A makeup rut. If you’ve been doing your makeup for as long as we have, it’s bound to happen. One day you’re applying your makeup and you all of a sudden you feel, well, kinda bored. Even if you have a go-to or a signature look, it’s ok to change it up once in a while.

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How We Both Approach a Makeup Rut

Jen’s Thoughts

Recently, as I was doing my makeup I was feeling totally blah. I didn’t like how my normal makeup routine was looking, stuck in a makeup rut, and thought I needed a change. 

As I was thinking about it, a lot of people probably go through the same thing! When you’ve done the same makeup routine for ages, it’s hard to change it up! It’s hard to even know how to change it up! 

If you’re stuck in a makeup rut, or even if you just want to try something new, here’s some easy swaps you can easily try out! Try them all, or just try one at a time to see if there’s something you really love!

And even if you don’t end up changing your routine, at least you know you love your current routine!

These swaps go both ways too, so if you do one, try the other! You don’t have to spend a lot either, places like Ulta and Target have a great selection at different price points.

Dianne’s Thoughts

I was a late bloomer when it comes to makeup. It’s pretty hard to believe that now considering the “makeup collection” I have. And even though my routine has changed over the years, the basics are pretty much the same. I find that if I don’t “look like myself”, it’s hard for me to change things up.

For example, I have tried to stop wearing liner on my lower lashes. But every time I do, I just don’t feel like myself! But to put that in perspective, here is a picture of my original makeup inspiration, Linda Ronstadt:

When I first started wearing makeup, this was the look I copied, really focusing on my eyes. So, when I feel like I am in a rut, I still tend to focus on my eyes and change it up from there!

As Jen mentioned, there are lots of places to find affordable makeup, like Ulta and Target. One of my other favorite places is Walgreen’s. I find that Walgreen’s is very well organized and so well lit that they make it easy to find what you are looking for and you can get a good idea of the color with their great lighting.

Makeup Rut Fix: Eyes

Lots of Eyeshadow – Minimal Eyeshadow

Do you spend your time blending, and making sure the crease and outer edge colors are blended to perfection? Why not try just one all-over lid shade, or two at most? It’s a totally different look, and will definitely cut some time from your routine. 

Minimal Eyeshadow – Colorful Eyeshadow

Rather than flipping to a full eyeshadow look, what about a subtle addition of color? A colorful pencil liner (maybe even a dark blue!), or a swipe of a colorful eyeshadow along the lower lashline? 

Monotone Eyes – Different Eyeshadow Type

As Jen mentioned, one of the easiest things to change is to go from blending multiple shadow colors to using just one. I agree completely. I took one more step and went from a power shadow to a cream shadow. It does give you a different look.

I also went “monotone” in that I used a chocolate brown shadow and a chocolate brown eyeliner. I wanted that look to go with my brown shirt, so it was very intentional. For my eyes, I used a pencil liner and smudged it a bit. But I also did a very line of liquid liner on my upper lash line.

I used pretty much all Charlotte Tilbury products for my eye look. I know those products are a little pricer, but I fall victim to the videos they have on their site. They really give you a great idea of how to get the look.

MY PRODUCTS:

MORE CREAM EYESHADOWS:

Lower Lash Line Liner and Mascara – Bare Lower Lash Line

This is one that I (Jen) will occasionally do when I’m feeling like I want to make a subtle change, that doesn’t feel so subtle to me. 

With nothing on your lower lash line, your eyes are going to look huge and doe-like. Honestly, other people probably won’t notice, but you will! 

Alternatively, if you typically rock a bare lower lash line, try a little bit of eyeshadow! Use a light brown, or a color that you used on your top lid to pull the whole look together. 

Personally, I make sure my lower lash line is never heavier makeup-wise than my top lid. I’ll always have some sort of liner on my top lid if I’m going to put something on the bottom. I don’t like the shape/look it gives my eyes, but if you like it, then rock it!!

Strong Eyeliner – Minimal Liner

This is another one I (Jen) have started incorporating recently. For a long, long time I’ve been a winged liner gal. And I still am, but when I was doing my makeup recently I just wasn’t feeling it. 

If you’re in the same boat as me, try to forego your wing liner and use a pencil! You’ll feel better with some definition instead of going no liner cold turkey. 

I’ll still even do a little bit of a wing with my pencil liner, since I like the lift it gives my eyes. 

Same Look, New Color

An easy change-up is to take a look you’re already doing and swapping the color. In this case, I swapped my usual brown-toned smokey eye for a green smokey eye!

My daughter-in-law bought me this palette for Christmas and I had been dying to try it (but really haven’t gone many places). After using it, I am sorry I waited because there is a definite way to use this palette every day. But I love how the smokey eye turned out.

We recently did a post on “The Best Eyeshadow for Your Eyecolor” and green is a good color to accent the green in my hazel eyes. As I mentioned earlier, Charlotte Tilbury does a great job of posting videos for their makeup and there is a great tutorial for my eyeshadow palette that I recommend watching (scroll down their page to view the video).

MY PRODUCTS:

MORE GREEN EYESHADOW PALETTES:

Makeup Rut Fix: Lips

Matte Lipstick – Lip Gloss

This might feel like a big departure, but that’s what this is all about, right? If you’re a religious matte lipstick wearer, a lip gloss is a great way to shake up your routine. Your lips might even be more hydrated because of it! 

And you don’t have to get a clear gloss either, there’s so many different brands and formulas that have nearly opaque shades, so you still have the color you want!

Lip Balm – Sheer Bullet Lipstick

Loyal to your Burt’s Bees or Blistex? Why not try a bullet lipstick in a sheer and moisturizing formula? 

Give your lips a little bit of color that will look like you’re trying something new, but will feel just as comfortable as your stand-by! 

Neutral Lipstick – Bright Color

This can feel a little scary for a loyal neutral lipstick lover, but if you hate it, just wash it off, right? 

Draw attention to your gorgeous lips with a brighter shade than you’re used to. Even a brighter pink shade can make you feel like a different person. 

If you want to go really bright, I’d recommend a liquid lipstick for lasting power, and so it’s transfer proof. 

Drinking and eating with a bright lipstick can end up all over your face if you’re not careful. So try a liquid formula to keep the lipstick where you put it. 

The other way to get out of a makeup rut is to wear a look at a different time that you normally would. What do I mean by that? If you normally wear bright lipstick just for going out, try wearing it when you’re just running around doing errands.

Just because you’re dressed casual, your makeup doesn’t have to be. My lipstick is Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipstick in Ruby for Me (it’s first in the carousel below).

Makeup Rut Fix: Face

Contouring – Bronzer

Contour queen? Do you make sure you’ve got chiseled cheekbones and a slimmed down nose?

Give something a little softer a try with a dusting of bronzer around your face where the sun would naturally hit you. 

You can still define your cheekbones and nose with bronzer, but it’ll give you a softer look, and save you a lot of time!

Neutral Blush – Pop of Color 

Blush is such a fun and easy way to change up your look. Whether you wear no blush, or a neutral blush, a brighter color is a really fun addition to your makeup look. 

And it doesn’t have to be a crazy color to make an impact! Pinks or coral shades are really easy to apply and wear, and bring some more life to your face!

Change the Emphasis of Your Makeup! 

If you’re looking to make a bigger change to your makeup look to get out of your makeup rut, try changing the emphasis and attention to a different part of your face. 

You don’t want everything to be bright and bold and in-your-face because people won’t know where to look, and it would be a lot of makeup. 

So if you spend a lot of time on your eyeshadow look, making sure it’s blended to perfection, why not try a minimal eye look, and pair it with a bright liquid lipstick? Just a different way to show off how gorgeous you are! 

Or if you love to wear a bright lipstick every day, what about a neutral lipstick, and adding a pop of color via your cheeks? It’ll be unexpected and oh-so beautiful! 

After doing the same makeup routine for a long time, it’s really easy to feel like you’re stuck in a rut and don’t know what to do differently. But, with some easy changes, you’ll feel like a brand new person! And maybe something new will stick, or you’ll realize the way you did it before was the best. 

Anything on this list you’re thinking about giving a try to cure your makeup rut? Let us know in the comments!

You may also like our latest “Beauty At Any Age” post. We’re sharing “How to Do Winged Eyeliner”