For reference #06
Looks I’m saving, notes and links vol. 6: On the go
In this recurring series, I share the looks I’m saving for future reference, notes on what I like about them and a few links. Occasionally, I might share how I tried to recreate a look that inspired me. Think of these as a collection of ideas for real-life dressing, and for today, a portion of this edition is sponsored by MERIT.
If you’ve been here for a while, you know my love for MERIT runs deep. I use their products daily, write about them often, and have even gotten my friends and family into the brand over the years (my mom is hooked on their serum). Considering how their products have simplified my getting-ready routine, partnering with the brand on this edition of For Reference, featuring on-the-go looks, felt like a natural fit.
While I wish I could tell you that I’m better prepared when it comes to getting ready for hectic days, that’s simply not the truth. Most of the time, I’m frantically pulling pieces from my closet, trying to quickly throw something together that makes sense before rushing out the door. Thankfully, I have a pretty minimalist makeup routine that doesn’t take long and that I can easily adapt when I’m on the go.
Take last weekend, for example—I only had time to prep my skin (two pumps of MERIT’s Great Skin Serum + one pump of their moisturizer, a dab of brightening eye cream, and some sunscreen) before having to jump in the car to get to my son’s hockey game.
As I always do when my husband’s driving, I brought my makeup bag to finish getting ready on the way. Prepping my skin beforehand with the serum and moisturizer gives me a nice, dewy base, so whatever I apply on top goes on smoothly and blends seamlessly—it’s impossible to mess up, even in a moving car.
I start with The Minimalist complexion stick in Camel, applying it under my eyes and on any other dark spots to lightly blur imperfections (the coverage is natural-looking, exactly how I want it). Then, I add some warmth by contouring with the bronzer in Seine. For both of these, I use the No. 1 brush, and blend with my fingers for everything else, applying more product as I go (love how buildable their formulas are).
The Flush Balm in Bespoke gives my cheeks the perfect subtle hint of colour, and patting a bit of the highlighter in Cava at the top of my cheekbones and nose adds a soft glow. To finish the look, I use the lip liner in Tabac and Shade Slick in Biarritz, a sheer and moisturizing combo that doesn’t feel sticky.
At this point, the whole process feels intuitive—in the car, at home, or in a public restroom, I can freshen up anywhere in five minutes.
For me, makeup is the easy part—it’s figuring out what to wear that takes the longest. So, I pulled some saved references that can make getting dressed (and out the door) easier while helping us comfortably move through a busy day and feel our best. Here are some ideas:
1. Leggings with a bit more polish. The millennial in me always defaults to a pair of leggings when I’m in a rush and striving for comfort. But how I wear them (beyond working out) has slightly evolved from years ago. This look from @shayinjune is my ideal way to style leggings: a pair of stirrups for something a little more fun + a mix of casual (white t-shirt and sling bag) and elevated pieces (a sweater vest, trench, and suede flats).
It’s the kind of outfit I’d wear on days I have back-to-back virtual meetings in between school drop-off and pick-up. If a vest isn’t for you, I also like the idea of a belted wrap sweater (this or this) or an oversized turtleneck. Accessories, like a large scarf, sleek tote bag, or an elegant pair of flats, can also help balance the look of leggings from leaning too casual.
2. Keep it simple with monochromatic looks. The less I have to think about pairing things together, the quicker I can get out the door. Dressing all in one colour keeps it simple and chic when you’ve got places to be, like when you’re running late for appointments or meeting a friend for coffee. To help keep the outfit from looking flat, I’d focus on ways to break up the look, like adding texture through accessories.
3. Soft pants + an oversized jacket. A pair of loose, drawstring pants or comfortable sweats seems fitting for a day of running around (errands, groceries, kids’ activities, etc.), don’t you think? Although I admit, wearing sweatpants outside of lounging at home can be a tricky one for me—there’s a risk of it looking sloppy. @monikh is a good reference for how I’d want to style them. A lot of the inspo I’ve saved has sweats paired with oversized jackets or interesting coats and cool sneakers, keeping the look relaxed but still intentional.
4. Layering for function and style. When I think of on-the-go, travel days come to mind. My husband always likes to get to the airport unreasonably early, so I’m normally scrambling to get ready while finishing some last-minute packing. My favourite styling trick is to throw on an extra layer, usually a sweater tied around my waist—the speediest way to accessorize, quicker than fussing over belts or jewellery, and it serves a purpose, too. I did this when we travelled to New York last fall and wore my sweater when I got cold on the plane, and then tied it around my waist again when it got warm walking around SoHo. The inspiration, of course, comes from so many of the ‘90s airport references.
5. Top off your look. If I’m in a rush, my hair is the last thing I think about (I’m lucky if I remember to run a brush through it). I never thought of myself as a “hat person” until I found the right kind, and now I can’t live without my ball caps. I have two: a black Polo one (similar) that goes with everything, and a faded green one that I love to wear in the summer. They’re the accessories I rely on the most because they help keep a look feeling effortless, even when I’m running out of time.
More for reference
You can view all the products featured in this post here.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support the work that goes into these newsletters, and I carefully select recommendations based on what I love and would wear, regardless of a commission.
*For transparency, gifted items are marked with an asterisk. I’m selective when it comes to gifting and only feature the pieces that work with my life and style.
Stunniiiiing makeup
Love!!! And huge Merit fan here too!👌