Daily essentials: Skincare and makeup in my mid-thirties

I want to preface this with a huge caveat – I am no skincare expert, but I do my best to source products that (1) do not use endocrine disruptors and other harmful chemicals, (2) are easy to apply, and (3) don't irritate my skin.

I have always had relatively clear skin, and I do not use all of these products every single day. This is a list of my personal favorites, some of which I use five or more times a week, and some I use only once a week or even less frequently.

Skincare

Around my thirtieth birthday, I mentally switched to wanting to take a little better care of my skin. As I get older, I'm committed to embracing my age gracefully, with fine lines, etc. That said, I want to support my skin as best I can, and I also acknowledge that my skin is healthier when I'm well rested, hydrated, etc.

These are products that I've come to love:

• Primally Pure oil cleanser for normal skin. I use this almost daily on my face in the colder months. I love how nourishing it is and afterwards, I can skip any other moisturizers. In the summer months, unless my face is feeling especially dry, I don't actually use any soap or cleansers on my face, besides water.
• Crunchi I Am Bright skin brightener. This was a Christmas gift last year (and ordered during their Black Friday sale). I use it a few times a week right after I wake up and I've noticed more even skin tone, particularly around some darker freckles on my face. It's pricey, so it was a good option to ask for it as a Christmas gift.
• Primally Pure Fancy Face serum. This was a gift from a dear friend when I was immediately postpartum with Arlo. This is, quite literally, the fanciest face product I've ever used. It makes my skin feel more even in texture and tone and feels like a luxury.
• Toups and Co tallow balm (not pictured). This is my go-do for any dryness or irritation, or just when my face needs a little extra moisture. And I grab this for any member of the family whenever someone skin needs some extra TLC.

Makeup

Prior to my SIL, Katelyn's, wedding, I went through my makeup bag. I tossed products I had that were 5 or more years old (yikes!) replacing the ones that still had value to me, and I added a few new-to-me products, since I did my own makeup on the day of the wedding. I wear some amount of makeup around 5ish days a week. For regular, daily wear, I opt for concealer, brightening powder, bronzer powder, mascara, and eyebrow gel. I actually timed this subset of my makeup routine and it took me under two minutes. When I want slightly more definition, I'll add in eyeliner pencil, subtle eyeshadow, and on somewhat rare occasions, liquid foundation.

• Beautycounter Skin Twin concealer. I ordered this shortly before the company paused and rebranded, so I don't think they currently offer a concealer, but I do love this one.
• W3ll people Superpowder Brightening powder. I have used this for years! It's lightweight, but just adds a tiny bit of brightness/coverage/matte effect.
• W3ll people Superpowder Bronzing powder. Another favorite of mine for years. Adds a little more neutral color to my face. I add a small amount to my cheekbones, forehead, etc. I personally skip blush because my cheeks are always pink no matter what I do.
• Tower28 mascara. This is relatively new-to-me. I love that it comes in brown and I've been really happy with it.
• Toups & Co liquid foundation. I ordered a sample set to trial at home, and ended up ordering a full bottle of the color that was recommended via the quiz on the Toups&Co website. I love the consistency of it and found it easy to apply. I ordered it when it was on sale (although I believe they give you a discount code if you complete the shade finder quiz). My shade is Gulf Sand.
• W3ll people Expressionist brow gel. I like this in the blonde shade. I do find that a lot of product comes out on the wand when it's new, and so I have to remove some before applying it.
• W3ll people eye pencil. I have this in black, but next time I order, I may try brown.
• W3ll people Power Palette Eyeshadow. I ordered this before the wedding, and it was the first eyeshadow I've purchased in almost ten years! I have the Taupe set and I am really impressed with it.

Daily Favorites

And I wanted to mention two other favorites that I do use daily, or at least several times a week! I absolutely love the Primally Pure Everything Spray. I use it on my face after being outside on a hot day, for an underarm refresh, for after sun skin, and it even helps soothe poison ivy rash. And my very, very favorite lip balm is the Primally Pure lip balm. Peppermint is my top choice, but I have tried most of the scents and haven't come across one I don't like. I always stock up on this when it's on sale, or when I'm placing an order for deodorant, etc.

What's funny to me is that I would describe most of my self care as low maintenance, and I would say that "I don't use very many products." But as I was typing out this list, it sure does look like a lot. I certainly haven't always had this clean of a skincare and makeup routine. But over the years, as budget allowed and as I ran out of other items, I've gradually transitioned all of my products to these cleaner options, and I'm grateful for that. It matters a great deal what we put on our skin.

If you've made it this far, I'm a little surprised, since this is rather a niche subject but it's fun for me to have it all detailed out here, as a reference for myself. And hopefully it can be helpful if you're looking for an option for a cleaner swap for a specific item.

And, I also want to mention that while I may link many of these items, that's purely for convenience. I have no affiliate links to anything ever. :)