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Readers had a great threadjack about short makeup routines a while ago, and I thought we should discuss again — especially since some of us may be trying to elevate our “daily” routine as part of New Year's resolutions. What do you think is the best makeup routine? Do you do it every day, even if you're working from home? If you also have a longer makeup routine, what's different about your short makeup routine?
{related: beauty empties: products we finish and buy again and again (Kat's and the readers!}
Do You Need A Makeup Routine If You're Working From Home?
For my own $.02, I've written before about my internal debate regarding whether wearing makeup when working from home was Perpetuating the Patriarchy versus Feeling Nice About Myself.
I eventually decided that I feel more polished and happier in general if I take two minutes to smudge on some concealer, eyeliner, and blush first thing and then supplement throughout the day with powder and lipstick. (I am the queen of plum/beige plum/taupe berry sorts of lipsticks — no matter how I try to make an “everyday red lipstick” happen.)
I've bought multiples of both my concealer and my blush, while I mix up my eyeliner and lipstick based on my mood/whatever I grab first.
A probably important caveat: First thing out of bed I tend to put on workout clothes and accordingly not much makeup — it's only later in the day, when I put on “people clothes,” that I do my short makeup routine. I have sensitive eyes and haven't found a great “daily” mascara in a while, so I cheat with eyeliner.
Another caveat: I have makeup looks for different occasions, and my makeup routines for “date night” or even “big work presentation” are a lot different than the super short one here.
My Latest Short Makeup Routine
As of 2024, my short makeup routine is pretty boring — curled eyelashes + concealer + blush (Nars Orgasm) + powder, with a different lipstick and eyeliner depending on my mood. If I'm feeling extra fancy I'll add mascara, highlighter, and/or do my brows with this cream and a brush similar to this one (here's my review). (I also add eye shadows in the “extra” days but it's a huge variety, maybe 25 or so different ones.)
Some favorite lipsticks include Clinique (Graped Up), NARS lipstick (Damage), Fenty (Goji Gang), NARS gloss (Orgasm, Fast Lane), and Clinique (Black Honey). I use this NYX lipliner (Natural) for almost all of them.
Favorite eyeliners include Chanel (Espresso), Urban Decay (Sabbath, Smoke), and Clinique (Intense Chocolate & Plum).
{related: 6 brands offering safe beauty products and reader-favorite cruelty-free beauty products}
Readers, do you have a short makeup routine? What do you do — and how does it vary from how much makeup you wear to work? What do you think is the best makeup routine?
(Stock photo (pots and brushes) via Stencil.)
LaurenB
Honestly in the pandemic — it’s just undereye pencil and that’s it; will add blush and lip gloss if on a Zoom call, otherwise why bother. I’ve saved a lot of money on makeup, that’s for sure.
iliketoknit
I have a pretty minimal routine for leaving the house on weekends versus leaving to go to work – the weekend look is some level of foundation/powder depending on how my skin is doing that day, maybe a little blush, mascara, and some kind of lip gloss or lipstick. Work video meetings get the standard going-to-work makeup (which really only adds eyeliner and brows, although the lip might be a bit more dominant). But if I’m not leaving the house or doing a video meeting, nothing touches my face but moisturizer. It’s one of the silver linings of this pandemic, that if I’m working from home I no longer have to deal with makeup. I know for some people it’s great self-expression, but I don’t do have the skill to do anything interesting, nor is it appropriate for my business formal job, nor do I enjoy the work of maintaining it all. (I have oily skin and hooded eyes and don’t want to have to keep spending any percentage of my life wondering if the makeup is running down my face, or rubbing off on my clothes or my husband’s shirt when I hug him, etc.)
Frankly, the pandemic has made me really resent a lot of the feminine performativity of getting dressed that I did without thinking much in the before times. I have a hard time finding business formal clothes that fit, they’re not comfortable in the way that leggings and sweatshirts are comfortable, and doing my hair and makeup takes a bunch of time and effort. I realize the hair and makeup are expectations I’m putting on myself (the clothes less so because my office has a dress code), but it’s very hard to go from maintaining a particular image for years, to just abandoning it. I don’t think I look super radically different – my routines aren’t THAT high maintenance – but I think every woman has experienced being asked, “are you sick?” that one day that you don’t wear makeup, and while I am kind of adjusting my hairstyle so I don’t have to blow-dry/style every day even if I leave the house, it’s hard to get past thinking that’s genuinely the way it looks best.
Sorry to rant, this touched a nerve!
Anonymous
I hear that a lot, but “are you sick” has NEVER happened to me. I used to wear make-up at work, but haven’t for the last few years and no one has ever commented in any way. I do wonder whether the fear of people noticing outweighs the reality, which in my experience is that everyone is busy with their own lives and doesn’t care. It sucks if you’ve actually gotten those comments, though.
Anon
+1 Same here.
Anon
I’m not the person you’re responding to but I DEFINITELY have been asked that, and more than once.
anon
I have definitely been asked that when wearing less makeup. “You look pale today — are you feeling OK?”
Trust me, I’m not getting all glammed up for the office, but I have one of those faces for which a touch of makeup makes me look a lot more alive and awake.
pugsnbourbon
Same here. Haven’t gotten “are you sick” since high school, but I’ve gotten “you look tired” a bunch.
Anonymous
I would respond “Why do you say that?” I think it would shut down the rude conversation well.
Anon
There’s some clear skin privilege here. If you are among those of us with chronic acne, that’s probably how you got into wearing makeup, to cover it up, or to draw attention elsewhere, and I don’t think anyone should be shamed for feeling like she had do do that. I have definitely been in work situations where I saw people staring at my newest angry red cyst, or the series of them along my jawline, and whether or not they said anything, anyone in this situation knows they are looking and judging.
The one thing I know from my long journey with cystic acne is that only fellow sufferers know it’s not as simple as “wash your face” , but a ton of people blessed with clear skin think that’s all it takes, because it is all it takes FOR THEM.
Anonymous
No, I wouldn’t say I have clear skin privilege. I suffer from rosacea and I wish I didn’t. I just don’t choose to wear make-up. This is my face and it’s fine.
Also, I would never say “wash your face” to someone with cystic acne – my brother had a bad case and HATED that more than anything.
Anon
Same here. Rosacea, no makeup, don’t care if others notice or judge. Not my problem.
Aunt Jamesina
I think the difference is that you don’t usually wear it, which means people don’t ask that question because you look relatively consistent from day to day. If your were to regularly wear it and then either didn’t wear it or wore a lot less than normal one day, then people are more likely to ask these (stupid) questions.
anon
Completely agree. Rosacea is my issue. You’d better believe I’m covering it up, and I make no apologies about it.
LaurenB
Don’t you think most people know that cystic acne is a real thing, not a “you didn’t wash your face” thing?
Anonymous
Right? I’m an adult. While I shouldn’t be shocked that many grown adults are complete morons and *ssh*les after the insurrection DC last week, it’s still surprising that there could be people out there commenting on other people’s acne. If there are, I can’t imagine anyone’s opinion I’d care about less. Those people would immediately get relegated into my “utter moron” mental bucket and I wouldn’t think of them again. I say this as someone with not only rosacea, but another fairly obvious disfigurement – so it’s not like I’ve never gotten stares myself.
Mary Beth
Ummm…you’d be surprised.
Anon
I had a male coworker tell me I just needed to cut down on greasy foods. This comment was not preceded by “what do you think I should do about my chronic acne, coworker?” This is only one example of many, including an older woman who wondered aloud why I didn’t take better care of my skin.
And for every one that says something, there are 100 thinking it.
pugsnbourbon
I vividly remember two people who commented on my cystic acne when I worked retail. One also told me I needed to change my diet and gave me a business card for her homeopathic/naturopathic business. Which I could for sure afford working hourly at Kohls.
anon too
Just thought I’d say: if anyone’s ever noticed me notice their angry red cyst or whatever issue, my inner monologue is sympathetic, not critical. Because I’ve been there, too.
Unsub
Yup, me too. I’m just feeling your pain.
AFT
I’ve gotten “are you sick” and “is everything ok?” not infrequently when I don’t wear makeup. It’s a thing.
anon
+1 to your second paragraph. I am not slovenly while working from home, but I am spending so much less time and mental energy on my appearance. Especially clothing — I knew I disliked my business “uniform” but now that it’s barely been worn since March, I see it as wasted money taking up space in my closet. It does not spark joy. It has been very freeing in a sense to worry less about how I look to others; however, I hear you on the struggle of feeling like it’s “less than” your best.
babyweight
Since March 2020, I’ve worn makeup 3 times. It’s been awesome! I don’t miss it. and my skin is super happy. Not sure if I’ll go back other than a little lip color and some mascara.
4eyes
Same! I’ve started wearing my glasses when I have external-facing zoom calls to de-emphasize the fact that I’m not wearing any makeup.
My glasses also keep me from being as self conscious about the circles/bags under my eyes which cannot be completely hidden by makeup and I refuse to alter myself by surgery or fillers.
Anon
I’ve been wearing more makeup during the pandemic. No commute seems to mean I have more time to mess around with it. I’ve been playing with eyeshadows for fun…. no wild makeup artists type looks, but I’m wearing less taupe-y colors and more pink and peachy shades, as well as using a little more shine. But honestly it’s just because it’s fun. My husband and kids see me in real life (and I have to admit, my husband does love a made-up face), but my coworkers only see me by zoom and I doubt they can see my eyeshadow.
I’ve also been trying to overhaul my skincare routine and hopefully find some cheaper, equally to more effective products at drugstore prices. I would actually love to see a post on that. I’ve gotten some good recommendations from this board so far.
Diana Barry
This would be an interesting poll. My DH never likes it when I wear makeup.
Aunt Jamesina
My husband *thinks* he likes it better when I don’t wear makeup, but I certainly get lots of compliments from him when I spend a bit more time getting ready and wear it. I tend to wear just a bit of natural-ish looking makeup.
Anon
That’s it exactly. I get “you’re beautiful without makeup” as a theoretical comment from him from time to time, but never at a time when I’m actually makeup-less. When I have my full look on, that’s when I get the “wow, you look great” or “you’re so beautiful” comments.
anon
My now-favorite foundation is a drugstore product. Never did I think that would be the case, but it works really well with my skin type, and I was lucky enough to find a perfect-match shade. Not easy in any case, but especially for drugstore foundation. It’s Loreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24-Hour Foundation in rose vanilla (435). I can wear a really sheer application on good-skin days and layer it on if/when I need more coverage (not often, these days). I have read that it’s a dupe for the Estee Lauder double wear. No idea if that’s true, but I tried on the double wear at Ulta in Before Times and thought it looked too heavy.
Dear+Summer
Same here. I’ve been playing with new shades because it’s fun for me. I’ve also experimented with contouring for video calls.
Diana Barry
I only wear makeup if I have a zoom call or if I’m doing a recording (my singing group is virtual right now). Eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, done. Very rarely I’ll put on concealer (dark circles that day or a zit that the “touch up my appearance” filter on Zoom doesn’t cover).
anon
I have been looking for some moisturizing, kind of casual lipstick in a raspberry shade for a while now if anyone has recommendations. I feel like all of the natural-looking lipsticks I see are either a coral or a brown shade, whereas I want a true pink, but still natural ish, if that makes sense.
anon
Yes, I’m looking for this, too! Corals and browns look sickly on me; raspberries are perfect and brighten my whole complexion.
pugsnbourbon
Have you checked out the Burt’s Bees lipsticks? I have one that’s redder than you want, but it’s pretty moisturizing and they have other shades. Revlon has tons of options, some of which are more moisturizing.
Anonymous
I like NARS Gipsy a lot! It’s their normal “lipstick” line, not the “Audacious” line, so it’s more natural-looking than some of their other shades.
Vicky Austin
I would definitely look at the Clinique chubby sticks like the ones Kat recommends in the post! They have some great pinky shades that sound like what you want. It might even be called Raspberry Something?
Anon
I recommend the Lip Tinted colors. They apply as thick or as bright as you want, color is very saturated, but you can easily smudge and move it around for a much more natural and blended look.
Anon
Ooh I know this one! And I’m delighted to report back that it is Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine lipstick. It’s like a sheer wash of color that is very moisturizing. I wear the glossed up rose, but there are several berry shades.
It’s like $9 not on sale. I order it from Target, where there are frequently sales or $5 gift card deals if you buy a certain amount of products. I now have these scattered all around the house because it makes my lips look and feel nice.
Before this I was a die hard department store brand lipstick person so this is a huge find for me. I bought it based on a blogger’s recommendation.
Dear+Summer
Maybelline baby lips! I’ve had a few and one of them was true baby pink. They are casual enough that you can apply without a mirror but give a nice amount of tint.
Kris
Yes 100% to baby lips! Great wash of color, easy to apply, and available at your grocery store, convenience store, etc.
Anonymous
Glossier Generation G!
Anon
Did you guys see the thing about the concealer aimed at men called War Paint?
Such a sad tale of toxic masculinity, both on the part of the brand, and sadly on the part of the men who would like to use concealer but are afraid of being branded as weak/girly/gay/whatever if they just buy some NARS.
anon
Sure wish they’d add a bro tax to War Paint, similar to how everything for us gets the pink tax.
Friday
I took a break from makeup other than sunscreen starting in January 2020, before I saw the pandemic coming. I was in the office for the first quarter and literally none of my male colleagues noticed. Or if they did they were polite enough not to bring it up. I’m WFH but I’ve started wearing makeup again but these days it’s: sunscreen, bb cream, bronzer as blush. Very occasionally I will put on mascara and eyeshadow. I also started getting Botox, which I actually regret not starting sooner (you all were right, as usual).
Anon
I think you just pushed me off the fence about Botox. I’ve been considering it for a few months.
TC
As someone who just started getting Botox within the last year, I would 100% recommend it. Also wish I started sooner.
MK
Wash face
Moisturizer with SPF50
Chapstick – sometimes tinted lip balm
…and this was pre-pandemic. I just don’t like having makeup on my face.
supershort
The first several months of the pandemic, I wore almost no makeup. And to a certain extent it was freeing to reacquaint myself and start loving my natural face. However as time went on, I started feeling less in work mode with no makeup and looked washed out on video calls. Noting that my skin is fairly clear and uniform in color, my normal makeup routine has been super cut to my “essentials” to feel “at home put together” which takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
Eyeliner with slight wing
Mascara
Lip and cheek stain from Live Tinted for color
Concealer if I didn’t sleep well
If I have an important video call – powder coverage
pugsnbourbon
My routine is thus:
– eyelid primer (my lids are so oily I get calls from BP executives)
– slightly winged liquid liner on top lids – this took a lot of practice to get it consistently even (NYX epic ink liner)
– undereye concealer
– mascara
– cream blush on top of cheekbones if I look more like a Victorian waif than usual
– sheer red lipstick
That looks more involved than it really is. It takes 5 minutes tops.
anon
Word. I have super oily eyelids even though the rest of my face is normal/dry. Always have. I do not understand, but I consider eye primer a gift from the gods.
Anon
I’m the same way!
Anonymous
I have vegetarian pallor, and Zoom makes it worse. I add color with makeup so I don’t get inquiries about my health. I have actually been wearing more makeup than usual!
Anon
Vegetarian pallor cracked me up.
Vicky Austin
Most days I do:
Thin layer of BareMinerals complexion rescue
Brow pencil and brush (sometimes benefit, sometimes the target version)
Mascara
I used to wear lipstick if I felt like it, pre-masks, and I have sparkly gold eyeshadow that I’ll put on for holidays or dates. I’ve been meaning to master eyeliner for years and keep forgetting to make time for it.
anon
I haven’t heard many people mention this, so it may not be a common thing, BUT: I swear my skin actually behaves *better* when I wear makeup. Without any base whatsoever, it is easily irritated and becomes oilier than usual throughout the day. So even if I step out of the house without makeup, it goes from tired/not-great to — what is wrong with her face?! I have mild to moderate rosacea, so my only theory is that even a thin base layer prevents a lot of irritation that happens when I go out into the world with just moisturizer/spf. I sort of envy the people who can go makeup-free; I apparently am not one of them. Luckily I have a very quick routine down pat.
Aunt Jamesina
I think mine can be worse when I don’t wear makeup because I’m more likely to touch my face. After being on camera all the time and rarely wearing makeup, I’ve realized how much my hands move to my face.
Anon
You aren’t the only one. On weekends, I will stop my routine at moisturizer. My face will be an oily mess by noon. On days when I continue the routine with primer, foundation, and powder, I’m only starting to notice it by the early evening hours.
Anon
I have two levels of makeup.
For work or social plans: bb cream, blush stick, upper lid liquid liner, mascara and brow gel. It takes about 4 minutes. I think I’d like to
For lower key things: mascara and brow gel. Maybe glow screen, maybe just regular sunscreen.
I also frequently leave my house without make up. Never, ever without earrings though.
Anon
My routine is
1) lots of skincare including essence, serum, and a medication for rosacea
2) eyelid primer (urban decay) and eyeshadow most days now. I’m currently using the too faced white peach palette, which is a winner.
3) eyeliner I’ve moved away from liquid and have been using an espresso pencil from lottie London or I dip a wet eyeliner brush into one of the darkest two colors in my shadow palette. Liner on top lid only
4) mascara, currently benefit roller lash
5) makeup primer (milk hydro) which I have recently found helps a lot with application of makeup
6) dr Jart premium BB cream, applied with a brush (Trish McEvoy wet dry)
7) brows with the Anastasia brow wiz pencil in medium brown
8) cheeks with Nars orgasm, maybe some Laguna bronzer if I feel like it. No highlighter. My Bb cream is somewhat luminous
9) Laura Mercier loose powder if I think I need it, which I usually don’t
10) lips – either a nude lip pencil and gloss (Laura Mercier in baby doll is a favorite) or more often than not, the sheer revlon lipstick/balm mentioned in a comment above.
Sounds like a lot but I enjoy it. With my redness issues I do need some sort of foundation like coverage for zoom calls. I also feel eyeliner, brows (mine are invisible otherwise) and lips are the important things for zoom calls. But I’m largely doing this for me.
Anon
I used to rarely wear makeup for going into the office – eyebrow pencil and mascara maybe, with some concealer if I had a pimple. But now that I’m WFH and on video meetings all dang day long, I absolutely hate how I look on the camera so I wear more makeup now!
Trezlen
I use a Younique BB cream, over a base, followed by a setting powder/spray, otherwise, I find foundation-colored fingerprints everywhere! Eyeliner and lipgloss/lipstick queen. If it’s an interview or something official like a photo, I’ll fill in my brows and maybe put on mascara.
Anonymous
I have gotten into Trinny London makeup over the last year – everything is cream based and in little pots. Its really easy and quick to apply. It will be great for traveling if we ever get to do that again.
Anonymous
Mascara (if I am wearing contacts) and Neutrogena Age Shield® Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 110. Now that I work from home my office is in a closet so I skip the sunscreen unless I’m running errands or my skin feels too dry. I’m 30 and have relatively clear skin with some scars and the occasional breakout.
Sloan Sabbith
During work: 3/5 days a week I wear zero makeup.
2/5 days I wear a swipe of pink shimmery eyeshadow, a swipe of mascara and a my lips but better lip stain.
Maybe once a month or less I wear BB cream. Only for a big day, really.
It never became a part of my daily routine so it just isn’t now. I’ve had to spend half an hour or more doing medical stuff every morning since I was 2 and I need a ton of sleep so I never had time to do makeup. I could now but don’t.