Well, hi, gang. Em here — self-proclaimed beauty minimalist.

If you’ve been around for a minute, you know that I’m a less-is-more gal when it comes to my beauty routine. (I purely lucked in to the no-makeup makeup trend, but I certainly hope it sticks around!) So when something passes muster, and I find that it’s earned a permanent spot in my relatively small collection of daily faves, you know it’s gotta be good.

8 Easy Beauty Products From Amazon I Use Every Day Ft. Tarte, NYX & More

For better or worse, all of these low-key beauty products are available on Amazon (though I’ll link up alternatives where possible). And, happily, they’re all relatively affordable — and even giftable, should you need last-minute ideas for Mother’s Day or other celebratory occasions.

Check out the video below for the lowdown on all my fave low-maintenance beauty products, or keep scrolling for a few extra details.

1. Dashing Diva Gloss Nail Strips (~$8-$10; also at Target) // I just don’t have time to wait for nail polish to dry — and I haven’t managed to get out to a nail salon in, ohhh, maybe two years? (Cue the violins.) These nail stickers are an excellent compromise, though. No dry time and no UV-light curing needed. Just apply the correct size, stretch them slightly over the edge of your nail, file off the excess, and repeat. Takes maybe 15 mins, start to finish, and I get at least two manicures out of each pack. They really do last at least two weeks too. To remove them, just gently peel them off with the assistance of your favorite cuticle oil to nourish the nail bed. (I use my go-to solution for all things requiring moisture, this Biossance squalane oil.) And I like to give my nails a day or two of breathing time between applications.

2. Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara ($20; also at Sephora) // A friend of mine recommended this Tarte mascara a couple of years ago when I asked her about a cruelty-free, plant-based mascara that wouldn’t smudge. I haven’t looked back since. Buildable coverage, decent volume and length, and no smudging, even if I wear rich eye creams. A perfect everyday mascara.

3. Pick Up & Go Facial Masks ($25 for 20) // Affordable, fun and surprisingly effective. I stock up on these masks for myself, but they’re also so handy to have around for care packages or adding to gift baskets and the like. They also make foot masks that slip on like little booties (they’re not messy, I swear), and they leave feet feeling so soft and smooth.

4. Créme x Hello Kitty Sheet Masks ($14 for 3; also at Nordstrom Rack) // I’ve tried a few of these, and honestly, they’re all great and so super-cute. My fave, by far, are any of the formulations that contain hyaluronic acid. The effect is like a caffeine boost for your skin — it feels instantly plump and energized.

5) Winky Lux Lip Products // I’ve been wearing this Winky Lux Confetti Lip Balm ($17, I have the “Rainbow”; also at Ulta and Target) for the past couple of years now. It’s supposedly formulated to react with your natural pH to enhance lips with just the perfect shade of pink. Not sure if that’s the case, but I can tell you it does deliver a subtle, flirty, not-too-artificial pink that complements a bright smile, all while hydrating with subtle sheen.

And this Winky Lux Lip Oil ($18; also at Ulta and Target) is so pretty on its own or layered over the top of something else. Since it’s an oil, it’s not sticky, but it’s not overly thin or slick, either. Makes lips look positively alluring, and it’s moisturizing as heck. (The reviews don’t lie.) Plus, the tube is just stinkin’ cute. (Linking up the current edition since my silver packaging was holiday-specific.)

6. NYX Brow Glue in Clear ($8; also at Ulta and Target) // The packaging alone makes this seem a bit intimidating, but I swear it’s legit and far friendlier to use than it might seem. I brush my brows into place, then fill them lightly (see the pencil I use below), and then sweep them up one more time, paying attention to the centers, in particular. The absolute best hold I’ve found for my stubbornly straight and droopy brows.

7. Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Pencil in Soft Brown ($8) // I’ve used tiny felt-tip brow pens and chubbier crayons and brush-on creme pomades and tinted brow gels and powders, and this is the only colored brow product I’ve ever repurchased. The pencil is the ideal width and waxiness for everyday brows that are natural looking, and the soft ash brown is ideal for my medium brown hair, without any telltale auburn undertones.

8. BOB Brush-On Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($26) // This is game-changing for applying sunscreen on kiddos. You tap the powder down into the brush, buff it over the skin and go. It does leave a but of dusty residue, but it’s far more discreet than the white cast of zinc creams — moreover, it’s the only sunscreen my kiddos willingly let me apply. Water-resistant too.

Hope you love these finds as much as I do, friends. Feel free to DM me with any questions, or if you give them a try, we’d love to hear with a comment below or over on YouTube. Would love to hear some of your fave low-maintenance beauty picks too!

xo,
Em

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