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| Above (clockwise from top): Eight efficacious products for a rushed morning…Rouge Bunny Rouge Genesis Original Skin Primer, Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige, Estee Lauder Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in #120 Desirable, Surratt Beauty Artistique Blush in Duchesse, Chantecaille Supreme Cils Mascara, By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon #4, my custom foundation mix (featuring Kanebo Sensai, Suqqu and Ardency Inn) and Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade in Dark Brown. |
Most days of the week, I am facing some form of time constraints. From the moment I get up until the time I leave the house in the morning, I often allow myself no more than 25-30 minutes total. Let’s just say that I prefer sleep in the morning above all things else ; ) This routine allows me to devote about 10 minutes to makeup application, which, after years of practice, is completely achievable.
On (thankfully) rare days of unmitigated morning chaos (e.g., oversleeping, accidentally extended cuddle time with Jethro, belaboring efforts to locate a certain pair of jeans in my closet…c’est la vie!), however, my window of time may not be so ample. In turn, 10 minutes for makeup pragmatically reduces to no more than half that time and I am here to confirm that a full face CAN indeed be completed in five minutes.
Kindly scroll on for details on my process, swatches of the efficacious products I used on my “rushed (and inordinately rainy) morning” face, images of the final outcome and the Bottom Line…
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| Above: Swatches of all products in direct sunlight. |
FACE:
1. Upon cleansing with a cotton pad drenched in Koh Gen Do Spa Water (a daily staple for years…so good…reviewed HERE), I skipped a conventional moisturizer (no time!) and proceed by adding a welcome layer of Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge in #2 (reviewed HERE), which acts as a light tinted moisturizer, anti-aging treatment and illuminator.
2. I then applied one pump of Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Genesis Primer (discussed HERE) to minimize pores and combat the humidity waiting for me outdoors. I find that this particular formula does an exceptionally wonderful job of keeping makeup in place on days punctuated by extreme weather conditions like rain or heat.
3. Once my face was duly primed, I buffed on a foundation concoction I had created and put in a sample pot a couple of days prior. It provides immense, yet undetectable coverage and perfectly matches my in-between-shades, dead of winter skin. This formula consists of equal parts Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Cream Foundation in #22 Natural Beige (US Version…reviewed HERE), Suqqu Frame Fix in #002 (to lighten up the mix…reviewed HERE) and Ardency Inn Custom Coverage Concentrate in Light-Medium Olive (to increase coverage and lasting power…reviewed HERE). This trifecta is what I like to consider the quintessential full-coverage cream foundation for NC 23 skin.
4. I added a swipe of Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige (straight from the stick…no time for anything more civilized) to brighten up my under eye area. It is important to note that I don’t blend it in until AFTER eyeshadow and mascara application (demonstrated in this TUTORIAL); this process allows me to simply sweep away any errant eye makeup created by applying products in haste!
5. I quickly grabbed a bit of powder bronzer (not pictured) from my “current rotation” basket and applied it along my lower cheekbones for contour and then swept a bit of Surratt Beauty Artistique Blush in Duchesse (all shades in this magnificent formula swatched HERE), a soft and illuminating pale peach, over the apples of my cheeks. This subtle shade brings great life to light skin, especially once a bit of warmth fuses it to the canvas.
EYES:
1. I applied a couple of layers of By Terry Ombre Blackstar in #4 Bronze Moon (my go-to for a full eye in seconds…most recently reviewed HERE) directly from the tube across my upper lid and blended it under my lower lash line for a touch of depth.
2. I used my newly procured Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade in Dark Brown (a wonderfully neutral dark brown…no red tones whatsoever) with a small brow brush to lightly shape and define my brows. This highly waterproof formula does not budge…full review soon!
3. I finished my “three-product” eye look with two coats of the Chantecaille Supreme Cils Mascara (reviewed HERE) for a full and fluttery look that lasts the day without flaking or smudging. One gentle sweep of my under eye area with my pinky both removed any eyeshadow/mascara mistakes and blended the concealer applied two minutes earlier.
LIPS:
1. My lips benefitted from but a single product: the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in #120 Desirable. It is a creamy, pigmented, full coverage light pink nude that creates a complete lip in mere seconds. After hearing a wealth of positive buzz about this formula, I picked it out very quickly at the Lauder counter (first EL purchase in years) the night before and determined it to be the only shade of personal interest to me (with the exception of one other shade, the rest of the options are quite dark for my taste). It is surprisingly long lasting for such a hydrating formula and its slight sheen meant no need for gloss!
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| Above: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in #120 Desirable, a creamy, opaque pinky nude. The tube features a luxe, weighty case with a satisfying and secure magnetic closure. |
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| Above: A swatch of #120 Desirable in direct sunlight. |
Below: Images of the final look…these were taken at the END of the day, in turn being a clear testament to the lasting power of the products used!
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| Above: Taken in indoors in front of window. |
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| Above: Taken outdoors in direct late-afternoon sunlight. |
Bottom Line: Flattering makeup doesn’t have to take a great deal of time to apply! A minimum of carefully-curated products can work in harmony to create a clean and professional look in mere minutes. Truth be told, however, although I can apply a full face in five minutes, I’ll never be one to turn down the option of 10 ; )
What are some of YOUR go-to beauty products for a rushed morning?
I hope you’ve had a lovely Oscars weekend…good things on the blog next week including coverage from The Makeup Show LA (which, by the way, was incredible), a discussion of the NARS Matte Multiples, the reveal from last month’s Mystery Haircare post and, of course, new skincare and beauty products I’m currently loving.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
** This post contains affiliate links; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.
Comments (10)
Wow Rachel! Your skin looks INCREDIBLE.
Thank you so much, Patricia!! I've been trying to be ultra-diligent with my skincare routine lately (e.g., masks, oils, serums and even some time with my Quasar MD Plus ; ) Couple those efforts with a good foundation blend and I am glad to hear that it seems to be working!
xoxo and have a beautiful week,
–The Beauty Professor
Your skin looks gorgeous in the photos. I'm like that every morning, trying to get ready before the kids get up but I always end up lying in bed with the bubba feeding her then having even less time to get myself looking presentable for the school run.
I would live to try the Rouge Bunny Rouge primer it sounds lovely, I love the names they give their products.
Take care and talk soon
Julie xxx
Thank you, Julie! Looks like I was able to find your comment after some searching (I just wasn't notified that it had been submitted as I normally am)!
I highly recommend the RBR Primer…such a delightfully effective product!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Have you tried the Rouge Bunny Rouge – Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Primer? I'm loving the cle de peau foundation but by the late afternoon my dry skin starts to take over and it looks a bit patchy. I've been trying the new primer spray from Skindinavia, which I think might be a bit drying for my skin. I've tried the smashbox and laura mercier hydrating primers but haven't found one I love yet. Thanks again for all your advice! Your blog is my go-to beauty source. <3
I have not…but I think I might need to look into it as I am always pleased with Rouge Bunny Rouge products (currently loving the Original Skin Genesis Primer)!
Thanks for your product update and kind words about my blog…have you tried the By Terry Cellularose CC Lumi-Serum yet? It is mildly hydrating and incredible as a glowy primer.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I ended up going with the Original Skin Genesis Primer and, it's simply the best I've ever used!! (Not that I should not be surprised, your recommendations have been spot on!) The ingredients seem to work better with the By Terry Densiless and the Cle de Peau, which have been in heavy rotation. I think the main problem was that I hadn't adjusted my skincare routine in light of the skincare benefits in peau vierge and the cc lumi-serum (which I am in love with! the combination yields truly lit from within skin, amazing). I've always struggled with dry, sensitive skin but I think the primers and foundations I've used in the past made the situation worse. I noticed that the cle de peau was separating on my face, and after watching one of Wayne Goss's videos on layering the right ingredients, I think my products were competing with each other. I've been layering on serum and moisturizer for years. For the past week, I've switched to just three drops of the nude progenius oil (my new favorite) before the peau vierge / lumi serum combo, and I was surprised and delighted to find that it not only keeps my skin hydrated but with the rouge bunny primer creates the perfect canvas for foundation.
I can't thank you enough for all your help! Thanks again. xoxo!
I am thrilled to hear this success story, Blondie!! Thank you for sharing your primer and moisturizer journey…you have found joy with many of my favorite products and I am happy that my recommendations were right for you!! You simple cannot go wrong with RBR, CdP, By Terry and NUDE Skincare!
xoxo and have a marvelous 4th of July,
–The Beauty Professor
Professor it would be nice to see your eyes closed so the eyelid magic could be seen and appreciated
Thanks for your interest…will keep that in mind for future images ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor