10 minute makeup.

I have two beasts *ahem* children. While they are the love of my life, they also take up a lot of time. One thing I promised myself when I was pregnant with #1 (and I was adamant about this) was that I would never let myself fall into the frumpy mom thing.... well, I may have let some things slide but for me, makeup is never an option. I have a set routine that takes me 10 minutes or less and I can take products out or add more in depending on the amount of time I have.

Hair is a whole other topic but for now, here is my 10 minute makeup tutorial. Pictoral today. I'll work on getting my camcorder set up for live tutorials in the future :)

So we'll start with a list of products I'll be using today.

left to right:
MAC strobe liquid
Makeup Forever HD powder
Too faced Shadow insurance
My MAC 'Neutrals' Palette. We'll be using Taupe, Carbon and All That Glitters
Marcelle Tinted moisturizer (SPF 15, woo!)
Smashbox Brow tech to go.
DiorShow <3
MAC Vanilla pigment.

These colours are suggestions only or course and I personally prefer to use shimmery products. You might prefer Matte. Sometimes, I do too. For situations where you'll be photographed lots (eg. a wedding- use matte)


Using a MAC 190 brush or whichever brush you use for foundation, apply tinted moisturizer all over, blending well.

At this point, I put on my eyebrows using small feathery strokes. I need lots of 'filling in'. Pencil is easier for me but most people find that a small angled brush (MAC 208) and brown eyeshadow is easier to apply when you're in a hurry. I used to use L'oreal H.I.P in 'shady'.

Blend brows in using a spoolie or brow brush.

The shine will go away when you apply powder. I save this for  the end.

This is when I choose to apply my highlighter. Today, I am using strobe cream. I use the same brush I used for my foundation. You could also dab it on with your fingers or a sponge though I find sponges just absorb product.

The purple areas [that I have photoshopped in] are where I brush my highlight. Think anywhere the sun will hit your face. The point is to bring out your cheekbones and all other 'high' areas on your face. Blend well. You don't need to look like a glittery raver. :p

Couture :p

Apply shadow primer using your finger. I use Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Put it from lashline to browbone.


Using a MAC 227, 213 or other medium fluffy shadow brush, apply All that glitters to the lid area only. Blend well.

In your outer corners and crease with a MAC 219 or other pencil brush apply Taupe or darker shadow. Use the fluffy brush you applied your lid colour with to blend the Taupe into your lids and crease.

With the MAC 208 line your lashes with Carbon. This is easier than using a liner but also has the benefit of making your lashes look fuller. I also blend a tiny bit of this into my crease.

At this point, I put MAC Vanilla pigment on my browbone and inner corner of my eyes with the fluffy shadow brush.

I also use this time to put a white liner on my lower waterline. With two kids, I don't get many full nights of sleep... this trick eliminates redness on the waterline, brightening your eyes and making the eyes look wider. Some people use a peach pencil and this is totally something I want to try!

Curl your lashes and apply mascara of your choice. I use DiorShow.

A peach blush will wake your skin up and warm your cheeks :) 

Apply it to the apples of your cheeks 

It totally helps to make a cutesy smiley face.

I'm using MAC 188 small duofiber brush for this. The white bristles are lightweight and help apply the blush with a light hand.  Press harder and the black bristles will blend the product into your cheeks.


Put on a layer of translucent powder with a kabuki brush .

Finish with lips. Use whatever floats your boat however today I wanted a berry look. I'm using OCC LipTar in Strumpet (applied with a MAC 239) I know the 239 is an eye brush but after using a skinny lip brush with LipTar, I was not impressed with the results.  This wider brush lets me put it on with the ease of a lipstick. Since it's a satin finish, I put a layer of MAC Hello Kitty lipglass in Sweet Strawberry over top for shine. Clear probably would have worked the same but with a sheerer finish.

Done, bazing!

This took me 12 minutes and that includes stopping to take pictures.

Proof!!

...and the mess. 

Yeah, I'd prefer to look good when I go out... housework can wait.

So, that is my basic daily routine. I change it up here and there with the colours and usually use just clear lipglass or a more neutral toned lipstick but there you are. Comments or questions, just leave 'em below <3

OCC Lip Tar.

 I finally succumbed to the hype of Lip Tar.

That said, I am not too sure where to take this posting.... Lip Tar is odd stuff... You will hear this again and again throughout the blogosphere and until it came my turn to try these, I am not too sure I actually believed the reviews. What I do have to say is that when you receive your Lip Tars, if you don't like them straight away that is completely normal and here are a few tips to prepare you and keep you occupied while you're waiting for your order:

1. The title 'Tar" is misleading. To me, 'tar' implies that the product will be thick and a similar consistency to lipglass. Not so. This stuff is a drugstore-lipgloss (the kind with the spongey wand) kind of consistency. It was odd at first. You don't feel like there's anything on your lips when you're wearing this.

2. You need the smallest amount. Too much and it will run everywhere, make a big mess and irritate you. The first time I applied Strumpet, I was a little arrogant and used as much as *I* thought necessary. Big mistake. It was on my teeth, the lip brush was too slippery and the product strayed outside of my lip boundaries and once that colour is on, it's kinda- ON.  It feathered and it  even ended up on my teeth, In fact, I would recommend a liner if you're planning a dramatic look with Lip Tar. Just enough to keep the product in place for SURE.

3. This NEEDS to be applied with a lipbrush. A steady hand is also a must. I think to be honest, I am spoiled on lipsticks and glosses that are a cinch to apply with just the applicator it came with, or straight from the tube or even with my finger (in a pinch) these NEED to be used with a lipbrush. So, it's not the most user-friendly when it comes to tossing it in your bag and going but the good thing is, is that the formulation lasts quite a long time and retains its satin-finish. Since you don't need very much at all, it doesn't budge very far. Definitely a plus.


Overall, I was lukewarm with this product at first. I mean, I try to look for product that is user-friendly. I like to toss a lipstick or a gloss in my bag and be done with it. Since Lip Tar is neither, I kinda balked at the idea of having to take both the brush AND the tar (hard work, I know) .

As well, you NEED a mirror and a steady hand to apply this, since it's not as thick as other similarly (highly) pigmented product and one slip of the brush can be disastrous with the brighter shades.

I can understand where all the hype comes from though. I am slowly warming up to this stuff as I use it more and play with it more. I think basically, you need to keep an open mind with this stuff, not believe the hype too much (my bad) and play. I mean, most of the colours are meant to be mixed hence the blues and greens and yellows.

My personal fave so far seems to be Katricia which surprises me, I don't usually go for lilacs and plums. Honestly, I thought that Strumpet would be my fave.

I would give these a 6.5 out of 10 if I were to rate these.