For my non-baby post today:
I was so excited to hear the UPS truck down my street today, because it meant my Christmas present from Sephora.com had arrived. I am a tad addicted to this website because they give you spectacular samples every time you place an order, and that fuels my addiction of BEAUTY PRODUCTS I DON’T NEED. Seriously. We have a linen closet in our bathroom that holds only hand towels because I’ve crammed tons of half-used beauty products in there instead of anything cotton. It’s my korean nature that I can’t throw anything half-used away because, dur, I might decide I need it later or we might have the apocalypse, and wouldn’t I be bereft if couldn’t share some Waffle Cone scented bath bubbles in a time of crisis? Oh, and I bet you didn’t know I had a korean nature.
Anyway, so the box arrived and I was stoked. Mainly because I had done well this time and only ordered one new product and basically restocked essentials that I can’t live without. (I decided to splurge only on the free samples.)
So, because I have a new infant that takes up 23:59 of my day, I thought I’d share with you what products I love to make my face ready in under five minutes. (Seriously.)
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is a godsend. I’ve been a loyal follower for the past few years, but back then it only came in a very small little thingie, and I used it sparingly (usually onstage, to ward off the evil pancake makeup). But when I went to reorder a few weeks back, I saw that now they have tons of varieties, in varying sizes. I ordered the apricot tinted one, and while I didn’t see a huge difference between that and the clear, it still gives you a perfect second skin. If you wear foundation, wear it under that; if you’re like me, you just wear it alone. It’s mucho fabulous.
Another face-perfecting product I came across is Stila’s Illuminating Moisturizer. This actually was introduced to me as a sample the week that I had Tony. I was exhausted. sleep-deprived, angry at my breasts and the world.. but this moisturizer gave me dazzling skin. PLUS, it has your daily SPF in it along with a pearly sheen.. so if you don’t have any Photo Finish primer, or you need just a touch of color, this is a great alternative to foundation.
A new surprise was a sample I elected to try this go-round and have fallen in love with: Sephora Brand Lash Plumper. I am NOT a fan of mascara in practice, but totally subscribe to theory of it. Granted, drug store mascaras have come a long way (the new silicone brush of Maybeline’s Define-a-Lash was a great find!), but I HATE clumps. Hate them with a purple passion. Enter the lash plumper: a great way to thicken lashes without actually coating them with black gook. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything, but still darkens your lashes and makes them fuller. Fabulous.
Of course, if you want something in the line of skin-care (non makeup related), I can’t recommend Philosophy’s line of products highly enough. Although you can’t go wrong with any of the individual products, I suggest starting with the Makeup Optional kit, which gives you one of each of their best sellers. The “When Hope is Not Enough” serum saved my skin from evil blue fairy glitter. Seriously.
So, confess: you’ve got five minutes to get ready before a day when you have to look pulled-together. What’s your secret?
