Posted by Jamie McGuire
on January 22, 2026
Let’s get one thing out of the way right now:
I am not a perfect clean-beauty angel.
I care a lot about ingredients, I avoid what I can, and I’m intentional with what I put on my skin, **but I also live in the real world. Sometimes that means a product isn’t 100% “clean,” but it performs so well that I still use it and I’m okay with that. I'm sure a lot of you can relate.
This post is about balance, not perfection.
Most of my makeup is clean or mostly clean, and the products I’m sharing here are ones I genuinely love, and would probably still use even if the ingredient list wasn’t perfect. That’s my personal litmus test, because if a product doesn’t perform, I don’t care how clean it is… I’m not using it (talking to you tallow).
My Philosophy on Clean Makeup
Here’s how I think about makeup:
+ I prioritize clean as much as reasonably possible
+ I’m stricter with skincare than makeup
+ I care about performance, wear time, and how my skin reacts
+ I don’t stress over occasional "non-clean" products
+ Chronic exposure matters more than once in awhile use
So I choose my battles and I choose products that make me feel good and look good.
My Current Mostly-Clean Makeup Routine (With Clean Scores)
This routine is always evolving, but this is what I’m using right now.
Foundation
Kosas Revealer Foundation
Shade: Light/Med Neutral 200
Liquid foundation with great coverage. I’m officially over tinted SPF. Instead I layer my SPF first, then apply foundation on top. You get better protection AND better coverage this way instead of skimping with a watery tinted SPF.
✨ Pro tip (game changer):
Mix a few drops of The Bare Minimum Facial Oil in to your foundation. It completely changes how makeup sits on the skin - smoother, more hydrated, more skin-like. Thank me later.
Clean Score: 10/10
Mostly clean, excellent formulation, one of the best in this category.
🔗 Shop Kosas Revealer Foundation + TBM Facial Oil
Concealer(s)
Kosas Revealer Concealer
- Shade: Tone 01 N
- Color Corrector: MAGIC
This is a staple for a reason. Great coverage, doesn’t dry out the under-eyes, and layers beautifully.
Clean Score: 10/10
Note: My shade is VERY light - always do your own color match.
Merit Foundation Stick (used as concealer)
- Shade: Silk
I’ve been loving this as a concealer. Creamy, great coverage, and can also be used all over the face if you want a simple base.
Clean Score: 8/10
Mostly clean (no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, talc, mineral oil, formaldehydes) and very skin-friendly.
ILIA Concealer
- Shade: Arrowroot
This is a great option if you want something very skin-like and hydrating. Coverage is more natural compared to Kosas or the Merit stick, but it wears beautifully and doesn’t crease or dry out the under-eyes.
Best for:
- Dry or mature under-eyes
- “No-makeup makeup” days
- Anyone who wants a lighter, serum-style concealer
Mostly clean, well-formulated, and very gentle on the skin.
Clean Score: 8.5/10
🔗Shop Concealers
Bronzer / Contour
Westman Atelier Cream Bronzer Stick
- Shade: Biscuit
I’m not big on true contouring. This gives a soft sculpted look without harsh lines. Cream sticks are more hydrating and forgiving. I also use this as my eyeshadow on the outer corners of my eyes.
Clean Score: 9/10
Beautiful formula, very high-quality ingredients.
🔗 Shop Bronzer
Highlighter
Westman Atelier Highlight Stick
- Shade: Petal
This gives that ultra-glowy, dewy skin look without glitter. I tap it onto the high points of my cheeks.
Clean Score: 9/10
🔗 Shop Highlighters
Blush
I’m a cream blush girl (now). Powders and mattes were my vibe, but I have been loving a plump creamy look. My go-to's are:
Lawless Cream Blush
- Shade: Gumdrop
Clean Score: 8.5/10
Saie Dew Blush
- Shade: Cool Baby Pink
I also use this one on my lips as soft pink highlight.
Clean Score: 9/10
🔗 Shop Blush
Eyes / Brows
Eyeliner
Sweed Eyeliner
- Shade: Dusty Brown
Soft, wearable, easy to apply.
Clean Score: 7.5/10
Eyeshadow
Makeup by Mario – Master Matte Palette
Here’s my honesty moment. This palette is not clean, but the pigment and color range are hard to beat. I use the browns for eyeshadow, eyeliner, and sometimes brows.
Clean Score: 5/10
Not clean, but limited use, and I choose performance here.
Brows
Rare Beauty Brow Gel
(for hold/freeze)
Clean Score: 7/10
Not the cleanest, but effective and used sparingly (also it's just going on eyebrow hair)
🔗 Shop Eyes + Brows
Mascara
From someone who lived on Revlon Voluminous for years, these are solid swaps.
Kosas Soulgazer Peptide Mascara (Yes, peptides for lashes 👀)
Clean Score: 9/10
Sweed Mascara
Clean Score: 7.5/10
Westman Atelier Mascara
Clean Score: 8/10
🔗 Shop Mascara
The Not-So-Clean Lip Combo (Don’t Come for Me)
I love this combo and I’m not giving it up.
Rhode Lip Liners
- Shade: Twist (outer line)
- Shade: Lift (inner line)
I also add a tiny dab of Saie blush for a soft pink highlight on the lips.
Clean Score: 5.5/10
Not clean, but intentional, minimal use, and really easy to apply.
🔗 Shop Rhode Lip Liners
Setting Products
Kosas Cloud Setting Mist
My everyday go-to.
Clean Score: 9/10
Kosas Cloud Setting Powder
I only use this if I’m feeling extra shiny.
Clean Score: 8.5/10
🔗 Shop Setting Products
Final Notes:
This routine is mostly clean, realistic, and works for my skin. I don’t believe in perfection, I believe in informed choices, minimizing exposure where it matters most, and using products I genuinely love.
Makeup should feel fun, not stressful.
And just like skincare, this routine will evolve. If you want to stay up to date with what I’m using, make sure you’re following along on my socials 🤍
IG: @jamieanneaesthetics
Tiktok: @jamieanneaesthetics
YouTube: @jamieanneaesthetics
xo,
Jamie