Simple Makeup Routine

Recently I've been really into either going all out with my makeup (think foundation, highlighter, contour, etc...), or doing something simple and basic (brows, mascara, taupe eyeshadow, under eye concealer, etc...).

Funnily enough, I typically only do the full face of makeup for events, occasionally for work, or from January to April or so. :p There is something about this time of year when I adore a good highlighter, blush, and contour. Which reminds me, I should totally share my favorite current highlights with y'all -- which ranges from high-end (BECCA) to drugstore (Wet 'n Wild).

Yesterday's makeup was an example of one of my more simple days. I keep it fairly basic with hardly anything on my skin, so it is able to breath (since my skin is clear of any acne right now). Of course, this look would vary from person, to person depending on your skin and how much you want to cover. For example: when I had more acne I would wear a BB Cream on my simple makeup days to add just a touch more of coverage.

I start out by moisturizing my face. It is wintertime and you need to keep your skin hydrated no matter what the time of year is, or your age really. A well moisturized face helps keeps your face looking younger, so start young and keep doing it (no matter what). Currently I like using Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + during the day as it is a lighter formula.

Once my face has been moisturized, I dab a little bit of concealer to my under eye area to help hid my dark circles and to help brighten up the area in general. On lighter days I'm currently grabbing my Maybelline Fit Me concealer (15), on days where I need a touch more coverage I will grab my Urban Decay NAKED concealer (light-neutral). If my skin is a little bit oily, my forehead has been recently, I will brush some Rimmel London Stay Matte powder on my oily zones (my go to powder on my oily days).

Next we focus on the eyes and brows. Grabing my Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (medium brown) I add some color and shape to my brows. Some days I will add a higher arch, others it is just slightly sloped. Once my brows are done, I work on my eyes by adding a wash of color to my lids. Recently I've been testing out CoverGirl's eye enhancers (tapestry taupe 760) as a quick wash of taupe all over the lid. But I have been known to use a cream eye shadow stick from various brands in the past. I add a quick cat eye flick with some gel eyeliner (brown) from e.l.f cosmetics, and a quick coat of mascara (Too Faced 'Better then Sex') and my eyes are finished.

The finishing touch is of course, the lips. Sometimes I will reach for a pinky nude, a berry, or like yesterday a peachy coral (Rimmel London by Kate Moss in 38).

What are some of your favorite products to use on a simple makeup day?

Also I want to announce that Bramblewood Fashion has switched from Blogger to Wordpress.com! Let me know how y'all like the new look, and if anything isn't working right and I will try my best to fix it.