10 Products You Need for a 10-Minute Makeup Routine
One beauty trend that I think we can all agree will continue with us in post-lockdown will be the art of effortless and subtle makeup. To get specific: any makeup routine that takes 10 minutes or less to simply enhance our natural beauty rather than cover it up under layers of heavy makeup is ideal.
Since many of us still work from home (and may continue to do so), we are craving products that aren’t overly fussy or thick and heavy, especially in this Summer heat. In my opinion, quarantine is the perfect opportunity to declutter your makeup drawer, get rid of expired products you haven’t used in years, and invest in a small collection of key players that you can use every single day.
Unless you are a professional makeup artist, the honest truth is that we just don’t need 30+ makeup products. When was the last time you used that bright blue eyeshadow, the deep rosy blush, or the bubblegum-pink lipliner?
Instead of buying a ton of cheap, trendy makeup, I personally prefer to invest in just 10 high-quality products that are kind to my skin and ideal for wearing every day (even when I just want to feel pulled together at home).
My favorite makeup products range from $5 to $68 and some of these products last me anywhere from 6 months to a year. Since swapping out my giant, cluttered cosmetic cases for only 10 products that I use on a consistent basis now, my skin has NEVER looked or felt better.
I thought that I would feel more self-conscious with this new, minimal makeup routine, however I must say that it has been the exact opposite experience for me. I feel more confident and beautiful in my own skin while using simple tools to enhance my features and give myself a healthy, natural glow rather than hiding underneath heavy creams and powders.
Having a go-to 10 minute makeup routine that you can complete every morning with ease, in the passenger seat of your car, or on vacation is key (it also helps significantly with packing).
This takes the stress and decision-making aspect out of your mornings and simply makes it a consistent part of your routine that you can look forward to.
Are you ready to transform your makeup routine? Here are the 10 products you need for a 10-minute effortless and natural look (listed in the order of how I use them):
(In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out my last beauty post: 25 Insanely Gorgeous Makeup Trends to Try in 2020.)
01. Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow face Primer
This soft focus glow primer creates a smooth and plump canvas for applying your makeup. In addition to it being an incredible priming tool, the subtle shimmer in the light and airy cream will mimic a perfect Summer glow from bathing in the sun (without the skin damage, of course).
Florescent Core Light Diffuser: re-emits light around the face and soft focuses to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections
Bionymph Peptide: for smoother and plumper looking skin
Wild Pansy Extract: is rich in oligosaccharides to keep the skin looking plump and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
Hyaluronic Acid: helps keep your skin hydrated for up to 24 hours
Rosehip Oil: helps revitalize the appearance of skin
Camellia Oil: moisturizes for dewy-looking skin
02. Armani beauty LUMINOUS silk Foundation
This pricey foundation is a well-known beauty lover’s preference, and for good reason. Personally, I can’t find a product that comes close to comparing to the Luminous Silk foundation when it comes to quality and buildable, flawless coverage.
I am generally a “full-coverage” gal myself, but with this liquid foundation, I find that I only need 1-2 small pumps for my entire face. For this reason, I believe this oil-free foundation to be incredibly cost-effective and well worth the once-a-year splurge.
Made with patented Micro–fil™ technology; Unlike other foundations, which are made with round pigments that cause separation on the skin, Micro–fil™ technology pigments lay flat for seamless blending and layering, a flawless, second-skin effect and a lit-from-within glow
03. NARS radiant Creamy Concealer
Over the past year, I have gone back and forth between this concealer and the Urban Decay Stay Naked Correcting Concealer. They both do an excellent job at covering dark circles and brightening up my under-eyes, and are sold at the same price point.
However, I notice that when I use the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, I don’t have any creasing under my eyes throughout the day, whereas with the Urban Decay Concealer, that happens from time to time, especially if worn in the heat. All in all, both are great options and work well to correct imperfections and brighten under-eyes!
Mineral Tone Balancing Powder: Works to optically correct, not mask, imperfections
Multi-Active Botanical Blend (Magnolia Bark Extract, Grape Seed Extract, and Vitamin E): Helps hydrate, reduce the appearance of redness, and support skin resilience by promoting moisture retention
Light-Diffusing Mineral Powder: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps even out the look of skin tone
04. Charlotte Tilbury filmstar Bronze & glow contour Duo
I honestly cannot rave about this bronzer and highlighter palette enough! I completely ditched all of my prior bronzer and highlighter singles in favor of this duo. Not only are the colors absolutely stunning, perfectly shimmery, and have warm tones to give your face a healthy glow, but they work so well when paired together.
The bronzer in this palette also doubles as my eyeshadow when I want a natural, glowy makeup look that gives the impression that I just stepped off the beach.
A luminous complexion is the perfect base for your makeup look, so a gorgeous glow is vital
The bronzer is a blend of pearl and pigment to help contour your face and mimic that sun-kissed skin
The highlighter has a golden base to universally flatter any skin tone, with Light Flex Technology to capture and reflect light just where you want it
Color-rich pigments are rolled into elastomer pearls that smooth and buff your skin for a blendable and even coverage
Ideal for fair to medium skin tones who want subtle yet buildable color
05. Charlotte Tilbury cheek to chic Blush
This is the first blush product that I have used consistently throughout the years. The 2 colors included are high-quality and buildable and don’t give you a cheesy, unnatural look when applied.
Just a dab of this blush on my cheekbones (and sometimes on the tip of my nose) give the perfect touch of Summer color.
Color: Pillow Talk Intense - deep rosy pink
Light Flex Technology captures & reflects light for a glowing complexion
Color-rich pigments are rolled into finely crushed pearls that buff & smooth your skin for excellent blendability & flawless color uniformity
The formula is buildable for the healthy, perfect, even glow
Paraben-free
06. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
At this point, I feel like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow products are a staple in every woman’s makeup bag. They are so wonderfully designed to outline and fill eyebrows naturally and effortlessly. I am personally a fan of the brow wiz because of its ultra-thin pencil that creates precise, hair-like strokes.
With my hair being blonde and my eyebrows a bit darker, I personally prefer the pencil as opposed to the pomade because makes it easier for me to hold the pencil delicately when filling so that my brows can remain light, natural-looking, and relaxed instead of thick, wet, and bold.
Mimics natural hair
Long-wearing, smudge-proof formula
Glides on effortlessly
07. Maybelline fast SCULPTING Clear Brow Gel
This is one of my favorite and least expensive makeup finds recently. I snagged it at our local drugstore and even on days where I skip my brow pencil entirely, I still do a quick swipe of this clear gel to help my eyebrows hold the perfect shape.
Ophthalmologist tested and is suitable for contact lens wearers
Fast, easy, brow sculpting on-the-go with this taming brow gel mascara
The mini sculpting brush quickly tames brows
The pigmented gel formula delivers instant color and all day hold for flawless brows
08. too faced Better Than Sex Mascara
I have been using and obsessing over this mascara for years now. It is the #1 bestselling prestige mascara in the U.S., and for good reason. I have used many different mascaras in the past at various price points and I stand by my claim that this product is the best at making my lashes appear long, thick, and defined.
It is the main reason why I stopped using false eyelashes and getting lash extensions years ago.
Extra stiff bristles to maximize the performance of this carbon black, collagen-fueled formula
One coat and lashes are full and defined; two coats and lashes are even more luscious, curled, and dramatic; three coats help you achieve the most intense, black, multidimensional lashes possible
09. NYX professional butter Gloss
This is hands-down the best drugstore beauty product I have ever used. Of course, I still love my Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner for a more “glam” look, but the NYX Professional Butter Gloss is a staple even on days when I wear only mascara.
I always have a tube on me for reapplying throughout the day and it never dries out my lips or irritates them like other brands I’ve used in the past.
They have a huge variety of long-lasting lip colors including several natural shades that work flawlessly for a no-makeup-makeup look. My favorite shade of all time is Creme Brûlée. I swear it is the most gorgeous “nude” with a hint of pink perfect for everyday wear.
Sheer-to-medium coverage
Glides on silky-smooth
Softens and conditions lips while giving a hint of color and gloss
Cruelty-free
10. lilah b. aglow hydrating + setting Face Mist
Now for one of my most cherished beauty products: the Lilah B. Aglow Hydrating + Setting Face Mist. The product is quite expensive, but truly worth every penny. The lavender essential oil infused mist is heavenly and it is enriched with skin-conditioning botanicals to set makeup, refresh, and hydrate with a dewy finish.
I love how this setting spray keeps my skin healthy-looking and my makeup in place throughout the day (especially in this Southern heat) without appearing matte.
Hot tip: buy the mini for a fraction of the full-size price; this is also great for throwing in your bag on-the-go or traveling!
Knot-Grass Extract: Contains firming properties to provide support
Dandelion Extract: Helps to cleanse, soothe, and promote skin radiance
Fig Extract: Contains soothing, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties
Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging
Shop the 10 Products you need for a 10-minute makeup look:
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Which makeup product is your all-time favorite? Tag me in your gorgeous selfie or comment on my latest post and tell me!
Want more beauty inspiration? Read 25 Insanely Gorgeous Makeup Trends to Try in 2020 and 25 Nail Art Designs for Spring That Aren't Tacky.
Lastly, do you want some inbox love? Get the special treatment: exclusive content, sales I'm loving, new blog posts, social media, & more. Join our email list now!
xo Anna Elizabeth