Quick answer: In this weekend get-ready-with-me, Nikol reaches for a cult cleansing balm — the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm in a limited-edition Green Fig scent — as the first step of a relaxed mature-skin routine. She then builds a soft, polished makeup look: a primed eye set with brightening powder, a gently smudged charcoal liner, buffed-out concealer instead of full foundation, and a fresh, natural lip. It is proof you can look pulled together without a lot of product.
Key takeaways
- A good cleansing balm melts away makeup, SPF and buildup without stripping mature skin.
- The balm Nikol uses was a PR gift, not a paid sponsorship — she buys most of what she reviews.
- Weekend GRWMs are where skincare gets time: balm cleanse, a light facial oil, then Gua Sha massage.
- Soft charcoal liner gives day-or-night definition without looking heavily lined.
- You can skip full foundation by spot-concealing, buffing out and setting the T-zone.
Hey ladies! Some weekends you want to look like you made an effort without actually spending an hour at the mirror. That is exactly what this get-ready-with-me is about: a slower, simpler routine that starts with a cleansing balm Nikol adores and finishes with an easy, natural makeup look designed for mature skin. Here is how it comes together.
What Is the Cult Cleansing Balm Nikol Uses?
It is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, this time in a limited-edition Green Fig scent that Nikol was sent as a PR gift — she is always upfront that this was gifted, not a paid sponsorship, and that she buys the vast majority of her products herself. The balm also comes in the Original spa-like scent, an extra-hydrating Rose, and a fragrance-free version called Naked. The brand markets it as selling roughly one jar every ten seconds, which is where its cult reputation comes from.
To use it, warm a little onto dry skin and massage so it melts away makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup. Add a splash of water and it emulsifies into a milky cleanser, then you wipe it away with a warm, damp cloth. Elemis describes three textures — a nourishing balm, a cleansing oil, and a restoring milk — and Nikol likes it as the first step of a double cleanse.
How Does Nikol Prep Mature Skin Before Makeup?
Because she is not layering on much makeup, prep does the heavy lifting. After cleansing she presses in a light facial oil for a dewy, hydrated base — just enough moisture, never so much that products slip later. Then she massages with the Stainless Steel Gua Sha, her weekend de-puffing and lymphatic-drainage ritual that boosts circulation and sculpts before a drop of makeup goes on. If you carry tension in your jaw, this is where it feels especially good.
What Is the Simple Weekend Makeup Routine?
The whole look is roughly three products on the eyes plus a fresh cheek and lip. Here is the order Nikol follows in the video:
- Smooth on the Eye Primer to neutralize darkness on the lid, then set it with the Nikita Banana brightening powder for bright, awake eyes.
- Curl the lashes, then define the lash line with the Waterproof Eyeliner in Charcoal, dotting between the lashes and softly smudging it up for structure without a harsh line.
- Add the Volume Up Mascara, front-loading the wand to separate and lift, since the lashes are doing most of the work.
- Spot-conceal under the eyes and over any pigmentation with a concealer (Nikol uses an upcoming shade), then buff everything out with the Foundation Buffing Brush and set the T-zone with a little more Nikita Banana — no full foundation needed.
- Sweep a cream blush over the cheeks for a fresh flush.
- For lips, use the Silk waterproof lip liner smoothed across and softened toward the edges, then top with a natural lip gloss.
The concealer, eye brightener, cream blush stick and lip gloss Nikol reaches for are newer or upcoming launches, so they are kept as plain mentions here rather than links.
What Else Did Nikol Pick Up This Month?
Before the makeup, Nikol shares a few finds honestly — some bought, some gifted. She picked up a Noble Panacea Exceptional Vitamin C booster (single-dose sachets, created by a Nobel-prize-winning chemist) as an investment in brightening. She also grabbed silk-blend cotton pads to test against her favorites, and a city-exclusive fragrance to time-stamp the relaunch of her own line. These are personal picks; treat any skincare actives like vitamin C gently and patch-test if your skin is sensitive.
The bottom line
A weekend look does not have to mean skipping makeup — it means fewer, smarter steps on well-prepped skin. Start with a thorough balm cleanse, prep with oil and a Gua Sha massage, then keep the makeup soft and bright. Ready to build your own easy routine? Explore Nikol's eye essentials, shop the face collection for brightening and buffing, or browse the best-sellers to start with the cult favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cult cleansing balm Nikol uses in this video?
It is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm in the limited-edition Green Fig scent, sent to Nikol as a PR gift rather than a paid sponsorship. The brand markets it as selling one jar roughly every ten seconds, and it also comes in Original, Rose and a fragrance-free Naked version.
How do you use a cleansing balm?
Warm a scoop between your fingers and massage it onto dry skin, letting it melt away makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup. Add a little water so the balm emulsifies into a milky cleanser, then rinse or wipe away with a warm, damp cloth. Follow with a second cleanser if you double-cleanse.
Are cleansing balms good for mature skin?
They are one of the gentlest options for mature skin. Oil-based balms dissolve makeup and SPF thoroughly while helping preserve the skin barrier, so you avoid the tight, stripped feeling that some foaming cleansers can leave behind. As always, patch-test a new formula and check the ingredients if your skin is sensitive.
Why does Nikol choose charcoal eyeliner instead of black?
Charcoal gives real definition with a softer edge than true black, so the eye looks awake and defined rather than heavily lined. Nikol finds it works day or night, especially on a minimal makeup day. It is personal preference, though; plum, navy and dark chocolate are easy alternatives if you want a change.
What does GRWM mean?
GRWM stands for get ready with me, a real-time video where the creator walks you through their routine as they do it. Nikol's weekend GRWMs slow everything down, with a little more skincare and facial massage and a lighter, more natural makeup look than her full glam tutorials.
Can you skip foundation on mature skin?
Yes. Instead of a full face, Nikol spot-treats the areas that need it, concealing under the eyes and over darker pigmentation, then buffs everything out with a brush and sets the T-zone with a brightening powder. The result evens and brightens the skin without a heavy, cakey layer of foundation.
