The Five Minute Makeup Survival Guide

Just because you don't have enough time to execute your entire primping and preening regimen doesn't mean you have to sacrifice looking fresh faced and polished.  You just have to know which are the most important things to squeeze into the few minutes that you do have.  Whether you decide to try some of my favorite 'miracle' products or plug in your own favorites, by following the 5 steps outlined here, you should be surprised and very pleased with how 'together' of a look you can accomplish in under five minutes!

1.  Concealer:  Apply your favorite concealer to any trouble spots that need it (blemishes, under eyes, etc...).  Mine is Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque - which is worth it's weight in gold.  Dabbed/stroked on with a concealer brush (recommend BE Max Coverage Concealer Brush) to trouble spots, this fabulous product seems to magically melt into your skin.  It's effective, natural looking, and lasts throughout the longest of days.

2.  Blush or Face Powder:  Pick the one product you would select if you could ONLY select one face makeup product.  Mine is Bare Escentuals Tinted Mineral Veil.  Another 'miracle' product, a light dusting over the face with a face brush (recommend BE Flawless Application Face Brush) with emphasis on cheekbones and nose evens out skin tone, absorbs oil and adds just the right amount of warm, natural looking color. 

3.  Eye Shadow /  Brightener:  Pick a single neutral but brightening color you can quickly and easily dust over your entire lids with a shadow brush (recommend BE Soft Focus Eyeshadow Brush).  Mine is Bare Escentuals Well Rested.  This miracle product dusts on like heaven and quickly and easily evens out, lightens and brightens the eyes and gives a natural but polished look.

4.  Lash Curler / Mascara:  Not your 'get every lash perfectly separated and evenly coated' mascara application - simply curl your lashes and then whisk a couple of strokes of your favorite mascara on upper lashes only - just enough so that your eyes will appear open, awake and polished.  I am a Lancome mascara fanatic, I use and love them all, depending on what look I'm in the mood for.  Lancome Definicils is an award winner year after year and a safe bet for any lash type. 

5.  Lip Gloss:  Always have a few glosses in sheer, versatile shades that you can swipe on quickly and wear alone to easily add color, shine and polish to any look.  I am a lip gloss junkie and am almost afraid to admit how many glosses I have and use and love ... but my favorites are Urban Decay XXX Shine, Lorac Lip Polish, Clinique Impossibly Glossy, Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips and City Cosmetics City Lips.   

Voila!  Now smile ... and don't be late (wink)!

Hot Tip:  Pick up an extra of each of your 5 products and keep them all together in one place by themselves (ideally where you would like to apply them).  This way, you never have to waste time scrambling between places or shuffling through a crowded makeup drawer to locate the items that you need.  You'll be glad you did!

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