Question: What girl puts on makeup just to clean her office?
Answer: THIS GIRL. 🙂
I figure what the haaaay! A little eyeshadow will make the act of purging old Post-It notes, product packaging and stacks of magazines that much more “professional.”
At least that’s the idea.
Fast-forward to right meow…
I didn’t want to spend forever and a day putting on mah face this morning, so I gave myself 10 minutes, and here’s what I came up with.
Because it’s a little more colorful than yesterday’s 10-minute makeup, I think it has a little more oomph.
I used cool-toned matte browns on my lids to softly define the eyes, along with a highlight in the inner corners to brighten things up a bit, and a bold fuchsia lip for a flash of extra color.
I think this look would be totally appropriate for most work environments, and you can seriously bang it out in 10 minutes.
Here are a few things I did to save time…
Simplify the primer situation — This won’t apply to you if you already skip primer, but if you’re a fellow primer addict/practitioner (seriously, I use four for most of my makeup looks), try to simplify (just a little!) by limiting yourself to one. For this look, I only used Make Up For Ever’s Nourishing Primer, which I applied all over my face, on my lids and under my eyes.
Then I concealed my under-eye circles with concealer (Maybelline Fit Me Concealer), and since I was already in the area, I took that up to my lids, adding a layer, which I then set with powder. That way I was able to skip my usual routine of NARS Pro Prime.
Same goes for brows (simplify, that is) — Instead of my usual brow rigamarole, which has lately involved filling and setting my brows with Anastasia’s Pencil and then setting them with Anastasia’s Clear Brow Gel, I used just one brow product, Bobbi Brown’s Natural Brow Shaper, because it does a little of everything.
Pick a palette (or two!) — For speed makeup, I like having a face palette that contains a blush, a bronzer and a highlighter, and 2) an eye palette stocked with flexible neutral mattes. That way I have everything I need for a basic everyday look in one place, and I don’t have to rummage through different containers and whatnot.
Try a timer — Do you have an egg timer or a watch? I use the little timer thingy in the Clock app on my iPhone. Today I set it for 10 minutes and placed it right in front of me on my desk where I could watch it counting down…
Don’t obsess about blending — I’m a weirdo perfectionist, and I can easily get carried away with blending, but for time-sensitive makeup looks, I have to let it go… Seriously, it’s OK if it looks a little messy. I think the key is picking two shades — like a light brown, and also a slightly darker brown — that aren’t too far from your natural skin tone. That way you won’t have to do a ton of heavy lifting.
Also, if the bright pink lip is a bit too bold for you, you could swap it out with a neutral lipstick. Here’s the same cheeks/eyes with a soft rosy pink matte (Tom Ford’s Pussycat) in place of the fuchsia…
Makeup I’m wearing in this look…
- Make Up For Ever Nourishing Primer — primer (I like this for days when my skin is drier than usual and needs extra TLC. It blurs pore beautifully.)
- MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF 35 — tinted moisturizer (I used my fingers to save time)
- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 25 Medium — under-eyes as concealer, and also on my lids as an eyeshadow primer
- MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Tan — powder (I dusted all over my face, including my lids, where I used the powder to set my concealer and give it more staying power)
- It Cosmetics Live, Love, Laugh Vitality Face Disk — blush and bronzer mixed together and applied to the apples of my cheeks; highlighter dusted in the inner corners and along my brow bone; bronzer applied around the edges of the face
- Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Stormy Grey — upper water and lash lines
- Urban Decay Naked2 Basics — Stark applied in the crease and Cover on the lids
- Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper in Brunette — brows
- Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black — lashes
- Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in 10 Punch Pop — lips
- Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Pussycat — lips (as a more neutral alternative)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S.
Hi Karen! These are my favorite kind of posts. I often go through your archives and pin looks that I find wearable (there are so many like that on your blog!). I find otherwise, that I accumulate more than I use.
Lots of love from across the Bay! 🙂
Hi Pavithra,
*waves hi from Marin*
I hope you give this look a try. If you do please send me a pic!
It doesn’t look like a quickly thrown together look, it looks like a polished, “guess who’s the boss” look!
I prefer it with the fuchsia lips, it gives you an even more confident look.
By the way… how’s The Mop? Haha! I wish my mop looked as good…
The Mop says hello. It’s currently out of control! I’d try to do something with it but it’s windy here today so there really is no use. I just let it run the show. 🙂
I like this look with the fuchsia lips too. You get a lot of bang for your buck with bold lipstick, right?
I hope you’re having a nice Friday so far. What are you doing this weekend?
Not too bad so far despite the gray weather. Going to a yoga class later, it really helps with my knee pain. How about you? How’s the office spring cleaning going?
We’ll probably stay in more than usual this week-end, since it’s supposed to stay gloomy and chilly until Monday. If only it could rain a bit!
Ooh, what kind of yoga? I haven’t been to a class in ages although I really enjoy it. It totally helps my back stay loose-y goose-y.
The office cleaning is coming along. Today I am diving back into it! I’m going to set a timer and work as fast as I can.
I go to Core Power Yoga classes – I think they have studios in the Bay Area too. It’s an athletic-y approach of yoga with good flows and a focus on core strength. It’s so exhilarating!
I would totally be into that. Thank you! I will look them up. My core is already quivering at the thought…
These are excellent tips! Especially the one about blending. One of the main reasons I don’t wear eyeshadow often is because I don’t usually have time to blend them lol. It definitely helps sticking to just one or two though. I’ll have to remember that
Hi Fancie,
Another thing that might help is to just use one brush. I used a single ponytail brush for the eye look. That’s it! Makes it faster and much easier to deal with blending.
Now you make me feel I’m really slow when putting on makeup I do between 5 to 10 minutes in putting this:
-Setting spray before and after foundation (Nyx matte one)
-Foundation (not necessary most of the time I’d use a heavy coverage powder, cos I’m always late)
-Powder (see above)
-Blush
-Brow product (right now I’m trying Maybelline’s Brow drama hasn’t impressed me but works on a pinch)
-Lip balm
When skipping foundation and setting spray I use less than five minutes (and I have even put it on the bus).
What a gorgeous look! Love the fuchsia lips.
Great tips too! I used to wear lots of bold, bright looks, pairing four or five colourful eyeshadows together, but these days I just don’t have the time for all the blending that requires. Now, I often just use a couple of neutral shades and a colourful eyeliner or bold lip colour. Saves so much time.
You are looking super gorgeous. Almost like there is an inner glow emanating from your core. Love how you kept the eyes so subtle and graceful, yet with the fuchsia lips (which I adore) we all know who the boss is! Seductive, graceful, feminine and in control! Love the highlighting going on…..gorge!
TGIF for you babes 😀 In my end of the world, weekend is almost over! Sending lots of love
I love this look! It’s something I could totally wear to work. I really like matte shadows, and just today I was thinking of getting the UD Naked Basics palette.
Good luck with cleaning and organization! Our spare bedroom still has boxes with all sorts of random things that need to be organized. I have this dream of having it all cleaned out so I can make it into a room for foster kittens. 🙂 I don’t know…maybe some day. I’ve got a couple of divas in the house to consult before doing something like that. 🙂
TGIF!
I love your 10 minute makeup looks! I’m nowhere near good enough at makeup to have a 10 minute look (if I’m that rushed I just go without, since I’m used to it), but I’m enjoying the peek into your makeup bag and how you do things 🙂 And I’m loving that pop of color on your lips!
Simple, beautiful and elegant! I usually spend way too much time on my eyeshadows!
Loving the 10 minute look ideas you’re sharing with us! I don’t use a wide variety of products unless I’m going out (which is rare…know any great single men in the Seattle area?) and it’s a great inspiration to see different looks/color palettes which can be done in a short amount of time. You look wonderful, as always! I hope you made good progress on your office & that you have a lovely weekend relaxing!
Fab and simple look. Love a bright lip for an office-cleaning day! I have to say…I’m not sure how you get in done in 10 minutes. I’ve been rushing this week and still can’t get it less than 15 minutes, usually closer to 20. My need to keep layering mascara is probably my biggest fault 🙂
I read your longer post about life and feeling heavy hearted. Girl. I feel you! I spent 1 1/2 years crying every time someone announced they were pregnant or every time I saw a stranger with their newborn. And every day I had my period because, let’s face it, hormones are a b*tch. My office is in upheaval, my makeup area is officially swallowing things (that’s the only possible explanation for what has all gone missing) and my life in general is hectic enough that I no longer have time to cook dinner or pack a lunch.
I say this simply to let you know that this girl on the east coast feels you. If ever you take a Florida vacation (I’m thinking for your 40th birthday 😉 ) we need to meet up <3 Much love, sweet Karen <3
Love the Naked2 Basics. I redeemed my Ulta points for it awhile back. I love the cool tones. I haven’t tried it yet, but I thought of contouring with it since the shadows are grey and cool-toned.
Miraculously I get ready every morning in under 15 minutes. I can only imagine the possibilities if I had more time!
Love tutorials like these!
Great look. I like it best with the fuchsia lips, but both ways are pretty.
Great tips, too. Have a good weekend! <3
I think this looks stunning! Bonus that it only takes you 10 minutes. Love the idea of having a face palette with a bronzer, blush, & highlight in it. Gotta look into finding one that’s brown girl friendly. =)
I know one thing, I wouldn’t look this pretty in just 1 minutes! 🙂 Love this look on you, it’s fresh, light and very put together.
If I plan on doing any of my daily chores around the house, I HAVE to put on a little bit of makeup first. Usually a 5-10 minute routine. I have no idea why, but I don’t feel ready to tackle dreaded house chores without makeup on. Lol!
I love Punch Pop with it!
Pretty! Love this kind of post. I do much the same for work, makes the morning routine so much easier. And if I go out after work, I can pile on lipstick or throw an eyeliner in my bag in the morning to apply later. 🙂