I may be a beauty editor who tests dozens of products at work a day, but I have approximately 10 minutes to get my makeup on my face in the morning before sprinting out the door (and likely forgetting something). Because of my tightly packed schedule, I tend to favor products that blend easily, show up in a single swipe, and take very little time to put on. In order to earn a spot in my routine, these products have to be top-notch and ideally can be applied with my fingers.
Over my career, I've curated my daily cosmetics bags down to the quick, easy-to-apply essentials so I can get out the door in a flash. Ahead, read about the products that allow me to spend less time putting on makeup and more time writing about makeup.
The It Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+ ($39) can be easily applied with my hands and perfects my complexion without looking cakey. It takes about 30 seconds to blend out with my fingers and has added sun protection as a bonus.
Next, I grab my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer ($7, originally $10) and swipe it underneath my eyes. I use my ring finger to quickly tap it into my skin, where it improves the appearance of my dark circles.
I instantly look more awake when I apply the Nudestix Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color ($32) to my cheeks and blend out with my fingers. I love how quickly and effortlessly it diffuses into a rosy glow.
I have superpuny brows, so they can take a long time to fill in properly. Thankfully, the Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama Pomade Crayon in Deep Brown ($6) bulks them up in one go, so I don't have to spend a lot of time filling them in.
After I've added some color to my brows, I like to go in with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($23) and add a more defined line around my brows to give them more shape.
I spend the most amount of time in my routine applying my daily winged eyeliner. Luckily, the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($20) has a precise tip that lets me apply it with very little effort.
I love that the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Makeup Lash Paradise Mascara ($10) can be piled on without clumping and makes my lashes look so long, defined, and volumized that I can skip a lash curler.
The last step in my routine is applying the sheer Kaja Heart Melter Lip Gloss Stick ($17) for a hint of color before grabbing my purse and sunglasses (if I remember them) and running out of my apartment to work.