A few weeks ago, we received a book by Anna Newton, the lifestyle blogger behind The Anna Edit. An Edited Life offers practical advice and guidelines for streamlining your life—from maintaining your inbox to organizing your entryway. Needless to say, it was right up our alley here at The Organized Home, and we knew that Anna would be the perfect subject for our latest edition of The Minimalist. Since Anna started her career as a beauty blogger, we asked her for her most pared-back beauty routine—and the holy-grail products that, if necessary, could be the minimalist’s makeup kit.
Here’s what Anna had to say, in her own words:
I’ve always loved beauty and started my blog back in 2010 as a place to journal my makeup favorites and connect with other product junkies. My tastes have changed and evolved over the years; I started my blog when I was a student with a penchant for a fake tan and false eyelashes, and these days I prefer a pared-back look and an edited beauty bag. I like to look fresh and put together, but in record time. Here are my five products that I go back to and repurchase time and time again:
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream
There is just nothing that tops this medium coverage base. It’s got SPF! It’s easily transportable! You can apply it with your fingers! There’s just nothing that beats it (and trust me—I’ve tried a lot of foundations). It’s a hydrating texture that just melts into the skin and evens everything out, without ever feeling heavy or looking dry.
Glossier Stretch Concealer
Because my under eye area is as dry as the Sahara, I like to wear a concealer that’s high on the glow spectrum. I like something that spreads—the complete opposite of matte—and this concealer is exactly that. It’s wet and glossy, but in the best kind of way and the tint keeps me looking awake, without ever looking crusty or dry. It’s great for blemishes too as it never clings.
Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
I have inherited some pretty intense eyebrows thanks to my Dad (don’t get too jealous as my monthly waxing bill is outrageous as well as extremely painful). I don’t find that they need too much pigment added to them, but they do need to be held down into place. This product pins them down without ever feeling crusty in my brows and gives a slight tint, which just helps to make them look more groomed.
Surratt Relevée Lash Curler
My eyelashes are akin to an elephant’s. They are long, but they practically point downwards. Discovering eyelash curlers years ago was a real turning point for me, but I have yet to find a pair that perform better than these. They never grab onto my eyelid and curl from root to tip with just a few pumps. I’m never without them in my makeup bag.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
I’m easy with my lips and am more than happy to stick a balm on day-to-day, so I spend a bit more time working on my complexion and eyes. Mascara is the final step after the framing and curling my lashes and this one holds a curl on my pin-like lashes, doesn’t smudge or flake, and is easy enough to get off (with the Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover). I’m on my third tube!
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