I’ve been meaning to sit down and share my updated beauty routine for a while now—and here it finally is! Fair warning: I’m a full-blown beauty junkie, so brevity isn’t exactly my strong suit when it comes to talking skincare and makeup. Not every single product I love made it into the photos (let’s just say some well-loved bottles and compacts are far too battered to be camera-ready), but I’ll make sure to mention all the staples and why I keep reaching for them. And because I know someone will ask, yes—a nighttime routine post is coming soon too.
Skincare: The Foundation of It All
Every morning, my day starts with skincare. I wash my face with Fresh Soy Cleanser and a gritty washcloth—something about that gentle scrub wakes my skin right up. After cleansing, I swipe on Dear By Tone Up Booskin toner with a cotton pad, which feels refreshing and helps prep my skin for whatever comes next.
Then comes my favorite step: a few drops of Hylamide Glow Serum massaged in. My skin gets so pasty and dull during winter, and this serum builds a subtle, natural glow that makes me look alive again. If I have extra time in the morning (rare, but so worth it), I’ll pop on a Korean sheet mask—instant spa vibes before the day even begins.
Moisture is my non-negotiable step. Lately, I’ve been hooked on Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin Cream. It’s rich, protective, and doubles as the perfect base for makeup—especially crucial when I’m shooting outside in freezing weather. For SPF, I’ve stayed loyal to MISSHA’s waterproof sun milk for years. It’s light, non-greasy, and just works. And if I’m having a breakout, I’ll tap in a targeted acne serum to keep things calm.
Primer: Setting the Stage
Primer makes all the difference in how the rest of my makeup wears throughout the day. I start with Bare Minerals Skin Revver-Upper, which has glycolic and salicylic acid—instant plumping and smoothing. Full disclosure: it smells a little odd, but I swear the results are worth it.
If I know I’ll be shooting all day or braving unpredictable weather, I’ll layer in Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. It’s basically the insurance policy of primers—it makes my makeup waterproof and ensures it lasts through sweat, rain, or long hours.
Foundation: My Rotating Favorites
I switch up foundations depending on what my skin needs, but my current obsession is Cover FX Custom Cover Drops. This formula is so clever—it’s a concentrated foundation serum designed to mix with your skincare. For someone who geeks out over skincare, it’s a dream. I usually mix mine with a drop of honey skin oil and buff it in with a stippling brush. The result? The dewiest, glowiest skin ever.
That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for Bare Minerals Broad Spectrum Foundation in Fair. I’ve been using it since I was 13 (!) and I love how natural and skin-like it looks. It never cakes, photographs beautifully, and is my go-to whenever I’m dealing with a breakout.
Concealer, Bronzer & Luminizer: The Glow Trio
Under-eye concealer has always been tricky for me, but I recently discovered Benefit’s Erase Paste and it’s a game-changer. The salmon tint corrects dark circles, and even though it’s very emollient and thick, a little dab brightens up my whole face.
For glow, I am completely smitten with BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Moonstone. The glow is intense, so I like to apply it underneath my foundation for that lit-from-within look. And for bronzing, I rely on Becca’s Lowlight/Highlight Palette to add warmth to my temples and cheek hollows. Even on pale skin, it looks natural and softly sculpted.
Final Thoughts
That about wraps up my current routine! As you can probably tell, I love a good glow balanced with skin-first care, and I rotate through products depending on what my skin needs that day. For me, a good routine is part ritual, part playtime—skincare to ground me, and makeup to get creative.
Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing my nighttime routine soon, which is a whole other lineup of products (and plenty of layering).
In the meantime, I’d love to know: what’s one skincare or makeup product you’ve been loyal to for years?
