Mirror, Mirror...

Of all my cousins, friends, and siblings of marrying age, I was the first to get married. The last time I had attended a wedding, I was still too young to wear makeup, and really didn't understand anything of the ins and outs of wedding planning or of being a bride. I spent the day of my wedding rehearsal riding around on a speed boat in the river. I spent the day of my wedding walking 3.5 miles with a friend and taking a long nap, getting up with just enough time to shower and get my hair and makeup done. Come to find out, most brides don't exactly handle their Big Day this way. Most Big Days seem to be filled with lots and lots of primping, as I have learned from my involvement with multiple weddings since my own. While every bride I have ever seen looks absolutely radiant, it's good to know that you do not have to spend hours--or even more than half an hour--in front of your mirror to apply makeup for the day (even for The Big Day).

Below are two examples of makeup that took 25 minutes or less to apply, beginning with a clean face. Featured are close-ups of the eyes (note how the color of the iris seems to change based on the shades of eye makeup applied), as well as photographs of the full face, so the entire effect can be seen. You will also be able to find a description of the products used, as well as how they were applied.

Look Number One: Natural Gray

 
After you have washed your face with Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 cleanser and applied your Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35...

Step One: Eyes
1. Apply Mary Kay Moonstone Mineral Eyeshadow to entire upper lid, from lash line to eyebrow.
2. Apply Mary Kay Silver Satin Mineral Eyeshadow to upper lid.
3. To top of eye only, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin from outer eye, starting just beyond your lashes, and draw think line to the inner lid.
4. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.

Step Two: Skin
1. Apply Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum (510) to the apples of your cheeks. A good tip is to smile as you apply your blush; then, apply blush to the portion of your cheeks that become more prominent when you smile.
2. Set with Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in classic beige (115).
*Colors should be customized to work with your skin tone.

Step Three: Lips
1. Apply Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Whipped Berries.

*Note how the use of gray eye makeup here seems to make the iris appear a darker brown.

Look Number Two: Signs of Spring

After you have washed your face with Mary Kay TImeWise 3-in-1 cleanser and applied your Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer and Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35...

Step One: Eyes
1. Apply Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40), the light beige shade, to the entire lid, from lash line to brow.
2. Apply Mary Kay Sweet Plum Mineral Eye Shadow to the crease of the eyelid. Begin at the inner corner of the eye, and draw the eyeshadow to the edge of the brow.
3. Blend Mary Kay Silver Satin Mineral Eye Shadow into the edge of brow, where the line of Sweet Plum ends or begins to fade.
4. Apply the green shade of the Maybelline EyeStudio Green with Envy quartet (40) to the brow, just below the eyebrow, on the outer edge of the eye.
5. To top of eye only, apply Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black. Begin from outer eye, starting just beyond your lashes, and draw think line to the inner lid.
6. To bottom lash line only, apply Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in basic black.
7. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara to upper and lower lashes.

Step Two: Skin
1. Apply Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum (510) to the apples of your cheeks. A good tip is to smile as you apply your blush; then, apply blush to the portion of your cheeks that become more prominent when you smile.
2. Set with Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in classic beige (115).
*Colors should be customized to work with your skin tone.

*Note how the use of this color combination seems to make the iris appear more hazel, bringing out the greens and grays of the eye, along with its browns.

Fast Fitness Tip:

To help tone and strengthen your thighs, do a wall sit while you brush your teeth each morning and/or evening.