Go-To Low-Key Makeup

I'm terrible at doing my makeup quickly. Every morning, I take at least 15 minutes. Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially sluggish or relaxed about the time, I can take up to half an hour. I don't like to be rushed. I've seen a friend do her whole face in a few minutes and it made me realise why that could never be me. She approached the act of putting on her makeup as I would doing the dishes or vacuuming the carpet — a necessary chore that yielded desirable results, but something preferably over and done with ASAP. On the days that I don't feel like doing my usual routine (normally on the weekends, holidays or on the rare weekday off), I've developed a go-to look utilising fewer products and a more minimal, easygoing approach. Can't say that it takes me any less time though.

The look is all about cream products, cutting out brushes and using the hands. Bronzy lids, softly defined eyes, peachy-pink cheeks and glowy skin. After cleansing and moisturising my face, I whip out my beloved Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas Des Copper and place a thin layer all over the eyelid. Lightly applied, the slightly peachy/coppery, light-to-medium bronze is almost what I imagine MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot would look like on me if I were very fair. This cream eyeshadow is amazing. It was dirt cheap (something like $3.50) and the best beauty bargain ever. I've had it for 15 months and it hasn't hardened in the slightest (the same cannot be said for my Maybelline Color Tattoos, as much as I adore Bad to the Bronze). The texture is still creamy, soft and so easy to blend. It has this understated metallic sheen without being exceedingly shimmery or gritty-looking and frosty. Pigmentation is excellent and it lasts all day.

Next, I line my upper lash line with the Savvy by DB Luxury Liner in Shimmering Slate, extending the line a little past the corner of my eye, but not too high up. When I first discovered the Luxury Liners early last year, I bought every colour in the range, then 3 backups of Shimmering Slate. That's how thrilled I was with them. I've tried a whole bunch of eyeliner pencils to mixed success, but the Luxury Liners have proven to be solid all-rounders. I just don't use Shimmering Slate on a daily basis because I prefer felt tip eyeliners for my upper lash line, and I find black too severe for my lower lash line (my usual choice is bronze). Here however, in the interest of simplification, I run Shimmering Slate very lightly along the lower lash line (stopping three-quarters of the way in), then lessen the intensity by smudging it with my fingers.

Then comes mascara. I normally curl my lashes beforehand, but if we were to stick to 5 products, I'd cut out that step. The wand of Max Factor Masterpiece Max really gets to all your lashes, holds curl, builds volume but doesn't clump. It's one of the few mascaras I've repurchased, and will continue to in the future.

Moving onto my base, squeezing a bit of the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) onto the back of my hand, I start from the centre of my face and work outwards. So long as the skin has been decently moisturised first, this stuff sinks in and doesn't cling to any dry patches. What I like about it is that you can go back and apply more to specific areas where you want more coverage, without messing up the original application or having it look cakey. The consistency is almost like a liquidy moisturiser than a straight up foundation. It leaves a dewy, brightened, slightly airbrushed finish while still retaining the look of your natural skin. Perfect for low-key makeup when you still want to even out the skin and appear more fresh-faced and awake, but can't be bothered with full-on foundation.

Finally, now the skin's more uniform, it's time to add a bit of colour back in. Enter Stila Convertible Colour in Gerbera, the ultimate pastel-leaning peachy-pink. I cannot say enough good things about this blush. Love the colour, love the way it seamlessly applies to the skin without any harsh edges or unevenness, love the healthy radiance it imparts. Pop some on to both cheeks, blend with the fingers, and off you go.