
2020 sure threw our routines into a tailspin, didn’t it? Gone were the days of getting ready for work, going out to dinner and meeting friends for coffee.
But there’s just something for me about putting on a little makeup and getting dressed in proper clothes (ie not sweatpants or pajamas) that makes me feel like I can conquer whatever comes my way throughout the day.

Enter the 5 Minute Face. I learned about this in high school from the makeup artist, Carmen, on What Not To Wear and it’s been a game changer!
Mornings are insane for me, as I imagine they are for most parents with young children, so having a streamlined system is absolutely essential for getting my day started off on the right foot.
I certainly don’t have time for an extensive routine and The 5 Minute Face lets me look my best, but gets it done in record time.
Below I’m sharing all of my favorite products, but whatever your go-to products are, you can follow my easy steps to start the day in an organized way!
*If you need help getting an organized routine for your entire home, go to our Love Your Home Again course to find everything you need! It’s full of product links, videos and tips!*
Five Minute Face Tips
The first and possibly most important tip I have is to separate your makeup! Some of the cosmetics I own are specifically for fancy nights out (remember those?!) and I don’t need them cluttering up my every day stash. So to keep my routine efficient, I have only the few things I use on a daily basis in my main vanity area.
Next, a good layer of sunscreen and moisturizer makes me feel like I’m taking care of my skin. People always ask me about my skin care routine, and honestly, I’m not great about it. I’ve been super super lucky to have clear skin most of my life, so I don’t have to put too much effort into it. But I do know that as I age, keeping it safe from the sun and making sure it’s nourished is important, so I don’t skip out on the SPF or the moisturizers.
I always start with a mix of Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Laura Mercier Foundation (everything is linked below) – I’ve figured out through trial and error that I get good coverage without it feeling too thick from all foundation or too thin from just tinted moisturizer.
Then, depending on what’s going on during the day (work at the office vs. meetings or consultations for example) I may add some CC+ Creme for a little extra coverage. I follow this with some concealer and a little bronzer because I tend to be pretty pale. I know lots of people only use bronzer in the summer but I like the Hoolah Lite year round.

After I have an even foundation down, I add the extras. Blush, especially in winter, liquid eyeliner because it makes me feel Super Human and the all-important mascara. If I’m wearing my hair up, I add the eyebrow pencil (not necessary when my bangs are down) and some lip color to finish everything off!
It may seem like a very simplistic approach if you have a lot more going on in your routine. But honestly, feeling your best doesn’t have to take up a huge chunk of your limited time in the morning.
Keeping only what I know I’ll use separate from my other makeup and having a daily system helps me get off to a great start even with the “help” of my two little men!
