Mommy Fast Beauty: On this Fast Day I Did… This!

So, for some reason until recently I never featured any of my “I’m in a crazy hurry and can barely do anything” looks. I guess I assumed they were not “good” enough to be featured on the interwebz? But, it appears that people really do like to see the fast and quick beauty routines.

So, this is what I looked like recently, and when I timed it (I really did, my iPhone happened to be sitting there, I went back and took pics later), this was 9 minutes and 20 seconds. I do variations on this all the time, usually I grab a different foundation/BB cream product, I might grab a different concealer or different shadow palette, but this is pretty much what I do.

Here’s a quick peek at everything. I started the timer as I was turning on the water to wash my face and brush my teeth. Luckily the hubby had just gotten out the shower, so it was super fast to warm up!

While waiting for the water to warm up, I sprayed dry shampoo throughout my hair. This was definitely going to be a no shower day, and while my hair wasn’t really oily (it was day #2 for my hair), I wanted to add a little volume. I sprayed Aveeno throughout my hair, shooshed my hands around a bit in my hair and threw it up in a very rough bun to get it out of the way while the dry shampoo did its magic.

Then I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth. Lightly patted dry, and raced to my vanity on the other side of my giant bathroom.

One of my favorite quick morning tricks is to use a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer to combine 2 steps. However, since I really only want coverage in the center of my face, I apply the tinted product only to that area. Then I use a regular spf daily moisturizer on the outer parts of my face and down on to my neck. I guess I didn’t really save steps that way, but usually there’s a lot less blending than a traditional moisturizer followed by foundation morning.

I then apply concealer wherever I need it, usually under my eyes and around the nose. I used fingers to apply and lightly blend, then quickly blend things out around my nose with a few pats of a Beauty Blender sponge.

Next I do my eyes. I use the NYX Eyeshadow base most days. It has quite a bit of coverage (I need to cover those vessels!) and it helps my shadow stay on all day. It applies with just a finger tip in a few seconds.

On fast days, I find it is easiest to grab a palette. Otherwise I sit there and debate about colors, dig through my MAC or my BFTE shadows… not the best use of time. Today I’ve grabbed the Shimmering Sands trio. I want a light and pretty look, I’ll only use 2 of the shades (details below). I also have a brown liner (Elizabeth Arden) and black mascara (today it’s from Lancome, Hypnose Drama).

I applied the lightest pink all over the lid and slightly over the crease with a big fluffy brush. Then I grabbed my crease brush and applied the medium shade into the crease, with a little more emphasis at the outer part of the lid. I completed the look with the brown liner to top and bottom lash lines and a quick coat of the mascara.

Finally, I use my fingers to apply a pretty pink cream blush (that’s pink plum), I buff a light layer of powder into my t-zone and a quick swipe of a pretty pink gloss (MAC Galaxy Rose).

I have a little bit of time left, but my hair is still in that crazy bun! The dry shampoo has had a chance to work, so I pull it out and brush out the kinks and dry shampoo.

To create a little extra volume in my ponytail, I’ve taken the top and front 1/4 or so of my hair, and pinned it up out of the way. I then create a pony tail tight to my head with the rest of my hair. Now I can take the rest of my hair, smooth it a little over the current pony tail, and I can shape it easily to add a little volume. If I want a lot I’ll even add some backcombing, though I rarely do that. Mostly, I get a bit more volume because with that base pony tail, all of the weight isn’t pulling down the top. (I should write a post about how I do this, it needs pictures.)

So, in under 10 minutes I was ready to take care of my toddler for the day. We had a full schedule of play, lunch and music class!