Minimalism and Make Up Adjustments

Ladies, this minimalist post is for you.

Many of you want to know, as minimalists, how to go about minimizing your makeup and hygiene products. And is it really necessary to have it all?

I can tell you, without a doubt, the answer is no: you only need a few things.

Decades ago, as a teen, experimenting with all of the accoutrements around makeup and a young person's hygiene routines was fun. I mean, growing up in the '80s, it was all about Noxzema, Clinique (if you're lucky), and of course, Wet 'N Wild. There were lots of fun things to try, along with 60 shades of nail polish, and the makeup drawers were filled to the brim. Especially blue eyeshadow.

Though I used lots of products on my face and hair and had quite a bit of makeup, I was never one to own a huge amount of product. But I've had my fair share. I'd like to think I'm like the majority of American women who have just a little bit of everything.

I've used enough product to tell you this: you don't need much to look great. And it took me decades to figure this out. 

Minimizing my makeup was one of the last things to go. Mostly because I thought I used everything regularly. Turns out, I don't. That 30-color eyeshadow palette? Yeah, I only ever use two colors. The multiple lipsticks? I only use gloss now. Ten shower products? Nope, now it's only a body wash for everything. Forget the serums, and forget the evening creams; I use one face moisturizer morning and night. And it works just fine. Pick one, and use it. Stick with it. Most wrinkle creams do not do what they say they're going to do, anyway. Save your money.

But one of the biggest makeup changes, especially now that I  have maturing skin, is the foundation and powder duo. Not only is foundation one of the most frustrating things I've put on for decades, but I finally found a cream that works as a moisturizer, foundation tint, and SPF, and it's in a BB cream. I ditched the foundation and powder and now only use this BB cream.

I know what you're thinking. BB cream has been around forever. How am I just noticing it? Well, you're right. A German dermatologist founded it in 1967. The BB stands for Beauty Balm, and it was exactly what the makeup industry was missing.

I knew about this product about ten to fifteen years ago, when all the beauty brands rebranded the BB cream and pushed it on us in the 2010s. But I didn't think it was for me. I didn't think it covered enough. Turns out, it does. And I don't need a separate SPF or lotion. It's a three-in-one product. 

Here I thought my makeup routine was simple a few years ago when I abolished all of my excess shadows, blushes, and hair products. But minimalism does it again. This time, with a foundational makeup product I thought I couldn't live without!

The BB cream has simplified my routine to the extreme. Makeup takes less than five minutes to complete now. My routine includes blusher (that doubles as a shadow), eyebrow pencil, mascara, and lip gloss, and I'm done. This BB cream is inexpensive. Maybelline is easy to get as well, as it's at most drug stores or on Amazon. I have it linked here so you can look at it, but find one that works best for you. 

Is this for everyone? Maybe not. If you want that extra eye cream, or need a few lipsticks, great. Maybe you need a little extra foundation to cover some skin problems. I get it.

Do what works best for you. Here's the goal, though: instead of having drawers overflowing with products you don't use, why not find the few products you use all the time and get rid of the rest? How freeing.

Stick with traditional and classic, just like a wardrobe, and you'll always look good. And having a morning routine that takes minutes is literally like finding more hours in the day. 

If that's not good news, I don't know what is. 

Happy minimal living, everyone. You can do it!