My Five Minute Face

The past two weeks, I had a bunch of work meetings that required travel.

Because I’m also in rehearsals for the show I’m working on, I needed to be in town at night, so I did a number of up and backs–Madison to Northern Wisconsin and back–i.e. lots of windshield time.

Basically, that means early mornings on the road. I hate getting up early anyway, but when I get up, usually my eyelids are super puffy so putting on eye makeup doesn’t work.

And now that I’m older, I have to get out and walk around during a drive to cut down the amount of time I just sit. #problemsafter40

My new drive routine is to get up, shower, moisturize–lately, I’ve been alternating between the Glossier, Priming Moisturizer and the Too Faced, Hangover Replenishing Face Primer –and then do my makeup in a bathroom somewhere on the drive.

Generally, it’s in a well-positioned Starbucks halfway through the drive. (no seriously, note the time stamps on each photo…)

I noticed my makeup bag was particularly on point this time, and allowed me to accomplish a five minute face that worked!

So here’s (some of) what I brought with me and what’s been working for me in a quick and easy on-the-go makeup routine.

A pro tip is to try and minimize the tools, but I notice this routine was a fairly tool intensive affair although it could’ve been easily pared down.

Tools in the makeup bag included an old EcoTools bronzer brush, Surratt Relevee Lash Curler, It Cosmetics Love is the Foundation Brush (set an alarm to get this next september–i LOVE it), a Beauty Blender and an eyeshadow brush, any size will do.

For foundation, I used two different options. The first day, I went with my new favorite thing, the Wet n Wild MegaCushion Foundation SPF 15 in Creamy Ivory.

It’s my first time using a cushion foundation and any of the Wet n Wild foundation products.

I really, really like it.

I’m always on the hunt for the perfect foundation–and I’m also now looking for cruelty-free options–and this is both!

It applies really quickly–I applied it with my Beauty Blender– and gives a very nice even coverage. It’s definitely more light to medium, but that’s what I prefer.

And at $9–it’s a steal!

The only problem I had is the Starbucks bathroom in Plover only has a air hand dryer so I had a hard time blotting the blender down to damp.

So the next trip, I took my Bare Minerals, Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 in Vanilla instead. I also really like this one (thanks, Pamela!)

I used my fingers and the foundation brush for this one (and could skip all tools and just use my hands, if you’re trying to pack light.)

(and wouldn’t you know it–this starbucks had paper towel–so i could’ve just went with my original foundation! figures.)

Next is concealer and I’m still all in on the Urban Decay, Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer, Light Neutral. I use either the Beauty Blender or the brush to apply this anywhere that needs a little extra love, especially under eye circles. Like whoa.

For eyes, I’m sticking with my Maybelline, Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Nude Glow. It’s a $4 miracle. (but sadly, not cruelty-free.)

I bought the Benefit, Rollerlash on a discount because people love it so much. I’m not one of those people. It’s okay, not my favorite, but it gives a nice natural lash. I’m using it up, so it came with.

Brows have now become a necessity. I’ve had my Lashfood, BROWFOOD Tinted Brow Enhancing Gelfix in Brunette for a while and I’m still super into it. It’s got fibers in it that make your brows look fuller and I really like the application and look of it.

No eyeliner for me–it’s an extra step–and my eyelids are generally still kinda puffy. So that’s it for eyes.

I’ve become addicted to bronzer lately, and my go-to is still the Physicians Formula, Butter Bronzer, but I brought a small sample size of Benefit, Hoola Matte Bronzer  and it’s good, but I’d stay drugstore for my money.

For blush, I love the Tarte, Cheek Stain for travel or anytime, really. It gives nice color without needing a brush. I used the color, Glisten, a peach with a little shimmer, and Blushing Bride, a pink with a little shimmer. Both are now on sale on tartecosmetics.com and I’ve got a 25% off code in the mail, if anyone wants to use it, let me know!

As for lips, I have approximately a dozen lip products in my center console. Surprise, surprise. And I seem to always reach for the Fenty Beauty, Gloss Bomb!

All that–and I legit get it done in five minutes. And while I look tired, I don’t look dead, which is definitely the goal.

So that’s my current super fast makeup routine. What have you been using to minimize your mirror time? Let us know in the comments!

All products paid for by my work trips!