just once I want to see a good post critiquing makeup culture that doesn’t turn out to be made by some janky radfem blog
oh hey!! I’m not a janky radfem I can do it myself!
makeup culture is wack and normalizes a ludicrously high bar as the bare minimum women can do. I saw a “lazy"makeup tutorial the other day that listed 22 separate goddamn products. you’re supposed to buy and know how to use 22 different things on your face just for the privilege of being considered lazy and that’s uuuuuuh what’s the word? bullshit.
0 products also works great
because I’m gonna be real here, the idea that 22 products is a minimum sucks but it’s really upsetting that any amount of makeup is the bare minimum at all
I would really just suggest some powder foundation, concealer, mascara and lipgloss/lipstick, or tbh just mascara works too, but that’s up to you
I’m sorry if I didn’t express this clearly enough in the original post but I’m not really looking for more concise makeup regiments. my intention was to point out how it’s Bad that makeup is considered a bare minimum at all, regardless of individual feelings on the matter
no face should be “required” to have “a minimum” of makeup. makeup has no health benefits and does nothing but fill the pockets of companies that prey on women and our insecurities.
makeup should not be seen as hygiene because it isnt. get that shit out of your head.
this post: makeup culture is ridiculous and 22 products should not be considered a minimum requirement for someones face. no one should have to do that
the notes: so like……. what youre saying is……. we need to make the minimum about 5 or 6 instead… i gotcha
#nobody survived this post
Official graveyard post
stop telling people I’m dead
I think the "minimum" amount of make up you have to wear is highly varied by the person in question. Some people don't like make up, don't wanna like it, and want to save their money and for some people it's necessary part of their daily costume, makes them feel good about themselves, and can be a valuable form of self expression.
The real bare minimum is skin care if you ask me. I don't think it's like gross or unhygienic if you don't, but taking care of your skin is a good thing and an important part of self care and at least for me helps me in a better place mentally. You don't need 20 products or anything. You can do most of it in the shower even if you want. Also this is for the guys, gals, and theys so this is not targeted at just women. Same for clipping and filing nails and maybe doing the occasional pedicure on yourself or going to have one done. No nail polish needed but all genders deserve to take care of themselves and I feel like feet and nail health are really easy for a lot of us to neglect when we are busy worrying about other stuff.
You will want:
1. Hot/warm water. Splash it on you face and open your pores up.
2. A face wash that really works for you and your skin. I struggled for years trying random shit until I found one I really like at a reasonable price point. I really like Korean brands because I actually see the difference in my skin. If your looking for a recommendation to try SOQU Rice Foam Cleanser with Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid – Gentle Korean Face Wash for Hydrating & Brightening. It's under $15 for a tube on Amazon but if you live near a Marshalls you can probably get it cheap as $8 and it lasts me months. They have a whole line of products that go with it but I've only tried the face wash myself. What really makes the difference is the ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid so if your looking for gave cleaners that do different stuff I would look for ingredients that help achieve that result through some research then find face wash with the included ingredients you need. There are a ton of Korean brands that I've heard good things about.
-Rub the cleanser into your face with the warm water for at least 30 seconds, making sure to get around your eyes, forehead, and the little crevices by your nose. Wash off with the warm water.
3. Splash your face with cold water and close your pores back up.
4. Pat your face dry
5. Apply a light weight face moisturizer with an SPF
6. Exfoliate the shit out of your entire body in the shower. Don't forget your elbows, feet, and back. I use one of those exfoliating cloths that you can unfold and it's long so your can put it behind you and pull side to side to reach your back easy. But there are a ton of options but you want something somewhat abrasive and I think most luffas are too soft.
7. Lotion your entire body everyday but ESPECIALLY when you get right out of the shower. I do it when I'm still slightly wet and use a body cream. You can go as simple or fancy as you want here for the lotion. Just make sure your skin is moisturized and pay extra attention to dry areas like elbows and heels.
OPTIONAL STEPS IF YOU WANNA BE EXTRA
6. Get a serum. I have kind of wanted to try the snail mucin serums but haven't yet. My go to is a collagen and vitamin C serum that makes my skin look very clear and bright. Highly recommend.
7. A toner is also not a bad way to go either. Lots of the k beauty brands have ones that go with their face wash.
8. A face mask once a week and also they are fun to do with friends while eating snacks. Dollar stores sell them even.
You literally don't need anything else but if you want a simple make up routine id say the good starting basics are:
1. Eyeliner
2. Concealer
3. Mascara
4. Blush ( finding the right shade heavily depends on your skin undertones and color and stuff so it has been hard for me to find colors I like. Peachy tones look best on me personally so if you find yourself disliking the reds and pinks try a peachy tone.)
5. Lip gloss/ lip stain/ lip oil/ lip stick
If you want more:
6. I like tinted moisturizers. I prefer light coverage on my face and they are good for a light weight barely there coverage foundation that doesn't require a large learning curve and a bunch of extra products on top to make look right. It will help even out skin tone. A lot of them have spf in it too so it's a good 2 for 1 product if you want a skin care that is also make up. If you want more coverage BB creams are also nice. I don't really have any good recommendationss for full coverage foundations since I don't I look the best in them.
7. Bronzer or contour.
8. High lighter for the high points of you face.
8. Eyeshadow: I love doing eyeshadow looks and my eyes are usually the place I do the most noticeable makeup. Also I'd say eyeshadow is the most bang for your buck make up. There isn't any rule than you cant use eyeshadow shades as blush, eyeliner, or even as a lipstick if you get creative enough.
9. Setting powder or spray to help lock it all in place and reduce creasing. If you only wear your makeup for short periods of time when your not worried about it getting oily or creasing you can probably skip this step.
Obviously there is a lot of variety in make up. Liquid or powder. Different finishes it kind of depends what you think want to go with. I usually prefer liquid products in everything but eyeshadow and like a satin finish. Also there is no rules to how much is bare minimum for you. If you want to wear none that's cool. If you only want mascara and lipgloss and that's the bare minimum for you that's cool. If a full face is bare minimum for you that's cool to.
My bare minimum make up look is:
Eyeliner, a fun eyeshadow look, lip gloss, a little blush, and some concealer under the eyes. And it's only bare minimum if I feel like it. Sometimes I'll do my make up to go the grocery store because I feel like it and sometimes It'll be to hot or cold and I just want to get there, get back, and be back in bed as soon as humanly possible and suddenly bare minimum is a pontail and no make up.
