Makeup me time

Earlier this week, I attended a press preview for M.A.C Cosmetics held to brief the media on their upcoming fall 2009 makeup collections. While M.A.C Pro Makeup Artist Grace Lee gave us her take on the trends (In sum: the bold excess of the ’80s is back, but don’t worry’you can go soft and neutral and look equally on-trend), the other editors in attendance and I dutifully took notes and tested the product samples’all the while staring at Lee’s bright matte red lips. Finally, we had to ask’ what was her secret? How had she achieved such a perfect pout? The answer: Cherry lip pencil filled in all over her lips, which she’d applied in her car on the way to the M.A.C offices that morning. I loved this answer, because I confess I can relate: I’m always so rushed in the mornings, I do my makeup on the subway on my way to work nearly every day.

However, Lee’s collegue, Samantha Diamond, who works in communications for M.A.C, encourages a different approach to one’s daily makeup routine: Diamond said she’s recently taken to getting out of bed 10 minutes earlier, to take the time to focus on doing her makeup and getting ready for the day without having to rush. Walking out the door in the mornings knowing she looks great is a feel-good way to start her day.

I admit, despite the extra few minutes of sleep I’m allowed by my subway makeup routine, I do envy Diamond’s approach. Taking care of yourself and your appearance, whether it’s with a trip to the spa or salon, taking a bubble bath, or simply just taking your time to do your makeup as Diamond advises, makes you feel renewed, refreshed, and is a great confidence boost when the little things in life start to wear on you. Making some "me time" a part of your daily morning ritual is rewarding, and will make you feel good all day.

What’s your beauty routine? Is applying makeup as just another chore you need to rush to complete in order to get out the door in the mornings, or do you take it as a time-out to focus on yourself and get in a little "me time" before the stresses of the day begin?

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