport this look to work where the focus is on healthy-looking skin.
1. If you’re not fond of foundation but have pigmented skin (like most of us), your go-to product should be a colour correcting palette. Dab a pale-pink or peach corrector on your face to get an even skin tone. Use a green corrector to cancel out any redness on your face and neck. Finish with an apricot or a yellow-hue corrector to cancel out any lines or dark circles under your eyes. Use your ring finger to blend to enjoy a natural look.
2. Seal this look with a swipe of loose powder.
3. Get a natural sheen on your lips using a tinted lip balm.
POPxo Recommends
L.A Girl HD Pro Concealer Color Corrector (Rs 595)
MUA Pro-Base Prime & Conceal Correcting Cream (Rs 595)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder (Rs 485)
The Body Shop Born Lippy Pot Lip Balm – Raspberry (Rs 275)
Four Step Make-up
Unlike my three-step routine which only focusses on the eyes, this look is more highlighting your features and concealing imperfections. Make the most of this for outings after college and work.
1. Use a brown or a taupe-shade eyeliner to tightline your eyes. Not only does it help make your eyes look bigger but also helps you look more awake.
2. Start by using a water-based foundation in a matte finish. When it comes to the shade, choose the one that is closest to your skintone. Check for imperfections and use the foundation a second time with your fingers on blemishes and dark spots.
3. Use a bronzer on the sides of your face creating the number 3, from your temples to your jawline. Use a clean brush to blend the bronzer. Take a little bit of highlighter on your ring finger and apply some in the innermost corner of your eyes as well the brow bone
4. Since this look steers more towards nude and brown, finish this look with a neutral lip colour.
POPxo Recommends
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil – 011 Sable Brown (Rs 185)
Maybelline New York Dream Velvet Foundation (Rs 700)
Faces Ultime Pro Face Palette (Rs 899)
Faces Ultime Pro Creme Lip Crayon – Mochalicious 05 (Rs 749)
M.A.C Matte Lipstick – Velvet Teddy (Rs 1,500)
Five Step Make-up
I don’t know about you but layering make-up can take a toll on me. Instead of using eight to ten products, try this look when you don’t want to use everything on your dresser.
1. Start by using two drops of foundation on your face and neck. Make sure you use a kabuki brush to blend your foundation since it’s a huge time-saver and cuts your blending time by half.
2. Next, use a concealer with orange or yellow tones under your eyes, the side of your nose and your chin.
3. Take very little powder on your fluffy brush to seal your base. If you’re going out in the evening, you can swap it with HD Powder or something with a slight sheen.
4. Since brows are so huge, take it up a notch. Instead of using an eyebrow pencil, use an eyebrow tint or gel. Not only does it help darken your brows but also helps them stay in place.
5. Since you’re not using a bronzer, pinch your cheeks to add a little bit of colour onto your cheeks. Let the focus on your lips by using statement shades like raspberry, burgundy or marsala.
POPxo Recommends
M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation (Rs 3,250)
Colorbar Crazy Blending Kabuki Brush (Rs 575)
NYX Professional Makeup Dark Circle Concealer (Rs 550)
Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara (Rs 349)
Deborah Milano Red Lipstick (Rs 695)
Bobbi Brown Art Stick – Bright Raspberry (Rs 2,600)
What’s your minimal make-up routine? Let us know in the comments below!
