I used to wake up in the morning with yesterday’s makeup still smudged across my face, and instead of washing it off, I’d layer more on top: no moisturizer, no eye cream, no sunscreen—nothing. At the time, I liked to think I was getting away with it since everyone had smokey eyes, matte skin, and Pepto Bismol-colored lipstick. It was a different era. Now, my skincare routine (outlined in full here) is anything but simple. It’s one of those high-maintenance things that somehow makes life low-maintenance in the long run. In a perfect world, I do my skincare at least ten minutes before makeup, so it has time to settle in and lose that too-shiny look. By then, my skin has this slightly tacky finish—perfect for making everything I apply afterward stick and last all day.
I can appreciate a quick 3-step routine when necessary, but honestly, I love the process of putting on makeup. It's one of my favorite forms of self-care that keeps me present and focused on the task at hand while eagerly anticipating what's next. I've perfected my TikTok algorithm to serve me mainly beauty tutorials and makeup recommendations (with the occasional conspiracy theory sprinkled in because balance). I’ve shared little moments of my routine on social media here and there, but this is the first time in years I’ve actually written it all down in one place, step by step, in the exact order I apply everything.
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