Simple Beauty | Skincare & Makeup

I am my first and greatest steward and caretaker

We chatted about whatever came up, which included hair (the experience of going silver), and makeup, and skincare. I made pizza while we visited (my reader, April, baked an apple bunt cake - it was so pretty when it came out of the oven!). It was just lovely, spending slow time together on Sunday afternoon.

Our conversation reminded me that it’s been awhile since I’ve written about beauty. Simple beauty, I like to call it, because if it has anything to do with me, it must be simple. I’m not a beauty writer, and this is not a beauty blog, but I am passionate about simplicity in all the ways it intersects with my life, including beauty, wardrobe, and self-care.

Even more, I’m passionate about caring for what I’ve been given, which includes cherishing the gift that is me - mind, body, skin, hair. I am my first and greatest steward and caretaker. What an honor.

So, let’s talk about beauty today. Specifically skin care and makeup. (We love peeking into each other’s beauty kits and routines, don’t we?) Interestingly, I’m still using many of the same products I was four years ago. This is what I mean by simplicity - choosing products you love that will be with you for years, that won’t take too much time to apply each day, or too much storage space in the bathroom.

I cleanse and moisturize my skin every day with products from Island Apothecary, a small-batch, woman-owned company located on an island in Maine that produces organic skincare products. Daily skin care is a habit my mother instilled in me as a little girl, and I’ve never stopped. She insisted that the habit of skincare be the prelude to wearing makeup (I started wearing makeup at age 13, and started regular skincare at probably age 7) and I’ve been so grateful for it. I firmly believe that it’s the habit that counts - possibly even more than the product, when it comes to skincare.

Every evening, I cleanse my skin with the Everyday Oil Cleanser, then follow with the Nightcap Serum all over my face, and the Sundown Eye Serum around my eyes, on my forehead, and around the outside of my lips. I’ve recently started moisturizing my neck and décolletage with StriVectin Plus morning and night. In the morning, I steam my face with a warm/hot wash cloth and gently wipe away the night. I then freshen my face with Sunup Toner (I spritz it into my palm, rub my hands together, then smooth it over my face and neck), and moisturize my face with Rose Serum. I often apply Skinnies Sun Gel as a final layer before makeup (it takes the tiniest bit). On Spa Sundays I will apply this clay mask, which I feel has been one of the best things I’ve done for my skin.

I typically prefer a minimalist makeup look for myself, and believe that well-done eyebrows, eye lashes, blush, and lips create the most beautiful, natural makeup look. As a result, my makeup products and routine are pretty simple. When I have an event, I’ll start with Aveda’s tinted moisturizer (yes, after the other moisturizers I’ve already applied). I don’t use very much, as I don’t like to have my skin look “covered up.” I then apply an under eye concealer (the area under my eyes is naturally darker) and set it with Bare Minerals Original powder. I then apply an over-all light dusting of Bare Minerals Original powder to my face with a powder brush. (If I don’t have an event, I skip the tinted moisturizer and all-face powder).

Next, I’ll brush my eyebrows and touch them up with an eyebrow pencil, if needed. Last spring, I had my eyebrows Nanobladed for the first time, and I love, love the result! I searched for a long time for a person whose work I admired, and I’ve been so happy with my eyebrow artist’s ability to create natural looking brows. I’ve had mine retouched only once so far.

I don’t typically wear eyeshadow or eyeliner. Not that I don’t like these products, I’ve just gotten out of the routine of using them and don’t currently own any. But, I do like defined eyelashes. I’ve been using They’re Real mascara for several years now, but recently ordered Merit’s Clean Lash, which I’m excited to try.

For blush, I’m currently using Island Apothecary’s Biddy Balm Lip & Cheek Tint, in color Carmella (had to!). I simply draw a line in the hollow of each cheek (or the apple, depending on how I’m feeling that day) and blend it with a short bristled brush.

For my lips, I have a collection of four products to choose from that compliment my coloring: a red lipstick (I lost my previous one, so this one is on its way - excited to try!), a brick/brown lipstick (Butternut by Aveda, now discontinued), a nude lipstick (matte look, but it’s so creamy!), and a nude lip gloss (my favorite for years - I have one in my desk, car, purse, bathroom). I also have a nude lip liner and a brick/brown lip liner, which I wear with lipsticks and lip gloss, both.

And there you have it, loves. A few quality products, a few minutes a day, is my simple beauty routine, for living and feeling my best everyday.