Five Minute Face - Before Work

One of the interesting things about starting work is the measures you begin to take to cut time off your morning routine. I start out with a full face routine, but after a few weeks of working, it gets cut down and down and down until I’m spending minimal time getting ready before running out the door. I work in an office, and looking professional is important, so running out the door without doing my face at least a little bit isn’t really an option.

I’ve got this down to a science. I only need five or ten minutes to finish this part of my routine.

First things first, I swipe on my foundation. I’ve been using the Rimmel Stay Matte foundation. I throw it on with a cosmetic sponge and it takes literally seconds. This foundation is great for every day because it has been so hot here lately, and this stops that midday shine from poking through. I do have dry skin, but I do get those shiny patches in the hot after lunch, and we have to stop that. I also do a swipe across my eyelids just to even out the color. A lot of days, I also don’t wear concealer, so I pat some extra foundation on in the spots I need extra coverage. I’ve been having great luck with my skin lately, and if I can avoid another product, I’m going to.

After the foundation, I use blush to add some color back into my face. Lately I’ve been using Dandelion by Benefit. It’s very natural looking and subtle enough that if I’m in a big hurry, I can do it without a mirror.

Eye shadow. I don’t really need this, but I usually don’t have time to mess around with eyeliner and I find that I look and feel more put together when I’m using it because I don’t need it.  I choose one color, usually a brown/bronze or grey shade and sweep it across the whole lid. My choice most days is the San Francisco BH Cosmetics eyeshadow. I got it in a subscription box, and while I really don't use the other two colors at all, this 

Next up is the lashes. I’ve been using Clinique’s High Impact Mascara, which goes on so simply and makes your lashes great in only one coat, or HUGE in two. It also doesn’t smudge off during the day, so I don’t have to worry about it giving me panda eyes that I don’t notice until I get home.

Finally, I swipe on my lip color. I’m still loving the NYX butter glosses. This step often takes place in my car. Glosses are great on the go because (once again) they don’t require a mirror if you don’t have one.

Then I’m gone. Good to go for the day in only five minutes. My makeup is usually the last thing that happens before I leave the house so those minutes are increasingly more precious. Some days, if I’m feeling ambitious I will do more, but for the everyday this suits just fine.

Face all done and ready for a day at the office!

What’s your everyday makeup routine?

If you want to see what I look like at work, you can also follow me on Instagram for a ton more selfies.