Elsie's Everyday Styling Routine

It's my turn to share my everyday styling routine! Ready, set, go...I'm not a fan of owning tons of makeup. This past year I cleaned out my collection, keeping only essential items that I use every day. Now everything I need easily fits into my little travel bag. My routine consists of products and techniques that I have found over time. I'm 30 years old, and I think that my 15-year-old self would laugh at how simple my routine has become. When I was that age, I woke up SO EARLY before school and spent silly amounts of time on my fussy hair and makeup routine. Now I can be ready in 30 minutes, easy! So I guess the jokes on you, 15-year-old Elsie. :)Every morning I wash my face and put on moisturizer. Then I put on foundation and a little concealer for my dark eye circles. I like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup and MAKE UP FOR EVER Lift Concealer. The concealer is the best I've ever found. I've used it for years and recommend it to all my friends.I wish I started moisturizing and wearing SPF products at a younger age. Moisturizing is so important for healthy looking skin. My favorite is this Mario Badescu lotion. I use it every day along with my foundation, which has SPF 20. One reason I didn't use it when I was younger was because I tried some brands that stung my sensitive skin and eyes. If that's you, keep trying to find a brand that works for your skin type. It's worth the time and money, I promise. :)My eyeshadow routine is super simple. I like to highlight under my eyebrows and on my eyelids with light shadow, and I add a little bit of brown shadow in the crease. I like Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Quad.I love eyeliner. When I was in high school I wore a terrifying amount of eyeliner all the way around my eyes. I later learned that less is more in that department. Now I only wear a line on my top lids with a slight cat eye. No eyeliner on the bottom. I like liquid eye pencils. My favorite is actually e.l.f. Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen ($1 at Target!). I also like L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker Eyeliner and Almay Liquid Eyeliner when I want to do a super defined cat eye, mostly for photo shoots.

After eyeliner I put on mascara. I use about 5 applications, allowing a little dry time between each one. My favorite brand is L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara. My mom has always worn this brand, so I got this one form her. I've tried others throughout the years, but this is the best I've found for plumping up my wimpy lashes.Brows are something I struggled with for a long time. When I was younger I over plucked and had practically invisible eyebrows... yikes! These days I pluck as little as possible. I also line my brows to give them definition, since they are not very prominent. I love Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings. I'm so glad women are embracing fuller eyebrows these days.Next, blush and bronzer! I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer in Posie Glow. Since I have very pale skin, I try not to overdo the bronzer and I use a tiny bit all over my face and neck. I use pink or peach blush at the very top of my cheekbones. I also use a highlighter sometimes, I use Shimmer Waves Blush from The Body Shop.I'm not the best with lipstick. No matter what I do it wears off super quickly. For this reason I don't usually wear super bright colors. On an average day I wear tinted chapstick (love Burt's Bees!) or my favorite subtle color, Clinique Raspberry Rush.All done! On rushed days I skip the eyeliner and lipstick. :)Next up, hair! My daily routine is super simple. All I need is a comb and a flat iron to style it each day. :) My hair used to take forever to blow dry. My stylist recommended Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil and it has helped SO much. I use it after every shower. I also use this spray to give my hair a little shine.1. I like to backcomb (tease) my roots to give my hair a little bit more body. I always tease lower (hidden) layers, so the top of my hair doesn't look ratty. 2-4. My stylist taught me to curl the bottom of my hair using my flat iron. I love the subtle waves and the fact that I never need a curling iron. I currently use the Remington Wet 2 Strait flat iron. I bought it on a business trip when my bag was missing for a couple days. It's the best (inexpensive) iron I've ever owned. I run my fingers through the curls to loosen them up, so they look more natural. I don't normally use hairspray because I only wash my hair every 2-4 days and I feel that it stays shinier with less product. That's it! Easy peasy.

When I wear my hair up, which is often, I usually go for easy braided styles. A few of my favorites are maiden braids, knots and a messy top knot. I hope you enjoyed a peek at my everyday routine! It was fun to share. xo. Elsie

Wanna see more everyday styling routines? Check em out here: Emma, Katie, Kinsey, Sarah, Aimee. 

Comments

[Melanie]

Thanks for the tips, Elsie! I'm going to check out some of these products.
Just curious, though: no mascara?

[Leigh]

I love my bare essentials eye liner, but I think I'm going to have to get some liquid eyeliner too! I just love looks like this :)

[Léa]

I think we all go through that phase during our teen years when we go way overboard on the makeup and eyebrow plucking. I see photos of myself when I was 14 and I look so freaky with those thin crooked lines sitting over my eyes.
I love your simple but pretty daily makeup routine!
Thanks for sharing!

www.astorytellinghome.com

[Kate Walsh]

Love your look Elsie! Thanks for sharing

[Amber Thornburg]

Elsie, I am thrilled that you shared your everyday styling routine with us! You are such an inspirational lady!!

[Kate]

This is similar to my routine (past and present haha), I look forward to trying some of your products!

[Jess]

I love this kind of posts!! The blushes look great on you :)
xx

[Alexis]

GREAT tips! What kind of iron is that?

[Corey @ When We Wander]

Thanks for sharing your favorite products!! I think I'm going to have to give that Paul Mitchell oil a try! I love using oils in my hair (currently I'm obsessed with argan).

[kathryn]

so cute that you talked about the differences between your teenage routine and today!! i love that. i was always wondering what your lip color was! berry colors are the BEST

[Charlotte]

Nice post!

http://fashionbrunette.blogspot.com

[Becky Loose From The Zoo]

So much cuteness! Ah the life of a lovely lady!

<3becky
www.loosefromthezoo.com

[Loulou]

I am bookmarking this post for future reference, for sure! Particularly for the concealer, brow product and hair oil. I'm also going to try eyeliner on the top only. My usual routine involves lining the lower lid but I'm going to try going without, because it looks great on you. Great post!

[Erin]

Oh, I'm so glad that you shared this! I'm also awfully pale, and it's always nice to see how other similarly-complexioned (complex?? hehe) people do their makeup.
I'm a long time reader, and I find it so interesting just how different you look now, and how much your life has changed over the years! As someone soon turning 24, your story keeps me sane in the thought that my life is not yet over, I've only just begun to learn who I am, and what I want my life to be: a great little adventure!

[Sacha]

I feel like I was waiting for ever to see your routine! ;) Thanks for sharing...gorgeous!

~Sacha

[Charlotte]

So pretty :)

[robin]

hey elsie!...thanks for the product links..I too would like to know what type of flat iron?

[Sally]

How am I just now finding your blog? HOW?! I love it so much!!

[Star White]

I love this series. It's so fun to see how other women get ready and learn some great tips! Thanks for sharing!

Blessings!
Star
www.beautyandbows.com

[I AM TURQUOISE]

i also started using my straightener to curl (or wave, if thats a word) my hair! and i love it:)

http://iamturquoise.com