Five Minute Face - Makeup for a Conservative Professional Environment

This has nothing to do with being petite, but I believe a key part to looking polished and professional is a fresh, work-appropriate face. Although this may seem like a gimme, I've nevertheless seen so many extremes in the workplace.

In a business formal environment, I think it's safe to say: avoid bright blushes, bright lip color, thick eyeliner / mascara, heavy foundations, and any eyeshadow. A number of conservative professional industries are dominated by men, so I don't think it would behoove a woman to get all dolled up and look hot at work when she can prove her abilities in other ways. However, do not misinterpret this to mean no makeup! I think it's very important to use makeup to help look clean, healthy, refreshed, and of course, pretty. This means taking care of your skin, concealing blemishes, and adding a little bit of life to an overworked, tired face using bronzer and clear gloss.

I am far from being a makeup expert, so this isn't really a tutorial. There are some really helpful tutorials on YouTube made by talented and beautiful ladies who really know their makeup, my favorite being Michelle Phan. This, on the other hand, is just me sharing a routine using products that I love. For work, I try to use minimal products (only 5 makeup items). Here is a preview of the stuff I will be using:

Skincare:

Makeup:

and Tools:

Click "Read More" for the steps and video (getting fancy : p ).



As mentioned previously, the goal of this face is to look blemish-free and awake, yet natural. This is achieved via lighter colored concealer around the eyes, a dusting of mineral makeup, moisturized lips, and neat brows. I'm not into all those "awakening" tips where you put white eyeliner in the corners and waterline of your eyes...it never looks natural when I see it on people. Here is a before-and-after:

Ahhaha, hopefully my friends won't see this : ) Forgive the poor quality of my built-in laptop camera...for some reason the before and after skin almost looks exactly the same. You'll just have to trust me that a few steps made a heck of a difference!

Steps, in detail:
1. Apply scent-free moisturizer to face and neck.

What I Use: Up&Up (Target brand) scent-free Original Moisturizing Lotion for dry, sensitive skin, $8, or Eucerin Original Moisturizing Lotion, $12, the true original.

Eucerin Original Lotion, $11.99. Click for more info.

Never skip moisturizer in the winter! I have both dry and sensitive skin so I'm big on scent-free products. Eucerin is a brand that makes a whole line of moisturizing and skin-healing products for sensitive skin, which I discovered via my dermatologist several years ago. I used it exclusively for years, then one day on a whim I tried the Target ("Up&Up" brand) knockoff. The knockoff well exceeded my expectations, and I have yet to go back to the real thing! I love the Original lotion for both face and body - it is very moisturizing yet not sticky at all.

2. Apply eye cream around the eye area to mediate morning puffiness and shadows.

What I Use: Clinique All About Eyes, $28.50 for .5 oz, winner of many reader's choice awards.

Clinique all about eyes, $28.50. Click for more info.

They make this in gel version and a "rich" cream version supposedly for drier skin. I tried both at Macy's and ended up choosing the gel for its smoother application. This is not a preventative cream, it is just supposed to "diminish the look of circles, shadows, puffs, and lines." Who knows if it actually works?

3. Dabble on liquid concealer in areas with shadows or uneven skin tone (ie: chin, both sides of nose, under the eyes).

What I Use: MAC Select Cover-Up concealer, $16.50, in shade NC42.

MAC Select Cover-Up, $16.50. Click for more info.

Glamour magazine's beauty editor says to apply concealer after foundation, but I beg to differ. I like to dabble on the concealer roughly, then use mineral makeup to buff it in. Afterwards, a few touch-ups may be made in problematic areas.

Liquid concealer works well for "everyday" work looks because it applies thinly and provides only light to medium coverage. Have a shade matched for both summer and winter skin tones, in a color slightly lighter than your foundation color. I consulted with 3 MAC makeup artists asking them for an independent assessment of my skin tone, and was surprised/discouraged that each one picked a different shade for me!

I like this MAC formula and use it for everything from dark circles to zits. Although it cost a little more than drugstore brands, you only need a few tiny dabbles each time. This little tube has lasted me nearly two years! I keep telling myself to replace it anyways for sanitation reasons, but have yet to do so. For work, I prefer this concealer to MAC Studio Finish concealer (a little more pigmented) and MAC Studio Stick concealer (too cakey for me).

4. Dust on a few coats of mineral foundation and bronzer.

What I Use: Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Foundation in Tan, $25, and BE bareMinerals Warmth bronzer, $18. Retractable foundation brush is also by BE, $30 (got it on eBay for less).

BE Get Started Kit, a huge value typically sold for $60. On sale for $48. Click for more info.

I love bareMinerals for everyday wear! The time saved over applying liquid foundation has been invaluable for me in the mornings. I've also tried several other brands of mineral makeup like Everyday Minerals and drugstore brands, but I don't think they compare to the silky smooth finish of BE bareMinerals. BE looks so natural in person -never cakey- and it photographs beautifully.

The BE instructions DVD shows the model using only a tiny bit of powder. For me, this is simply not enough to provide any coverage for my spotty and translucent skin. I use a more generous amount, yet a .07 oz container still lasts me a good 6 months. For foundation, I apply in a circular buffing motion starting under both eyes where the most coverage is required. I layer on Warmth at the top of and along my cheekbones, but use only a light dusting for the top of my nose bridge, forehead, and neck.

The $48 deal shown above is amazing! The "get started" kit is their classic kit which my friends and I each bought years ago. It comes with 2 foundation shades (you choose amongst fair, tan, dark, and more), Warmth bronzer, finishing powder, primer, brushes, plus more. This deal has always been offered for $60 online and in infomercials, but Nordstroms has it on sale for only $48. As a reference, foundation, bronzer, or powder by themselves are sold for $18-$25 each.

5. Curl lashes with a good curler.

What I Use: Shu Uemura eyelash curler, $19. Also available in limited edition gold for $24 : )

Shu Uemura eyelash curler, $19. Click for more info.

This is a must-have tool for all women. I used drugstore-brand curlers for years and always wondered why my eyelashes looked crimped and bent instead of curled. I don't know how, but this curler was made for Asian eyelid shapes. I can get right up against my eyelid for maximum curl and it really opens up the eyes.

6. Apply a thin line of eyeliner along the entire upper lid, and the outer corners of the lower lid. Use a smudger tip to soften the entire line (Asians can try tapering off the line in a small upwards tail at each corner).

What I Use: Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner with smudger tip in Black/Noir, $23.50.

Lancome Le Stylo, $23.50. Click for more info.

I'm not loyal to eyeliner brands, but I do love this Lancome one with a built-in smudger tip. Smudging is key for a soft, natural look. Liquid eyeliner is great for precision, but it is opaque so I reserve that only for evening looks. $23.50 is steep for me for one pencil, so I sometimes use the $3 NYC drugstore automatic pencils and then use the Lancome tip to smudge. I've also purchased the Lancome pencils in bulk via eBay, but make sure it from a seller with high volume or else it may not be fresh.

7. Apply a coat or 2 of mascara.

What I Use: Lancome Definicils high definition mascara in Black/Noir, $24.50.

Lancome Definicils, $24.50. Click for more info.

This is my HG mascara! On days when I don't even have 5 minutes, I will opt to put on only concealer and mascara. But mascara is useless unless you curl your lashes (although some ladies have beautiful, long and natural curls, Asian women are usually not so fortunate).

I buy these 3 at a time on eBay in trial sizes, usually for under $12 total. Trial size is .09 oz versus full size which is .23 oz, so three trial tubes well exceeds one full size tube. Buying in trial sizes not only provides cost savings, but I've found that the mascara stays fresher than in a full size tube. Mascara lasts me for a long time, so a full size tube would dry out on me long before it was used up. Also, trial sizes have a shorter wand, allowing your hand more control over the application process.

8. Finish off by moisturizing lips and taming brows.

What I Use: Aquaphor Healing Ointment for cracked or dry skin, from the makers of Eucerin lotions. $8.49 for a 3.5oz tub which will last for ages.

Aquaphor, $8.49 for 3.5 oz. Click for more info.

Although Vaseline may seem like a much cheaper substitute, I recommend not skimping! The composition of Vaseline is quite different - it is made from mostly petroleum and does not absorb into the skin as well. It also looks shiny and greasy instead of moisturized. I apply Aquaphor on my lips before bed and again in the morning, and it keeps them looking healthy, smooth, vibrant, and moisturized 24/7. I also use a little as a gel to put stray eyebrow hairs into place.

Annnd that's it! 5 minutes is up : )