And just like that, it’s Monday again – and it feels like the weekend flew by. After Labor Day a few weeks ago, I want to file an official petition for 3 day weekends AT LEAST once a month. The fact we won’t have another one until….Thanksgiving? Not good at all.
But that being said, I have a lot of fun things to look forward to with work and beyond in the next few months – so hoping that it doesn’t feel quite so much like a drag to the finish line. Tom’s coming back in a few weeks, I’m heading to Nashville to visit one of my best friends who recently moved there (I’ve never been!), and I’m sure I’ll have some fun trips to San Francisco in between. In the meantime, just got to put my head down and get sh** done until then. Wish me luck đ
And speaking of getting sh** done, it’s been awhile since I shared a beauty update on here! I usually keep my beauty routine the same (and there are a few standbys that you’ll always see around here), but there are a few new makeup products I’ve been loving that I wanted to share. And because I’m extra lazy (or just sleep in until the VERY last minute) I use all these guys for my 5 minute makeup routine. For those of you who spend more than 5 minutes on your makeup, I salute you…because I just can’t seem to put in the effort on a daily basis – whoops!
Okay – so here it is! Drumroll please….using a makeup brush of course. 
First things first, I use my Laura Mercier primer – because when you work long ass days at work, you want your makeup to stay on as long as possible. I use her Radiance primer that is so silky and smooth to apply, and it has this nice pearl tint that balances out imperfections giving you an all natural glow. 10/10 would recommend…
After that, I’ve been using Cover FX Power Play Corrective Concealer for my serious under-eye circles (I’m not playing, they are no joke – and I’ve tried everything over the years). Shaheen and Liz Adams shared it on their stories, and I was influenced to try it out. Turns out it’s 100% the real deal, and the coverage is better than any other concealer I’ve used in the past. Plus it’s all natural so I don’t feel so guilty about using it every day. I use the shade “Fair 2” because I’m real pasty.
Once I look like I actually got some sleep the night before, I use NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation. It’s kinda a pain to find – and it ain’t cheap – but it’s the best powder foundation and it actually lasts all day. I don’t love how liquid foundations make my skin feel oily or sticky – so powder is my go-to. I use the shade Mont Blanc year round (again, pasty…) but add more bronzer in the summer time.
Okay, so – now onto the bronzer (because at this point I’m so pasty I look dead). I use Bare Minerals Endless Summer Bronzer and Endless Glow Highlighter to give myself an all natural glow that also lasts! I love everything Bare Minerals, but I especially love their pressed powders – and I love that the bronzer has this amazing coconuty scent that’s subtle, so it feels like summer even on the coldest Chicago days. I add a dab to my cheeks and the top of my forehead (it looks naturally sun-kissed then!).
I usually follow bronzer with a little dab of blush – again using Bare Minerals. I like their Gen Nude Blush (my favorite color is “Pretty in Pink”) and their new Bounce and Blur blush if you want to apply a slightly creamer version with your fingers or a beauty blender. I just add a little bit to my cheek bones to give myself a little more dimension and glow (again, so I look alive and maybe well rested ;))
Then I just pop on eyeliner in a copper color (I like Lune and Aster’s Dawn to Dusk eyeliner or Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Eye Pencil), both of which are nice and creamy but also last pretty long – even after rubbing my eyes at work. I top it off with Bare Mineral’s Lashtopia mascara (it’s magical and adds volume to my little baby eyelashes!), and if I’m getting dressed up – I’ll add W3LL PEOPLE’s Nudist Eye Shadow from their palette (I love both the Taupe and the Violet hued versions!). All their products are all natural (and available at Target!) and their shades are buildable so you can make a really pretty smokey eye easily. Easy is always key in my book.
Okay, so – you may be thinking, “all that only takes you 5 minutes?!”, but honestly, it actually does. I’ve gotten good at the perfect eyeliner swoop and applying mascara after so many years, so as long as I don’t get distracted by my phone – I can do everything in 5 minutes or less. Not sure if that’s impressive to sad….but hey, it works for me!
Are there any other products you love that I should try? While I stick to a few standbys, I’m always down to try something new! xx
