Martha Stewart’s 5-Minute Makeup Routine: Effortless Glamour at 83

Discover Martha Stewart’s fast, glowing five-minute makeup routine and the beauty secrets behind her signature effortless look.

By Medha deb
Created on

For more than four decades, Martha Stewart has defined American elegance, from her legendary recipes to her unshakeable sense of style. Now at 83, Stewart has become an unlikely beauty icon—recently causing a sensation with selfies that highlight her radiant skin and timeless grace. But what does Martha Stewart’s beauty routine really look like? According to the lifestyle mogul herself, the secret to a glowing, youthful look is a fast, easy, and effective five-minute makeup routine. “Easier than making a pot of soup,” she promises, and her demonstration proves that beauty doesn’t have to be complicated to be transformative.

Why Martha’s Makeup Method Stands Out

Stewart’s approach is about minimal effort, maximum glow. By prioritizing hydration, simplicity, and multitasking products, she achieves a polished look suitable for farm life or a day in front of the camera. Each step serves a dual purpose—enhancing beauty while caring for skin, tailored specifically for mature complexions.

  • Time-saving techniques that real women can follow daily
  • Emphasis on hydration and nourishment for lasting radiance
  • Age-inclusive strategies for mature skin

The Five-Minute Makeup Routine: Step-by-Step

Partnering with Merit Beauty, Stewart filmed a “Get Ready with Me” video, in which she sits at her vanity chatting candidly about life while demonstrating her routine. Let’s break down the exact steps and products that give Martha her signature glow.

1. Prepping the Skin

Before any makeup touches her face, Martha Stewart emphasizes the importance of skin preparation. Good skin, she argues, starts from within and is supported by a simple but effective prepping routine.

  • Great Skin Instant Glow Serum: Delivers deep hydration and instant radiance.
  • Priming Moisturizer: Locks in moisture and creates a smooth canvas for makeup.

“I drink green juice every day—I grow all my own greens,” Stewart explains while effortlessly massaging the serum into her face. She reminds viewers that internal health is inseparable from outward beauty.

2. Flawless Complexion

Complexion perfection is the backbone of Stewart’s method, but she avoids heavy foundation in favor of targeted coverage for a natural look:

  • The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (Shade: Chiffon): Lightly applied under eyes, on chin, and center of forehead to even tone and conceal minor imperfections.
  • Bronze Balm (Shade: Clay): Swiped along the cheekbones, then blended with a flat kabuki brush for a healthy, sun-kissed glow.

“All of the hydrating cream products just melt into her skin beautifully,” notes Stewart, thanks to both advanced ingredients and her disciplined skincare over the years. She relies on hydrating ingredients like fatty acids to nurture mature skin while providing coverage.

3. Subtle Eye Enhancement

Next, Martha focuses on brightening and lifting her eyes with a few strategic swipes:

  • Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color (Shade: Vachetta): Applied in the crease for soft definition using a buildable cream-to-powder formula, featuring antioxidants and peptides for delicate skin.
  • Day Glow Highlighting Balm: Dabbed on tops of cheekbones for extra radiance.

This step adds dimension and a gentle shimmer without overpowering mature eyes. Martha keeps the look “simple and glowy,” adapting to both daily errands and special occasions.

4. Luscious Lashes

“I love mascara,” Martha remarks as she lifts the wand to her lashes. Her favorite formula is:

  • Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara: Tubing technology that never smudges, enriched with olive oil and vitamin B5 for healthy, shiny, separated lashes.

Martha applies a generous coat to her already long eyelashes, remarking how much she enjoys flaunting them. This step delivers a subtle yet defined lift.

5. Brows and Lips: Bringing It All Together

  • Brow 1980 Pomade (Taupe): Quickly brushed through brows for fullness and control without stiffness.
  • Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil: Final swipe to hydrate and tint lips, leaving a soft sheen that completes the “no-makeup makeup” effect.

As Martha recalls, her daughter once urged her: “Mom, please don’t embarrass me. When you leave the house, put a little bit of makeup on.” Humor and humility intersect with beauty wisdom in Stewart’s approach, which is casual, approachable, and never fussy.

Inside Martha’s Beauty Philosophy: Care, Simplicity, and Living Well

Martha Stewart’s quick routine isn’t just about cosmetics—it’s a reflection of her lifestyle philosophy: nurture, balance, and efficiency. The critical success factors for her radiant skin are an uncomplicated regimen and a strong foundation in self-care. Here’s what sets her approach apart:

  • Hydration First: Always start with a layer of nourishing serum and moisturizer. Healthy skin is the ultimate makeup base.
  • Invest in the Right Products: Stewart chooses cream-based, multitasking formulas with skin-loving ingredients.
  • Consistency Matters: A daily green juice, homegrown vegetables, and an active lifestyle all support skin from the inside out.
  • Simplicity: Less is more—a few well-chosen products blend the line between skincare and makeup.
  • Confidence: Embrace your age and celebrate your features with a graceful touch of enhancement.

Stewart’s Farm Life: Nourishing from the Inside Out

During her video, Martha candidly shares details of her vibrant home life:

  • She grows her own vegetables and all the greens that fuel her daily juice ritual.
  • Her farm teems with chickens, peacocks, guineafowl, geese, and turkeys—raising them for both eggs and their “beauty.”
  • She takes joy in the simple pleasures of country living, which translates into her sensible self-care.

Shop Martha Stewart’s Routine: Key Merit Beauty Products

ProductPurposeKey Benefit
Great Skin Instant Glow SerumPrep & HydrationDeep hydration, luminous finish
Priming MoisturizerSmooth BaseNourishes skin, improves wear
The Minimalist Complexion StickConceal & PerfectLightweight, natural coverage
Bronze BalmWarmth & ContourNourishing color, easy blend
Solo ShadowEye DefinitionBuildable matte finish, gentle formula
Day Glow Highlighting BalmRadiance BoosterSubtle, natural-looking glow
Clean Lash MascaraLengthen LashesNo-smudge, conditioning formula
Brow 1980 PomadeDefine BrowsFlexible hold, soft definition
Shade Slick Lip OilHydrate & Tint LipsMoisturizing color with shine

The Wisdom Behind the Ritual: Longevity, Heritage, and Self-Expression

Martha Stewart’s legacy is built on reinvention and confidence. Her beauty wisdom comes from decades of experience on both sides of the camera—as a model, media executive, and farm lifestyle enthusiast. She openly discusses her upbringing, working as a model for “fifteen dollars an hour,” acting as “second mother” to her siblings, and always finding time for routines that empower her. This authenticity resonates with people of all ages.

Celebrate Every Age

  • No age limits on beauty: Martha’s method highlights your best features at every stage of life.
  • Self-acceptance: Her approach encourages confidence, not perfection.
  • Joy in the process: Self-care is about delight, not drudgery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What makes Martha Stewart’s five-minute routine ideal for mature skin?

A: She uses products packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, avoids anything too heavy, and focuses on subtle enhancement—making it especially flattering for mature skin that benefits from moisture and natural radiance.

Q: Can younger people benefit from this minimalist routine?

A: Yes. Its emphasis on hydration, lightweight coverage, and skin health applies to all ages. It’s perfect for busy mornings regardless of age or experience.

Q: How does Martha’s routine support skin health beyond makeup?

A: She prioritizes a plant-rich diet, daily green juice, and a consistent skincare regimen, supporting vibrant skin from within.

Q: Is five minutes really enough for a complete makeup look?

A: With the right multitasking products and a simple process, yes! Martha’s sequence is designed to be streamlined but highly effective—proof that beauty and efficiency aren’t mutually exclusive.

Q: Which step is most important if I’m pressed for time?

A: Skin prep is essential. Even if you skip color products, hydrated and primed skin forms the basis of a healthy look.

The Final Takeaway: Beauty Made Simple

Martha Stewart’s five-minute routine is a masterclass in simplicity and confidence. Combined with decades of experience and self-care, this regimen proves that age, time constraints, and even location (hello, farm!) are no barriers to feeling and looking your best. As Martha herself suggests, beauty can be as easy—and as joyful—as making a pot of soup.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb