I’ll start off by saying I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup as a preteen. Then I went to an all-girls high school. There wasn’t much point to wearing makeup in my opinion, except for picture days, dances and special occasions. College was where I really started experimenting, but let’s not talk about my white eyeliner phase. So in a way, I’m still learning the tricks of the trade. And experimenting.

I am pretty proud that I have perfected a routine I like to call “Get cute and go.” Most days I have work at 8:30 a.m. and I’m not a morning person. So here’s my beauty routine that doesn’t involves too much work and is great if you need to look decent enough to be in public for a day. 

7:00 a.m. Phone alarm goes off. I mumble hell no and hit snooze.

7:15 a.m. My cat wanders into my room knowing that my alarm means I’m semi-awake. He then jumps on me and begins to smack my face with his paw so that I pay attention to him. While petting him, I’m on my phone checking my texts and social media notifications.

7:30 a.m. I get out of bed, grab socks because the floors are freezing and head to the kitchen. This is usually what goes into my stomach first: glass of water, vitamins and fish oil pills. Maybe a banana if I’ve got any. I’m pretty religious about it.

7:35 a.m. I head to the bathroom. My computer goes with me so I can listen to some tunes that will help me wake up. My cat follows me.

7:40 a.m. I’m a workout at night and shower at night person. My hair can get crazy curly by morning, so clipping it back and putting a headband on is how I start my whole process. I know some people like doing their hair first, but I like doing my face first then hair because it’s easier for me. I don’t like makeup in my hair.

7:45 a.m. Wash face with cold water and St. Ives apricot scrub. It feels like cold water works better for my skin so I usually wash with cold water. Bonus: it will definitely wake you up! Here’s the usual products I use in the morning. It’s a mix of drugstore and Macy’s stuff.


I’m a big fan of Benefit. Mostly for their eye related products. I’ve got zombie-like dark circles (it’s genetic) and their Girl Meets Pearl is awesome to cover them up. I just mix it with some of the BB cream (which I’m also a big fan of) and it does a good job of lightening my dark circles up. For spot problems, Neutrogena’s cover up.

The High Brow pencil magically makes it look like I’m wearing a little eye makeup, when in reality, I was too lazy to put any on. I’d say the High Brow pencil is my favorite purchase ever because it accomplishes a lot for something so little. Second best purchase: Benetint, in posie pink. Lip tints still amaze me. They’re so easy and you don’t have to worry about having sticky lips like you do with some lip glosses. A little pink makes me look alive and then some Burt’s Bees chap stick makes everything all good.

Lastly, eyelashes. I feel like the eyelash curler is underrated. If I’m really running low on time, I skip the mascara and just use the curler to help my eyelashes out. But I like to curl and then use some volume mascara from MAC. I finish up with L’oreal eyeliner, or sometimes no eyeliner. Sometimes anti-frizz serum goes in my hair.

Sometimes, mornings are extra hard. I know you understand.

8:00 a.m. Go back to kitchen, make eggs or toast. Grab cup of coffee. Check blogs and web comics on computer.

8:15 a.m. Get dressed. Glare at cat as he is now sleeping in my bed. Kiss him goodbye anyway. Go to work.

So question for you lovelies: do you like to put your makeup on before you do your hair? Or vice versa?