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The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Makeup…

Oh Joy | Lazy Girl's Guide to Makeup

Oh Joy | Lazy Girl's Guide to Makeup

I have always dreaded the process of having to get ready for the day—curling hair, straightening hair, putting on makeup—I honestly spent most of my teen and adult life makeup-less and didn't even wear mascara on my wedding day. I've only started putting a bit more effort into my daily routine in the last couple years because I realize what a difference it makes in the way you feel and how you go about your day.

I still keep my look pretty minimal simply because I'm kind of a lazy girl when it comes to makeup. I recently had a chance to have a consultation with a beauty stylist at Nordstrom beauty spot and asked for recommendations on how I can still do minimal amount of work to get ready in the morning, but still look put together. And let's be honest—as a mom, I take care of myself last so it's gotta be quick or I'm not going to do it. So today, I wanted to share these tips with you in case you're like me and need a little prodding to get into the whole beauty thing. These steps are quick, easy, and make such a big difference (did you see my before and after above?)

Oh Joy | Lazy Girl's Guide to Makeup

Here's my new morning beauty routine that takes just 10 minutes! This might be a no-brainer for those of you who are expert makeup users, but there a few items here I had never used and now love…

1. Curl lashes with an eyelash curler.

2. Apply a cream shadow over lids. I love this type of shadow because you don't need a brush, and you can just smudge it on with your finger. 

3. Line the top of your eye lids with a liquid eyeliner. This took a little getting used to, but now I prefer liquid liner way over a pencil. It adds that extra bit of depth to the eyes in no time.

4. Apply mascara to your top lashes. I have long lashes but they are super thin, so I use a mascara that helps to increase volume.

5. Use an eye illuminating pencil on the lower inner eyelids helps to brighten and awaken eyes. This is great for the sleepless nights that new moms often suffer from. And yes, this feels weird to do, which is why I can't help but make a funny face when I do it!

6. Add a tiny bit of concealer under the eyes to help cover up dark circles. Feel free to add concealer in other spots, too.

7. Then top it all off with an easy-to-use lip and cheek stain (I like the rose color).

8. For a brighter lip, I am now obsessed with this YSL lip stain. I've only started using it in the last two weeks, and I now cannot live without it. If I get lazy and can only do a couple of these steps, I always wear this lip stain and it adds an instant pop of color without getting too messy and it lasts for such a long time.

What tricks do you guys use to simplify your morning routine?

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Nordstrom beauty spot. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Oh Joy.

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang. Special thanks to Danielle Walch for consulting and Mindy at Nordstrom for your tips!}

58 comments

  1. I’m a lazy makeup-wearer, too! Have you tried the Maybelline Baby Lips? (I like it in Cherry.) I love it because it’s like chapstick (which I always have on hand), but gives a nice kick of color.

  2. Pretty, pretty lady! I’m super into makeup during the regular school year, but this summer I’ve just been completely lazy and haven’t been on a drop of makeup – so liberating and saves SO much time!

  3. This is just my thing. once in a while I like taking my time to look all presentable for an event but most of the time it’s like, why can’t I be a boy!
    My super lazy routine: Aveeno ultra calming moisturizer with SPF and a lip stain/tinted balm like Benetint or Fresh Sugar to highlight the mouth distract from tired eyes and what not.
    My ideal lazy routine: Mascara and/or eyeliner (I’ve tried putting eye liner on myself a couple times so far, but totally notice the difference…I understand now!), a highlighter for cheeks (they often seem to risk looking blobbish in indoor lighting), nose, and brow bone like Benefit, and a lip stain.
    Have you ever tried gel eyeliner? I’ve heard good things about it, though honestly it’s probably the pretty pot and brush that I’m drawn to.
    Now, if only I could master a hairstyle besides a ponytail…

  4. You are beautiful with or without! I started using Bare Minerals SPF powder foundation and it changed my life. You just swipe some on with a brush for a glowy finish – it literally takes 30 seconds and feels good all day.

  5. these are great tips! I spent all my teen years make up-less too, and now I’m still too lazy 99% of the time. I definitely need a routine that takes less than 10 minutes.

  6. Lovely! I have a lazier girls routine which is quite simply-light touch compact, lip-liner/lipstick, eyeliner and blush! I really need to give the eye illuminator a go! Ann x

  7. how fun! i love seeing what you use. i’ve been so intrigued (but scared of) liquid liner; i think i’ll have to give this a go now 🙂 and i have tired mom eyes all. the. time. now. so that illuminating pen looks awesome. btw, what color do you use for the YSL stain?
    i love makeup but always go for that “no makeup” makeup: hourglass primer serum (LOVE), too faced bb cream, LM secret camouflage and concealer, nars blush/bronzer, fresh sugar for lips (love that it has spf). usually something to darken my brows (they are oddly pale considering i have dark hair) and sometimes a highlight on my brow bone.
    hmm writing it out looks like a lot, but it doesn’t feel like it!

  8. Yup, you look adorably out together. I’m on a pretty similar routine. Do you think the eyelash curler really does anything? I’ve never had much luck with those, they always pinch and hurt! And why two lip stains?

  9. i hear ya! i was the same. i barely wore makeup but after i turned 35 i noticed i had too, otherwise, i looked like i was up all night. my makeup routine takes about 5 mins. a good foundation to hide the spots and even out my skin tone and a good liquid eyeliner to open up the eyes! i am a big fan of makeup forever and cover FX, they are like my magic makeup. i am also always in the search for a liquid eyeliner but have not found anything better than cover girl line extract. everything i’ve used so far tends to bleed over time and end up giving me raccoon eyes. and for lips i love FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment.

  10. I’m a total lazy girl too when it comes to make up. The first time I wore make up was on my wedding day. Most days I just stick with mascara and lip gloss. I like to think I would look a million times better if I wore more makeup 🙂

  11. Oh wow, your post just made me feel very lazy, haha. I never felt that my makeup routine was too simple but it certainly feels like that now. To me its: Foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyelash serum, mascara, and then I might fix my eyebrows if I feel like it. But then again; getting up at 4 in the morning is not fun and I’m not planning on getting up earlier to do my makeup, haha 😛

  12. I think you looked more beautiful and put together before you put on the make-up. I’m not sure exactly how adding 8 steps to your morning routine is considered low maintenance; I expected maybe a little blush and lip gloss and that’s it.
    If you need make-up to feel better about yourself, maybe it’s time to examine why you don’t feel good about yourself.

  13. Hi Sarah!
    The eyelash curler makes a difference for me bc my lashes are stick straight otherwise and you dont really see them without the curl.
    And two stains arent needed together. One is a basic neutral and the other is a brighter option!
    Joy

  14. Hi Kristy!
    I have tried gel eyeliner but its just one extra step for me to have to use a brush so I usually dont end up doing it!
    -Joy

  15. What a lovely post! I’m a lazy makeup wearer too but starting to get into it more as I get older… but I still struggle with lip colour! I think the biggest thing is finding a colour that suits you… which I find super difficult. And I freak out about getting lipstick EVERYWHERE. The lip stain sounds like a better idea!

  16. The title of this post is perfectly applicable to me! I’m definitely lazy about putting on make-up. Usually just powder and blush. Maybe some color on the lips. Will have to swing by Nordstrom for eye make-up tutorial. I want the yes-I’m-awake look. 😉

  17. This is great! I always appreciate make up tips from another Asian woman. What shade are you using in the cream eye shadow?

  18. Oh how lovely! And you are just lovely too! Thanks for sharing, these tips are super easy (no more excuses about not having enough time to throw on a bit of makeup!).
    Popping by to say hello 🙂
    <3 from CityGirl aka Roxy (a South African girl living in South Korea)
    x

  19. I have had the same problem. I put eyeliner on my top lids only, yet over time it somehow manages to migrate to my under eye area and I look like I have bruises under my eyes. I tried a bunch to different liquid eyeliners (expensive and inexpensive) and for the last couple of yearsI have worn Maybeline Line Stiletto. It stays put all day and no raccoon effect whatsoever. I highly recommend it. Alamy also makes a liquid eyeliner that stays put. I simply prefer the Maybeline dark black more. Give it a try 🙂

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