I Whittled Down My Beauty Routine to 10 Products That Get Me Out the Door in 5 Minutes Flat
Unfortunately, the inconvenient thing called "life" tends to get in the way of me carrying out my dream routine on a regular basis. As much as I would love to treat myself to this type of #extra-ness consistently (which, for what it's worth, I totally recognize is completely ridiculous), I just don't have time. So instead, I've had to pare things down to a 10-step, five-minute routine that will get me out the door in the morning while also keep me looking my best... and a lot of those steps happen to take place in either the SLT bathroom or the backseat of a taxi.
The trick, as I've learned after much trial and error? Find products that serve double duty, like tinted sunscreen, which acts as both SPF and foundation, and that are quick and easy to use. Keep scrolling for my picks.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O ($15)
Look: I don't always have time to fully wash my face in the morning, and as someone with dry skin, I technically shouldn't be doing a full cleanse twice a day, anyhow. So instead, my skin gets a once over with some micellar water, which removes any of that gross overnight dirt and grime without drying out my skin. Bonus because I can do it while I'm brushing my teeth.
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic ($166)
I used to be that person who slapped on five different serums every morning, but then I discovered this serum that does everything I need with only a few drops. It's got vitamin C for brightening and anti-aging, plus vitamin E which helps to replenish lipids to keep your skin from drying out.
Elemis Peptide Adaptive Day Cream ($62)
If you've ever thought about rubbing whipped cream on your face, that's exactly what this moisturizer feels like (but minus the whole sticky sugar aspect). It goes on ultra smoothly, and keeps my skin hydrated all day while keeping it from getting greasy thanks to a mattifying effect. Plus, it's got a cooling element, which helps with any a.m. puffiness I might be dealing with.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops ($36)
Mixing this skin-care bronzer with my moisturizer gives my skin a sort of lit-from-within glow that makes it look like I just came back from spending hours in the sun... without actually having to spend hours in the sun. It works wonders, and since it mixes with my moisturizer, it technically doesn't even count as its own step. Plus, in addition to making me look radiant, it also offers a layer of protection from pollution.
Naturally Serious Mineral Defense Sun Moisturizer ($34)
I never, ever leave my apartment without a layer of sunscreen on, and love this one because it offer a soft tint to offset the white residue that physical SPFs can leave on my skin tone, which means I don't need to put a lick of foundation on top of it.
Playa New Day Mist ($24)
I wash and style my hair maybe three times a week, but the days between washes are all about making sure my hair still looks presentable. To give it a quick refresh when it comes out of its overnight style (for me: a French braid), I'll spray my lengths with Playa New Day Mist, which helps to revive lengths in a few spritzes.
Oribe Shine Light Reflecting Spray ($39)
On days when I need a little extra something, I also spray on ORIBE Shine Light Reflecting Spray (which lives in my purse) to give my strands some extra shine.
NARS Mosaic Multi-Shade Highlighter & Blush ($42)
Since I spend so much time on skin care in the morning, makeup is sort of an afterthought, but this NARS palette combines a trio highlighter, bronzer and blush to help me nail my look in a single compact. I use the same brush (because I'm lazy and in a hurry) to put bronzer all over my forehead, nose, and cheeks; follow that with a swipe of blush on the apples of my cheeks; and then I layer highlighter on top of it all. Sir John, aka Beyoncé's makeup artist, once told me he loved my look when I wore this combo to interview him, so suffice it to say I will be sticking with it from here to eternity.
L'Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Voluminous Mascara ($10)
I've already written an entire love letter to this mascara, and it really is that good. It layers on easily without clumping, so two quick swipes of the stuff and I am good to go.
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($24)
To finish off the look, I swipe on Fresh Rosé tinted lip balm, which hydrates my lips while also giving them just a little bit of natural pinkness. It makes my lips look, and more importantly, feel amazing, and I never, ever leave home without it.
To save more time in your hairstyling routine, try this $5 drugstore product that cut my blow dry time down by 12 minutes. Plus, why no-rinse conditioner is secretly the key to your most efficient (and well styled) mornings ever.
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