This is the last full week of the summer school holiday/work juggle.
I have a lot to tick off on the work front so I’m pulling out all stops in the motivation department.
Step 1: get up to alarm and exercise. Tick.
Step 2: shower and get changed out of activewear into a “work” outfit even though I’m working at home. Tick.
Step 3: Apply my simple summer everyday makeup routine. Tick.
Summer and makeup are not ideal partners but I’m vain so (except when heading to the beach) I will persevere with the battle to cover my face with something and fake a little glow.
I’ve talked A LOT here about primers and their essential role they play in keeping makeup on your face for longer than five minutes.
Whether you’re applying a BB or CC cream, tinted moisturiser or full-face foundation, a primer is key to any of steps you may incorporate into a summer makeup routine.
I don’t do all of the steps EVERY day. Sometimes, I pare it back to primer, BB Cream, mascara and lip gloss.
Other times – if heading out to dinner or an event – I add more steps or mix it up by swapping out the gloss with a statement lip colour. I might use an eye colour palette to get a bit more detailed with the eyes. If I’m due for a salon brow tint, I’d definitely add colour and definition there – nothing frames a face more.
It’s a routine that will translate for the office as well.
The idea with an everyday routine is that it’s not a dramatic difference from not wearing any makeup – it’s YOU but just slightly enhanced and glowy.
Where my routine below helps me – and I hope it helps you – is that these products form the base for all my summer makeup looks.
I store the products together near my bathroom sink and have the below routine down to about three-five minutes.
That short amount of time is enough to give my face – and my mindset – a little lift so I get on with whatever the day’s throwing at me.
My favourite lipgloss (in Sparkplug) is never far away from me but that’s all I touch up during the day.
Ready? Let’s get stuck in.
STEP 1: Apply primer. My primer here is also a blur cream, so it lays the first coat for my foundation but gives a lovely soft focus to my fine lines and pores. Garnier Perfect Blur 5 Sec Smoothing Base Perfector
STEP 2: Apply foundation. If I’m just at home for the day, then BB or CC Cream it is. I’ve got a whole drawer full but this one (Giorgio Armani Luminessence CC Cream) has sentimental value for me as it was the one used on me for our shoot with Carla Coulson in Paris. As for foundations, this one (Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin 24HR foundation) is all-year-round winner but very much comes into its own in summer for staying power.
STEP 3: Apply concealer where needed. Napoleon Perdis The One Concealer Light is never far from my kit.
STEP 4: Apply cream blush. Ditto NARS Illuminator in Orgasm which I use as a creamy blush on the apple of my cheeks.
STEP 5: Powder illuminator. And because too much illuminator is never enough, next up is a light, powdery buff of my new obsession, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light. This not only sets the liquid makeup products but feels like I’ve added an Instagram filter to my skin.
STEP 6: Eye colour/liner. I use my finger and first add the Hourglass powder to my eyelids – from lash to brow line. Then I take this “cheat” eye product – L’Oreal Paris Superliner Smokissime in brown smoke – to thickly line the brow and take the colour up to the eyelid crease. Using my pinky finger, I soften this line and, voila … eye colour.
STEP 7: Mascara. My eyes seem to disappear without at least a lick of mascara. This one’s a winner – Mud Mascara (available at Woolworths).
STEP 8: Lipgloss or lipstick. You’d find a Bareminerals Marvellous Moxie Lipgloss in Sparkplug in my handbag and in my bathroom. It’s my go-to. The shade is perfect for me and I love the hydrating formula that makes your lips look a little fuller.
Where to now?
Use my routine as a template to create your own simple everyday makeup routine.
Substitute in your preferences for each product type. Eliminate a product or step that you just don’t need or want in there.
Once you have your key products in place (try and keep them to under 10), find a way to store them together where you’ll find it easy to make their application part of your morning routine.
So tell me, do you have a simple summer everyday makeup routine? Do you have a key product you can’t leave out of any of your makeup routines?
Comments 41
Can you believe that I’ve only just subscribed to your posts today??? I certainly couldn’t believe it!
My summer makeup routine involves the Garnier Miracle Skin Cream, blush, brows, mascara, red lip liner and lipstick plus black eyeliner because every vintage gal needs her cat eyes! If I have an after work event, I will replace the miracle cream with a wet/dry foundation and take some shimmer eye shadow with me to work as part of my touch up.
I am now commuting to work on a motorbike and in summer that means lots of sweat by the time I reach the city; so I always have body spray, a comb and extra bobby pins plus my signature hair flower in the backpack 🙂
I do like the idea of the ambient light powder and I can see that you replied to someone below my comment; so a trip to Mecca is now in my future 🙂
Thanks for signing up Mish … and love your makeup routine!
Thanks Nikki!
Just saw the hourglass ambient light power you have used. It comes in 6 shades, not sure what colour I would used. I am similar colouring but with more ash blonde and green eyes
Hi Leeca, if you can get in to a Mecca store and try them out, that would be ideal. I did that and that’s how I chose this one.
Unfortunately, I’m in Newcastle and don’t have a Mecca store near me.
Next best thing would be to go online to the product page and use the “chat with a Mecca host” function – they’ll be able to help you out!
My potentially silly question is: are you meant to wait for each layer to set / dry before applying the next? For example, do you wait for the primer to set before putting on the BB cream? Ditto for the powder over foundation… is the idea to cake the powder on while the foundation is still wet, or wait for it to dry? (I can’t believe I’ve got to 40 and still don’t know the answer to this!)
No question is silly around here! You don’t have to wait between but it does pay in summer to wait a minute (that’s all) between primer and BB/foundation.
Lash extensions are amazing! I did go down that path a few years ago but the upkeep was too time-consuming for me. They are game changes though!
Yep totally agree, after years of youthful folly experimenting with makeup (hello ‘rainbow eye’ which required five shades of colour to be blended with great care), I am embracing the more ‘natural’ look in my more mature years. But I suppose that’s part of the ‘getting of wisdom’ of age, appreciating that ‘less’ really is ‘more’. On a good day I can get by with moisturiser, sunscreen, and a bit of colour on my lips. When it comes to primer, my vote goes to Chanel – it works best for me!
Love me the wisdom that comes with age – and thanks for your primer recommendation!
Oh I hope this isn’t a silly question… Do you use the Hourglass product as an all over powder to set your foundation? Thanks 🙂
No question is silly around here. I do in this instance but you can use it just to highlight certain areas of your face (where the light would hit).
A product from Becca called Under Eye Brightening Corrector is all I need in summer to brighten up a foundation free face. It also works well with foundation or CC cream should I choose to use them. The texture is amazing for mature skin as it is quite moist which means that the fine lines disappear along with the dark circles and there is none of that cakey residue that builds up with other under eye concealers sometimes. This product has been a real game changer for me.
Oh that is a good product Della! And I also have the Smashbox one. Works a treat.
Oh how good is the Hourglass Luminous Light! A swish of this with a fluffy brush feels so luxe and it gives such a pop to the skin.
SO good! A little daily treat 😉
Thanks so much for your real girl take on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, Nikki! After reading this post yesterday, I went off to Mecca Maxima and got my own palette. I’m loving it for all the reasons you’ve outlined in this post.
SSG xxx
Oh hope you continue to love! I should have got the palette … too much illumination is never enough xx
I’m going to look for that “blur” cream. To be honest, I’m not into make-up other than a BB cream and blush for my 48 year old skin, and I do tend to skip over your make-up posts (sorry!) but this one made me really pay attention. I liked your before and after and that drew me in to see what you used – and the blur cream “got me”! While I wouldn’t use most of the other make-up items, I’m going out tomorrow to get some “blur” cream and will try the Garnier one. So….thank you for today’s interesting post! Have a great week!
No need to apologise – I know it’s not for everyone and you know me – I just want you to be you! x
Great tips Nikki,I do a little routine everyday too and like you it depends on what I’m doing weather I wear foundation or BB cream or not,I’ve also go this little trick that seems to be working I mix two shades of foundation and some Smashbox artificial light together,it came about from buying a foundation that was too light and then one that was too dark ,so I mixed them together and viola new foundation,add some blush and done!
I also cannot go without mascara or brow powder as I have fine lashes and very faint brows.your makeup always looks lovely Nikki Xx
Love that Smashbox artificial light! And your makeup always looks lovely Lisa x
My workday / having to face people routine is: moisturiser, sunscreen, BB cream / light mousse foundation across the centre only, light dusting of mineral powder across the centre only, mascara, bit of brow colour, tinted lip balm (I might add a touch of cream blush or a red lip if I’m feeling a bit down).
My at home routine is: moisturiser, sunscreen, tinted lip balm.
Love how sorted you are in this department Mel!
I do have a routine everyday with a little more for work and a little less for home.
Since my beautician gave me a bit of a gee up about making sure I extend the sun protection down onto my chest, because she could see t-shirt marks, everything else has got a little bit simpler. I’m vain too, so the highlighting of sun damage making me look older worked!
The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit followed me home just before Christmas, and I love it. The level of glow, is just perfect and provides your own everyday filter.
Yes my chest suffered from many years of neglect – clawing back now! And glad you grabbed that edit!
all good tips thankyou nikki!
I can’t believe that i’m actually ordered in that department! must be your influence hun!
I still love the cover power of l’oreal true match colour it has a roller application which I love! … love my innoxa primer feels like silk!
always some bronser!
I like a glow not mat or caked look!
I told a young lass I was 65 yesterday and she said whaatt! … nooo! you’re not! … boosted the old ego no end!
lol m:)X
Yay for that lovely girl! And I’m with her – you’ve got it nailed!
I will be updating my beauty regime soon also. I love the Hourglass palettes. Skin perfection. I am on the hunt for a new foundation to mix up my regime. I still love my BB creams when I am at home. Oh and the Nars Orgasm Blush is an all time favourite. Thank you for sharing Nikki. V x
Do try this foundation V – I’ve put so many on to it and they all love!
Would love a video Nikki!!
Hoping to do more videos in the future Kerri.
I always use BareMinerals Prime Time as I am a sucker for anything that promises “radiance”. Loved the post Nikki and always love your graphics. What do you use? Photoshop? Canva? x
That’s such a good product! I used pic monkey for these, thanks
I use the bare minerals also and i love it
Great idea to keep them together, I will do that definitely 🙂
It’s made all the difference to me – no digging around – and easy to pack for overnight away too!
Followed your steps and agree that a powder makes such a difference! Sorted my frizzy hair too, summer does not work well with my hair.
Oh excellent Lauren!