Everyday Makeup
Bare face (with semi-permanent lash extensions: I visit The Lashe Spot in Chicago every 2-3 weeks for fills. I love them, but they are very high maintenance).
1. Moisturizer first! I used this one from Walgreens but any that you prefer will work. You should have sunscreen in either the moisturizer or makeup or both!
2. Tinted moisturizer or foundation. I like Nars tinted moisturizer (color:Alaska) because I need something with less coverage as a base for the heavier contouring I will do next. I use my fingers to apply but you can use a sponge or brush too. Note: With a tinted moisturizer, color matching is not as tough as it is with foundation. I went with a lighter color for a more luminous feel.
3. Bobbi Brown foundation stick to shape face and conceal (color: porcelain). A light shade is preferable, go for two shades lighter than your skin tone. I like foundation sticks more than concealer because they are faster, not as thick, and are easier to blend.
You can see I made a big T shape across my forehead and down my nose. I go pretty wide under the eye and along the sides of my nose, then I swipe above my lip, mid-chin, and the sides of my jaw. I use a bristle brush, or my fingers, or a beauty blender to blend into my face.
4. Next up: eyeshadow primer and brows. I like Urban Decay primer (color: minor sin) because it has shimmer and sometimes I don't want to bother with eyeshadow. I use my fingers to apply from lashline to brow (the entire lid). For brows I LOVE Benefit Cosmetic's new Goof Proof Brow Pencil (color: 4) because it is so easy and fast.
5. I love the Smashbox contour palette! Contouring powder and bronzer are NOT the same. I would not use bronzer to contour and this palette is great because it gives you contour, bronzer, and highlight powder, plus directions! You can use the bronzer on the apples of your cheeks for a natural looking blush instead of a pinky color if you want.
I follow their guide: I use a brush to swipe the contour powder under my cheekbones, in my temples, and at/under my jaw. I use the bronzer on my cheekbones. Today I used the bronzer as a quick eyeshadow and applied with a brush from lashline to the brow bone. I darkned it in my eye crease by just applying an extra layer. I use the highlighter powder under my brow and also under my eyes.
6. For eyeliner, I like to use black gel liner and apply with a tiny brush. This one is maybeline from Walgreens and works great. Sometimes I use a Nars pencil. Soemtimes I skip liner because I'm in a hurry. I only line my top lahsline and if you choose to use liner, just get it as close to the lashline as humanly possible. The goal is to make your lashes appear thicker, so the line needs to be right on them. As for color, I like black but charcoal gray and dark brown are great options too!
7. If you do not use liner and you don't have lash extensions (like me), I'd definitely use mascara. Everyone has a favorite, I hear great things about Lancome and pre-lash extensions I have tried expensive and cheap brands. I never felt like there was a huge difference between Walgreens brands and Bloomingdales but I'm sure there are girls who disagree with me! It's personal preference but I would stick to a straight fairly thin brush for ease of application. The large, fatter brushes are harder to use. L'oreal has a great selection at Walgreens, if it seems overwhelming just pick one that says lengthening (this will ensure the brush shape is the easier one to use) in black. Or brown, but I personally prefer black. And full disclosure: I've had lash extensions for a LONG time so I don't use mascara.
8. Lastly I use this very sheer highlighting blush powder and apply on the apples of my cheeks and swipe up toward my hairline. It is VERY sheer but gives a pinky glow. I got it from my ipsy subscription (for $10 a month they send you random fun products to try). They don't have this one at sephora but I will include a similar product on the shopping list.
On my way out the door I grab something for my lips (or I forget and use the chapstick that lives in my car). Lipstick, gloss, balm, stain, red, pink, nude, blue: go with what you like!
Note: Everyone is different so adjust according to what you like/need for your own skintone and type. I have oily/dry combo skin and when I feel too shiny I use Makeup Forever pressed powder.
Note #2: It will probably take you a lot more than seven minutes your first few tries!