Everyday Essentials

When I first started my new-ish job in May, I put on a full face of makeup everyday. That went from 60 back down to 0 very quickly. I used to arrive at work for 11AM but now that I have normal-people hours, I'm way too rushed in the mornings to cake it all on.

However, I still have my 5-minute morning routine so I look somewhat presentable before my morning Starbucks run!

Here are my everyday staples. I put them on in phases as I run around the apartment getting ready.....Step 1: Smear on the face cream > Step 2: Check email > Step 3: Fill in eyebrows > Step 4: Start breakfast > Step 5: Apply pore minimizer > Step 5: Drink coffee and so on... You get the point!


♥ L'Oreal Original Voluminous Lash Mascara in Blackest Black Nothing else high or low holds a curl and gives my Asian lashes volume like this particular formula. Only the Original formula of this mascara works for me.

♥ Clinique Pore Minimzer Refining Lotion Bought this product and didn't use it for the longest time (sorry, photo is actually of the T-Zone Control which looks very similar in packaging). Rediscovered it and realized it works very well as a mattifier/primer for my oily t-zone.

♥ Cargo OneBase Foundation and Concealer in One in B025 or B03 Bought two tubes at 50% off when Sephora stopped carrying the brand this summer. I wish I'd bought the whole store out! Love the natural looking medium coverage and easy-use sponge tip applicator. Great idea for traveling.

♥ Angled Eyeliner Brush Really any angled eyeliner brush and matte brown eyeshadow does the trick for me as long as they make my brows look like they exist!

♥ MAC Lip Gelee in Moistly Couldn't find an exact picture but think Benetint in a gloss. The perfect pinch of color and moisture for my lips.

♥ Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Once again, Original formula wins! I love the smell and the tingly feeling on my lips. Plus, it really soothes the lips without stickiness or shine. Great for under lipsticks.

♥ Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Under holy grail for thin Asian lashes that don't want to hold a curl. This curler actually curls all my lashes naturally!

♥ MAC Moisturelush Cream Love the smell of this cream. It doesn't claim to do anything special aside from moisturize and boy does it do that! Really helps during my daily (and recently very below freezing) walks to work.

♥ Annabelle Liquid Eyeliner in Black I love felt tip liquid liners. I hate
hate hate the thin brushes. I apply this between my upper eyelashes and just under the upper lash line to give the illusion of fuller lashes. Try it! A natural but noticeable different instantly!

I definitely don't discriminate between high and low cosmetics. I just buy what appeals to me packaging wise or what I've read good reviews on.

If I'm on the fence about a product, my first stop is Makeupalley.com for reviews. Women of all ages, coloring, skin conditions, and preferences review pretty much every product found in your local drugstore, department store, or Sephora. As for swatches of colored cosmetics? Nothing beats the good ol' Google image search.

The essentials change every once in a while. Foundation colors and skincare change between summer and winter. Throughout the year, I'll change up the roster as I fall in and out of love with products.