My last day in the office was March 12. After a week of spring break, I returned to work, reverting my desk-turned-vanity to just desk. The makeup and button-up pants did not return to the new WFH arrangement.
After three weeks of going completely barefaced, I longed to use all my pretty makeup products still sitting in my top desk drawer. Makeup has once again become a workday habit but on a much smaller scale. Thanks to some products I purchased pre-pandemic, I’ve mastered my quarantine look. It only takes five minutes, and I only employ one makeup brush.
Step One: Foundation
I squirt one pump of my favorite Armani Luminous Silk Foundation into my clean, 20-second-washed hand. BUT THEN, I add two drops of Armani Fluid Sheer in shade 2. Think of it as liquid fairy dust in a bottle. Like a highlighter but subtle, if used appropriately. (I learned this trick from makeup artist Kayleen McAdams, who you should totally follow on Instagram.) I find that it gives me a healthy, glowy look for all those video calls. I mix it in my hands and blend all over my face and neck.
Step Two: Under Eye Concealer
This whole return to makeup first started with just using concealer. I got real tired of seeing those bags under my eyes. (Anyone else not sleeping great during quarantine?) Fenty Pro Filt’R Concealer was another pre-pandemic purchase. I wanted to try it because Rihanna’s makeup line offers shades for all skin colors, which is fabulous! Just a teeny dab under each eye delicately blended with a fingertip does it.
Step 3: Eyeshadow
More new Armani Beauty favorites – Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow. I own two shades — 27 Rose Gold and 44 Sunset. It’s a sponge-tip applicator, so I apply directly to my lids. I start with the Rose Gold along the lashline and blend up to the crease with my finger. Then I’ll apply the Sunset shade in the crease and outer corner, blend with finger. These eyeshadows are buildable, so you can start with a little and add more color to your preference.
Step 4: Eyebrows
Here’s where the one brush is used, an eyebrow grooming brush to get my eyebrows in place. Then I follow-up with Glossier Boy Brow, a great product for a quick groomed look. I love it so much, I just ordered my second tube. And while Boy Brow is technically a pomade wax, I’ll follow-up with e.l.f. Clear Brow and Lash Mascara to really set those brows in place. I’ve been using this stuff for years. It costs only $2, and I will use BOTH sides for brow grooming.
Step 5: Blush
I’m a big fan of liquid or cream blushes for their blendability and watercolor wash effect. To me, it provides the most natural looking flush. Just remember to start with a small amount and build, or you run the risk of looking like Raggedy Ann. I squirt a teeny bit into my fingertips, dab and blend onto the fullest parts of my cheeks.
Step 6: Mascara
L’Oreal makes about a hundred mascaras, and right now, I’m using the Voluminous Butterfly mascara. I remember using Voluminous mascara in high school! I like this one, because I prefer a rubber brush over bristles. And the curved shape of the brush makes it easy to apply close to the base of your lashes and to the outer lashes. The formula is buildable for those times you want the extra lash oomph.
Step 7: Lips
Truth? Mainly I just where plain ole Vaseline on my lips. But if my lips are looking pale that day, I’ll dab some of this Glossier Generation G lipstick in poppy red on my lips. It wears like a sheer stain. I like the look, but because it’s a matte finish, I don’t really wear it on its own, because my lips are too naturally dry.
And voila! Don’t I look totally ready to be completely locked up in my apartment all day??? Joking aside, in just a few minutes, I get a hint of what life used to feel like pre-quarantine. Small victories, Beautypendents.