Products to love if you don’t like wearing a lot of makeup

A while ago, I was sitting in a friend’s living room, we were about to go out and grab lunch when I asked if I could borrow a brow pencil. “Oh, I don’t have any makeup” she answered.

“What?” I asked looking at her. “I don’t have any makeup” she answered, “is that weird?” No, I didn’t think it was weird, I actually thought it was kind of cool. I don’t really know why I was so surprised at the fact that a girl in her mid twenties has never worn, or even tried wearing makeup. The funny thing is, I’ve never noticed.

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago, I get a txt from her, asking why I’ve never told her about foundation. I asked what she meant and she told me that she had her makeup done, for the first time ever, by another friend who’s a MUA. She kept telling me all about how glowing and even her skin looks. I told her to be careful- she might have started a dangerous love affair with makeup products, one that might cost her a pretty penny.

I obviously love makeup- duh!– but it doesn’t mean I wear it every single day. I don’t really think of makeup as a “must”. Is it a hobby? Maybe, although it feels a little bit more than just that. Let’s just say that while my husband likes to spend his money on sports memorabilia, I like to spend mine on makeup. A lot of people think that makeup is about “covering” yourself up. Some say that people who wear makeup are insecure or afraid to go out bare-faced. While I know that this may be the case for some (as it was for me too, at one point when my acne was at its worse), I think that most of us do it, because we like it- not because we feel that we “have” to. What do you guys think?

If you don’t like wearing a lot makeup, but still like to wear some, stick to light bases that won’t feel heavy on your skin. A light base and a little mascara is all I feel like using on some days. L’Oreal’s True Match is one of the best drugstore foundation that has a very natural finish and a thin formula. Guerlain’s Meteorites Baby Glow is another very light base that won’t leave you looking and feeling like you’re wearing too much makeup. IT Cosmetics Anti-Aging Armour Super Smart Skin-Perfecting Beauty Fluid SPF50+ will give your skin minimal coverage, while feeling lightweight (it works nicely when used under foundation, too, but might not be the best for anyone who’s fair-skinned).

A lot of volumizing mascaras can get clumpy- when trying a mascara go for something that gives a very natural look- like Maybelline’s Great Lash or something that will separate them nicely and won’t feel heavy- like Maybelline’s Push Up Falsies Angel.

UD’s Naked Basics is a great little palette that has everything you need to delicately define your eyes (their Naked concealer can also be your best friend- it’s very lightweight and has a natural finish). I also love Cork, Wedge and Brule singles from MAC.

Laura Mercier’s Translucent Powder is one of my favorite products and it’s great to use for mattifying your skin slightly, even if not wearing any foundation. Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette is also great for anyone who prefers a natural-looking glow. These powders won’t look shimmery or give you that over-the-top highlight look. Instead, they’ll diffuse light and enhance your natural complexion. Add some lip balm or a sheer lippie and you’re good to go.

MAC Cork, Wedge, Brule, UD Naked Concealer in Light Warm, Givenchy Rose Caprice and IT Cosmetics Beauty Fluid.

Do you remember your first makeup experience? I remember like it was yesterday, when one of my mom’s friends showed me how to use a lip liner. She used to just use a nude liner with a little lip balm and I thought it was the coolest thing, ever. :) I think at one point, I tried recreating that “look” with a coloring pencil.