How I Get Ready (Everyday!)

MY no makeup makeup is makeup makeup

After I published my initial getting ready newsletter, I got ready and went to a party.

At this party, I found myself snug in a booth with my friend Aurora who mentioned the newsletter, and said “I realized you are a lot more meticulous than me.”

I felt a little embarrassed because I know the whole process is…A LOT and I knew it. I explained that yes probably I was more meticulous but also this was only how I got ready for AN OCCASION.

My every day getting ready is not a magical ritual, takes way less time, and involves way less stuff.

So, for this week’s newsletter, I thought I would share how I get ready for “every day”. For work or taking my child to a birthday party, say.

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here it is! my human face! freckles, pores and all!

I used to wear a lot of makeup for every day. Many of you are going to read this and think “Girl, you still wear a lot of makeup for every day.” But this is actually the least amount of makeup I’ve worn since I was 13 years old.

my eighth grade class photo, which my mom turned into a magnet and stuck to the metal backdoor in my childhood home, as she did all my class photos.

That was the year when, for picture day, I first put mascara on my blonde eyelashes, as well as applying eyeliner and blush. The photo people, who were friends with my mom, told her that I looked beautiful in my photo. She relayed that to me and since it was the first time I remember anyone saying that about me, the beauty/makeup connection was forged.

Also, I had acne at that time, throughout high school, university, and into my adulthood. I wore a thick layer of base makeup all the time. Like Charlotte Tilbury, I would apply makeup to go to bed (especially if I dude was spending the night) and I would wake early to touch it up before they could see even a hint of my naked skin, which I had come to view as shameful.

I can so vividly picture myself in the fluorescent light of my university boyfriend’s bathroom, frantically applying that weird powder Bare Minerals foundation to my pimply jaw and the memory hurts my heart.

This is all to say that the everyday getting-ready routine you are about to read is a triumph of skin care and personal growth. It may seem like a lot for you, but it’s dramatically less for me.

my mis en place! all arranged in a pile in a dirty old Baggu makeup bag

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So, without further ado:

I set my alarm for 6 am so I can write a bit before work. I make coffee and write until my daughter wakes up (which is earlier and earlier these days). The time crunch has forced me into a looser writing style which maybe isn’t a bad thing, as I tend to overthink every word.

I help my daughter get dressed and then sit beside her, bribing her to eat her breakfast by telling her that if she has a bite of food, I will show her a picture of a unicorn or herself as a baby.

Then I go shower. If it’s a hair-washing day I go in with my trusty Nizoral Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo (because I have scalp psoriasis!) and condition with Davines Love Conditioner, which is thick like butter. I do not shave my body hair in the morning because I have so much body and so little time. I don’t lotion for the same reason. These are night-shower things. I once read that Frank Sinatra took three showers a day, so I think it’s okay if sometimes I take two.

I apply Embryolisse to my face, followed by this Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen that says on the package that it won’t cause breakouts and so far has not. I am very dry this time of year so I have been using the Milk Hydrating Primer in my driest zones so I don’t look flaky.

I used to wear a full liquid foundation base but now I use a stick foundation - either Westman Atelier or Dior - dabbing it just in the areas I need coverage and leaving the rest of my face bare, and then I blend that out with fingers or a brush. I put some Nars Creamy Radiant concealer under my eye which is the GOAT concealer for this, in my opinion. I verrrrry lightly powder my T-zone and under eye with Charlotte Tilbury powder.

I dab some Westman Atelier cream blush in Chouchette on the apples of my cheeks and blend out with fingers.

I take a large blending brush and smush some brown eyeshadow from my Makeup by Mario Neutrals Palette all over my eyelids, curl my lashes, and apply Lancome Hypnose mascara. I brush my brows up with Benefit Tinted brow gel.

Years ago, I would wear red lipstick every day until my then boss, the late great Cathryn Dajka, told me (out of nowhere) that my overall look would read more modern if I switched to a nude lip. I was a little taken aback, but also Cathryn had a sharp eye and great taste, so I took her opinion completely on board, bought Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk liner, and have worn it every day since. She was right, btw. She passed away a few years ago and I miss her wisdom all the time.

Then I use my husband’s deodorant because I ran out months ago and keep forgetting to buy one. Maybe I will right now. I use the Malin & Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant.

I have sooo much hair. Way too much to DO on a daily basis. Most days lately, I have been slicking my hair down into a low, middle-parted pony. I use Got 2be Ultra Hold to make sure the pony looks severe enough. If I am not doing the pony, I will spray my hair with Ouai Wave Spray, and add some Bumble and Bumble Brilliantine to the ends to make it look very ropey. Though honestly, I haven’t been feeling this option much these days.

I will get dressed quickly. I do not plan my outfits and they are usually very chill, as you are likely aware if you have been reading my newsletters a bit.

Then I leave my home and head out into the world that I love to be a part of.

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