Seven Steps in Seven Minutes!

Raise your hand if you barely have any time to get ready in the morning?!

Me! Me! Me!

I think in some alternate universe I could actually get myself together AND get a three year old out the door AND look as good as the 100+ fashion & beauty blogs that I follow. To those women - you. go. girlfriend. I want so badly to be as put together as you. It's what this mama's dreams are made of.

I'm going to keep trying to problem solve where I'm going wrong - cough, snoozing 70 times - but in the meantime, here is how I keep it simple with seven steps in seven minutes!

Dr Brandt beauty product / Nars cosmetic / NARS Cosmetics tinted moisturizer / Clinique makeup / COVERGIRL concealer / Benefit lengthening mascara / MAC Cosmetics gel eyeliner

(one) This is a great primer that reduces pores and gives your skin the perfect start to your beauty routine. The product itself lasts forever which is great and it's priced really reasonable. I try to get an even better deal by waiting until Black Friday and stocking up when they run deals ;)

(two) This is a new one for me and yes, yes, YES. I was using Makeup Forever Foundation which I also LOVE but I wanted to try something a little lighter. I've seen a cult following for this NARS tinted moisturizer and after using it for two weeks I agree that everyone is on to something! It's super pigmented so it still gives substantial converge and it's buildable for those problem areas.

(three) This is only $5.99 and makes a good under eye concealer and HIGHLIGHTER! I put this down the bridge of my nose, on my chin, above the top lip and my forehead.

(four) This is an amazing option for contouring in a jiffy. It works on my skin tone BUT I will say that I don't think it would be right for everyone. Blend, blend, blend!

(five) NARS mata hari has been a long time love :)

(six) This is another one I've been using for a long time! Easy to apply after you take the time to teach yourself to use a brush and seriously long lasting.

(seven) This is a good day to day mascara but I have to say I don't discriminate when it comes to mascaras. I buy anything and I think some drug store ones work just as well!

My makeup routine is definitely longer when it's a special occasion but this covers everything I need for most days! I am constantly trying new products - major junkie and I love experimenting! But it always comes down to these seven steps. And if I've had two cups of coffee I can get it done in less than seven minutes ;)

What are your secrets for quick morning makeup?

what happened to my face

Yesterday was my second day back at the office after vacation and goodness gracious, I was kind of glad to be there! We really enjoyed getting to spend time with my parents and taking Rylan skiing for the first time (ahh I will share pictures!) but I don't think my skin could take anymore. That dry air and the cold - most people return from vacation looking refreshed and relaxed, I look more like I should have never left. I ordered the DDF facial cleanser yesterday and it arrives tonight (thank you Amazon Prime) so we'll see if it helps. If not, I might call in sick until spring. Which I would think was ridiculous if I hadn't seen it myself. I haven't worn an ounce of makeup in over a week, sending the message that I adopted a very natural lifestyle in Colorado. 

via Amazon

Oh, and Amazon Prime - I thought it was a huge waste of money until Ian forgot to cancel the trial and we accidentally subscribed for a year (or divine intervention) and now, it's completely contributing to my online shopping problem. THEY HAVE ONE CLICK ORDERING. 

Hope you're having a happy weekend!

(another) snow day

This weekend was a glorious three days and then we got bonus snow days yesterday and today! I spent most of yesterday pretending that it wasn't the middle of January.

I gave myself a little beach glow with this self tanner that I found on one of my faaavorite beauty blogs. First, Cara is absolutely gorgeous so I'd try anything she recommends. It comes out of the bottle almost black which is absolutely terrifying but leaves your face with a look that's a lot cuter than that of a vampire (my current state). I definitely need to work on my application - you have to move fast - but it's a keeper. I bought mine off of Amazon for only $11!

Feeling all aglow, I did a little online shopping... for spring clothes. Because nothing says snow day like ordering a white maxi dress. I haven't always been a big fan of online shopping because the hassle of things fitting and sending it back if it doesn't just seemed like a lot of work. But I've hit a super lucky streak recently and now I'm all in. All. In. Ian doesn't seem as thrilled about it as I am. I will say, I can see why it's a dangerous thing. All you do is throw stuff in your cart and somehow it feels like you're not spending real money even though unfortunately, you are. 

And then I think I had actually convinced myself that it wasn't in fact winter because I decided I had to try frozen hot chocolate. Which is amazingly delicious by the way. For sure I thought it would be like a chocolate milkshake or a frosty or anything chocolaty and frozen that I had before. But. it. wasn't. It was surprisingly good so do yourself a favor and pretend it's July and try one :) The recipe I used is below!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

6 ounces of milk

2 packets of hot chocolate mix

1 1/2 cups of ice

whipped cream

marshmallows

Throw the milk, mix and ice in a blender and... blend! So hard, right? Then add the marshmallows and whipped cream.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!