I Cut My Makeup Routine Down to 5 Minutes—Here’s What Stayed

If you haven’t yet subscribed to my Substack, it’s where I get a little more personal—writing from the heart about self-care, motherhood, wellness, and all things in between. My community loved this post there, so I wanted to share an excerpt with you here.

Something most people don’t know about me is how much I LOVE makeup. Yes, I keep it simple and really natural, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t fully embraced the magic of a skin-perfecting cc cream, plumping lip color, or mascara that makes my lashes look a mile long. 

I worked my way through college at the Clinique counter, and it was there that I saw the transformative power of beauty in action. A woman who’d shyly wandered up would let me show her the blush placement that lifted her cheekbones, or the lipstick that truly suited her skin tone—and she’d walk away feeling like the most beautiful version of herself. That experience permanently shaped how I think about makeup: it should be simple, and it should make you feel like you.

Thanks to the weird world of influencer marketing, I get sent tons of new products to try. When it comes to makeup, I end up keeping maybe 5% of what I receive. I’m highly discerning when it comes to products that really work, and I’d rather have a makeup drawer full of simple, easy products I use daily than one bursting with things I rarely use.

Here’s what I’ve noticed, though: most people’s makeup drawers tell a different story. Too many products, too many steps, and somehow it still takes forever—or gets skipped entirely on the busy days when you actually want to look good.

So today I’m sharing the routine I’ve spent years refining down to its most essential form. Five minutes, start to finish—whether it’s a day full of Zooms or I’m going out at night. I’m also sharing the natural nail rehab routine that has finally gotten my post-gel nails actually growing again.

I’ve never actually written this out step-by-step before, so consider this the closest thing to watching me get ready in my bathroom. Below is the exact routine and the products that make it work.

My Daily Makeup Routine

After doing my skincare (all details here), I prep with this mattifying primer. I should mention that my t-zone gets really shiny throughout the day, which doesn’t do any favors for the appearance of my pores. So I aim to create a more matte look throughout the center of my face, and let the shine and highlights happen on my cheekbones, brow bones—wherever the light naturally hits.

Then I use my fingers to dot this foundation onto my nose, forehead, undereyes, eyelids, and chin, press it into my skin, and then blend out. I always go back to this one thanks to its good amount of coverage and natural finish, plus it looks like your real skin. And it really lasts through the day.

Unlock the full post here for my exact 5-minute makeup routine—the one I’ve refined over the years to feel polished, natural, and actually doable on busy days. I’m sharing every step, the products that make it work, and the nail rehab routine that finally got my post-gel nails growing again.