The other day I asked you what makeup you’d pick to wear if you could only wear “just one thing.” I picked mascara, mostly because I had a hunch that for me it would make the overall biggest impact on my look and give the most bang for my buck, since it has the whole eye-widening effect thang.
I’ve been thinking about my answer since then, though… I’ve been wondering what it would really look like to wear just one piece of makeup, because really, when does one ever wear “just one piece of makeup?” It’s usually all or nothing for me, but still…what would it look like? Would it look like I forgot to do a few steps before leaving the house? Like something is missing?
I decided to do a quick test! In each of these shots, I’m only wearing one piece of makeup.
First up, two coats of mascara (the top pic) and nothing else. I would definitely feel comfortable wearing just mascara because it doesn’t feel like anything is “missing” to me.
Next up, concealer.
Yup, just concealer. Nothing else!
I’m wearing it here underneath my eyes, around my nose and on my cheeks, and while I like that my skin looks more even, I feel like I look like I forgot to put on lipstick and blush, ha ha! Maybe that’s because the concealer seems almost too polished? Hmmm… Interesting!
And how about brows?
OK, I don’t mind this. I think that filling in your brows can have a similar effect to using mascara in that it opens up the eyes a bit… Who’d a thunk it? I also like how balanced things look with just my brows done.
I think the trick here, though, is to pull back a little, because if I’d done a super strong brow, all you’d see is BROWS BROWS BROWS.
Here’s just lipstick, and I’m cool with this too because I like how the color creates some interesting contrast.
Same thing with blush. Just the smallest dusting adds a tiny bit of dimension.
Note to self: If I’m ever gonna roll out the door wearing just one piece of makeup, then mascara, lipstick, blush or brow pencil would be solid choices. If you’re ever stuck inside on a rainy day, you can try this exact same experiment (you can even take pics with your phone).
If you do try it, let me know what you find out!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jane says
March 7th, 2019 at 6:47 amI have to admit that your skin looks great in all those photos. Today, I am just wearing tinted moisturizer, as I have been the last few days. I love the MAC blush on you. I was thinking of getting a MAC blush. I also wanted to ask you, Shroom or Brule?
Deanna says
March 7th, 2019 at 6:52 amI really like this experiment! I used to be all or nothing when it came to makeup as well but recently I’ve started realizing doing just one or two things can really look make a difference without spending a lot of time doing a full face. Just curling my lashes makes a big difference in opening up my small eyes. When I want to take it a step further I add mascara and do my brows. If I’m really feeling fancy, I’ll add a colored balm. This is easy for me to right now though bc I live in the Caribbean and I’m really tan. Normally I’m super pale and look sick without some BB cream, concealer, blush, etc. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to give up this bronze skin! 🙁
Deanna says
March 7th, 2019 at 6:53 amI really like this experiment! I used to be all or nothing when it came to makeup as well but recently I realized doing just one or two things can really make a difference without spending a lot of time doing a full face. Just curling my lashes makes a big difference in opening up my small eyes. When I want to take it a step further I add mascara and do my brows. If I’m really feeling fancy, I’ll add a colored balm. This is easy for me to right now though bc I live in the Caribbean and I’m really tan. Normally I’m super pale and look sick without some BB cream, concealer, blush, etc. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to give up this bronze skin! 🙁
Amanda says
March 7th, 2019 at 7:48 amSurprisingly, I think the blush makes the most impact. I’m light skinned, so nude lipstick on an otherwise makeup-free face looks horrible on me 🙁
Christina says
March 7th, 2019 at 8:51 amGosh, Karen, do you even need anything? Look how polished your skin looks without concealer and your brows are naturally pretty good! I say you probably look great with absolutely nothing on, but we tend to be our worst critics. LOL!
Kim says
March 7th, 2019 at 9:43 amIt’s so funny that you did this because I literally stood in the mirror this am after putting on mascara and thought “hmm, could I walk out the door like this? I told Karen it would be my one thing. Maybe I should try it”. HAHA! I didn’t because I have a meeting right after work that I have to look professional for. But I did think about it! 🙂 PS It’s not really fair because you don’t need any makeup to look lovely – so, just one of anything is a bit of an added bonus. 🙂
Ewa says
March 7th, 2019 at 11:13 amOT, but I’m so loving the silver in your hair!
Eileen says
March 7th, 2019 at 11:19 amI think the item that has the most impact is the mascara. It really opens your eyes. Besides, because you have black lashes and brows to begin with, you can use easily use mascara for other eye related tasks. You can use a fine brush to push a bit into the lash base so the lashes look thicker without looking lined and you can use the mascara very judiciously to fill in your brows. In short, you can get a very natural look with one product–black mascara.
I think a close second would be a light lipstick also used as a soft blush. It works because your natural black eyelashes and brows would easily balance any delicate color applied to lips and cheeks. But, to be honest, when it comes to using just blusher, I’d use a very light hand and blend it out. You know, sometimes less is more and you don’t want to look like you’ve got rosacea.
As for just using concealer or foundation, you’re essentially creating a blank canvas so you look like you prepped your face and then ran out of time to do the rest of your makeup. Not a good look. Besides, you already have lovely skin and great natural coloring so you really don’t need to do anything else other than smile 🙂
Maxine says
March 7th, 2019 at 11:28 amYou look amazing with so little!
For me, it’s blush. I do it all of the time when I have to get out the door. I blush my forehead, cheeks (drapping technique), nose bridge & a touch on top of nose, and my chin. If I have time, I use the same blush as a dusting of eyeshadow.
As a disclaimer, I have smooth & clear skin in my thirties.
Eva says
March 7th, 2019 at 11:35 amHi Karen, I like how it looks like just like you didn’t do anything. You look amazing. I have also started to do this where I only do my brows, mascara and chapstick.
Sherry says
March 7th, 2019 at 2:38 pmI love all these pictures of you Karen, but the blush makes the most difference. That healthy flush!! For myself on most days, I’ll put concealer under my eyes only, and some lipstick and I’ll feel put together. I only wear powder, so I’m used to not putting on foundation. I’m pretty low key I guess.
Chelsea says
March 7th, 2019 at 3:28 pmYour skin is incredible! I think my favorite is just mascara, but this was fun to see the different options!
Michele DiCola says
March 7th, 2019 at 4:01 pmToday I just wore mascara and
blush.Makes clean up easy !
Vilkas says
March 7th, 2019 at 11:00 pmIf it’s only one-hands down, it’s lipgloss. Most is the time I’ll wear between one and four products. Lipgloss or
lipstick but not both, blush, primer if my skincare routine needs a boost, clear brow gel or subtle pencil but not usually both.
o says
March 8th, 2019 at 6:23 amI think the key is that your skin is gorgeous. This “wear one thing” IMO only looks good if you have good skin.
Linda Libra Loca says
March 8th, 2019 at 6:34 amOh, that is an interesting experiment, and one that I am going to do for sure. You look very natural in all pictures, the additions don´t really catch the eye, but add a subtle difference.
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … pixi Rose Tonic Review – Comparison
Savannah says
March 8th, 2019 at 12:17 pmOlay. I love that you did this! Such a good post! I think the mascara, brows and blush look the best on you but as someone else stated, it’s only good if your skin is being good. If I had a breakout I wouldn’t be able to get away with this, but you look great!
Jennifer Emmett says
March 9th, 2019 at 9:34 amWhat a cool way to see a product. Do this again! I’m gonna try too, get to know my own stash better.
Lacy says
March 9th, 2019 at 6:41 pmYou’re pulling off all the looks! I loved this experiment and would totally try it with you but alas I don’t use social media. I know…… weird. I gave it up a few years back…I’d try this at work just to see if anyone noticed!
Erica says
March 16th, 2019 at 8:09 amI don’t think I could wear just one item of makeup. Not that I find anything wrong with a minimal look nor do I think you need makeup to be beautiful but I wear a full face or mostly a full face because I own it so I must wear it– haha! Anyway the one item I couldn’t be without is blush. Not only does it brighten up my face but it gives me joy and if I can only have one, I rather I have an item that I look forward to wearing over one that’s the most practical.