My Minimal Nude Look for Everyday Wear
Some mornings I wake up feeling like I could pull off a red lip and winged liner… but then I remember I also have errands, a to-do list longer than my patience, and exactly 7 minutes to get on Google Meet. So let’s be honest: 99% of the time, I’m rocking my minimal, natural face.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a bold look for a night out (or you know, when my young friends personally invite me somewhere hip & cool – which happens never). But day-to-day? A natural, nude face feels the most me. Also, real talk ladies: the older we get, the more “full glam” just tiptoes dangerously into “drag queen” territory.
This routine is my everyday ride-or-die. It’s quick, simple, and makes me look put-together without feeling like I’ve shellacked my face. And the best part? Every product I use is legit, not just influencer clickbait. I’ve already wasted the time and money testing the those so you don’t have to.
My Everyday Nude Makeup Routine
1. Lightweight Base
I like my skin to look like skin. Translation: I’ve never been a foundation girl. I’ve never found the “perfect match” (apparently my skin tone is non-existent in the makeup world, warm light/light medium with pinky peach undertones… not neutral, not cool, not yellow… just a freckled alien shade). Foundation always just sits weird on me.
That’s why I stick with a skin tint. Morphe Hint Hint Skin Tint was my holy grail, finally blended in like it belonged. But of course, it was discontinued. Thanks, makeup gods. So no base for me anymore.
These days, if I want to wear a finishing powder I wear is Doll 10 Pink Power Brightening Treatment Powder. I don’t use powder often (dry skin + freckles = not friends), but this one is soft, blurring, and never settles into lines. Plus, it’s the only powder that doesn’t make me look like I’m too shiny or melting.
Link to purchase: Doll 10 Pink Power Brightening Treatment Powder
2. Concealer
This product is my ride or die. I’ve been wearing concealers since 5th grade. Back then it was for zit coverage. Today? Still zit coverage. Plus it covers a little redness on my nose and chin. Some things never change.
My holy grail: Laura Geller Cancel-n-Conceal. It was technically made for under-eye circles (since it’s pink-toned), but it somehow matches my skin perfectly. Sadly, it’s discontinued. (Yes, I panic-bought two backups today. No shame. If you spot it in stock, treat it like a Taylor Swift ticket drop and run for it.)
Link to purchase: Laura Geller Cancel-n-Conceal Skin Perfector & Color Corrector
Plan B: R.E.M. Sweetener Concealer. Smooth, blendable, covers everything with just a dot. Shade matching is a little tricky for me in the summer, but in winter I’m light 7c all the way. And yes, it’s from Ariana Grande. Side note: not my favorite celeb (ever since Cat Valentine Victorious days I’ve had thoughts about the infantilized-sexualized persona she portrayed. Yuck 🙄). My daughter adores her though, so clearly this is a “agree to disagree” household. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Link to purchase: R.E.M. beauty Sweetener Concealer- light 7 c
Runner-up and GOAT: Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer. If you can find your shade, this is the GOAT. It’s really good and makeup artists agree. It covers everything, blends like a dream, and somehow makes you look natural instead of like you just slapped a patch over a problem area. I just wish Glossier had thought of me when they made their shade chart. (Rude, honestly.)
Link to purchase: Glossier Stretch Concealer G10
3. Cream Bronzer + Blush
Blush and bronzing powders and I officially broke up years ago. We’re never ever ever getting back together (cue Taylor Swift). Once your skin starts getting a little drier with age, powder just sits there looking cakey and cranky. Cream formulas, on the other hand? They melt in, look natural, and stick around all day. I have a few powder products that are really good and old favs but they are no longer in my makeup bag- but I have them pictured here if you need powder recommendations.
Bronzer crush: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer. Cool-toned, shimmer-free, and blends like an actual dream. Honestly, it puts some of the pricey bronzers to shame. It is sooo nice on the skin and looks like a natural kiss of sun (and tan).
Link to purchase: Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer-110 Hey Honey
As for blush… I’m a blush girl through and through. I LOVE Blush. I need a flushy face to make me look alive. I’ll wear pink, peach, rose, mauve-you name it. It doesn’t even have to “match” my undertone. If it makes my cheeks look alive, it’s in my rotation. I have several favorites.
Blush crush: My daily go-to is Tower 28 (chef’s kiss). And when I want a little extra oomph, I layer it with another shade for that “did she just get back from a walk in crisp fall air?” kind of glow. (Those that know, know I did not go on that walk 😉)
Link to purchase: Rare Face Blush&Beauty Blush Soft Pinch Long-lasting Liquid Blush (Hope, 0.75ml)
Link to purchase: e.l.f. Camo Liquid Blush, Long-lasting Liquid Blush For High-pigment Color, Creates A Soft, Dewy Finish, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Cheeky Lychee
Check this blush out. Bayfree Multi Glow Balm. It is fabulous. Creamy, light pigment that is buildable, totally natural on the skin and a dupe for a very expensive brand. It is made with Jojoba oil and shea butter, so it is very moisturizing. I have 2 different colors and I wear them almost daily. So affordable and really chic and really pretty on the skin.
Link to purchase: Bayfree Multi Glow Balm, Cream Blush for Cheeks, Blush Balm Face Makeup, Radiant Finish, Hydrating, Creamy, Lightweight & Blendable Color, Face Makeup
4. Neutral Eyes
Most days, I just swipe bronzer on my lids and call it eyeshadow. Sometimes I skip altogether and just do mascara.
Here’s my mascara struggle: sensitive, watery eyes. I need something that won’t flake, clump, or run but I also refuse to use waterproof (too harsh, too much work to wash off). I finally found my holy-grail mascaras that stand up to real-life eye-watering without making me look like a raccoon.
(Links coming because you’ll want these.)
I have tried all the expensive mascaras: Too Faced Better Than Sex, Benefit They’re Real!, Lancôme Monsieur Big, Benefit Roller Lash, Hourglass tubing mascaras, and ILIA Limitless Lash. Not a fan. They are okay but most honestly flake or smudge.
Maybelline beats all of them. That girly has really good mascaras. If you are still using Great Lash, throw that fossil away. Try Maybelline Full ‘n Soft. It is such a underrated mascara. Try it- you will see why it is so nice.
Link to purchase: Maybelline New York Full ‘N Soft Washable Mascara, Very Black
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara: A drugstore champion that delivers serious length and volume. It’s a best seller for a reason.
Link to purchase: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara Makeup, Volumizing, Lengthening, Defining, Curling, Multiplying, Buildable Formula, Very Black
For liner: Wet n Wild. Yep, the drugstore gem. It seriously lasts like a high-end tattoo liner. These days I reach for brown instead of black. It’s softer, more flattering, and doesn’t scream “trying to relive my 20s.”
Link to purchase: wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Eyeliner – Ultra-Fine Brush, Waterproof, 16-Hour Long-Lasting Wear – Cruelty-Free & Vegan – Brown
5. Brows
Ah yes, the curse of being a 90’s girl. I fell victim to the pencil-thin brow trend, and let’s just say… they never grew back. (Why didn’t anyone warn us?!) The ones that did grow back are translucent.
Now I use a brow pencil daily. My go-to is e.l.f. Brow Pencil, it’s cheap, easy, and it just works. My old fave (Tarte Fulfill Framer) is discontinued, because apparently everything I love disappears. Fingers crossed Tarte redeems themselves with a new replacement. I like brow filler gels too but they can be tricky, so on the day to day- I skip them.
Link to purchase: e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil, Dual-Sided, Precise, Fine Tip, Shapes, Defines, Fills Brows, Contours, Combs, Tames, Blonde
6. Lips
Okay, technically all you need is Burt’s Bees Original Peppermint (not any other flavor!!) Lip Balm. But if you want to look like you tried (without actually trying), my formula is: nude liner + long wearing shade.
Link to purchase: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm – Original Beeswax, Lip Moisturizer With Responsibly Sourced Beeswax, Tint-Free, Natural Origin Conditioning Treatment, 2 Tubes, 0.15 oz.
MAC Spice has been my forever go-to liner (25 years and counting). These days, Ilia Lip Sketch Crayons are also in rotation because they’re creamy and not as dry. These lip crayons are a high-quality lip color/liner that stays on for several hours, with beautiful tint options. I have 3 different colors.
For color lipstick, I still adore Clinique Almost Lipstick- Black Honey. It’s trending again, but honestly, it never went out of style for me. They have introduced a new shade Nude Honey that I am dying to try out. My guess is that it will be on this list next year.
Link to purchase: Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in 3 Iconic Shades Black Honey
Here’s the Lip gloss version too: Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in 3 Iconic Shades in Black Honey, Pink and Nude Honey | Conditions Lips + Gives Cheeks a Natural, Dewy Flush
Tarte maracuja juicy lip balm is a great long lasting gloss. It’s super moisturizing and not sticky. I am weirdly allergic to some glosses but this one gives me no grief. I love them. You can often find a 2 pack to try out 2 color combos, which I like.
Link to purchase: tarte maracuja juicy lip balm bestsellers duo – rose & passion fruit – full size
Another long lasting lip color line is from guess who…Maybelline! Here is another duo to try for a 16 hour wear.
Link to purchase: MAYBELLINE Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Makeup Long Lasting High Impact Color Up to 16H Wear Self-Starter Light Red and Ringleader Mauve Pink
Link to purchase: Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Matte Longwear Lipstick Makeup, 145 Break The Ceiling, 0.04 oz
Now here is a surprise. This is a totally random Amazon purchase that I ended up loving. It’s a liquid lip tint (kinda like a stain)called Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint. It does NOT budge once set.
Link to purchase: Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint – High Pigment Color, Longwear, Weightless, Not Animal Tested, Gluten-Free, Paraben-Free (017 ROSY NUDE)
Why I Love This Look
This routine takes under three minutes, works for every season, and doesn’t feel like “too much.” It’s makeup that enhances instead of hides. It’s age-friendly, skin-friendly, and honestly? Wallet-friendly.
So if you’re a minimal girl at heart or just need an everyday look this nude look will be your new BFF. Trust me, these products are worth it. I’ve tested, tried, and tossed the flops so you don’t have to, and these products are the ones that actually deliver.
So go ahead, steal my routine. Your skin (and your morning routine) will thank you. And trust me once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
👇 Here’s the lineup that actually works (no hype, no regrets). Shop my tried-and-true accessory picks below.
My makeup bag that is small enough to pack in a bag and travel with.
Link to purchase: Conair Double Zip Organizer Makeup Bag Toiletry Bag for Women
Curl your eyelashes, it makes a huge difference in length and fluffiness.
Link to purchase: Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler Model No. 1034-R, Stainless Steel
I use a concealer brush instead of my fingers to get nice smooth sunk in coverage. My brush is a dinosaur but here is an updated version.
Link to purchase: Morphe V105 Dense Edged Concealer Brush – Vegan Pro Series Makeup Brush for Liquid & Cream Makeup – Provides Concentrated Coverage in a Single Press (1 Count)
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