It’s time to swap out the heavy for some lighter fare — that is, when it comes to makeup. I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t particularly enjoy the feel of heavy makeup. Don’t get me wrong: Makeup is so much fun and a great way to express yourself creatively. However, I cannot slab on thick foundation and a multi-step eye look only to have it melt off my face the instant I go outside.
I know there are amazing products out there that make sure your makeup doesn’t slip off, but I don’t like the feeling of layers of makeup, especially during long days of heading from classes to meetings and other obligations. I tend to stick to simpler products and tricks to enhance my features, without adding dense products to my skin. Aside from not enjoying the feeling of heavy makeup, I also don’t believe it benefits my skin. I’ve tried countless products, and I tend to notice that my skin doesn’t look all that great and usually reacts in negative ways. On days when my book bag is filled to the brim, I don’t want layers of makeup weighing me down even more. I especially enjoy products that can be used in multiple ways. This saves me from having a ton of products and makes life that much easier.
Since I prefer little-to-no makeup, I decided to compile a long list of great products that are light on the skin or serve as skincare products designed to enhance your features.
Base
Products: (1) Milk Makeup Blur Stick ($36) / Luminous Blur Stick ($36) (2) NYX Pore Filler Primer ($14) (3) Milk Makeup Cooling Water Stick ($24) (4) Becca Backlight Priming Filter ($38) (5) L’Oréal Infallible Pro Glow Concealer ($10) (6) ColourPop No Filter Matte Concealer ($6) (7) Glossier Stretch Concealer ($18) (8) It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+ ($38) (9) Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint ($26) (10) PÜR 4-In-1 Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($35) (11) Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm ($36) (12) Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF 21 ($42)
For me, my base is my number one priority. In terms of skincare and makeup, I find that taking care of my skin is what builds up my confidence and leads to me to use fewer products on my face. Although I do not use any foundations or tinted creams, I do want to include some lighter base products that let my skin breathe and shine through. The products that I own and love from the ones I listed are the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Stick, the Becca Backlight Priming Filter and the Glossier Stretch Concealer. I do not use these products every single day, but when I do wear makeup, these are my go-tos. From products that even your skin tone to foundations with breathable coverage, you’ll find something here that fits your lifestyle and makeup needs.
Cheek
Products: (1) Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek ($24) (2) NYX Stick Blush ($6) (3) Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick ($4) (4) Glossier Cloud Paint ($18 or 2 for $30) (5) e.l.f Monochromatic Multi Stick ($4) (6) Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm ($24) (7) Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel ($14) (8) Wet n Wild MegaGlo Contour Palette ($5) (9) NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick ($8) (10) Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer ($24)
I love a good, easy-to-use cheek product. I prefer neutral-toned blushes or subtle bronzers when I am feeling cheeky. Because of this, my favorite blush/bronzer product thus far is Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Dusk. This product is literally a dream come true for someone who doesn’t like the feel of makeup but wants to add a natural-looking flush to the skin. When opting for a lighter blush or bronzer product, I find I reach for things that are creamier and in stick form. This makes application super easy and it melts into the skin seamlessly, without drying out my skin like some powder products do. I also love the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in the color Quickie. If I go for a little more color, I tend to go for berry shades, and this product is perfect. Not to mention that I love a good multi-purpose product. I use the Glossier Cloud Paints on cheeks, lips and eyes and the same goes for the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek. Here’s to products that serve more than one function!
Lip
Products: (1) Aquaphor Healing Ointment Tube ($5) (2) Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy ($2) (3) Glossier Balm Dotcom ($12) (4) Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm ($9) (5) NYX Slim Lip Pencil ($4) (6) Essence Soft Contouring Lipliner ($3) (7) Revlon Balm Stain ($10) (8) Glossier Generation G ($18) (9) L’Oréal Colour Riche Shine Lipstick ($10) (10) ColourPop Crème Lippie Stix ($6)
For everyday use, I love a product that is moisturizing and provides a nice wash of color. Most days, I just put on some Aquaphor because it hydrates my lips and acts like a lip gloss (without all the mess). Sticking to clear and tinted balms offers the comfort of lip care products, but doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance. I also love hydrating my lips and then using a lip liner to add definition and color. I use nude and mauve lip liners over top a layer of Aquaphor to create a subtle lip look that I don’t have to worry about throughout the day.
Brows
Products: (1) Glossier Boy Brow ($16) (2) Benefit Gimme Brow+ Brow-Volumizing Tinted Fiber Gel ($24) (3) NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel ($6) (4) M.A.C. Brow Set ($19) (5) L’Oréal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Mascara ($7) (6) Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara ($6) (7) Milk Makeup Kush Fiber Brow Gel ($18) (8) NYX Micro Brow Pencil ($10) (9) Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil ($21) (10) Maybelline Brow Precise Micro Eyebrow Pencil ($7)
If I’m being honest, some days I just swipe a bit of Aquaphor and brush up my brows to create an easy yet groomed look. Most days, I use an Essence Eyebrow Fixing Pencil because the pencil shape and gel-like consistency makes it easy to glide onto my brows. However, I couldn’t find it online, and it seems as though it is being discontinued (*insert ugly crying face*). When I’m not using the clear gel pencil, I like to pick up eyebrow gel mascaras. The wand allows for easy and quick application. Although I prefer a quick and feathery brow, the pencil options I listed are known to be user-friendly and comfortable to wear.
Eyes
Products: (1) Milk Makeup Eye Pigment ($24) (2) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4) (3) ColourPop Super Shock Shadow ($5) (4) L’Oreal Infallible Paints Eye Shadow ($4) (5) Wet n Wild MegaProtein Mascara ($3) (6) Sonia Kashuk Eyelash Curler ($10)
On a typical day, I do not put anything on my eyelids. I usually just curl my lashes to emphasize my eyes and call it a day. Although I listed a specific eyelash curler, I think it is more of a personal choice. When I am in the mood for a bit of color, I prefer to use my Glossier Cloud Paint because it dries nicely and doesn’t crease (even though I have greasy eyelids). Eyeshadow pencils are a great option for quick application and often are not as heavy as traditional powders because they blend nicely into the skin. I have never enjoyed mascaras, but I found this Wet n Wild one on a visit to my local pharmacy, and I have loved it ever since. I’ll admit I only use it a handful of times in a year, but it’s the perfect option for me because it is not thick in the slightest. I also noticed it doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day.
Powders and sprays
Products: (1) Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($38) (2) NYX HD Finishing Powder ($7) (3) Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder ($6) (4) Wet n Wild Photo Focus Setting Spray ($5) (5) Evian Brumisateur® Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray ($13) (6) Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner ($4)
Facial sprays are my holy grail. You can find me spraying my Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner at least three times a day (more like five, but who’s counting). There is nothing more refreshing than a splash of your favorite facial spray, especially in this Florida heat. When I do wear some type of concealer, I prefer a setting spray that leaves my skin feeling hydrated and protects from makeup from melting off. I have been loving the Wet n Wild spray I listed because it is light and feels good on the skin. A setting powder is a must for me when I wear makeup because I tend to use creamier products. My favorite setting powder is the Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. Although it is a little messy, I find that it does not cake my face and actually leaves it feeling cool and fresh.
Playing around with the best makeup options for your lifestyle is a great way to figure out what works best for you. I tend to invest more on skincare items and products that promote hydration and give my skin a boost. Curating a makeup routine that allows your skin to breathe while satisfying your needs may seem overwhelming, but I hope the products I listed lead you in the right direction. Now you can enjoy the creativity of makeup without feeling the need to pile on heavier products!