Too busy for a full face?  Let's see how we can save some time...

Great suggestion from a reader!  Not everyone has the time or even the patience to set aside the full HOUR that it takes me to do my makeup (well when I do full face anyway).  I have some shortcuts that I use for workdays or if I just don't have the time...and even sometimes when it's just too damn hot to put on my mask.

For entertainment purposes, I'm going to a quick "instead of ALL THIS, do this" kind of thing starting from your base all the way through final touches.

FACE: Moisturizer, primer, concealer, foundation, powder, setting powder, bronzer, then blush...in that order.  That is my full face routine on a good day.  A couple of things I do to save time:

• Skip the moisturizer/primer/concealer/foundation and go with a tinted moisturizer.  FACT: I make my own tinted moisturizer because I just don't like a lot of the ones that are out there.  I like to mix mine about 1/3 moisturizer and 2/3 liquid foundation because I like a heavier coverage, but feel free to investigate your own proportions so you can find what's best for you.  Obviously the less foundation you use the lighter the coverage.  You can premix this and store it in a container so that it's at the ready.  You can also use mineral powder foundation (like Bare Minerals or Ulta Mineral Foundation) instead of liquid.  I've even added a little mineral powder bronzer to my concoction for that summery glow.  Too scared to play chemist in your makeup dungeon?  Try these tinted moisturizers: Laura Mercier, Smashbox, or Aveeno...yes I said Aveeno, they make great products!)
• Skip your ENTIRE FACE ROUTINE and replace it with BB Cream (I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH), it's as easy to use as face lotion!
• I have a problem with that end of the day greaseball look, so sometimes I just moisturize and apply some loose powder and bronzer.
• Have great skin already?  Skip everything but moisturizer and a touch of bronzer or blush.  You'll look natural and FRESH!
• Honestly, most people already skip blush altogether and I can't hate on that...it's a finishing product, you don't need both bronzer and blush on a day to day basis in my opinion.
• Setting powder?  Really Shelley?  YES!  I need to make sure my face lasts all day so I never skip it!  But I won't force that on you!  I suppose a setting spray would save time (I also use - Urban Decay - All Nighter) since you don't have to get a brush and all that, you just squirt it on evenly (that's what she said).

EYES: Primer, lid shadow, eyeliner, smudge, crease shadow, blend, below brow bone shadow, blend, outer corner shadow, blend, under brow highlighter, blend, mascara coat, mascara coat, mascara coat, mascara coat, clean up imperfections with Q-tip, touch up eyeliner...no I'm not kidding!  Save time...GO!

• Instead of eye primer just use the foundation you're already using on your face on your eyelids (DO NOT USE TINTED MOISTURIZER HERE).  I do NOT recommend not priming your eyes in some way if you are going to wear eye shadow/liner...it just won't stay all day.
• Skip eye shadow altogether and use a thick liner on the top lash line, maybe even get crazy and do winged or cat eye liner.
• Skip all the blending craziness by sweeping your entire eye with a light champagne or other neutral color, with or without eyeliner.
• Forget everything and just make sure you have epic eyelashes (I do this a lot for work)
• To reduce the risk of needing a massive clean up project around your eyes before you leave the house, stick to lighter colors and avoid any lower lash line stuff (mascara/liner)

EYEBROWS: Outline with pencil, fill with semi-permanent eyebrow corrector gel, set with brow powder, blend inside edges with spoolie, star at self in mirror for 10 mins making sure they are symmetrical. I realize most of us already have eyebrows and don't need to fill them in like crazy.  But one thing to remember is that the more eye make up you wear the more you need to make sure you have a robust eyebrow (I should have taken a picture of myself with full makeup and no eyebrow fill to demonstrate this importance haha).

• Skip all of the above madness and tame unruly eyebrows with a clear or tinted eyebrow gel.
• On days when I don't have time for full eyebrow fiasco, I use an eyebrow pencil/brush combo to fill in sparse brows - I absolutely LOVE Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown, it's only like $3 and I keep one in my purse at all times...along with a sharpener!
• A lot of you lucky bastards don't know the pain of dealing with shitty eyebrows and you can go directly to hell for that, but nonetheless, shave at least 5 mins off your routine.

LIPS: Buff lips to remove loose/dead skin (usually use an old toothbrush and a sugar/lip balm mixture I make), reverse lip liner, blend, lipstick, spend 5 mins trying to get my cupids bow to look even, blot, finish with lip gloss.  Go ahead, say it, I'm a complete lunatic...I understand.

• LIP BALM! Never, NEVER let your lips get chapped...keeping your lips moisturized with a good balm (and no we're not talking lip smackers) makes for a supple gorgeous lip without any lipstick/gloss at all, nude lips are IN for a reason!  If you don't know about Carmex, you better get in the know.  Hands down my favorite drugstore/cheapy lip balm.  I also love Rosebud Salve...we have a strange love affair, sometimes I keep her in the freezer, sometimes I use her on my elbows...kinky.
• Most people aren't wearing lipstick these days unless they want a long wear look, skip it and use your favorite lip gloss, because seriously, we're applying that shit 100 times a day anyway.

The bottom line here is that some of us just don't NEED a full makeup routine and don't need to spend the extra time.  Skip what you can, when you can!

This post had no pics (boooooriiiiing), so for your entertainment, here's what happens when you skip your ENTIRE morning routine

This photo is rated PG for Pretty Gross... find my eyebrows, I DARE YOU! 

OK OK so here I'm more dressed up and have actually fixed my hair so that adds to the difference, but still, my coworkers weren't nearly as frightened. 

I might get a few haters on this one, but I'm sorry, whether you have an amazing natural beauty or not, makeup still helps!

Your face is a delicious ice cream cone and cosmetics are the toppings...I mean c'mon yesss I'll eat the plain vanilla cone, but it's so much more scrumptious with sprinkles and syrups and nuts...definitely nuts...Nuts on ur face, cone, whatever.