It doesn't always take me five minutes, but most of the time I can get away with my ultimate 10 minute makeup routine. Shall I admit something? I take really good care of my skin but I still use my fingers half the time, and then I use a beauty blender sponge that I just got from Forever 21 in a three pack, to blend throughout the day. I decided to scale back a little at the end of Summer, as Hunter begins Pre-K very soon and I need something quick for AM bus drop-off's.
Some of these are a little pricey, but I will have cheaper alternatives as suggestions if you're on a budget. (Trust me, I've been there!) I've got you covered.
Eyelash curler. Mint green and gold. Forever 21. $3.80 (online, and in store)
Amp up your makeup game with this basic beauty tool! I live by the golden rule, that an eyelash curler can really fix anything. I curl my lashes, sans mascara, before going to the gym and mid-day if I don't want to gloop on more mascara because it really aggravates my contacts! My pick from Forever 21 has two benefits, price point, and tool pressure. I love that this one really gets well on my base, where my lashes tend to already curl, and it allows me to get them in place where they belong with the help of the pressure points in this tool. Plus, how can you argue with a curler under $4? I mean, c'mon!
L'Oréal The Infallible Blackbuster Liquid 8hr Eyeliner. Shade Black/Noir. About $7 at Target, and most drugstores.
I like a good cat eye, and this product lasts. I haven't ventured into the gel territory, (although when those first came out I loved Clinique's version that came in a pot), but I just love the liquid lined look. This is a cheaper version that lasts, and the color coverage is the perfect pontification of black. It's an excellent base just to add to your makeup collection!
Burt's Bee's Beeswax Lip Balm. Available at most retailers.
This will be my forever lip balm of choice. I love Burt's Bee's, enough said.
Visine Long Lasting Redness Relief eye drops. Available at most retailers and drugstores.
I use Visine more now than I ever have because I don't always get adequate sleep. I love this version from their line of eye products because it's soothing, and it takes away all the redness. I hate what I call stoner eyes, with all the little red squiggly lines so I always keep these on hand for quick fixes. Pro Tip: It also will take away the redness of a MAJOR blemish in a pinch if necessary.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. Shade NC25. Purchased from Belk, but available at all MAC Stores or Macy's. $27
This is my dream powder. I'm new to the MAC game. I'll be honest, the black packaging and makeup gurus who worked at the counters always overwhelmed me a little. Everything I've ever learned about makeup I taught myself from the pages of Seventeen. True story! I was born to be a MAC lady though, and this powder/foundation duo is the center from which my 10 minute routine was born. I can spot treat my blemishes, and powder my t-zone lickety split. The coverage is flawless, and stays put well past 12 hours of wear. Why did I ever buy any other powder? Dear MAC, this is my love letter .... I thank you immensely for this product.
Since this price point is on the higher end, (although if you can swing it I highly recommend it). I'm also in love with Rimmel's Stay Matte Shine Control Pressed Powder (less than $6 at most drugstores), and NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation (about $11 available at Target, CVS, and Ulta or online).
Maybelline Volum' Express, The Falsies, Big Eyes Mascara. Very Black. $10 (Available at most retailers, and drug stores).
I love this mascara for several reasons, but the biggest one is that I don't have to scrimp on coatings. The formula is thin enough to build on without feeling cake-y and I still get fluttery lashes without the messy formulas of waterproof mascara. It's my go-to. Also, can we talk about the duo brushes? The tiny bristles on the bottom lash brush are perfect for my longer lower lashes, and as for my tops, that brush easily gets into all the little nooks and crannies. It's literally the perfect formula, and Maybelline has finally met it's match as I am a stickler for their Great Lash and always will be.
Flower Beauty Chubby's Highlighter and Lip & Cheek. Highlighter is in shade HL2 Gold Coaster, and Lip & Cheek is in KM3 Can't Re-fuchsia. About $11 at Wal-Mart or online.
My love affair with FLOWER Beauty continues! I'm completely obsessed with these new lines of Chubby's, which are miniature sticks of glorious coverage and color to save me time when I need to feel my most beautiful! The Lip & Cheek chubby has the greatest coverage, and blends effortlessly as a blush. If you read my last makeup post, I talked about the same highlighter but in pearl shimmer, which I still love, but gold coaster takes on the little extra sparkle I crave to match the more muted colors of Fall.
Physician's Formula Super CC+ Concealer. Shade Light/Medium. About $13 (Available at most drugstores, and Target).
This Super CC (color correcting), magical unicorn formula is the answer to my blemish prayers! If I have a spot, simply twist and brush on flawless coverage that lasts. A bonus is the 30SPF that's added in making it the perfect under-eye concealer. It delicately covers up harsh lines and imperfections on my skin with ease, and doesn't cause a single breakout.L'Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick in British Red. About $6 at most drugstores/retailers.
I love this shade of red, because it's a perfect transition between the bright reds of Summer and the darker shades of Fall. It still falls in the coral-y red spectrum, so works well with almost all skin tones. I have seen all kinds rock it! The color lasts, and the application doesn't need a lot of precision because the color doesn't bleed. Great for all day!
I hope these products will shorten your beauty routines, and leave you more time to catch some morning Zzzzzzzzzz. We all need more of those!
As always, I love yer faces!
xo,
C
