Do you have a frugal "Quickie" everyday look?

I have an 'everyday look' that takes only minutes to achieve.  We all should have one or two make up looks that we can do FAST.  And of course, it is possible to do it with frugal products and look good.

Keeping the routine short helps it to be fast, but it will depend upon your lifestyle on how minimal you could go.  Those of us with a job that requires a polished look may need to have some extra steps that those of us with more flexibility to be casual may not need.  But even polished make up jobs can be a achieved quickly with some thought and practice.

Idea for a 'Quickie' Very Basic and Frugal Make up Routine:

1. moisturizer (if you need it)
2. sunscreen
3. concealer (optional)
4. powder
5. eyeliner
6. mascara
7. lip balm or gloss
And ta-da!  That's it!

I'll share with you the frugal products I use for each step.

1. Moisturizer - I honestly don't use moisturizer except once in awhile when I get dry patches, and I have been trying to get into the habit of at least moisturizing in eye area (since I'm getting older...).  My sunscreen generally hydrates my face well enough.  However, I do have two moisturizers for the times I use them.

I have a lightweight moisturizer for the summer:  Alba Botanica Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer (I got this at Vitacost.com for about $10 for 3 oz. - smells super yummy with a slight floral scent.)

I have a slightly heavier moisturizer for the winter or for very dry weather: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisture Cream (also at Vitacost for about $10 for 3 oz. - also smells wonderful if you love the floral jasmine scent)

2. Sunscreen - I have 3 that I use, whichever is closest:

Alba Botanica Sun 20 SPF Facial Sunscreen (I like this ok to pretty good.  Ok scent, about $5 for 4 fl oz. at vitacost)

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea SPF 30 Sunscreen (not formulates specifically for the face, but it has a very pleasant scent that I like - try smelling it at a local store - about $5 for 4 fl oz. at Vitacost)

Kiss My Face Face Factor SPF 30 - This is what my daughters use, and I borrow it sometimes.  Smells like sunscreen, I like it ok to pretty good.  (Was about $7 for 2 fl oz.  I prefer to use the other two because they are less expensive.)

3. Concealer - This is a hard one for me.  I have yet to find a perfect concealer.  For the most part, I only use it for blemishes and a dark spot on my forehead.  Lately I've been using one of my lighter colored liquid foundations.  And I apply it with a lip brush ('Pink Oval Taklon Lip Brush' I ordered for $1.99 from coastalscents.com) The brush really helps me to only get it on the spots I am trying to conceal.

4. Powder - I've given up using foundation for the time being.  I am having a hard time finding one that matches my skin tone.  That is a challenge when wanting to purchase an inexpensive foundation because most frugally priced brands do not have testers.  The brands that have those little plastic testing strips to lay across your wrist are helpful, but they certainly aren't foolproof.  Since I am not a model or a make up artist, I decided I don't need flawless looking skin!

So instead, I only use powder.  I have much better luck finding powders that match my skin tone.  I am currently using L'oreal True Match Powder (got it 'Buy One Get One 50% Off' at Walgreens.  I am noticing they don't seem to have the 'Buy One Get One Free' very often anymore.  Darn!)

The powder lays nicely on top of my sunscreen, with just enough coverage for my tastes, and it doesn't make my face look like it is a totally different color from my neck & upper chest areas.

5. Eye Liner - Most days I choose eyeliner, in the form of eyeshadow.  I have heard of some eye pencils that really do have staying power, but until I have time to check them out, my tried and true routine of using my eyeshadow for eyeliner is what I'll be doing.  Any eyeshadow brand could work for this, in any dark color of your preference, like black, grey, brown, taupe, blue, green or purple.

I am using brushes more and more for applying my make up, but I have an applicator inside my eyeshadow compact that has a narrow end as well as a regular end.  The narrow end is perfect for applying eyeshadow as liner.  It takes mere seconds to apply.  The ones I have are made by Essence of Beauty and are available at CVS for about $1.99.  I've looked around, and though there are many applicators out there, most of the double ended ones I have found are rather fat on the narrow end and don't appear narrow enough.  I did see another brand at Walgreen's that also looked good, I believe the brand is Studio 35.

6. Mascara - I personally prefer mascaras that lengthen over those that thicken.  Amazing what modern technology can do, huh?  One of my favorite mascaras is the L'oreal Lash Out Mascara. (always on sale, of course, usually at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens).

Currently though, I am having satisfactory results with Wet n Wild Mega Lash Mascara.  I have to wipe the excess product from the wand with a tissue before I apply, though.  They seem to have recently taken them off the Wet n Wild shelf so it's no longer a current formula (but I see there are many for sale on ebay from $1 and up).  Rite Aid will put this brand on sale once in awhile.  I am sure I bought this 'Buy One Get One Free' or 50% off, and probably spent $2 - $3 for it.)

7. Lip Balm or Gloss - I always, always have lip balm nearby.  In my purse and on my nightstand.  My favorites currently:

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Pineapple Quench Lip Balm (I got these for about 75 cents at my local Grocery Outlet store.  It is kind of 'chunky' with bits of pineapple I assume, and I wish there was an SPF, but I love the fruity smell and it works great.  I prefer my lip balms to be more thick and slightly waxy rather than thin and oily-like, and this one is thick how I like them.)

Desert Essense Lip Rescue with Shea Butter (was just over $1 at vitacost - also no spf, but nice mild somewhat fruity smell, and a nice thick consistency)


I do have a few variations of my 'Quickie' look, and am considering trying a few new things like tinted lip balm, eyeshadow primer, bronzer (after I find the darn thing!) and testing some concealers, but until then, this is my 'go-to' 'Quickie' look when I need to look casually decent (um, I mean 'cute') in a pinch.

One last thing - I keep all of these items in my purse at all times, which makes it easy to apply no matter what time of day, or where I am.