Favorite Affordable Everyday Makeup – My 5 Step Routine & Products

As a working mom, I am constantly in a rush in the morning to get everyone ready, fed, and out the door on time during the week, so I’ve found my favorite makeup products that make “putting on my face” a breeze! Not to mention, most of my faves are super affordable!

Let’s start with the basics, the routine.

Step 1 – Prep Skin: During the week, I wash my face with 1 of 3 products. I rotate between Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser, Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser, or Nourish Botanical Beauty Glow Getter Cream Cleanser. I then take a cotton pad and saturate it with toner. I’ve been using Skin&Co Truffle Therapy Toner that I discovered in my fab fit fun box. Lastly, I  moisturize. Since my skin hasn’t been dry or anything, I’ve been sticking with my summer go-to moisturizer — Glow Recipe Pink Juice Moisturizer. This morning skincare routine really preps my skin for the day and for my makeup.

Step 2 – Apply SPF + Foundation: After my moisturizer has fully absorbed (typically after I’ve dressed and fed by daughter), I apply my SPF foundation combo (I never leave the house without sunscreen on my face because hello! I want to protect against skin cancer and sun damage that ultimately lead to more freckles and wrinkles). I’ve been using Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream with SPF 35! I use light/medium color and it gives me just enough coverage to camoflauge imperfections and also giving me the protection that I need from the sun’s harsh rays! I dab a few areas with the CC cream, like my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin and then use my Ulta brand blending sponge to spread the product across. If I’m in a real pinch, I just use my fingers.

Tip: Don’t forget to reapply suncreen if you are in direct sunlight! For an easy touch up, without having to put a full face of makeup on again, I use Supergoop! Setting Powder with SPF 45 in translucent. Just tap the brush and sweep your face with the powder.

Step 3 – Fill In Eyebrows: Another thing I never leave the house without are my eyebrows! I barely have any, so I fill in what I do have with Anastasia Dip Brow in Medium Brown. I swear by it. My brows always stay even when I’m dripping sweat on my Peloton bike. I use an it cosmetics liner brush. I start in the middle of my brow and trace the natural shape of my brows, then I work my way inward. I like a rounded look with my brows vs. square. Once I basically draw trace the shape of my brows, I fill them in with small strokes and apply more dip brow to my brush as needed.

Tip: Always start with a clean brush! It is key in having the most consistent looking brows and also affects the application of the product to your brows. Product glides on much easier!

Step 4 – Curl Lashes + Apply Mascara: I always start by curling my lashes because mine are super straight. Lucky you, if you have a natural curl to your lashes — I’m jealy! After curling with a Tweezerman eyelash curler, I apply a tubing mascara by Maybelline called Snapscara. I’m loving this right now because (1) it is easy to apply, (2) doesn’t clump, flake, or smudge, and (3) defines and lengthens.

Step 5 – Contour + Blush OR Apply Lip Color: I typically skip the lip color altogether and just use Maybeline Medicated Baby Lips and apply as needed just like a chapstick. So instead of spending time on my lips, I do a slight contour and add some blush. I use Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer to contour. I apply with a Real Techniques brush and start swirling the product onto the brush, and start by my ear under and sweep the brush under my cheekbone, following my natural face shape. Next, I apply blush on the apple of my cheekbone. I like to use a fan brush because you can control the amount of blush you apply. I start with a little and build until I get the color I want. I use another brush to blend the cheek and contour color. I don’t typically put a setting powder on top during the week because I’m usually rushed, but if I have time, I do use Cover FX. I usually opt for adding a touch of highlighter right above my cheek bone and just apply with my ring finger. I’ve been using an eyeshadow that I got in a Wet n’ Wild pallet.

Here are ALL the products and tools I mentioned and links to buy them.

Skincare:
Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Cleanser: $14.99, but you can usually get this on sale. Use this if you like the squeaky clean feeling and do not like fragrances. I don’t recommend for drier skin types. This is certified USDA organic! I typically will use this every morning. Get it here.

Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser: I use this mostly at night to get all the makeup off, but occasionally will use it in the morning when I accidentally fall asleep with makeup on or am too lazy to wash my face the night before (hey, it happens to the best of us). It does a really great job of taking off makeup, but it is a bit pricey at $32. Also, is fragrance free. Get it here.

Nourish Botanical Beauty Glow Getter Cream Cleanser: $14.99, but you can usually get this on sale. Use this if you have dry skin. I use this more in the winter or when my face feels dry. It is creamy and hydrating! Made with certified organic ingredients and also smells great. Get it here.

Skin&Co Truffle Therapy Toner – This was in my Fall Fit Fab Fun Box. It’s a little pricey at $27, but this came in my Fall Fab Fit Fun Box. Get the toner here.

Fab Fit Fun Box – Sign up here if you want to discover full sized products! It’s fun, you get surprises quarterly for $49.99, but the value of the products inside is $200+.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer – $42, a little on the pricey side, but I just love the jelly like consistency and the fragrance is yummy. Also, is light and makes my skin dewy without feeling greasy. Get it here.

SPF + Foundation:
Supergoop! CC Cream with SPF 35 – $27 and worth the 2-in-1 SPF + CC cream. I would say medium coverage. I love that this is a physical blocker vs a chemical blocker since I tend to breakout from chemical sunscreens. Get it here.

Ulta Blending Sponge – only $4.99 for the large OR 2 small. Get the large here. Get the 2 small here.

Supergoop! Transulcent Setting Powder SPF 45 – I use this to reapply when I’m in direct sunlight. Get it here.

Eyebrows:
Anastasia Dipbrow – $21, but lasts a long time and is worth the investment! I use Medium Brown. Get it here.

It Cosmetics Liner Brush – Good, quality brushes are a MUST! I invested in a travel size set with case that includes the liner brush among others. It is $48 and worth the investment! Get it here.

Lashes:
Tweezerman Eyelash Curler – $9.99, I love this brand for eyelash curler and actual tweezers. Get they eyelash curler here.
Maybelline Snapscara – $5.69 on Amazon. I use the color Pitch Black. Get it here.

Contour & Blush:
Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer – $30, I use Medium to Deep. This literally smells like chocolate! Get it here.

Maybelline FIT Blush – $4.68 on Amazon. I use Peach. Get it here.

Wet n Wild Eyeshadow used as Highlighter – I used the white, browbone eye shadow of a Wet n Wild eyeshadow pallet. The pallet color is Petalette and is $3.49. Get it here. I also use the transition color of this pallet for crease/all over shadow when I actually have time to apply it.

Cover FX Setting Powder – I use this and my It Cosmetics powder brush to blend the contour and blush especially if I feel like it’s a little too dark/much. I have the color Light. Get it here.

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush 3 piece set – This includes the contour brush and fan brush I mentioned. It’s only $9.49 at Target. Get it here.
Real Techniques Fan Brush
Cover FX Setting Powder

Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated – I use the color Coral Crave. Just the right amount of peachy pink, sheen, and protection.

Hope this was helpful! Have a question or enjoy this post? Leave a comment of follow me on Instagram.

With love 💕 and a little sparkle ✨,
Christine