Makeup Tips for the Busy Woman

I've been talking to some mom's and just busy ladies in general, and the one thing they tell me is "I need some tricks to save me time while doing my makeup but still look like I have makeup on". So I thought on that for while, makeup is like therapy for me I get lost in it and I love to have plenty of time to do it. However, there are those times when I am on a set time frame and we've all woke up late before so here's my best tips and tricks to save you time while still looking "put together".

Starting with a fresh face, the first tip I can give you is: Use a BB Cream or CC cream, one that has a tint is good. For this I used Dr Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Cream and added some Cover FX custom cover drops for pigment. A really good one is the IT Cosmetics CC Cream however, the shade range isn't great. Also the Smashbox BB Cream is a cult favorite. Mainly why this is a tip is because its: primer, moisturizer, concealer and coverage all in one. So even though I do recommend using a real moisturizer and primer as much as you can, in a pinch this would work fine. The one thing it won't do very well is correct dark circles, so I do cancel those out no matter what. I use NYX Dark Circle corrector in Medium. It also won't give you the fullest coverage. Which is why most people use a foundation over a BB Cream. I added Custom Cover Drops for not only color but added coverage as well.

Next is highlighting/brightening/concealing under eye area and high planes of the face. So I used the Maybelline Lumi Pen. The Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer is even better, MAC Pro Longwear concealer is a good choice and can also be used as eye shadow primer. What I do is I highlight with this pen and I let it set while I do my shadow. Accomplishing several things: 1) using the "baking" technique for fuller coverage and more prominent highlight the longer is sits 2) making it easy to clean up any fall out from your eyeshadow and 3) giving more coverage over all to the face in the areas it was applied.

Ok so scooting right on over to shadow this is one of those times when you really need a product that makes a statement on it's own. So first apply a crease color after you put on primer, I chose Noble from Mi Vida Loca Remix palette but Peach Smoothie from MUG would work fine or Beaches and Cream. Then I went in with a darker brown with a smaller brush on the outer lid and blended it with the same fluffy brush I used for my crease. Next I used Colour Pop "Nillionaire" shadow. Which is a glittery golden brown shadow. I apply it with my finger it's intensely pigmented and I apply it all over the lid. It doesn't usually require any blending so you're pretty much good to go.

So here is a step that you can do or not. It doesn't make or break the look. So what I do is I take a pencil, in this I used the Benefit Eye Bright pencil, to highlight the underneath of the brow and then I just blend it out. On the lower lash line I use a brown eyeliner and smudge it. Now if you apply it too heavily it will melt so you can use a brown shadow just the same. After that I blend out the concealer with my ring finger you could use a brush if you wish or a beauty blender but I use my finger to save time and to pat the concealer in to get the most coverage. 

My next tip is use a powder that will both set and highlight. I used Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Diffused Light but MAC pro shade in  Emphasize is great too. Of course any light shade will work to set. Highlighting is just an option. Do not use something super shimmery to set though. Next use a bronzer in a shade to where you can use it as contour, bronzer, and blush. So I used Makeup Forever Fusion Bronzer in shade 20M. The big picture is just showing you how subtle and glowy it looks. Next I used a tinted brow gel. I truly do recommend the Benefit Gimme Brow for this. It's got the best color and plus it has fibers in it so that it fills in your brows somewhat while it shapes them. Next if you still need some filling in you can use a brow pencil to touch up any sparse areas.

My next tip is to use a liquid lipstick close to your natural lip color because when it wears off after so many hours it won't be as noticeable. Also take it with you for touch ups. I'm using Lovely form ABH in this. One of the last things I do is mascara. I would recommend lashes if you are quick with them. That's the route I go, if you are not then this next tip is to beef up your lashes although I don't recommend doing this all the time cause it's rather harsh. So I curl the lashes first, then apply mascara, wait for the coat to dry and curl them again and re apply. I use Urban Decay Perversion mascara and L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara they're very similar to me. I use a mascara that thickens and then one that lengthens last. So I curl the lashes before mascara, after the first coat has dried and after the second coat has dried, then apply the last coat that is supposed to lengthen. "Lengthen" being the operative word. The reason I curl after mascara is because it holds the curl so much better and makes my lashes which are thin and short seem longer. I don't use liner. That's time consuming especially if you want a wing. At best I would tight line or smudge liner on the lash line. 

Lastly I use a setting spray. I used Smashbox Primer Water. Which can also be used to prime the face, set the makeup and refresh the makeup. The bigger picture is the finished product. As you can see, it's not barely there makeup it's really only lacking false lashes for me to be completely satisfied. 

So that's my tips. This is about 5-10 minute makeup depending what steps you take and how long it takes you to do them. Feel free to omit or add to as you see fit. I hope it was somewhat helpful.