The 5-Product Face

Hi, everybody! I thought I'd take a brief pause in my lipstick swatch-a-thon to bring you something totally different. I've seen "5-Product Face" posts in the past and thought "pssshht, I could never do that". If you saw my Makeup Addict Tag, you'll know that I like to zen out while doing my makeup, typically using up to 15 products in the process. So 5 products only? Won't that leave me with just a third of a face?! Despite the reservations, I thought I'd woman up and take the challenge. So here it is, the before and after of my 5-product face! 

Here are the items that went into this look. I opted for flawless, yet natural-looking skin, flushed cheeks and lips, defined brows and lashes, and a dewy glow:

I started by applying Cle de Peau's Concealer in Ivory over any areas of redness, including blemishes, scars, and dark circles. I then simply blended things out with my fingers. This concealer seriously is the best I've tried. It covers everything (everything!), while still managing to blend seamlessly and look like real skin. A true miracle! I then reached for NARS Matte Multiple in Siam, a bold orange red, and patted several layers onto my lips. I then took a much lighter touch and stippled a bit onto the apples of my cheeks, blending up. For a natural kick of luminosity, I dabbed RMS Living Luminizer across my eyelids, on the tops of my cheekbones, and down the bridge of my nose. The finish really is quite ethereal!

For definition, I reached for my go-to brow product, Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe, applying with an angled brush. You can see in the photo that I've nearly polished off the pan, and this is perhaps the fifth or sixth of these I've finished over the last seven years. Serious holy grail status! The finishing touch was a couple coats of BeneFit They're Real mascara, which never fails to provide both length and volume.

And voila! Here are a couple more shots of the finished look:

So it seems I've totally surprised myself with this one- a 5-Product face really can look complete and polished! Those who wear more minimal looks on a regular basis might be rolling their eyes (of course 5 products can achieve this) but for this maximista, it really was a feat and a revelation. Yes, I had to forego liner, shadow, foundation, and powder, but I think my face appreciated the lighter load. A breath of fresh air, really! 

Would you be interested to see more variations of a 5-Product Face in the future?

What are you go-to products for a minimal look?

Thanks for dropping by! :)