My 7-Minute Makeup Routine (5 If No One Needs Me to Fix the Remote)

Back in my 20s and early 30s, I had drawers and cabinets full of makeup—eyeshadow palettes for every occasion, primers I swore made a difference, and at least six highlighters that were all, let’s be honest, the exact same shade of champagne shimmer. These days, I’m 40,I have 4 kids, and my routine is down to the tried-and-true staples I use on repeat. It takes me about seven minutes—well, unless someone suddenly needs help finding a shoe, opening a snack, or, for reasons unknown to science, fixing the TV remote that just worked five minutes ago.

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So if you’re looking for a fast, no-fuss makeup routine that helps you feel a little more put together (even when you’re being asked to locate a rogue toy mid-mascara), here’s mine. Yes, some of these products are criminally pricey, but they work, they last, and they make me feel a little more like myself—even if I’m applying them one-handed while trying to fish batteries out from under the couch. I’m including a picture of myself in said makeup, after 8 hours wear (4 of those hrs volunteering in a church kitchen making fried donuts, my stuff stays on!) This is my real-life, real-mom, real-fast makeup routine—moisturizer, a minute to let it sink in, and then a few quick steps to feel a little more human. Let’s get into it.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream  – I start my day washing my face with cold water, dry it off, then use some of this Ultra Repair moisturizer. It absorbs pretty quickly, 1 minute for me. If you have to skip a step, this is the one I’d skip.
• Iconic London Blurring Primer – this stuff is magic. Days I’m not really doing anything or don’t want a full makeup look I’ll just do this blurring primer/concealer and powder, I’ll skip the foundation.

• PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Weightless Foundation -I’ve used just about every foundation under the sun, this one is THE BEST ever. It’s perfection. Yes, it’s a little pricey, but it’s worth it! I use Color: Light 3 – light with yellow undertones

• MAKEUP BY MARIO SurrealSkin™ Awakening Concealer – I saw a celebrity makeup artist use this and tried it. WOW, it completely covers dark circles and doesn’t crease at all, I’m so in love with this concealer. A lot of days I’ll just use this and powder and mascara and go!

• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Translucent Pressed Setting Powder – I love love love this setting powder, it’s clear and doesn’t look like you have powder on, but it sets up everything nicely. I use this Laura Geller powder too, it’s a ‘foundation’ powder, so a lot of days I’ll use this and skip the Pat McGrath foundation. I use shade porcelain.

• I love a powder blush, don’t really like the cream ones I’ve tried, love this one. But I do love this liquid Saie one, one dot goes a long way, I use color: Chilly – mauve.
• Eyes! Ok, I just discovered liquid eye shadows this year and will never turn back. They don’t fall off your eyelids like powder ones do, they stay put!! I use this one (30M Cedar) in the corners and then this one all over (this one I use daily- I use color Luna Rose), and I just use my fingers and apply/blend and then wipe off my fingers and done.
• Then I do liner with a true brown pencil. I’ve used a million different brands, still haven’t found one I love, this one is pretty good but I’ve gotten similar results with a drug store pencil. I liked a Bobby Brown one, but the pencil was too fat and didn’t stay in a point, same with the Laura Geller one I’m currently using.
• I run some Gimme Brows over my brows, this is a new find as of this year and I love it! I use shade 3 -neutral light brown
• The BEST MASCARA is this one. It’s incredible! Another find from a celebrity makeup artist, I’ve purchased it 3 times now!
• I just started using this makeup setting spray, I’ve never used one, but wow, it keeps everything on your face and in place all day long, it’s impressive!
• I’ve been using this Merit tinted lip oil and it’s really great!! I also just got this Rhode peptide lip tint in raspberry jelly and ommmg it’s such a pretty color and stays on very nicely.

There’s my 7 (or 5) minute makeup routine! Any new finds for you? Anything you absolutely love? I’d love to know in the comments below!