There’s a kind of magic to a simple morning beauty routine — one that you know you can do in five minutes flat with a small handful of products. After all, it’s rare that we have time for a 10-step skincare routine and full contour.
Your secret weapon to the perfect morning beauty routine: multitasking makeup, or as we like to call it, skincare with benefits. These hybrid beauty products are what Hannah Montana would call the best of both worlds. These skin tints, SPFs, mascaras, and lip balms are best-in-class at helping you highlight your favorite features. Behind the scenes, they’re working overtime to boost the actual health of your skin and hair with research-backed ingredients. The result? A streamlined routine that gets you glowing in no time flat.
We researched, tested, and took detailed notes on hundreds of products in our quest to find the best makeup with skincare benefits. Here’s what won our seal of approval.
Amazon
For a lit-from-within glow, vitamin C is a must in your skincare routine. The powerhouse ingredient is an antioxidant that repels environmental stress (like pollution), promotes collagen production, and lightens dark spots. This Maybelline skin tint strategically pairs vitamin C with lightweight, buildable coverage that stays on no matter what. The result: a natural, glowy finish and an even skin tone.
Who It’s For: Anyone who wants buildable, long-lasting coverage with a radiant finish.
Price at time of publish: $18
Shop more editor-tested Vitamin C serums here.
Shape / Jessica Juliao / Prop Styling by Tina DiRosa
Amazon
Going to the gym, early morning dog walks, a quick coffee run in between work projects — sometimes you just want a little something on your face without getting fully done up. For the effortless no-makeup makeup look, our editors are obsessed with the Perricone MD Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer.
In fact, one beauty editor wore it during her marathon and managed to look “impossibly fresh and radiant” at the finish line — plus, it gave her the sun protection she needed over 26 miles. We’re also tickled at the magic trick-like effect of application. This tinted moisturizer goes on lilac purple (yup, you read that right) and then reacts to the warmth in your skin to achieve your perfect skin match. Are we gushing too much?
Who It’s For: Someone who wants the “I woke up like this” look during early morning errands.
Price at time of publish: $75
Amazon
Aside from the wow factor of these pops of color, we adore how versatile this lip and cheek tint is. With star ingredients such as aloe vera extract, green tea extract, and castor seed oil, this tint hydrates and soothes skin for a rich, plumping effect. It’s gentle enough for your lips but buildable enough for your cheeks. One beauty editor commented that “despite how emollient and balm-like it is, it has surprising longevity. It’s a 10/10 product.”
Who It’s For: Someone who wants a beginner-friendly introduction to monochromatic makeup.
Price at time of publish: $20
Ulta
In our (vast) experience, mascaras are a one-trick pony, existing only to lengthen, define, and volumize our lashes. And sure, that’s great — but with all the eyelash growth serums on the market, we had to wonder if our usual mascaras were underperforming a bit.
Needless to say, we were thrilled when we got to test Covergirl Lash Blast Cleantopia, a plant-based, vegan mascara with beneficial ingredients we actually recognize. Cellulose plant fibers, aloe leaf extract, ceramide and maracuja oil combine to boost eyelash growth, shine, and strength, while gently conditioning your lashes too. “I love dramatic mascara and this one achieves “are they fake?” length in a feel-good formula,” says senior commerce editor Shannon Bauer. Plus, it’s incredibly gentle and easy to wipe off at the end of the day.
Who It’s For: Anyone who’s been burned by mascara that’s somehow both flaky and impossible to remove.
Price at time of publish: $14
Shape / Jessica Juliao / Prop Styling by Tina DiRosa
Sephora
The key to a great concealer is making sure the skin underneath is hydrated and smooth — which prevents caking, obvious fine lines, and mismatched tones. This Kulfi concealer has a creamy, moisturizing base thanks to rosehip extract, amla fruit extract, and saffron flower extract. We love that Kulfi offers 21 shades to choose from for a bright, creaseless under-eye area.
Who It’s For: The person who’s sick of getting told “You look tired” every time they log onto Zoom.
Price at time of publish: $26
Ilia
It’s not enough to constantly apply lip balm to dry, chapped lips; you need a product that clears away the dead skin cells, too. We fell in love with the Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment after just one night of use — seriously. The papaya enzymes help buff away dry, flaky skin, while hyaluronic acid replenishes moisture for a plump pout overnight.
“I tested this for about a month, and it’s now on my ‘permanent repurchase’ list,” says Kristen Geil, senior commerce editor. “Other Internet-loved lip masks left my lips irritated in the morning, but this formula feels like it’s gently filling in all the cracks and patches on my dry skin. I liked it so much, I grabbed the Ilia Lip Wrap Reviving Balm for daytime use, too.”
Who It’s For: The person who has a lip balm in every purse, pocket, and drawer.
Read our full review: The 13 Best Lip Balms of 2023, Tested & Reviewed
Price at time of publish: $26
Why Trust Shape
As the Senior Commerce Editor at Shape, Kristen Geil tests, reviews, and analyzes all the products and gear that can help enhance your wellness journey. As a NASM-certified personal trainer, she’s particularly passionate about testing new fitness equipment and finding her next favorite pair of running shoes. Before moving to Commerce, Kristen was Shape’s Senior Fitness Editor, where she oversaw the Fitness category and covered workout trends, exercise tips, recovery, and more. For this article, she interviewed a dermatologist, reviewed dozens of tests, and conducted personal testing on the Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment,
Credits
Associate Creative Director
David Carr
Photographer
Jessica Juliao
Stylist
Tina DiRosa