Ready In A Rush | My Five Minute Face

Being rushed in the morning to get all the things done that you need to before you have to get out the door and on with what your day entails can be a struggle for everyone. Some days I just find myself wondering where the time has gone, and realize I need to get myself publicly presentable in only a matter of minutes. 

The look may change slightly (specifically my lip color of choice), but in general these are the products I use to get my face and hair looking fresh and awake without taking up any extra time. 

When time is of the essence I love to reach for a BB Cream. I've really enjoyed this Loreal Skin Beautifier BB - it primes, perfects, hydrates and corrects. It leaves my skin looking good and natural, but much improved on my bare face. Once I've applied my base I have to reach for a good concealer. The one I love to reach for is the Maybelline Age Rewind because it conceals my under eye circles, and also does a nice light cover up of any blemishes I may have going on. 

Brows are a must for me, I just don't feel like I look right if I don't give my brows a quick fill in. This Revlon Brow Fantasy is the quickest and best for the job, and there has been a reason I've been raving about it constantly lately. It's both a pencil and brow gel, so it seriously doesn't get any easier than this two in one product. 

To wake myself up a little more I like to add just a touch of color to my eyelids, and the easiest way for me to do that is with a cream product. You all know I love my Mac Paint Pots, but I adore the Maybelline Color Tattoos as well - today I used the shade 'Bad to the Bronze', simply applied with my finger tips. 

We're almost there, next is mascara. Obviously any mascara will work the exact same, I've just been really love this Miss Manga mascara from Loreal. When it comes down to it I can really skip the cream shadow step, but there is absolutely no skipping mascara for me, I truly don't feel human without it. 

Finally I like to add a touch of color and moisture to my lips, and my favorite product for being able to accomplish both is the Revlon Lip Butters - today I went with the shade 'sweet tart'. Once I've gotten all that done I spray some dry shampoo through my hair to freshen it up and then do my go to quick hair style of a couple bobby pins to pin my hair half up. 

There you have it! The products I use and steps involved in me getting ready in a rush! 

My Current Skin Care Favorites | January 2015

Although I've had this blog for a number of years now, I don't think I've ever devoted an entire post to skin care. I've certainly included favorites here and there in my monthly favorite round ups, but never have I sat down and gathered together all the products I'm using in combination, which make up my skin care routine. 

Before jumping in to the products I must first give a run down of what my skin type is, and what my mentality is when it comes to skin care and skin care products. 

My skin has, for as long as I can remember, been combination - slightly oily on my forehead, nose and chin, with normal to dry skin elsewhere on my face (slightly more dryness during the winter months as well). 

My entire mentality to taking care of my skin is less is more - I know that seems unbelievable considering my love and lust for beauty products, and my constant need to try new things, but when it comes to my skin I find something that I like, and I stick to it. There seems to be nothing my skin hates more than the constant switch up of products, and me using a whole suitcase full of products on my skin during my morning/evening skin care rituals. The products/brands I'm currently using are ones that are tried, tested and true. They may not work for everyone, but for me (and my skin) they are what works best. Bottom line for me is that if my skin is looking good and I'm generally pleased with it, I'm not going to mess with what's working!

Removing Makeup
I am a recent cleansing oil convert after trying out The Body Shops Chamomile Silky Cleansing Oil. It is the most amazing makeup remover I've ever tried and I really don't think there is any going back to my old ways after using this product. It gets all of my face and eye makeup off in about a minute and leaves my skin feeling amazing and silky soft.

Face Wash
I use two different face washes - one when removing my makeup at the end of the day (after using the cleansing oil), and one in the morning prior to doing my makeup. I use the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub when removing my makeup. It's an exfoliating wash so I feel it gets my skin extra clean after a long day, and also helps to remove any dry/dead skin. In the morning I prefer to use the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser. It is much more gentle on the skin but still leaves your skin feeling clean and fresh and ready for whatever the day has in store.

Toner
I've been faithful to this Nivea Purifying Toner for combination skin for about three years now. I typically only use it once a day, but whether I use it in the morning or evening really just depends on how I'm feeling, how many breakouts/problem areas I have at the moment, and how much makeup I did or didn't wear that day.

Moisturizer
This is another product I've been using for numerous years, and even though I've attempted to use others, I always end up coming back to the Neutrogena oil free moisturizer for combination skin. I use it both prior to applying makeup, and after I cleanse my skin in the evening.

Face Masks
I actually have a number of face masks I do enjoy using, but my number one has always come down to the St. Ives Timeless Skin Mineral Clay Firming Mask. I really enjoy how this both removes impurities and also leaves my skin looking firmer and younger. I use this about once a week, but I also gauge that on how my skin is feeling/looking.


I hope you all enjoyed this little insight into my skin care favorites, and a little taste of how my skin care routine works.

Comment below and let me know some of your current skin care favorites!