Quick & Easy Daily Makeup

Hey y’all! Okay so I went back and forth for what seemed like hours about what to call this post. It could be makeup products for post-workout, it could be everyday makeup products for a busy college student, or it could be makeup products for when you don’t feel like wearing a ton of makeup. But I’m just settling on quick and easy daily makeup because it encompasses all of the options and more.

This routine takes me at most 10 minutes but usually it’s around a solid 5 minutes. It requires only four products minimum (blush and bronzer not included) which means it can be taken with you anywhere! Hence the reason I wanted to make this a post-workout makeup post.

I’ve been wearing these products almost daily for the entire summer and throughout res life training at USC. If this can survive the Columbia heat and humidity, it can survive anything.

Step 1: Eyeliner

I’m one of those weird people who do their eyes before they do their face makeup, but if you’re not one to do that, you can totally do steps 3 and 4 first.

This eyeliner has been my tried and true for probably a solid five years. It goes on creamy and smooth, lasts for forever, and doesn’t run or flake off.

The single pencil lasts me upwards of a year, and the quality doesn’t deteriorate over time. You can find this at Walgreens in a little display next to the checkout counter in the makeup section. It’s only $3-4 and it’s a must-have.

Step 2: Mascara

If there’s one makeup item I can’t leave the house without, it’s mascara. Some people have to have their eyebrows done, but I couldn’t care less about my eyebrows. Give me my eyelashes.

I’ve tried numerous mascaras over the years, and I keep coming back to this one and Maybelline NYC’s The Rocket. But as a college student who buys the least expensive option in any situation, I stick to my classic Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes.

Step 3: BB Cream

This summer I’ve fallen back in love with Maybelline NYC’s BB Cream. Kayla (Kayla Blogs) brought it up in one of her vlogs from the very beginning of summer, then Caitlyn (College with Caitlyn) mentioned it in her May favorites so I took myself to Target and bought it that very day.

I find it applies best with a beauty blender or a stippling brush.

I love foundation, but I don’t like wearing it on a daily basis because it adds a solid four minutes to my makeup routine, and it’s just a lot of work. I want something light that gives a teeny bit of coverage just to even everything out. So just like Kayla and Caitlyn, I’ve fallen back in love with an old favorite.

Step 4: Powder

Powder is a very personal preference. Some people have oily skin and love powder. Others may have drier skin and skip powder all together.

I usually apply it to my t-zone and under my eyes to set everything in place. It’s not something I really put much thought into. You do you with the powder.

Step 5 (optional): Blush & Bronzer

You know those days where you just want to put on makeup and look nice? That’s when I add blush and bronzer to my routine. Love, love, love corals and lighter pinks in the summer and deeper burgundies and rose for fall.

I would say it could be for a date, however we all know how hilariously single I am. So, in theory this is a perfect step for date-ready makeup.

Like I said, this is quick, simple, and easy. You don’t need a ton of products, you don’t need to spend a ton of money, and you won’t need a lot of time. Perfect for after the gym, what to wear to class, and lazy brunch days on the weekends.

What’s your daily makeup routine like? Have you tried any of these products before?

~abigail gray