3 minute makeup

I believe in self acceptance and self love, but that doesn’t change the fact that I have a pretty serious passion for makeup, nail polish, hair colours - all things beauty. I’m a bit obsessed, and I always have been. I love colour, brightness, pick-me-ups and indulgences. Since I was young I was shaping my sisters’ eyebrows, dyeing their hair, doing their makeup. When my friends and I would go out, I would do their makeup. I’ve been doing my own nails FOREVER.

It’s a side of me my fitness followers, clients and other people may not know. Guillermo has learned pretty quickly - I do my nails every few days, I am always looking at makeup online… it’s actually a bit of an issue. But here’s the perk of this potential problem: I’ve tried soooo many products, and I’ve really streamlined my makeup routine.

On most days since Hugo was born, I’ve surrendered to the dark circles, unbrushed hair and half-dead complexion common for those averaging 3-5 hours of sleep for months. But when I have had enough of feeling drab and can snag 3-5 min, slapping some fake glow on my face makes me feel much perkier. It boosts me psychologically, and I tend to have a better day. Criticize away if you must, but I swore I’d be honest in this new blog!

So, here are the products I’ve settled on for boosting my face in 3 minutes on drab days.

HINT: They are almost all high quality and cream-based, gliding on fast and effortlessly with your fingers.

I use Dermalogica skincare, and this moisturizer hydrates deeply so that everything else goes on smoothly.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance is my go-to, year-round. I use it under eyes too - the concept of the added step of an eye cream irritates me.

I then apply a tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin, OR for days when I need a little more coverage, I use a foundation serum. It Cosmetics CC+ Cream is unreal. You use a tiny, tiny drop and it blends and covers like magic. I have melasma from pregnancy, as you can see in this featured photo, and this CC cream covers it right up, unlike the tinted moisturizer. Both have SPF, and the latter has an SPF of 50.

I splurge on my concealer, because I want something that really, really works for my purple under eyes without effort. I’ve used zillions of concealers to counter my early mornings as a trainer, and now sleepless nights as a mother. I don’t think I’ll ever try another brand after using Cle de Peau Beaute. Bonus: more SPF.

Cream blush is up next. I only started using cream blush this year - and I love this Kosas cream blush palette. It comes sidled with a highlighter - I blot the blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend back just under the cheekbone, and I dab the highlighter above the cheekbone, on the bridge of my nose and under my eyebrows. Poof - brightened.

I rarely wear eyeshadow, but when I do my eyes pop so much better and I look instantly more rested. The key is using a natural shade that still provides some depth. This cream eyeshadow by Bobbi Brown in Nude Beach is the perfect shade for this. It goes on super easily, no fuss, and LASTS.

Oh man, this new eyebrow product has become my favourite thing in my makeup bag. Gimme Brow by Benefit sweeps on quickly, no room for error, and completely changes the way my whole face looks even when used alone. What is it about completed brows that boost your whole face? I sweep once, go back in the opposite direction once, and then realign a third sweep. The product builds some thickness on the brow, or at least the illusion of it. And I LOVE IT. Another area where I have stopped experimenting with other products, forever.

I’ve been using the same mascara for over a decade. And I think I’ve tried them all. I always think I might want to try something richer and more decadent for fun, but without fail every other kind disappoints me. This is the only one that never clumps or flakes. It makes my lashes dark, long, and almost naturally so. You can layer it up while damp for more punch without clump. Clinique Lash Doubling mascara is the bomb. I goes on curled lashes beautifully (I almost always do a 10 second curl / side with a shu uemura eyelash curler) and yes, I am like most in that if I had to choose JUST ONE product in a flash, mascara would be it. This one.

A quick flash of moisturizing natural lip colour: Clinique Chubby Stick in Fuller Fig.

Now, this may sound like a lot of work - but it’s not. Because everything is such nice quality, it glides on fast and foolproof. Practice makes perfect. I don’t use all of these products every day by any means, but the mascara, eyebrow gel and concealer are my top three. Since I started spending a bit more on my chosen selects, I actually spend far less money on cosmetics overall. I used to flop around purchasing things out of being dissatisfied. Because I feel I’ve locked down such a strong & fast routine, I felt I should share for moms or anyone who wants a fresh boost in the beauty world :)

Remember, self acceptance is the most important thing. But we don’t have to be so black and white, I think it’s okay to perk up and have fun with product, too. Do you!