In our busy day-to-day lives, time is a precious commodity. And, as much as we love makeup as a fun and creative outlet, sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming with the sheer number of makeup products, tools, and techniques in our beauty arsenal. Sometimes, we just need a more streamlined approach to our makeup application—one that helps us feel polished, put together, and at our best, without being overly complicated, stressful, or time-consuming.
Simplifying your makeup look can save time, but it can also help you find your signature style too. So whether you’re a busy professional, someone who travels a lot, or even someone just looking for a more minimalist approach to makeup, here are some ways that you can simplify your routine without sacrificing style or the joy of makeup. Start by focusing on skincare, as a well-prepped canvas makes a huge difference in how smoothly you can apply your foundation and achieve a flawless finish.
Stick to versatile makeup products that work for multiple purposes, like a tinted moisturizer that evens out your skin tone while hydrating your skin. Keep a go-to makeup bag with your essentials, including a few key products to enhance your everyday eye look effortlessly.
One of the most overwhelming aspects of makeup application can come from managing a plethora of products and tools in your kit. You might find yourself with brushes or tools that you rarely use or don’t even know how to use, cluttering your makeup bag and causing you frustration. When it comes to choosing the right brushes, you might feel overwhelmed and even a little confused but it doesn’t have to be that way.
To make things all the more simple for you, invest in tools you will actually use. You don’t need an extensive collection of brushes and sponges to achieve your ideal makeup look, so instead think quality over quantity. Whether you’re applying your foundation, using a concealer, or enhancing your eye look, having the right tools will streamline your makeup routine and make the process much easier.
Investing in a few high-quality brushes that can be used for more one purpose, is better than buying every single type of brush there is. For example a big fluffy brush can be used for powder, blush and bronzer, maximizing its use and reducing clutter in your makeup bag.
As well as brushes that fulfil more than one purpose, you can also invest in high-quality two-in-one brushes. These are brushes with brush heads on either side. These dual-ended tools help streamline your collection even further, reducing clutter while providing the essential tools you need in one convenient design.
Having a sponge or beauty blender can help take care of a lot of your base makeup application. You can apply your foundation, concealer and even cream products to the skin. The humble sponge is a versatile tool that helps to blend in the product seamlessly and create a flawless finish.
You can simplify your makeup routine by choosing products that serve multiple functions. Many brands are now combining skincare with makeup or creating multipurpose makeup products to reduce waste and streamline your beauty regimen. These multifunctional products help minimize the number of items you need and prevent products from being forgotten or wasted. They’re also great if you are someone who regularly does their makeup application on the go, whether you’re looking to enhance your skin tone, apply your foundation, or achieve a quick eye look.
These products are skincare and makeup hybrid heroes. A cross between a foundation and moisturiser, BB, CC creams and tinted moisturisers can be a great choice for those who prefer a more minimalist makeup look. They’re versatile and ideal for day-to-day makeup routines as they help to care for your skin while also give you some coverage.
Now this is the product you need if you are looking for a simplified routine or makeup on the go. A lip and Cheek tint works as both a blush and a lip colour and often comes in a cream or liquid form. They are super easy to blend in an give off a gorgeous flush of natural colour on your face.
A highlight and contour stick is a dual-ended tool with a highlighter on one side and a contour on the other. Often a creamy formula, you can create the shadows and light on your face, adding in that stunning dimension to your makeup. They’re also easy to blend in for a seamless application, whether you’re doing your makeup at home or quickly on the go.
Another useful way to streamline your makeup routine is to create a signature style. This could be just for your day-to-day makeup look or perhaps, if you are more of a makeup minimalist, your go-to for most occasions. Sure, there are a lot of trends out there to try and we whole heartedly encourage experimenting with makeup, but on the other hand having a signature style can save time and help you to find the makeup styles that you love the most. Celebrities have their signature styles, so why shouldn’t you? Whether it’s knowing how to apply your foundation perfectly or creating a signature eye look, finding what works for you can make your makeup application quicker and easier.
Sticking to a colour palette that complements your skin tone and matches your personal style is a great way to curate a signature style. You can opt for an eyeshadow palette with warm neutrals or soft pinks, for example, to create a cohesive eye look. Or choose a blush/highlighter combo that makes your makeup look pop. Maybe, bold reds are your kind of vibe and you can make a stunning red lip your thing. Think about what colours and shades that you like and the ones that work best with your skin tone. Then, work out a colour palette that you can easily use to apply your foundation, enhance your makeup routine, and create your signature makeup look effortlessly.
A fantastic way to create a signature style is to focus it around the features that you love the most and want to accentuate with makeup. Whether it’s your eyes, lips, cheeks or eyebrows, focus on highlighting those areas by getting to grips with the techniques. This will help you find a routine that you can eventually do quickly and easily.
An organized makeup collection is essential for a streamlined routine. Clutter can make it frustrating to find the products you need, and even remembering where they are becomes a challenge. Regular decluttering can help you access your items more quickly and with less stress. Here’s how to best declutter and organize your makeup stash.
Going through your makeup regularly can help you get rid of old products that you don’t like or the ones that have expired. This helps to reduce clutter, but also lets you actually see what you own, making it easier for you to use the products you spend your money on, on a daily basis.
Having all your makeup in one place allows you to see all your products at a glance. Consider investing in some makeup organisers, drawers, containers, or even a trolley. This way you can easily locate where everything is without having to search endlessly and be disappointed that you can’t find the thing you want the most. By organizing your makeup collection, you’ll spend less time searching for products and more time enjoying the process of applying your makeup. A well-organized collection also helps you stay mindful of what you have, reducing the temptation to over-purchase or hold onto items you don’t need.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with makeup techniques, products, and tools, take some measures to simplify things for yourself. It can start with the smallest changes, such as choosing versatile makeup products or focusing on your makeup routine, and before long, you’re likely to notice that you do feel less confused and stressed. From decluttering, to purchasing more mindfully, and curating a signature style for your eye look or how you apply your foundation, makeup doesn’t have to be, and shouldn’t be complicated. It should be enjoyable and fun at all times. With these steps, you can make it that way again!