When it comes to beauty…and really anything…there’s nothing very “minimal” about me. I either go all the way, or not at all! When I’m shopping with my girlfriends, I’ll usually only leave the store with an iced coffee. But, I’m also that same person who will use my entire budget for one amazing jacket or shoe that “represents everything I believe in.” (Yes, I do say this every time I buy something, haha! I’m a very passionate shopper.)
So when I had to pack up my home and move within the week, you can bet I used the least amount of products possible. I grabbed my glasses and a few old and new favorites before getting to work! I even opted out of foundation because I knew I’d be sweating and wearing glasses, and nothing good comes out of that!
A little glow
The main face product I grabbed, was the Pixi Book of Beauty in Minimal Makeup ($24), new for spring 2016. The size was perfect, and since I wasn’t adding much else to my face, I only needed a few colors that I could dust on quickly with a large brush.
Lately, I have been all about Pixi, and these Beauty Books have come in very handy.
The perfect neutral lip
The two lip products I picked were neutrals with a kick — MAC x Caitlyn Jenner Lipstick in Finally Free (online exclusive), a neutral rose/plum cremesheen, and I am a huge fan of the color. It’s similar to the really popular MAC Plumful lipstick but more subdued.
I never thought “Plumful” looked that great on me, so I looove this shade that Caitlyn created — very classy! I like to mix this with MAC Chic Supremacy Lipglass (no longer available) from MAC Keepsake Nudes.
Subtle definition
I decided to stick to a neutral brown color scheme for my eyes, and I tried out this new BrowFood Eco Precision 2-Tone Brow Pencil ($24) for convenience (two colors, one pencil!). Not surprisingly, I really favored one color over the other, so the two-tone aspect was lost on me.
It’s a beautifully designed pen, though, and it has one of the softest and nicest brow brushes I’ve ever felt on this type of pencil.
Another new-to-me product was Benefit They’re Real Mascara in Brown ($24). Formula-wise, I love and use the Black version because of its great lengthening powers, and the Brown is lighter than my natural eyelashes, so I have to work with it a little more.
I can only use this when I’m wearing coordinating brown eye products.
Covergirl’s Liquiline Blast Eye Liner in Brown Blaze ($7.99) holds the title as my favorite brown eyeliner shade. It’s a smokier and darker brown, so it really suits my naturally dark hair coloring.
I also included one of my favorite single eyeshadows from my collection — MAC Extra-Dimension Eyeshadow in Lorelei (no longer available) from the 2014 Alluring Aquatics collection.
2014 was a great year for MAC collections, apparently!
The color, texture and packaging are perfection, and I wish I’d grabbed a larger face powder from the release. That was seriously one of my favorite MAC collections, ever.
What are some of your minimal makeup picks? I’d love to know what you guys use when it’s time to get down to work!
See you in the next,
Anna
Everything you picked and the finished look is really gorgeous! I’ve been on a huge minimal kick too, but wow-ee! This was great!
Aw thanks Carly 🙂
This is a great minimal look! I love that lip color, especially.
Glad to see Finally Free on you! I’d considered getting it but it looks a lot like Lipstick Queen Jean Queen so I think I’ll pass.
I’ve been a little too minimalist lately = too lazy for any makeup at all! This is a great look, though. I love, love, love that lip color.
That lip colour looks so good on u!
My minimal makeup –
Base- Nars pure radiant TM in st.moritz-(tricks my husband into thinking that i’m not wearing any base 😉 ) or bobbi brown foundation stick as concealer and loreal compact powder.
Black eyeliner and maybelline colossal mascara. Occasionally a wash of golden bronze eyeshadow.
Coral lipstick -brightens my face. Ysl rouge volupte shine corail incandescent or nyx soft matte lip cream ibiza.
That’s it! 🙂
I need to try the Nars Pure Radiant! Nars always makes amazing bases.
Please do a compilation of good washable mascara recommendations or a very good eye makeup remover!!! I don’t want to lose anymore lashes due to waterproof mascara.
I have the benefit they’re real one in black. .amazing but a pain to remove! !
Hi Anusha – If you’re not stuck on needing waterproof, I’ve been loving how easily Too Cool for School’s Dinoplatz mascara wears and removes. Some warm water and gentle cleanser is all you need and it sort of “peels” right off. No raccoon eyes and no lost lashes (at least for me). If you need waterproof mascara, try Lancome’s Bi-Facil remover. I think it’s fab. 🙂
Ohh ..so sweet of u..thanks for the recommendations! Will try them asap!
Oh this is an interesting topic! I actually don’t wear waterproof mascara for that reason. One of my FAVORITE non-waterproof mascara is the Hourglass Film Noir Mascara…it’s super lightweight and doesn’t weight my lashes down.
I usually go for cream shadows on my lid, black liner (all day every day), mascara, bronzer and either a bold lip or a balm. Quick and fool proof.
Your minimal face looks lovely, I hope the move went well? We will be moving come summer, and I am not really looking forward to packing up my stuff…
Haha, please start early! Because as the move gets underway we always end up hauling things in trash bags towards the end haha.
And yes…black liner all the way! If I could only choose ONE product, it’d be a black liquid liner.
You could wear zero products and still look absolutely flawless! <3 Lorelei is a really pretty shade. As is Finally Free. Love the look.
Your minimal makeup looks awesome. I think I use too many products for my minimal look to be considered minimal, lol, but it does look natural. And like I’m not wearing anything at all 🙂
Thank you! Haha I have different “levels” of minimal makeup too. This is my routine when I truly have VERY little time! Otherwise, I’d reach for some base makeup and a liquid eyeliner too (those steps take the longest time for me).
love that minimal make up
this is a beautiful look! I might try out that lipstick and Pixie pallete.
mine is maybelliene BB cream and mac skinfinish natural on skin. mac nude lunch is my go-to minimal shadow; I tightline the upper lids with rimmel’s waterproof black noir eyeliner, and add whatever mascara I’m using at the moment (currently Benefit Roller Lash). I add a little nars oasis blush, and a couple swipes from a clinique chubby stick (usually super strawberry or woppin watermelon) for some color.
You are the 2nd person who mentioned MAC Naked Lunch! -grumbles- Fine, I’ll go check it out…^_~
Wow, if I had your skin I wouldn’t wear any foundation or anything else on it either. My preference is the minimal look, as in, I usually wear tinted moisturizer or just spot with concealer so that it gives the impression I have clear skin ‘naturally’.
Aw thanks Grace 🙂 A little dab of concealer goes SO, so far. My skin gets red and blotchy in the sun so I make sure I’m not doing too much outside either. Funny enough I wear foundation to protect my skin too haha.
Lately I’ve been reaching for Hard Candy Tiki. MAC naked lunch for eyes and MAC Sophisto for lips. Polished and perfect for this blonde!
I love it!
Loving that Pixi palette. I was just at Target but I didn’t see it while I was looking through their skin offerings. That lipstick on you is amazingly perfect.
Oh thank you Erin! I was at Target earlier this week and we had it….as well as a contour powder that looked sooooo nice.
I think this is a beautiful look on you. The lipstick really suits you.
I rarely go minimal, but when I do I go mostly with bareMinerals. Their products are easy and fast to apply, and I don’t need a face primer with the powdered products. I use: Original Foundation SPF 15 in Fair; Mineral Veil in Translucent; All-Over Face Color in Rose Radiance (cheeks, bridge of nose, hairline, chin); Eye Color in Bare Skin or Nude Beach over eyeshadow primer (Too Faced or Urban Decay). Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Roach. Whatever black mascara I have open. Urban Decay Sheer Rapture for my lips.
Thank you Rachel!
I used to always use BareMinerals too and I loved how quickly you could get out the door! I used the Matte version
I love that Pixie book. That color looks nice on you, but not sure that it would work with my coloring. I’ll have to check it out!
As for my minimal make-up:
Face: I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer, a tinted moisturizer
L’Oreal translucent mineral powder (I don’t know if they
still make it.)
Eyes: CanMake strong eyes in black or brown, an eyeliner
Benefit They’re Real in black
Eyebrows: Usually Milani Brow Fix Powder in Light
Lips: Burt’s Bees lip balm
I’ve heard great things about the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer! I usually don’t wear base makeup on truly rushed days but I would love to try this.
Love this look!
Totally loved it.Also, the Finally Free shade is so pretty..
My minimal do simply involves a BB cream, Compact powder(can’t do without), brow pencil, mascara(doubles up as eyeliner too) and a MLBB shade for lips. 5 and I’m done ?
Love your glasses what brand are they?!!!
Thank you!!! They are from Warby Parker–I always get my glasses from there.
Re: Neutrogena Healthy Skin enhancer IS great! It is a tinted moisturizer which contains spf and antioxidants. I’ve used it for years. (I layer it over Replenix spray-on sunblock 50.) It’s good for people with nice skin, like yourself, as it provides sheer coverage.
wow, you really have gorgeous skin! and that is a great lip color.
my nude look would be mac’s bb cream, nyx brow pencil, some guerlain bronzer, and any old loose powder and lippie. 5 minutes.