Everyday Makeup for Your 20s

Build a routine around skin prep, concealer where needed, cream blush, mascara, and a lip color that works with everything.

1. Start with skin prep. Use a lightweight moisturizer and SPF as your base. Skip heavy primers unless your makeup slides off without them. Good skin prep means less makeup needed overall.
2. Spot-conceal instead of full coverage. Use concealer only where you need it—under eyes, on blemishes, around the nose. Blend with fingers or a damp beauty sponge. Your natural skin texture is an asset, not something to hide.
3. Add warmth with cream blush. Cream blush looks like it comes from within and lasts longer than powder. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples with your fingers.
4. Define your eyes minimally. Curl lashes and apply one coat of brown or black mascara. If you want more, add a neutral eyeshadow close to your skin tone across the lid. Skip liner unless you genuinely enjoy applying it.
5. Choose one lip color for everything. Find a lip color that works with all your outfits—usually something one shade deeper than your natural lip color. Apply directly from the tube or with your finger for a lived-in look.