Minimalist Summer Makeup Routine

Today I'd like to talk about my Minimalist Summer Makeup Routine and how I achieve a minimal everyday long-lasting makeup look using only five products. I'm a minimalist all year round, but summer is the time when I cut down both makeup and skincare to its core. Forget about primer, concealer, blush, pencils and shadows, and say 'hello' to quick, easy and simple makeup which may not be full coverage, but will last long and fade nicely in heat and humidity even on oily skin such as mine. If you'd like to find out more about the skincare products I apply before makeup, make sure to check out my Minimalist Summer Skincare Routine.

STEP 1 | BASE

When it comes to base makeup in the summer, I try to keep the layers as minimal as possible. I skip primers, concealers and correctors, and jump straight to powder foundation. I must admit I haven't been a true fan of powder foundation until I've tried Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation in Fair (9 g/€32.45). All the powder foundations I've tried before, whether loose or pressed, usually emphasized my pores and any sort of texture I might have had. I don't know what kind of magical unicorn sorcery is at hand here, but the Laura Geller powder blends better than most liquid foundations I've tried. Usually, the more I buff a powder foundation, the worse it looks on the skin. With this one, the more I buff, the more it blends and melts into the skin, leaving the most unbelievable skin-like finish. Plus, it lasts for a long time even in Mediterranean heat and humidity, without relying on my trusty beloved All Nighter. I'm simply in awe of this product, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to various skin types if you can find a shade in the crudely limited shade and are looking for sheer to medium quick and easy coverage. I have to mention and give thanks to a dear YouTuber Thataylaa because I would probably never even noticed it if it hadn't been for her rave review.

STEP 2 | BROWS

After I cover the base, I like to do the brows to frame the face. I love multitasking products such as Maybelline Brow Precise Fiber Filler Brow Mascara in Medium Brown (8 ml/€9.45). It's a tinted brow gel that contains fibers which add volume to your brows and help keep them in place. Just a few upward strokes and my brows are set for the rest of the day. I also like the applicator on this one because it comes to a pointy end which - as I accidentally discovered by dropping it and somehow managing to catch it in mid-air - is great for drawing thin long-lasting hair-like strokes.

STEP 3 | EYES

As minimal as my makeup routine can get, I never ever skip mascara. TBH, I rarely wear eye shadow, liner or anything else on my eyes other than mascara. My eyelids are so hooded, and I see so poorly without my glasses that I've given up on any further futile eye shadow/eyeliner attempts, and I just stick to mascara. Mascara does wonders for opening up my hooded eyes, but I've struggled for a shamefully long time trying to find a formula that won't smudge on my oily eyelids. At last, I've discovered there's a thing called tubing mascaras which are specifically designed for that non-smudging purpose. DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara in Black (5 ml/€18.45) is the first tubing mascara I've tried, and thankfully, it works. No smudging even after hours and hours of wear. Hurrah! If you're looking for a smudge-proof formula that gives lashes long-lasting definition, length and separation, DHC has got you covered. If it's good enough for Lisa Eldridge who uses it in so many of her videos, it's good, period.

STEP 4 | LIPS

The most exciting part about my summer makeup routine are definitely the lips, and it's all due to Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Telluride (3.4 g/€27.95). It's a recent discovery for me, but boy, oh, boy, what a discovery! The formula is an innovative hybrid between lipstick and lip balm with the lasting power of a lip stain. The finish is soft matte, and it's surprisingly transfer-resistant for such an ultra lightweight feel on the lips. You can layer it to build opaqueness, and it never loses the weightless non-drying feel. It's basically everything I could ever want from a lipstick. The shade Telluride is not your average summer choice, but I love these kinds of shades to warm up and contrast my pale complexion all year round. Though, I can already hear my wallet weeping from all the other shades that caught my eye, and I mostly have one of my dearest YouTubers Matilda to blame.

STEP 5 | BRONZER

The last step in my summer makeup routine is bronzer. I like to apply bronzer at the very end because I have a better feel of how much or little I need. The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer (7 g/€20.45) is a classic favourite for a good reason. The matte formula is smooth, buildable and easy to work with, and the colour has just the right depth and undertone to be suitable for pale to medium skin tones of various undertones. It looks frighteningly dark in the pan, but I can pull it off even at my palest (NC10) with a light hand and a loose brush. It lasts fairly well on the skin, although you'll need a touch up if you're going to rock it from early in the morning to late at night. I apply it in the usual ˝3˝ shape plus down the neck and on the cheeks instead of blush. Basically, everywhere. With a major emphasis on a light hand!

What does your summer makeup routine look like? Do we share some favourites? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

Yours lovingly,
Minnie 


Image credit: QVC UK, Maybelline, Dermstore, Shape, The Balm.
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