I was pregnant, tired, and weirdly picky about smells. My nose turned into a guard dog. One whiff of strong scent and I felt queasy. So I rebuilt my makeup bag with calm, simple stuff. Things that didn’t sting, didn’t smell loud, and didn’t make my skin freak out.
I’m not a doctor—just a mom who asked her OB a bunch of questions and patch-tested like it was my job. Here’s what worked for me, what didn’t, and a few little lessons I learned along the way. If you’re curious about digging deeper into what’s considered pregnancy-safe, the ingredient glossaries at Girindus guided a lot of my decisions.
They even shared a detailed post about every pregnancy-safe product they personally tested, which you can peek at right here.
My simple ground rules
- I skipped retinoids and strong fragrance.
- I leaned toward mineral SPF. My skin liked zinc.
- I used gentle removers so my face didn’t get angry.
- I did tiny patch tests first. Always.
You know what? Those four things saved me a lot of drama.
Base that behaved: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
This one carried me through my second trimester. It’s a light, glowy tint with mineral SPF. If you need a deep dive, Allure’s review breaks down every texture detail and shade shift.
- What I liked: It evened out my melasma shadows, looked dewy, and didn’t have a heavy smell. My skin felt calm.
- What bugged me: It stays a bit tacky. If I used a silicone primer, it pilled. I had to set it with powder on my T-zone.
On hot days, I blotted once at lunch. Quick fix. I also skimmed WHO Magazine’s take on the tint before committing, and their thoughts pretty much echoed my own.
Runner-up base: Saie Slip Tint SPF 35
On days my face felt dry, this was perfect. Cozy, skin-like, and soft.
- What I liked: Mineral SPF, comfy glow, no scent punch.
- What bugged me: It transfers to collars if I’m huggy. Not a long-wear champ.
I wore it to my OB visits. Looked fresh, not overdone.
Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me and NARS Radiant Creamy
I used both, for different moods.
- Maybelline Fit Me: Light, easy, no strong scent. Good for quick spot work.
- NARS Radiant Creamy: More coverage under my eyes. It can crease if I pile it on, so I tap a tiny bit and set with powder.
If I cried at a sappy ad (hormones!), NARS held up better.
Blush that never made me itch: Tower 28 BeachPlease (Magic Hour)
Creamy, blendy, and kind to sensitive skin. I tapped it on with fingers.
- What I liked: Soft flush that looks like a nap and a walk. No sting.
- What bugged me: It fades by late day. I keep it in my bag and boop a little more on.
Lips I kept reapplying on purpose: Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly (Chill)
No heavy flavor. No perfume cloud. It’s cushiony and looks juicy.
- What I liked: Feels like a hug for dry lips.
- What bugged me: It doesn’t last long, but I don’t mind. It’s pocket-friendly.
On very queasy days, anything minty turned me green. This did not.
Mascara that didn’t smudge on my naps: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions
It’s a tubing mascara, so it comes off with warm water. No harsh rubbing.
- What I liked: Long, neat lashes. No flakes on my cheeks.
- What bugged me: If I used an oil cleanser first, it broke down weird. Water worked best.
Tip: Press a warm washcloth on your lashes and wiggle. The “tubes” slide right off.
Eyeliner that stayed put: Physicians Formula Eye Booster
Soft brush tip. No sting, no perfume.
- What I liked: Clean, steady line for tired eyes.
- What bugged me: The brush frays after a couple months. Still worth it.
I wore the brown shade to look awake but not harsh.
Brows that mind their manners: e.l.f. Brow Lift (clear)
It’s a clear gel-wax. No scent, strong hold.
- What I liked: Fluffy brows in 20 seconds.
- What bugged me: If I used too much, I got a tiny white cast. Light hand solves it.
Setting powder that fixed the tacky stuff: Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder
Fine and talc-free. Helps that Ilia tint behave.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you ditch talc completely, I tried it for a month—spoiler: it was revealing—and summed it up in this diary.
- What I liked: No flashback in photos. Soft, not chalky.
- What bugged me: Messy lid. I do the “tap into the cap” trick.
I focus on the sides of my nose and chin. Done.
What I skipped (for me)
- Retinoids and retinyl palmitate in face makeup or primers
- Strongly scented sprays (Urban Decay All Nighter smelled sharp to me, so I passed)
- Heavy salicylic acid primers
- Chemical sunscreens that felt stingy on my skin
Again, that’s just me and my skin. I ran choices by my OB when unsure.
Removal that didn’t make me red: Bioderma + Vanicream
Night routine was simple.
- First pass: Bioderma Sensibio H2O on a cotton pad. Melts off mascara tubes and base.
- Second pass: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. No fragrance, no fuss.
My face felt clean, not squeaky.
Real life tests that mattered
- Workdays under bright lights: Ilia + light powder stayed fresh till 3 pm. Blot once and it’s fine.
- Hot car school pickup: Thrive mascara didn’t smear. Big win.
- Grocery store perfume aisle sneak attack: Tower 28 lip and blush didn’t add to the scent storm.
- Ultrasound day photos: NARS under eyes, Tower 28 blush. I looked alive, even after a 5 am snack raid.
Side note: Good lighting matters for every kind of selfie, whether you’re documenting a growing bump or planning a spicier photo shoot. If you want a crash course on snapping confident, well-lit images, check out this Tinder-specific nude photo guide — it breaks down flattering angles, smart lighting setups, and privacy pointers so your makeup (and your confidence) can shine in any shot.
If a mini babymoon is on your radar and you’ll be anywhere near central Pennsylvania, consider booking one of the art-filled suites at Tryst in Lancaster—the rooms have soft, adjustable lighting and roomy vanities, which make them a relaxed backdrop for testing new looks or capturing bump photos without harsh hotel glare.
Little tips I wish I’d heard sooner
- Keep a tiny kit: tint, concealer, blush, mascara, lip. That’s it.
- Fingers are tools. Warmth helps cream products melt in.
- Shade match in daylight, not bathroom lights.
- If a product smells loud to you, it’s a no. Your nose knows.
Hormonal acne was another curveball, so I kept a running list of color cosmetics that didn’t clog me; I logged every winner (and the ones that betrayed me with zits) in this acne-safe roundup.
Quick winners and quirks
- Most used: Ilia Skin Tint, Tower 28 Blush, Thrive Mascara
- Budget hero: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
- Gentle duo: Bioderma + Vanicream
- Fussy but pretty: Saie Slip Tint (watch the transfer)
- Secret workhorse: Cover FX powder on the T-zone
Final take
Pregnancy made me change my pace. Slower, softer, simpler. These picks kept my skin calm and my stomach happy. They didn’t try to do too much—just enough. If you’re sorting your own bag, patch test, ask your doctor when you’re unsure, and trust your senses. If it smells off, feels stingy, or looks heavy, move on.
Simple can be lovely. And honestly, that tiny blush stick? It carried me through.