Right about now you’re probably thinking “Wtf Nicole? Why is there no FridayFaces post up today?” and the truth is, it’s because I really haven’t been wearing makeup. Cant show you the makeup I’ve been wearing if I’ve been rocking a bare face mostly every day. But here’s the thing, my husband and I have been busting our asses trying to get our house painted before we move in next month, and even I’m not crazy enough to put on an entire face of makeup just to finish my work in my home office and then go paint for a few hours.

I will however throw on a five minute face to go out and run errands before I start painting, and you know what? If you use good products it’s totally possible to look fairly polished in five minutes. It really is all about the products though so let me show you exactly what I’ve been using.

• Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream - This is my absolute go-to when it comes to a quick, perfect base. As long as I start with a clean, moisturized face this gives the perfect coverage and perfect natural finish without a primer. It also has SPF so you can skip that step, and it lasts all day like a nice foundation. I find that most tinted moisturizer basically disappears in 3 hours, but this CC cream holds up. It’s a boss.
• Smashbox Camera Ready BB Eye Cream - I like to use this with my CC Cream by just swiping it under my eyes and a little on my chin and forehead to highlight. I choose a slightly lighter shade than the rest of my skin so it lightens and brightens while it conceals. Its in one of those convenient click pens too so you can just draw it on where you want it and then blend it in with whatever brush you used for concealer and it looks flawless in like 20 seconds flat.
• Tarte Cheek Stain - I apply this on a buffing brush to the apples of my cheeks and the top of my cheek bones to give a hint of color and a natural highlight. I’m not contouring if I’m doing a quick five minute face, so it’s nice that the color and sheen combined help make the cheekbones pop without a contour. Basically this kills a few birds with one stone. What a weird saying, who is killing birds with stones? Whatever. I do reccomend choosing a pinkish color with some shimmer in it rather than one of the darker shades because it is more natural and reflective, and also a darker color wont work as a highlight, so if you bring it up on the tops of your cheeks you’re gonna look straight Mimi Bobeck which won’t happen with a natural pink shade. They don’t make the one I have in the color “Loving” anymore but I think “Exposed” is very similar. This product feels a little weird if you aren’t used to it because it never feels like it dries, but surprisingly it stays in place all day and the never-drying mystery texture actually helps the cheeks look healthy and glowy and bouncy all day.
• Dior Universal Brow Pencil - Brow Pencils are perfect for adding some quick definition to the brows, which we all know by now is a huge part of whether of not your makeup looks finished. A good brow on your face, you’re totes winning the race…is a saying that I just made up, but it is true. I go back and forth between the Dior pencil and the various Anastasia pencils, but the Dior one is what I’ve been reaching for lately. I think it’s just a good color for my hair right now.
• Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara - Another way to add quick definition is with full lashes. I always like my mascara to give volume, but when I want the most volume I go for DiorShow. It adds a little length but mostly it makes them full and fluffy so it adds a beautiful from to the eye. It’s amazing how that can make your eyes look made up without any other eye products. Obviously you don’t have to use this exact mascara, but you definitely want something that gives a lot of fullness.
• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream - To be honest you can grab any thick shiny balm, and even go for something with a tint in it, but I like using 8 Hour Cream Because it leaves my lips nice and soft, and it also looks as shiny as most glosses so again, a good multi-tasker. You seeing the theme yet?

That’s what I use to throw together a five minute face, and I’m very happy with how it’s been working out. These multitasking ladies have served me well in these busy times. Do you think of your makeup as ladies? I totally open the drawer in the morning and say “Hi Girls, let’s do this thang!”

If you are looking for your go-to quick look and you don’t have these exact items, don’t fret! Just reach for something similar or go through your collection and choose high-quality items that do more than one thing. And remember: Fresh skin, defined brows and lashes, easy lips.

You’ll have a bomb five minute routine down in no time 😉