I wear makeup whenever I leave the house, i.e. every day; more for work or evenings, of course, and less on weekends or days off when I plan to stay local. I don’t really “do” no-makeup days, but do have a low-makeup (lo-makeup?) routine that’s slightly more streamlined than my office look or my night-out look. Here are five tried-and-true products for days when I’m keeping things simple.

Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Beautifying Foundation: I’m still hooked on this stuff, which I alternate (and sometimes even mix) with Guerlain’s Lingerie de Peau. One quick pump, blended sheer onto skin with a fluffy brush, gives healthy-looking coverage.

Smashbox Baked Fusion SoftLights in Baked Starblush: It’s a highlighter, it’s a sheer blush, it’s fun to swirl onto cheeks, etc. It’s just right for a wearing-blush-but-not-really-looking-like-you’re-wearing-blush effect.

Rimmel Keep Calm Lip Balm in Keep Calm and Play: Rimmel has just launched these new balms — they’re similar to Maybelline Baby Lips, with similar moisturizing benefits but without the creepy name. I like Keep Calm and Play for its soft, “bitten” reddish tint and its fun double-decker bus motif.

Kiko Cosmetics Infinity Eyeshadow in 237 (Mat Cappucino): This is a good-quality, budget-friendly powder shadow in a neutral bone shade that works alone for a nude look (or as a base layer for other shades).

LUSH Emotional Brilliance Translucent Face Powder: I always, always wear a sweep of facial powder, even on “casual” days. I like this one because it has a really minimal ingredients list and it includes jojoba oil to counteract dryness.

What are your own essentials for a low-makeup day? Feel free to share!

Product source: The Guerlain and Kiko products were my own purchases; I received my first LUSH Emotional Brilliance powder as a press sample and have since purchased it several times; the Smashbox and Rimmel products were recent press samples.

Image: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Woman at her Toilette (1889), via Wikimedia Commons.