Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 35 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    13 Steps You Can Take to Stop Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Experts

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this. 
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Of Course Kamala Harris Is Ready to Be President

    The senator has been criticized for seeming too ambitious — but that's kind of the point.
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Beauty Chevron Right
  3. Makeup Chevron Right
  4. How InStyle Beauty Editors Really Prep Their Skin in the Morning

How InStyle Beauty Editors Really Prep Their Skin in the Morning

By Erin Lukas
Updated Mar 20, 2016 @ 7:00 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Courtesy

Mornings are filled with cups of coffee, catching up on the latest in your social media feeds, and maybe a pre-office workout—unless you’re a beauty editor. We are a product-loving bunch that are so passionate about our morning routines, we’re guilty of setting our alarms early just to make sure enough time is carved out for each step of our skin care and makeup. So how does InStyle’s beauty team get ready to face the day? Read on to follow along our editors’ morning skin care and base makeup routines and hopefully pick up a helpful tip or two! 

Start Slideshow

1 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Selene Milano, Senior Beauty Editor 

Credit: Courtesy

I really don’t wash my face in the morning. I just splash cold water on it. I always start with SPF. I use SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion defense Sunscreen SPF 50 ($34; dermstore.com) or Peter Thomas Roth Max All Day Moisture ($42; sephora.com). If my skin is feeling really dry I will add Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream ($100; nordstrom.com). Then I’m off. I do school drop off in no makeup. 

When I get to my desk, I feel like I’ve lived an entire life already. I prep my skin with Glossier Priming Moisturizer ($25; glossier.com). I only discovered priming my skin in the last few years and it’s made such a difference. It’s lightweight, never sticky and really smooths out my complexion. Lately I have been using Charlotte Tillbury Magic Foundation in 5 ($44; nordstrom.com). I mix it with just a small squirt of the Estee Edit Flash Illuminator in Morning Light ($28; sephora.com). Next is my most important step – the concealer. My two favorites are Cle de Peau in beige ($70; nordstrom.com), which I apply directly under my eyes. Lately I’ve been getting into Glossier’s new Stretch Concealer in medium ($18; glossier.com). It sounds strange but my last step over all of my makeup, I dab Orlane B21 ($120; bergdorfgoodman.com) on my t-zone and cheeks. It kind of mixes everything together for a really dewy, blurred effect.  Also, the Orlane is very active and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day.

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sheryl George, Beauty Editor

Credit: Courtesy

In the shower, I use a gentle scrub to get my skin glowing (Sonia Kashuk Resurface Gentle Exfoliating Wash, $15; soniakashuk.com) and to remove any flakes. Post shower, I like to mix together my Elta MD Sunscreen (UV Clear SPF 46, $32; lovelyskin.com) with a bit of hyaluronic acid ($69; pestleandmortarcosmetics.com) and Dr. Brandt Power Dose C vitamin C serum ($69; drbrantskincare.com). This mineral sunscreen goes on completely invisible, even on my dark skin, and it gets a boost of a moisture and antioxidants from the serums I cocktail it with. Then I apply my base: I typically skip foundation for daily wear and instead just apply concealer. I like Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($29; sephora.com), and I apply it with my Beautyblender sponge ($20; sephora.com) on any trouble spots, like my under eye circles and any blemishes. Lastly, I spritz a little Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist ($24; jurlique.com) so my skin looks dewy and hydrated. 

2 of 6

3 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Marianne Mychaskiw, Associate Beauty Editor

Credit: Courtesy

I have breakout-prone skin, so I’ll usually start my morning by washing my face with Erno Laszlo’s Anti-Blemish Cleansing Gel ($45; dermstore.com). After I dry off my face, I’ll pat a few drops of the the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence into my skin, and follow with Kenzo’s Kenzoki Belle du Jour White Lotus Serum ($105; sephora.com) all over. I’m honestly the worst at applying eye cream, but when I do remember, I’ll use Givenchy’s Hydra Sparkling Eye-Reviver Gel ($49; barneys.com). Once all of my skincare is done, I move onto makeup. I’ll blend on two pumps of Laura Mercier’s Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation ($48; nordstrom.com) over the entirety of my face – it’s really fluid, so just a little bit goes a long way – and I’ll jam a damp BeautyBlender ($20; sephora.com) into Bare Minerals’ Concealer in Tan ($20; bareescentuals.com) and buff it over any areas that need extra love. I’ll set everything with the Physicians Formula #InstaReady Filter Trio Powder ($15; physiciansformula.com), which, in addition to making it look like I’m wearing a Valencia filter, also has SPF 30 infused into the formula—handy, since I always seem to forget. To finish (finally), I’ll do some slight contouring with Benefit’s Hoola bronzer ($29; sephora.com), and highlight my cheekbones and cupid’s bow with Anastasia’s Glow Kit in Gleam ($40; anastasiabeverlyhills.com).

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dianna Mazzone, Assistant Beauty Editor 

Credit: Courtesy

Since I’m typically in a time crunch in the morning, I let my nighttime skin care do the heavy lifting and keep it simple with my daytime routine. After cleansing in the shower with Eve Lom’s cult-favorite balm ($80; sephora.com), I swipe my face with an exfoliating pad—I’m completely devoted to First Aid Beauty’s lactic and glycolic acid-laced Facial Radiance Pads ($30/60 pads; sephora.com)—before applying a layer of SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator ($178; skinmedica.com). (It’s a moisturizer/primer hybrid that smoothes skin texture and keeps my flaky forehead at bay throughout the day.) Finally, I blend in NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 in Terre Neuve ($44; sephora.com) which evens out my slightly-pink skin tone and, of course, delivers my daily dose of SPF.

4 of 6

5 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Didi Gluck, Contributing Beauty Editor

Credit: Courtesy

I cleanse with Shiseido Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam (a little goes a long way) ($55; nordstrom.com), tone with La Prairie Cellular Softening and Balancing Lotion (I just don’t feel totally clean unless I use it) ($170; nordstrom.com), apply BeautyRX Ultra Nourishing Eye Cream (allow to sink in for a few minutes while I brush my teeth) ($85; beautyrx.com), and moisturize with a mix of Nerium Age-Defying Day Cream (nerium.com) and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare CC Cream SPF 18 in Medium (this way I get extra hydration plus tint and sun protection) ($36; beauty.com). After I’ve finished with skin care, I cover under eye circles and redness around nose with Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick ($42; lancome-usa.com).

5 of 6

6 of 6

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Erin Lukas, Beauty Writer

Credit: Courtesy

I’m not a morning person so I like to streamline my routine as much as possible without sacrificing any essential parts in skin care, and keep my more in-depth regimen reserved for night. I usually only cleanse before bed, but if I wake up and my skin looks and feels really oily, I’ll apply Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($10; drugstore.com) and rinse it off in the shower. If my eyes look extra tired, I’ll dab Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair ($56; dermalogica.com) on my under eye area to plump it up. Next, I apply a layer of Glossier Priming Moisturizer ($25; glossier.com). This moisturizer-primer hybrid really helps makeup stay in place throughout the day and also hydrates your skin so you have an amazing dewy, glow. I’m prone to red, hormonal breakouts so I dot Smashbox Color Correcting Stick in Get Less Red ($23; sephora.com) on any blemishes or spots that I want to give a little extra TLC to before applying concealer. After color-correcting, I blend NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla ($29; sephora.com) over any blemishes, dark spots, and my under eye area using my fingers. This concealer is super lightweight but packs enough pigment to cover my worst blemishes without a cakey finish. Finally, I blot MAC Cosmetics Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC15 ($26; maccosmetics.com) all over my face to help set everything and make it last throughout the day. I’ve been using this powder for years so it’s more out of habit, but I like that it completely doesn’t matte out your complexion when you use it. 

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Erin Lukas

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 6 Selene Milano, Senior Beauty Editor 
2 of 6 Sheryl George, Beauty Editor
3 of 6 Marianne Mychaskiw, Associate Beauty Editor
4 of 6 Dianna Mazzone, Assistant Beauty Editor 
5 of 6 Didi Gluck, Contributing Beauty Editor
6 of 6 Erin Lukas, Beauty Writer

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

How InStyle Beauty Editors Really Prep Their Skin in the Morning
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.