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If you haven’t subscribed to me yet substackThis is where I get a little more personal – writing from the heart about self-care, motherhood, wellness, and everything in between. My community loved this post, so I wanted to share an excerpt with you here.
What most people don’t know about me is how much I love makeup. Yes, I keep it simple and really natural, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t fully embraced the magic of a skin-improving CC cream, a plumping lip color, or a mascara that makes my lashes look a mile long.
During college I worked at a clinic counter and it was there that I witnessed the transformative power of beauty. One woman who walked away shyly showed me the blush placement that lifted her cheeks, or the lipstick that really suited her skin tone — and she walked away feeling like the most beautiful version of herself. That experience permanently shaped my thinking about makeup: It should be simple, and it should make you feel You.

Thanks to the strange world of influencer marketing, I get sent tons of new products to try. When it comes to makeup, I keep maybe 5% of what I get. I’m super discerning when it comes to products that actually work, and I’d rather have a makeup drawer full of simple, easy-to-use products that I use daily than things I rarely use.
However, here’s what I’ve noticed: Most people’s makeup drawers tell a different story. Lots of products, lots of steps, and somehow it still takes forever — or gets abandoned entirely on busy days when you really want to look good.
So today I’m sharing the routine I’ve spent years refining into its most essential form. Five minutes, start to finish—whether it’s a day full of Zoom or I’m going out at night. I’m also sharing the natural nail rehab routine that finally got my post-gel nails actually growing back.
I’ve never actually written a step-by-step before, so consider this the closest thing to seeing me getting ready in my bathroom. Below are the exact routines and products that make it work.
my daily makeup routine
After taking care of my skin (All details here), I prepare This mattifying primer. I should mention that my T-zone gets really shiny throughout the day, which has no effect on the appearance of my pores. So my goal is to create a more matte look in the center of my face, and to let glow and highlights occur on my cheeks, brow bones – wherever the light naturally falls.
Then I use my fingers to dot the dots this base Apply it to my nose, forehead, lower eyes, eyelids and chin, press it into my skin and then blend it out. I always come back to it because of its good amount of coverage and natural finish, plus it looks like your real skin. And it really lasts all day.
Unlock the full post here As for my exact 5-minute makeup routine—which I’ve refined over the years to feel sophisticated, natural, and actually doable on busy days. I’m sharing every step, the products that make it work, and the nail rehab routine that ultimately led to my post-gel nails growing back.
