Milk and Cookies
with Linda and Kristen
Milk and Cookies is a savory web venue for cool products, useful tips, and idea-sharing, prepared especially for busy moms like you. From the must-haves to avoid-at-all-costs, we're dishing out tools for a delicious life balance.
Visit Linda's fitness site at Bodies in Motivation and check out Kristen's blog at Swistle.blogspot.com
Gone in 600 seconds: how to rev your morning beauty routine
Categories: Time savers, Toothsome products (for grownups)
I can’t even believe I just used the term beauty routine—but there it is, gunking up the blog title with its associations of frippery and vanity and a general disregard for the Important Things In Life.
Well, what can I say, I rely on a little primping before I greet the outside world. When I have a little time to devote to some monkeyish self-grooming, I feel better about myself. The truth is, a portion of my self-confidence comes from Sephora—whether it’s right or wrong, I subscribe to the I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, my blemishes are mostly concealed mantra.
Now that I’ve got a toddler to wrangle in the mornings, I’ve had to streamline my getting-ready routine. For instance, I’ve learned that it’s hard to linger over my hair when I’ve got a 2-year-old standing in the bathroom doorway yelling “ALL DONE MOMMY! ALLLL DONE!” (not a fan of the hairdryer sound, my son). So, on the mornings when I’ve got about ten minutes to spiff myself into a reasonably presentable shape, here are some products I rely on:
• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Yes, this sounds like the stupidest makeup product known to mankind—it’s a clear goo you smear on your face before you put on the actual makeup. But I promise you it will change your whole face, in subtle, happy, smoothing ways. I use this instead of moisturizer in the morning.
• Bare Minerals Foundation. I just can’t say enough good things about this makeup. It goes on in a flash, and covers everything. It covers my pregnancy zits, my incipient rosacea, and leaves a smooth and natural finish. (A while back I reviewed it here, and I even included before and after shots, that’s how much I love this stuff.)
• Bumble and bumble’s Hair Powder. I know all the beauty magazines say it’s actually healthier to not wash your hair every day, but they never talk about how some people turn into an oil slick if they skip a day. My hair gets greasy and flat and all-around unpleasant on the days I don’t shampoo, so if I don’t have time for the whole shower/drying routine, this product saves my day. It somehow absorbs the oil and provides body at the same time. Brush hair, spray roots, quickly style into place, DONE.
• Bronzing powder. I like Benefit’s Hoola, because it’s not sparkly. Dust a little on your cheekbones, a little more on the brows of your eyes, and voila—you’re somehow more polished and pulled together, without having to bother with shadows and liners and crap.
On a related note, my bathroom counter is often a mess, and that always slows me down in the morning as I look for this or that. When it’s actually organized and the stuff I always use is within easy reach (yet out of reach from a certain Kabuki-brush-stealing small boy), it’s much easier to find what I need and finish up.
How about you, do you have any advice for getting ready in a flash? Products you can’t live without, routines that really help?
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I have short hair and what really helps me is skipping blow-drying! I actually don’t like a lot of noise in the morning and not having to blow-dry my hair is a key for me! It also saves so much time! I let it dry naturally and then put a little bit of a hair product in to style it!
victoria | October 2nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
In the morning I use Smashbox Backdrop tinted moisturizer instead of regular moisturizer. It’s kind of foundation-y with the coverage and all, but it is a light moisturizer with SPF and really makes my skin look better. I have a lot of freckles so any heavy foundation looks like pancake on me. Then I go the opposite of you, I use a highlighter on my cheeks and brow bones. It’s this pink drugstore stuff. Loreal I think, I don’t actually remember what it is called, but I don’t think they sell it anymore. Then lip gloss and I am out.
Melanie | October 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I mostly rely on a package of Fig Newton Minis to buy myself a few extra minutes to get ready, since they are
1) Hard to get out of the little package
2)Tiny enough to cram into a little mouth one-by-one
3)Tasty and delicious enough to hold a toddler attention for 3-4 minutes
Thanks Nabisco!
Tessie | October 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I am interested in the smashbox photo finish, but not ready to add another goop to my face. This year for me is the year of sunscreen, specifically Neutrogena Dry Touch in 45spf or 55spf. everyday! face, neck, arms. Moving to socal has made this mandatory as has the 1hour I spend watching little ones on the playground each day!
Nancy | October 2nd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Next time I run out of foundation, I think I’ll try the Bare Escentuals. (Why must they screw around w/the spelling. why?)
Sheryl | October 2nd, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I love Stila tinted moisturizer, my Shu Uemura eyelash curler (I can’t believe I didn’t curl my eyelashes until I hit 30 - it makes a HUGE difference!), and Bourjois mascara. If I have time, I add eyeshadow and eyeliner.
foodmomiac | October 2nd, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Lovelovelove the Smashbox Photo Finish. It’s so ODD the first time you use it, but the effect is so subtle and natural. I’ve been using Bare Escentuals for 7 years now, and love it a little more each day.
Buy the BE from QVC - free returns if you hate it, and they generally have the best prices.
Chelsea | October 2nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Ooh, must try this hair powder.
My personal “routine” is eyeliner, waterproof mascara, stay-on lipstick, perhaps a shot of concealer for the zit I always seem to be sporting.
I might have to try the BE stuff. I tried some of the L’oreal version and hated it…but one of my best friends swears by the real thing too, so perhaps I’ll try hers before dropping the $50.
GoingLoopy | October 2nd, 2007 at 6:39 pm
My Mama used to put baby powder in our hair when it looked greasy, but we didn’t have time to wash it. Here’s my question: How do you keep the powder from making it look like you have dandruff for the rest of the day? Baby powder never seemed to brush all the way out.
Fay | October 2nd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
The Bumble and bumble stuff somehow sprays into your hair in a really fine mist, and then I just brush or finger-comb any visible stuff out. It’s kind of amazing how it works, really — I’ve tried other brands and they leave dandruffy powder all over my shoulders.
milkandcookies | October 2nd, 2007 at 7:32 pm
[...] jessie wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
acne medication » Gone in 600 seconds: how to rev your morning beauty routine | October 3rd, 2007 at 12:56 am
I’m totally with you on the Bare Escentuals and the Smashbox primer. I’m convinced both have improved my skin.
The B&b hair powder I have but cannot get the hang of - I always wind up spraying too much in my hair making it look worse/more greasy that it already did.
Insofar as bronzer I love the concept but again am a total klutz with it and it usually winds up looking like someone wiped their ass with my face (SORRY!)
Jennifer | October 3rd, 2007 at 10:26 am
I find that lipstick hides a total lack of everything else. If I put on NO MAKE UP but then put on lipstick, it kind of looks like I AM wearing make up.
Earrings, too. Lipstick and earrings and you look like you put in some effort.
Swistle | October 3rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I found an interesting article about hair powder. It sounds like cornstarch may be a good alternative if you can’t afford the B&B product. I have super oily hair and have to wash daily so I found this topic very interesting.
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip543.htm
Megan | October 3rd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I was reading over at kerflop.com that BE leaves lines more visible. I wonder if this is a dry vs oily skin problem– if you have dry skin it would make lines more visible? Whoorl.com mentioned the same problem.
Sheryl | October 4th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Sort of related: I have always wondered about the “don’t shampoo everyday” advice too. I tried several times just wrapping my hair up in towel while showering (not getting it wet at all) and then trying to style it–it just ended up greasy.
BUT! Someone recently told me that every other day, instead of shampooing, just rinse well and condition. I was skeptical, but I’ve been doing it for a week and no oil slick! It’s only been a week, so I can’t say if it’s actually improving my hair, but I have high hopes.
Megan | October 5th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
while i dont have a toddler, im more or less addicted to my snooze bar and can NOT resist slapping it a few extra times. therefore, i have what essentially amounts to 10 minutes after i shower before i have to hit the door.
i too love my bare escentuals foundation and smashbox photo finish primer [which i found thanks to your recommendation!], however i dont wear them every day. as a nurse, i wear a mask on my face most days, and find wearing NOTHING is the best way to prevent breakouts. i wear those when im not working. however for work, i always wear:
[-] stila’s illuminating concealer under my eyes. i LOVE this stuff. brightening and concealing all in one step, with tubes tiny enough to keep in my purse. and in a pinch i throw some on my lids for a little pick up too. perfect.
[-] lorac’s publicity stunt mascara in black, after i curl my eyelashes. if i do NOTHING else, i curl my eyelashes, but this mascara is AMAZING. it seriously lasts though my entire 12 hour shift at work in the pediatric ICU (usually busy with lots of running, bending, lifting, turning and occasionally involving tears) without a flake or run. AMAZING stuff.
[-] laura mercier’s bronzing gel on my cheeks. LOVE this stuff. i wear cargo’s powder bronzer [i personally love the gentle sparkle] also, but i use this for work because it lasts longer. DEFINITELY recommend for those who are “bronzer virgins” as its easy to apply, a soft color, and almost fool proof.
[-] ANY versions of kiehl’s lip products. i SWEAR by their #1 lip balm, and they have awesome glosses and colored lip balms for when i want a little wash of color without lipstick.
[-] and last but not least, i always have cargo’s all over color tube in my purse because it works all sorts of little miracles in one little tube.
all except the kiehls can be found at sephora. kiehls at your local store or kiehls.com.
deanna | October 6th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I’m so happy to hear people lauding the Smashbox Photo Finish! I’ve been using it for years now, especially when I’m onstage.. it SAVES my sensitive skin from the layers of harsh pancake makeups.
I’m about convinced to try BE again; I tried it when they first came out, and it totally broke out my sensitive skin. But everyone raves about it.. how could I be the odd one?
(Easily. That’s how.)
Sarah | October 8th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
The one thing I ALWAYS do is use sunblock, specifically designed for the skin on your face…I only started doing this 2 months ago, but now it doesn’t matter HOW late I am, it goes on. Its tinted too, which helps
Otherwise, I have incredibly blotchy skin after I shower (I guess everyone does, but mine doesn’t fade for a couple of hours afterwards) and I have really fine skin so everything shows up really clearly on it, so if I want to look good, then I use foundation and concealer. Also, bronzer makes me look healthier.
Otherwise, I am a big mess and hardly ever do my hair or makeup! hehe…hoping for that to change though, I’m just lazy most of the time.
Jem | October 9th, 2007 at 7:14 am
I am also a huge fan of BE and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. Recently they had Bare Escentuals on QVC & they launched a new foundation primer called Prime Time. I ordered it and it is really great. I would say definitely as good as the Smashbox kind and costs way less. I think it was about $20 vs $38 for the Smashbox.
kellie | October 10th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Funny you bring this up. I have found recently having to force myself to wear makeup. Big difference between going to an office daily and staying home with the baby and preschool set.
I try and wake up early and get dressed and at least get moisturizer on (right now I *LOVE* Burts Bees Marshmallow cream- the plant not the food, by the way) and the eyelashes curled before waking up the kiddos.
If I am leaving the house at some point in teh day I’ll throw on the BE and a little shadow and mascara (am digging Avon Curves Mascara right now). If it is an at home day, I’ll just skip it.
I have been trying Loreal’s tan in a bottle stuff on my face. I am using it every other evening in hopes that it will give me just enough coverage to cover my roseacea cheeks. Not sure if it is working so far.
Deanna | October 18th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Discount Cosmetics…
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…
Discount Cosmetics | November 14th, 2007 at 6:09 am
Makeup Tips and Cosmetics Reviews…
Sorry, it just sounds like a crazy idea for me :)…
Makeup Tips and Cosmetics Reviews | November 15th, 2007 at 9:43 am