I found makeup YouTube about a decade later than many of you. Lisa Eldridge is my hero, and after watching countless tutorials, I made some changes to my daily makeup routine that really have made a big impact. Mainly, I now understand the order in which I should apply products, how to apply foundation, and a genius way of using red lipstick that looks natural and effortless. 

The steps I take are really about focusing on the areas of your face you’d like to touch up with makeup, and leaving the rest mostly alone. For me, I find that my skin usually has some redness, so even when I have less than six minutes to get ready in the morning, I generally don’t skip the process of concealing that, whether with a light foundation application or concealer (or both). Additionally, my lips are pretty pale so I almost always apply something to them.

The whole process below tends to take about six minutes for me. If I have even less time to get ready in the morning, I’ll simply apply some concealer, blush, sometimes a swipe of mascara, and lipstick, which takes about two minutes from start to finish.

Here is a breakdown of how I apply each product, and what brush types I use! If you don’t want to invest in brushes right now, keep in mind that most of these products could also be applied with your fingers. Additionally, there are always good drugstore brush options available, a few of which I’ve linked below.

Want more? Head to the W&D Instagram to see the process below in video form!

Step 1: Eyebrows

After I wash my face and apply moisturizers and sunscreen, I start with my eyebrows. I use a brush and brow soap to shape my brows, and some powder (which is actually an eyeshadow I’ve had on hand for a while) to fill them in.

Eyebrow Products

– Brow Soap: Jason Wu Beauty the Bush Eyebrow Soap
– Powder: Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow
– Brow Brush Duo: e.l.f Eyebrow Duo Brush

Step 2: Foundation

I dot foundation in the middle of my face and then blend it out. I use a smaller brush to apply it to my face and a foundation brush to blend it across my face.

I used to apply concealer first, then foundation, but I learned that if I start with foundation, sometimes that ends up being enough and the concealer isn’t needed.

Foundation Products

– Foundation: Laura Mercier Flawless Foundation
– Small Brush: Sephora Collection Concealer Brush
– Foundation Brush: MAKE UP FOR EVER Foundation Brush

Step 3: Concealer

I don’t always use concealer, but if I still have red spots on my skin, I’ll dot concealer onto a couple of spots with a tiny brush. I use a smudge brush to apply the concealer to the areas that need it, then blend it with a concealer brush.

I’ll also sometimes brush concealer onto the inside and outside of my eyes, which I find visually lifts my eyes a bit.

Concealer Products

– Concealer: These are two of my favorites: RMS “Un” Cover-up and ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer
– Smudge Brush: e.l.f. Small Smudge Brush
– Concealer Brush: Sephora Collection Concealer Brush

Step 4: Blush + Highlighter

I apply liquid blush on my cheeks and eyelids. I love using a blending brush when applying liquid blush to my cheeks (for my eyelids, I just add it on with my fingers). In my experience, it can be easy to overdo it with liquid blush. A blending brush has helped me hold back and get that healthy flushed appearance that doesn’t necessarily look like makeup. 

After the blush is applied, I’ll put highlighter on my cheeks and the top of my eyelids. I apply it directly with the highlighting stick and blend it with my fingers.

Blush and Highlighter Products

– Blush: NARS Liquid Blush
– Highlighter: Hourglass Highlighting Stick
– Blending Brush: MAKE UP FOR EVER Blending Brush

Step 5: Eyeliner + Mascara

I’ll do a quick application of eyeliner in a relaxed cat-eye shape, plus a quick swipe of mascara if I have time. Since I’ve been using eyeliner for so long, it doesn’t take me too long to apply it, and I find that the gel eyeliner makes the application process even easier.

Eye Products

– Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (in Caviar Ink)
– Eyeliner Brush: Bobbi Brown Eyeliner Brush
– Mascara: ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Step 6: Lipstick

Lastly, I’ll add a swipe of red lipstick and will sometimes add Vaseline over it for hydration. I’ve found that the key to using red lipstick without needing to be super precise or looking “overdone” is to dab it on your lips and then blend it in with your finger. It can be slightly imperfect and smudged and it takes all of ten seconds to look fresh and put together. 

Lip Product

– Lipstick: Peripera Ink Airy Velvet Lipstick in Emotional Red

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Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.