I received a message on Facebook from Betty J. who lives in Los Angeles asking me about my makeup regimen.  I love sharing beauty tips as  much as entertaining ideas! Quite honestly, I think that in a second life, I must have been a makeup artist because most of my friends have been subjected to my makeup chair! And please forgive all the names -- I did not concoct the sensationalized and somewhat scandalous ones which always makes me cringe having to tell people for fear of looking like a pervert!

FOUNDATION Chanel base and primer mixed with Make Up For Ever HD Primer, although the type of foundation I use has been discontinued and I am not in love with the new formula or shade! So I am on the hunt for a replacement.I also love Armani Fluid Sheer (a 2013 InStyle Best Beauty Buys winner) mixed with foundation in summer for a more sheer look.

UNDER EYE CONCEALER I mix a few things: Laura Mercier Secret Brightener, By Terry concealer and YSL Touche Eclat!  I am very pale so finding one that has a nice tone and not too light is a problem, plus I like the illuminator mixed in so it hides the flaws! I set it all with a Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating powder, mixing shades 1 & 2, for the same reason.

POWDERMake Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder mixed with Laura Mercier Loose Powder in Translucent. Clearly I have a bit of a Goldilocks thing going on here! Hehe!

CHEEKSNars Orgasm in the multiples stick, and the cream in a tube (Illuminator) and the blush! It really is the perfect shade and I love applying the multiple first, then the powder blush, then offsetting it with the cream in the tube! I also like Desire powder blush -- a bright pink but a beautiful and natural color. Deep Throat is another pretty one more suited for winter.

EYES Always the same and then I add pops of color if I am in the mood or going out. Start with Laura Mercier metallic crème eye colour in Platinum, then Nars Biarritz, an ivory color, all over, and to blend and soften color as needed. Nars Duo Eyeshadow All About Eve, one of the most brilliant color combos ever, a matte and a shimmer in the same perfect flesh shade. And Nars Lola Lola; it's the absolute greatest taupe shade of brown with the right amount of shimmer to keep it from looking too heavy. I have used this shade forever and it looks great on EVERYONE. From my own super pale skin, to my mom who is an olive complexioned brunette, to Rachel Roy, who is part Indian and my African American friends--it never fails (same thing for the Orgasm!). I vary eyeliners and often use navy, teals, blacks and grays and like Laura Mercier caviar sticks. I will add more black and gray shades sometimes at night to make a more smoky-eye, or add pops of brighter colors. I like Nars, Laura Mercier, and Chantecaille eye colors.

BROWS & LASHES I am a brow fanatic! I use Laura Mercier Blonde and Fair Blonde pencils, and then brush face powder over with a brush and set with an eyebrow gel which I have added gold eye shadow too-- I know sounds crazy but makes a pretty finished frame. And I am loyal to Dior mascaras. Another favorite tip? Add a few drops of eye drops into tube when it gets a little dry! It goes on more smoothly and extends the usage!

LIPS I am not all that consistent in this area, and alternate depending on if I do a pinky coral Orgasm cheek or the pink Desire. I love Estee Lauder, Chanel, Nars and Tom Ford Lipsticks. I love Nars Sexual Healing Lipstick and Orgasm Lip Gloss mixed over just about any lipstick for a soft shimmery feel, and my everyday lipstick is usually a coral toned red shade or mauve pink.

OTHER FAVESShu Uemura eyelash curler. Brushes make a difference, but I am not overly loyal to any. I think I have Laura Mercier mainly…. And I have a small Laura Mercier travel set I use.  And I use the RéVive line of skincare-- after all no amount of makeup can offset a dull completion.

While this sounds like a lot perhaps, I NEVER take more than 30 minutes to get fully dressed on a normal morning and it is usually well under that shower to door--that includes makeup, hair and dressing! And for special nights out, an hour max.  By keeping my makeup routine very edited it allows me to assembly line the entire process.  I keep a travel makeup bag with an extra set of all of these essentials always packed and at the ready so travel is just as streamlined.  I use small containers for liquids and little pots from Container Store filled with product so I don't have to take the larger sized items with me too.

My advice is to start with the eye colors and add in the other as I think that is where you can make the most impact and update your makeup collection slowly.  Also go to the counters and try first to make sure you like the product and the shades look good on your skin tones!

If you want more ideas, check out my article in Jezebel.

I hope you can try a few of the ideas, and would love for you to snap a photo of your makeup and send to me! So happy makeup shopping and play day!