How to Look Amazing with a Low-Maintenance Beauty Routine

What's your perfect morning like? Is your routine making a latte and then heading over to the vanity? Or does the ritual include smoothing velvety cosmetics across naked skin fresh out the shower? Every time you twist off a cosmetic lid, a world of possibilities opens up, bringing hope for clearer skin or a more even complexion. A streamlined beauty routine can allow us to achieve this, to connect with our bodies and only do what's necessary.

Our approach to low-maintenance routine is to develop multipurpose, minimal ingredient cosmetics. By using multi-purpose products with minimal ingredients, less products would be applied, and less time would be spent applying them. We all reserve the right to enjoy feeling nice and to not fuss over our appearance. A low-maintenance routine gives you more time to enjoy yourself.

Let’s be real. Do we REALLY want to spend hours in front of the mirror concealing our quote-on-quote flaws? No. We want to spend time in front of the mirror doing what we love. I’m convinced “flaws” was a word invented as a marketing ploy. A low-maintenance lifestyle begins with embracing your instincts and not necessarily subscribing to what everyone else is doing. Apply this concept to the realm of makeup and you're definitely on to something.

It's fascinating how frequently beauty trends straddle the line between concealing and enhancing features. The phenomenon becomes even more intriguing when you consider that models are admired not for their similarities, but for their unique features and quirks. Among the numerous ways to apply makeup, following a simple beauty routine is a fantastic option, let your uniqueness shine through.

If your goal is a low-maintenance beauty routine, start with a re-examination of what your basics look like. If you prefer full coverage, then go right ahead darling. Do full glam, but use minimal ingredient products and multitasking cosmetics to streamline the beauty routine.

There is no one right way to interpret what is ‘simple’ or ‘low-maintenance’. Make it your own.

But first things first, a low-maintenance beauty routine starts with understanding your face. Problem areas, such as oily T-zones, dry skin, or sensitive eyes, can be assessed BEFORE going to the beauty shop. In any case, if you are unsure what brands to look at, a beauty specialist should be able to direct you.

We will talk about how to identify products to address skin concerns very soon. Keep reading.

Okay, so this is the fun part. There are roughly three steps to figuring out your core products:

Identify desires (for example, perhaps your Pinterest board is filled with Fenty Beauty, Laura Mercier, Glossier tinted moisturizer, and twelve shades of nude lipstick.) Lots of fun choices are ideal, to begin with, but it’s only the first step.

Align requirements. A dozen lipsticks is a collection. How many shades of lipstick do you need to look your best (e.g., warming your complexion or appearing more attractive?) Arguably, all you need is two, two suitable shades of nude. One nude shade for your summer complexion and one for your winter complexion. This is also a part of the process where you keep in mind any skin education gathered up from Pinterest, the gram, and TikTok beauty videos. How do the ingredients address acne, large pores, or combination skin?

Chose Wisely. A low-maintenance routine requires refinement. Imagine you’ve spoken with a cosmetologist and they've matched your skin tone to the perfect shade of nude. You may be ready to head to the register, but pause. Make sure it addresses other concerns like chapped lips and fine lines. How have other brands formulated your perfect shade? See if you can find the ideal nude formulated to be a multitasking cosmetic. In this scenario, you’d be hunting for a brand that moisturizes, accentuates, and smooths. Let’s call this an all-in-one mentality, and it makes everything more convenient.

Follow those steps and you’re on your way to identifying your core products.

The following is not an Esthetics masterclass, but there are a few gems here.

Different skin conditions require different approaches; for instance, various types of hyperpigmentation require individualized treatment plans. For example, if you have a tendency to freckle, wearing sunscreen is the best course of action. For skin spots, melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) products containing Vitamin C are going to help your skin fade with the appearance of dark spots. But other ingredients like retinol work better for PIH, sun, and age spots.

To get rid of sun and age spots use a combination of AHAs, retinol, and Vitamin C for treatment.

For Treatment of melasma, try products containing tranexamic acid, Vitamin C and SPF

For treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, look for products with Vitamin C and E + Retinol

For prevention of freckles, a broad-spectrum SPF is truly all you need and maybe a hat.

Just like there are different types of hyperpigmentation, various sorts of acne can be addressed with unique approaches. If you’re prone to papules more so than whiteheads, then you’re looking for a product containing sulfur over a retinoid. Generally speaking, all types of acne can be treated with salicylic acid, but additional ingredients can target specific kinds of acne.

Blackheads, whiteheads, and pustules can be treated with a combination of salicylic acid and sulfur

Papules treatment would be a combination of salicylic acid and retinoid-like we mentioned before.

Nodules and Cysts, on the other hand, may require a prescription, but until you get your hands on one of those, you can use products containing salicylic acid.

In the same way as hyperpigmentation and acne, much of today's skin care products can help treat your skin in a variety of ways. Learning about skincare basics will help you have the best skin.

Our goal is to make it easy to understand, and we will continue to post guides like this one. As some of our last bit of advice, we’ll touch on what approach to use when purchasing cosmetics with sensitive skin. Read on.

Minimal ingredient cosmetics are everything. Repeat after me, min·i·mal in·gre·di·ent cosmetics are everything —

Many products on the market today make a lot of promises. Due to so many expectations for cosmetics, a lot of ingredients are used, which might irritate sensitive skin. Fortunately, there are brands that deliver without puffing up their ingredient label, and place just as much importance on your wellness as the product formulation.

QMBeautique replaced lash glue with magnetic eyeliner as part of its simple beauty concept because we believe you deserve better than damaged lashes and irritated eyes.

Unless you make an income unboxing new palates on YouTube, you don’t necessarily need all the beauty products. You require makeup that performs. More specifically, makeup that performs for your specific needs.

In fact, the first product we suggest you throw out is a matte full coverage foundation. Becki Ledford quotes makeup artist Nikki Carmela for The List:

"Personally, my happiest shift from 2019 trends to 2020 was [the end of] that full-coverage makeup look," she told The List. She added that people are instead opting for a "nice, natural glowy skin look instead of fully matte."

Instead of spending money on foundation, primer, baking powder, and setting spray, use an overnight face mask that encourages the ever sought after, even skin tone we’re all seeking.

An overnight mask that doesn't need washed off would be a great multipurpose product to add to your repertoire. Pick a formula that moisturizes, prevents blemishes, and leaves you looking fresh the next day (a.k.a. no need for foundation.) No-makeup-look is a good alternative to the traditional full-face look; theoretically, it requires fewer products.

Treat your skin well and you won’t need foundation, just a little vitamin C, some multitasking magnetic eyeliner and lashes, and maybe a tinted moisturizer. We believe, beauty routines should be invited to hold meaning — for you, your skin, and overall wellness. Do it simply.