I love all of the hype the make up free trend is getting and I give huge props to all the celebrities like Alicia Keys who are embracing it. It takes guts and a strong self esteem to get photographed these days without make up and I say ‘way to go!’

But here’s the thing — stay at home moms have been going make up free for years.

We were wearing yoga pants and going make up free long before it was cool.

I’m almost always out and about around town with nothing on my face but mascara and lip balm. In the summer, I’ll go weeks without unzipping my make up bag {please don’t tell my teenage self, she’d die of embarrassment!}.

I am stay at home mom {who’s closer to 40 than I care to admit} so I don’t want to spend a ton on a million different products like pots of LaMer. I’m not getting facials and I’d rather go to sleep than spend time with a mask in the evening but I do try to take care of my skin since it’s what the world typically sees {or at least the world between my gym, library, kid’s school, coffee shop, Target, and Whole Foods}.

After lots of trial and error, this is what works for my classic combination skin — with minimal time commitment:

1. Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Wipes: These are my life. Full confession – I only wash my face with soap when I’m in the shower. I use these before bed, when I wake up, and right after the gym if I don’t have time to shower. These are great because they don’t dry out my face or leave any residue behind. In the morning and after workouts, I’ll just wipe and go without adding on moisturizer or serums.
2. Murad Essential C Moisturizer: Okay, I know, this is pricey but it’s my splurge item. I received a full size freebie of this when I went to a conference out in L.A. two years ago. I fell in love with it before I knew the price. I love that it’s SPF 30 so I never have to worry about my face being unprotected from the sun. For me this moisturizer just works so I splurge and ignore the rising cost {and seriously, it’s often cheaper on Amazon}.
3. Clinique Acne Solutions Acne & Line Correcting Serum: This is a newer discovery and it’s magic. It works wonders when your cycle wrecks havoc on your skin, leaves it soft, and does help with those little fine lines. I’ll use it every day when I have breakouts and a few times a week when my face is clear.
4. Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Lotion: I use this every time after I’ve washed my face. It’s a gentle exfoliater that really helps with that tight winter skin. It helps my moisturizer go a little further which is always a good thing. I bought a bottle of this a year ago and it’s barely 2/3rds gone so this will last you a long time.
5. Eye Cream: I don’t have one I love. I’ve tried everything and the only thing that works for my puffy eyes is a cold washcloth. I rely on mascara to make my eyes look more awake.

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Tell me about your daily routine – do you ever go make up free? What works for you?? I’d love recommendations on eye creams!!