Moms, students, teachers, or normal human beings- how many times have you snoozed until the last possible minute that you have to wake up? That was literally me this morning, and I have to admit that it can be a couple times a week. I’m the kind of person who will not step out of my house with at least the basics, so it’s important that I nailed down a quick AM routine. Here it is broken down minute by minute. Also, the products are a click away (and nothing’s too crazy) if something is missing from your makeup bag. Amazon Prime is your friend when you need fun stuff, makeup included.
Minute One: Concealer and Eye Primer
After toning and moisturizing, I put on my bases- my concealer and eye primer. Just swipe your concealer with your (clean) fingers around the nose, on the chin, under the eyes, and on the forehead if you need it or use a great concealing pencil like the Undercover Crayon by Pixi. Basically, anywhere you get redness or dark spots and blend with your finger. Dab into the eye primer with a different finger; swipe it on your lid and blend up to your crease. I really like Maybelline Color Tattoo because it stays put. Done and on to the next!
Minute Two: Powder and Blush
Dip your brush into your powder and even out that skin tone! Don’t forget to blend down onto your neck, too. Accidental lines on the neck aren’t cute. For this I like Neutrogena Mineral Sheers because it’s so light on my skin. Then, I like to use a bronzer instead of a blush in the summer because I feel a little more beachy. Even though I may be stuck in the swampy south rather than the tropical white sands of the Caribbean, that’s okay. We improvise, right? Add on 10 more seconds if you want to add color on the apples of your cheeks. That is what’s great about the e.l.f. Bronzer and Blush Duo– no digging in your bag for the blush; it’s right there!
Minute Three: Eyeshadow or Liner
Notice the or. Save time and do EITHER shadow or liner. If you have an extra couple of minutes, make your makeup more complete by combining these. But when you are in a rush, pick one or the other.
If you are going with shadow, choose a nude palette that will be more forgiving of mistakes since you are working quickly. Shimmery or brighter colors are harder to fake if your blending skills weren’t on par after just waking up, and don’t even get me started on the potential under eye fall-out. Use a flat brush to paint on a nice nude that will blend in to your skin tone, and use a fluffier brush that fits into your crease to add a color about 1-2 shades or so darker. Blend (think 5 second windshield wiper motions in your crease). For a cruelty free nude palette with attitude try Nude Dude by the Balm.
Liner lovers, skip that step and go straight in for an understated cat-eye, or add some drama if you are feeling it that day. I like to use waterproof option like Maybelline Ultra Liner if I’m not using shadow. My lids get crazy oily, so without waterproof liner, I get a really cool line that imprints into my crease (yeah, not cool at all).
Pro Tip: If you use waterproof liner, skip the next step and do your mascara now. If you wait for your liner to dry, your lashes will be stiff and will not point or curl in the direction you want.
Minute Four: Brow Pencil and Gel
If you are looking for tips to get a thick Kardashian brow, this is not the place. I’m not saying not to, but for 5-minute mornings, nobody’s got time for that. Embrace your natural brows, ladies! There are ways to enhance those lovelies to frame your face nicely without busting out the brow stencils, brow wax, pencils, gel and beyond.
Get your eyebrow pencil out, like e.l.f. Instant Lift, and lightly fill in your brows in brushstrokes going up, mimicking your natural brow’s flow. End it with some Maybelline Brow Drama to hold them in place, and it’s time for the finishing touches. Your little bambino may be tugging at your pants to pick her up and guess what! Go ahead and multitask because all you have to do is…
Minute Five: Mascara and Lips
Run the mascara brush through your lashes and add on a quick lip tint. My new favorite is Voluminous Lash Paradise (I use waterproof in the summer because, well, the south). Burt’s Bees Tinted Balms are also easy for adding some quick color. I touch up throughout the day when my lips are feeling bare or dry. For the ladies who work in professions like teaching or nursing, or just for the extroverts who like to talk a lot, invest in a long wearing lipstick or the NoFilter favorite lip stain Megalast Liquid Catsuit, that won’t budge and just involves adding some plain ole lip balm when your lips are dry.
When you perfect this 5-minute makeup routine, you will wonder how in the hell did you ever spend 30 minutes on just makeup! Our time with our littles/puppies/kitties/selves is much more valuable.
Remember, you can find quick links to all of these great products from Amazon in the article and below! You know you want this easy routine in your pocket, I mean your makeup bag.
Concealer-Undercover Crayon by Pixi $14; Eye Primer- Maybelline Color Tattoo $7; Powder- Neutrogena Mineral Sheers $22; Bronzer/Blush- e.l.f. Bronzer and Blush Duo $9; Eyeshadow- Nude Dude by the Balm $35; Eyeliner- Maybelline Ultra Liner $6; Brow Pencil- e.l.f. Instant Lift $5; Brow Gel-Maybelline Brow Drama $7; Mascara- ; Lip Tint-Burt’s Bees Tinted Balms $8; Lip Stain- Megalast Liquid Catsuit $4
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