How To Replicate Martha Stewart's 10-Minute Makeup Routine
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Martha Stewart is the queen of everything home and living, bringing us countless recipes, house decor tips, and cleaning tricks through her website, product lines, and TV shows. The 80-year-old businesswoman has amassed a whopping $400 million fortune through her public company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (via Investopedia), namely because of the strength of her brand. Stewart's name is synonymous with reinventing classics while highlighting the traditions we should all go back to once in a while, and it's no wonder fans are now also following her timeless beauty routine.
The home living expert sat down with Allure to share her everyday, 10-minute morning beauty ritual, including products, application tips, and witty commentary peppered throughout. We've learned everything Stewart uses for prepping, moisturizing and protecting her skin before makeup. When it comes to makeup application, it's all about dewy bronzers, glowy highlighters, gorgeous, hydrating lip glosses, and an eyeliner that's no longer on the market (but we've found one she loves just as much).
The first step? Everything skincare
Stewart's skincare routine is jam-packed with hydrating, skin-plumping products she swears by. She explained in a recent YouTube video that she has a "very strict regime" to keep herself "looking good." She loves Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap ($8) for both face and body, which she alternates with Yon-Ka Lait Nettoyant Cleansing Lotion ($45) that removes makeup and impurities. All about ease and functionality, Stewart explains that she uses the same toner-serum for her face and body after showering: none other than the super luxe Susan Ciminelli Marine Lotion ($195). When she prefers something just a bit more "refreshing," the 80-year-old instead opts for Yon-Ka Lotion Yon-Ka PS Hydrating Mist ($45) all over her face.
Stewart explains she's obsessed with anything hydrating. She adores SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Treatment ($166), which she says she uses everyday on her face, neck and decollete. She equally loves Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum ($45), which goes on her face, feet, hands, and elbows for its "softening" powers. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum ($89) is another favorite, describing it as a "very good serum." As expected, Stewart protects her skin from the sun at all costs. Her favorite sunscreens are SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($35) and Yon-Ka SPF 50 Sunscreen Cream ($60), which she alternates every few days. She said, "before you go outside, even if it's a cloudy day, use a sunblock."
Primer and bronzy, luminous makeup go on next
Stewart told Allure that she loves mixing "a couple drops" of Cle de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation SPF 24 ($128) and "a few drops" of Cle de Peau UV Protective Cream 50+ ($135) with her moisturizer. This creates a radiant base before applying primer: Her favorite is Cle de Peau Long Hydrating Veil ($80). Why primer after foundation? She explains that it gives a "luminous" touch to her cheekbones, her eyes and even her hands. Moreover, she uses her fingers to blend everything, because she can't stand sponges that "soak up" pricey makeup.
The TV star explained in another video that she loves Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown's tinted moisturizers for a "light shield that evens out your skin tone." For concealer, she can't live without Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat ($38) "if you have any marks on your skin." Calling it a "little secret," she says it's great for undereye circles or dark spots. Now, it's time to get even glowier, and the mogul really likes her bronzer. She told Allure, "I usually just bronze myself a lot ... and that gets me out the door." Explaining, "I like bronzer... I've always used too much bronzer. It just makes me feel healthy," she lists her all-time favorites as the bronzer-highlighter Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer ($95) and Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer ($75) on her cheekbones, forehead and jawline. She also loves Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder ($44).
A little bit of eye makeup goes a long way
Stewart always nails an eye makeup look that's natural and flattering. She told Allure she starts with her "secret" T. LeClerc eyeliner that's since been discontinued. She explains she's had it for "15 or 20 years" but simply adds some water to it so it doesn't dry out. She describes the liner as a "silvery gray brown," and applies a light amount along the upper and bottom lash lines for wider eyes. Since we mere mortals can't get our hands on it anymore, Stewart also mentioned in another Youtube video she loves L'Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner ($7.79) for lining under the eyelashes to make her eyes pop for nighttime events. The homewares expert also said she prefers a brown liner whenever possible.
Mascara is just as important to Stewart as her eyeliner is, and her pick is ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara ($28). A clean formula chock-full of ingredients like keratin, shea butter and beeswax, the TV personality loves it. She said she received it as a sample and tried it. For eyeshadow, Stewart's strategy is simple: just a dab of Westman Atelier Beauty Face Trace Contour Stick ($48) on the lids. Last step is eyebrows, and she keeps it to the point with MAC Eye Brows Styler ($20) — Stewart says it defines her eyebrows "nicely."
These are Martha Stewart's favorite lipsticks and glosses
The last steps in Stewart's routine are all about the lips. As most of the star's red carpet photos show, she loves a great nude, pink, or sheer lip, and most of the time opts for glossy or luminous finishes. To get herself "out the door," the businesswoman told Allure that she usually swipes on her favorite Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick ($30) in a "beige-y, pink-y, brown-y" shade she adores. She explains that she used to always use lip liner, but usually prefers to go directly for creamy lipsticks like this one. Still, when she does opt for liner, she said in a recent video that it's all about CHANEL le Crayon Lèvres Precision Lip Definer ($32). Talking about her preference for neutral hues, she said, "a little not too dark liner ... you're not a landing pad ... you can make your lips fuller or less full depending on your mood." She also loves the brush on the opposite end of the liner for applying lipstick afterwards.
When she doesn't go for her Laura Mercier lipstick, Stewart also loves Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor ($7.49) and swears by moisturizing with them "all the time." For extra hydration, she believes creamy, moisture-packed lip glosses are the way to go. Her favorites? Scott Barnes Flossy Glossy Lipstick in Champagne and Caviar ($26), which she often layers with Cle de Peau Radiant Lip ($38).