When your job demands a flawless face, choosing a minimalist beauty routine feels like rebellion — but the good kind. This is how I embrace imperfection, and still show up glowing.
As an actor and beauty editor, there’s an unspoken expectation to always look flawless. The industries I work in are incredibly visual and often vain. There’s constant pressure to show up picture-perfect between red carpets, press events, fashion weeks, and editorial shoots. In Nigeria, this means showing up in a full face of makeup and stylish outfits. While I understand the appeal, I also love giving my skin a break.
I don’t always want to show up with a full beat; have you felt the heat in Lagos? In fact, I often lean into a minimalist beauty routine featuring a few strategic steps that highlight my natural features without making me uncomfortable.
Wearing a full face of makeup every day might look flawless, but over time, it takes a toll on your skin and self-image. Using heavy, makeup daily can clog pores, lead to breakouts, and weaken the skin barrier, especially when layers of foundation, powders, and setting sprays are involved. And if you want lasting makeup, especially in this Nigerian weather, you need these products. I’m on set at least once a week, and there’s always one event or another requiring having a full face beat. For sensitive skin like mine, that buildup can irritate and disrupt my skincare progress.
Beyond the physical, there’s also the mental pressure. Relying on full glam daily can create an unconscious dependence — one where your bare face starts feeling “unfinished” or “inadequate.” Gradually, this psychological reliance starts to chip away at one’s self-esteem. That’s one reason I’m committed to my minimalist beauty routine. It helps me reset, reconnect with my natural features, and remind myself that I don’t need the constant full-face makeup to feel beautiful. I love seeing my skin, and this means I have to take breaks from the full glam whenever possible.
Personally, this minimalist beauty routine isn’t just a trend; it’s a form of self-care. It’s about enhancing what I already love, while letting my skin breathe.
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Hydration is my foundation
This isn’t a stamp of approval for the no-foundation makeup look because I never do a full beat without foundation. However, I refrain from using any facial makeup products for my minimalist beauty routine.. My skincare is all I need. I prep with deep hydration products, either from my staples or specific additions for that purpose. Hydrating toner, moisturiser, drops of vitamin c and niacinamide serums, and sunscreen are non-negotiables.
Well-moisturised skin is the best foundation for my minimalist beauty routine. We already know that’s what you need to have a good base for your makeup, but when you’re going without? That’s a look on its own. It gives me a glowing look, and I rely on my healthy skin to do the talking. No heat, no stress, just my skin breathing and radiant.
Many women are adopting this clean beauty look, and with consistent skincare, your skin would not need any extras. Think cleansing, hydrating, exfoliating (gently!), and never skipping sunscreen.
Read also: Quenching our skin’s thirst: The ultimate guide to hydrating serums for dry skin in humid cities
The eyes have it
Even when everything else is bare, I want my eyes to look bright and defined. The whites of my eyes aren’t exactly white — they lean more cream-toned, and unfortunately because of allergies, they get red and irritated quite easily. That’s why I lean on subtle details to help them pop.
I softly line my lower lash line with a kohl pencil and use a precise pen liner for a subtle flick on the upper lids. These simple steps brighten my eyes, making them appear clearer and more awake when my face is bare.
I know the “no-mascara” trend is having a moment, but respectfully, I’m not on that wave. A lengthening mascara is a staple in my minimalist beauty routine — it lifts, opens, and finishes the eyes in a way that feels like me.
Blurred glossy lips are my signature
I have naturally full lips with sharp edges, and I love to play them up in the most subtle way. I’ve been loving the blurred lips trend lately. With the perfect blend of a brown lip liner, my lips have a blurred, two-toned, pillowy effect. I finish the look with my staple clear lip gloss.
If you see me outside without glossy lips , my makeup artist probably convinced me to go for matte lips. While I like a good matte lipstick, I’m always a lip gloss girl. It’s low effort, high impact. No heavy lipstick, no sharp edges. Just a soft, flattering definition.
Read also: Summer lip gloss talk: The brands everyone’s raving about
The glow factor
Rather than relying on highlighters or foundation for a glow, I let my skin take the lead. Consistency in my skincare allows my complexion to naturally reflect light in all the right places. I skip the products and head out with my real skin, texture and all.
When I follow my minimalist beauty routine, I get extra compliments about how healthy my skin looks — even though it’s not glass skin. You can still see the texture, and I love that. Under sunlight or soft lighting, it shines in a way that makes me feel confident and at ease. It reminds me that skin doesn’t have to be flawless to be beautiful — it just needs to be cared for.
There’s science behind that glow. When your skin is well-hydrated and exfoliated, light bounces off more evenly, giving a naturally radiant finish without the need for shimmer or filters. Healthy skin also functions better — retaining moisture, defending against pollutants, and healing itself faster. This is why I focus more on maintenance than masking. A minimalist beauty routine allows that inner vitality to show through without interference.
Real skin, texture and all, is part of the look, and honestly, it’s the highlight.
Why I swear by this minimalist makeup routine
This routine isn’t about trends — clean beauty, sustainable beauty or whatnot. It’s about doing less to feel more like myself. It keeps my skin healthy, saves time, makes me comfortable and reminds me that beauty doesn’t have to be a production.
When your job requires you to be on display, choosing a minimalist makeup routine becomes more than a preference; it becomes a statement. I believe it passes a message that I know I am enough, as I am. And I’ll only enhance my features on my terms.
Whether you’re in front of the camera or just trying to make it through a busy day without clogging your pores, this might be the routine that gives you a break — without compromising your glow.
