Everyday 15 Minute Makeup

I am always in a hurry in the morning getting ready for work. 
I am not a morning person!  I would rather sleep than give myself extra time for makeup.
Here is my 10-15 minute Monday - Friday makeup routine

BEFORE:  Yikes! This is very rare...showing my mug without any makeup!
I am not sure why, but I am sporting extra spots. Good day for a before shot!
This is fresh-out-of-the-shower, people!

First I put on a moisturizer and a primer...

Next I mix my favourite foundation MAC Studio Fix Fluid (NC20) with my Garnier BB Cream. (during the winter months, when I need more moisture and coverage)
I always use my favourite foundation brush Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki Brush to buff it into my skin, starting in the middle of my face...

 

Then comes the much needed concealer.  Dot it under my eyes and on any blemishes and buff/stipple it in with my MAC 224 Brush.  I like the "airbrush" affect it gives...

 

Powder is a must!  Need to set your foundation and concealer into place. Makes a world of difference, especially if you're normal to oily, which I am.

LOVE the MAC Studio Careblend and my favourite powder brush MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush.  I usually press the powder (with the puff that comes with the powder) and dust off access with the brush.  The tapered brush is perfect for getting under your eyes.

 

Blush Blush Blush...a girls best friend, especially during the winter months when your skins feels a bit blah. I usually switch up my blush and today I went with a MAC Mineralized Blush in Gleeful

This is great for days when you need a little bit more out of your blush, it has a nice shimmer to it, not a lot, but enough so you look awake.

Brows.  Brows are so important for that all together face look. They really do frame the face.

I feel naked without them!  Lingering Eye Brows from MAC is my favourite eyebrow pencil ever! This has been repurchased over and over.  It suits a lot of brows too, so I always have one in my makeup kit.  I like to draw them in and use an old mascara wand to brush the colour up and through my brows, so it doesn't look so penciled on.

 

Eyeshadow time!  My go-to eyeshadow palette and brushes...

From left to right (all MAC) Vanilla (brow bone); Bisque (all over lid); Wedge (outer crease); Patina (crease). I use the Sigma E40 Tapered Blending (black one) to put Bisque all over the lid; the Sigma E25 Blending (white one) to put Patina in my crease and Wedge on the outer crease. Lastly I use the Sigma E70 Angled Brush to put Vanilla on my brow bone.

Phew, sounds like a lot of work, but it isn't ;)  I think it's worth at least putting a wash of eyeshadow over the lid that's close to your skin colour like Bisque. It hides any discolourations and sets your lids if you put foundation/concealer on them.

Yessss, eyeliner time!  If it's one thing I need it's eyeliner!  I have light eyelashes and I need a liner to bring more definition to my eyes.  I love using the MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner, it's very smooth going on and lasts all day. Lord It Up is my preferred colour.  I like to use it under my eye and blend/smudge it in with the MAC 219 Pencil Brush

 

How I love Mascara! Especially the Telescopic Explosion Mascara by L'oreal.  The ball applicator works so well to get the corner lashes. It's easy to "direct" your lashes where you want them to go.  I always curl my lashes first with my shu uemura lash curler and use an old mascara wand to help separate if they look a bit clumpy.

Lips can be very drying during the winter months.  It's easy and quick just to put on a "chapstick" or a lip gloss just to make your lips look healthy and moisturized.  Throw in your purse for touch-ups during the day.  I like MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink.  The perfect neutral pink.

 AFTER:  the final look!!! Wow, thanks Makeup...I really needed you today ;)

My Favs for 2012

Here is a list of my favourite products that I loved using over 2012.

These products were either new in 2012 or new to me in 2012!

Sorry, some of the pictures seem to be blurry, the lighting was not so good :(

makeup brushes, haircare, beauty, makeup and nails

 OPI nail polishes

Live and Let Die / The Living Daylights / Russian Navy

 
I am in love with MAC Mineralized products!!
Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (left) minimizes pores and leaves my skin so soft.
Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream (right) keeps my under eyes feeling moisturized. 

Can be used for day or a light night cream.

 

Vaseline Lip Therapy cocoa butter.  Put this on at bedtime and you will have super smooth lips in the morning, smells good too!
Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum works great on my frizzy hair.
Great inexpensive alternative to Argan oil.

 

Mascara

I have sooo many mascaras, these are the two I use most.

 L'oreal Telescopic Explosion / Avon Drama

 Love the applicators for these mascaras, makes it look like you have false lashes!

 Can't say enough about this Urban Decay Naked 2 palette!  Excellent colour selection, awesome pay-off, good quality eyeshadows.  I can use these on anyone.  I recommend this palette to anyone wanting neutral colours.  Comes with a mini lipgloss!

 

Best eyeliners by far!  MAC has come out with some great longwear eyeliners.

They glide on so smooth and literally last all day.  That's saying a lot for me.  

These are perfect for hooded eyes, it doesn't transfer to my "saggy" eyelid.

My two favourites are Lord It Up and my newest edition Night Trail.

Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Medium. I hit pan! This is definitely my go-to powder.

I first saw this being used by Romero Jennings at a MAC PRO class. 

It took me awhile to actually try it...now I wonder how I lived without it!

It's so flawless, makes my skin smooth without that powder look.

I will be repurchasing this over and over!

I just purchased these from the new Strength collection.  I love the colours.  

Taupe Shape (left) is a perfect contour shade.  Poised (right) is a perfect everyday blush.

Maybelline Fit concealer in shade 20.
I am usually not a big fan of Maybelline concealer or foundation.

I found out about this by another MUA who raved about it on youtube.

I decided for the price why not try it out.  Now I use it everyday!  

It's creamy and blendable, just what you need for undereye!

Brushes!! My favs for everyday use!

For foundation, I can't live without the Sigma F84 (left). 

Buffs foundation into the skin effortlessly with a very natural airbrushed look.

For concealer, I have a lot of brushes but find this one from Sephora (right) 

is the one I always reach for.  It's the Sephora Brand Airbrush Concealer brush.

It's meant to mimic your fingertips, which is what you need under your eyes.

For powder I use the MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush (left).

The pointed tip is perfect for applying and blending powder blush, highlighter or face powder.

For blush/contouring the Sigma F40 Angled Contour (right) is perfect for getting under your cheekbones or applying blush on them.

I love these eyeshadow brushes so much, I have two of each.

The Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush (left) is great for applying one shadow all over the lid or blending harsh shadow lines.

The Sigma E25 Blending Brush (right) is great for applying a medium colour in the crease and can be used for blending as well.  It's also great for applying concealer under the eye.