Conceal and Brighten:

The new sheer concealer/eye brightener from Milk Makeup has been a fantastic time saver! I really like the concept of a 2-in-1 product. This concealer is a super lightweight and optically brightening. Equally perfect for makeup minimalist and those in a rush. (For full coverage concealers, please see my other favourites linked below.)

Because this is a serum-makeup hybrid, the formula works best on bare skin. It won’t play nice with thick eye creams or moisturizers, so just be aware of that before purchasing. But it does contain skincare ingredients like caffeine and vitamin C to stimulate the skin, squalane and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, and light reflecting powders to make sunken areas appear more plump. So I tend to use this in place of a daytime eye cream anyway.

As for the applicator design, it seems like people are divided on this! Personally I really enjoy the glass rollerball. Before pumping any product out, I use the rollerball to massage any puffiness around my eye sockets. It feels cooling on the skin and kinda has a similar effect as a jade roller. I even use it between my eyebrows and along my jaw to soften tension and move lymph fluid. I also appreciate that Milk Makeup designed the applicator so that the product cartridge can be replaced. It helps save a little money and also slightly reduces the amount of plastic used.

Some tips: I’d recommend using a half-pump instead of clicking the button fully down. A full pump will dispense a lot of product; probably more than you need if you’re only treating your under eyes. Let the product sit on your skin for 60 seconds before blending to achieve a more opaque coverage.

On days when I want to look more polished, AKA: my under-eyes look very haggard, I will also go in with a two dots of a fuller coverage concealer overtop. My favourites are linked below.

Brows and Powder:

Eyebrows are a must for me. And I’m a huge fan of tinted brow gels since they provide colour while also lacquering my longer hairs in place. I have a few rotating favourites when it comes to brow gels, though I’m currently on my third tube of the one by KOSAS. It’s a great formula that stays in place for hours!

Because my skin can get oily during the warmer months, I may go in with a quick dusting of setting powder around my hairline and t-zone.

The Extra Stuff:

I’ll be honest, most mornings I won’t bother doing anything beyond my eyebrows. But later in the day I do usually go in with a lip product of some sort. Either a lip plumper (I’m really digging Forget The Filler by LAWLESS) or one of my go-to natural-ingredient focused lipsticks. I’ve been reaching for Cinnabar by Ilia a lot lately, though I’m also linking other easy-wearing lip products that I love down below too.

And if I’m really feeling myself, and have an extra 60 seconds, I will quickly brush on some bronzer or blush. Recently I came across this superb product by Cheekbone Beauty––Indigenous owned and sustainability focused––that has really impressed me. Not only is it cleverly designed with NO PLASTIC and combines both a bronzer and blush in one tin; but it also has a really nice finish that lasts all day. I highly recommend this one for minimalists, those looking for non-plastic beauty packaging, and anyone who’s about to travel. When I was packing for Paris, I traveled very light. And you can bet this 2-in-1 was in my beauty bag! (Are you noticing a theme yet of 2-in-1 products?)

Re-Create My 3 Minute Makeup Routine

These are the exact products that I use when I’m rushing to get a look together super fast. In the photos above, I’m wearing Cinnabar lipstick by Ilia and the blush/bronzer duo by Cheekbone Beauty. However, any of the below options are on daily rotation for me too.