I have so many blog backlogs that I don’t know where to start! My brain is still in holiday mode and it’s taking a little while for me to actually come up with an articulate blog post.

So to jumpstart my blogging haitus after the long, long holiday (Papal visit included), let me start with something a little more simple – my UPDATED 5 minute makeup routine!

I shared my 5 minute makeup routine a few months back, but over the months I’ve discovered new products which I ended up liking. So I’ve changed some products and added a few, too.

And here they are!

1 – Happy Skin Eye Need A Miracle

One of my best discoveries in 2014! I’ve tried a LOT of concealers and by far, I like this the best. It’s easy to apply and the shade is just right. It does not cake nor crease and it feels very light. There’s a tiny, tiny bit of shimmer, not really noticeable unless you stare hard enough. Some people might not like it, but I do because it helps in lightening up my notoriously dark eyebags. On good skin days that I get to skip foundation, I only apply this and it’s enough to make me look humanly decent!

2 – CARMEX Lip Balm

CARMEX is the ONLY lip care that can moisturize my extremely dry and flaky lips! I particularly like the one in the pot. I feel that the formulation is more effective than the one in tubes.

3 – ellana Pressed Mineral Foundation in French Vanilla Latte

I replaced my Benefit Face Powder with the ellana Pressed Mineral Foundation and I don’t regret it one bit! For the very affordable price, I get poreless perfection every single time. For heavier coverage, I pair it with the ellana Let’s Make It Last Makeup Primer. But on a daily basis, I usually just apply the ellana Pressed Mineral Foundation by itself. I love how it looks when it has settled and has mixed with my face’s natural oils.

4 – Make Up For Ever Aquabrow in shade 15

If I’m only allowed to apply 1 makeup product on my face, it would be this. Perfectly groomed brows can help so much in brightening up one’s face. While the Benefit Brow Zings worked really well for me, I decided to replace it with MUFE’s Aquabrow because I wanted more defined brows that are more long-lasting. It took some learning curve switching from a powder-based eyebrow product to a gel-based one but it’s so worth it! I really love how my eyebrows look now on a daily basis.

I love the MUFE Aquabrow so much that I also got it in shade 20, for when I change my hair color to a less reddish color.

5 – Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to Bronze

Another recent addition to my routine is applying eye shadow. I used to skip applying eyeshadow all together unless I plan to go to special events like weddings and night outs. I just find it too bothersome to apply eyeshadow every single time. All those blending, and stuff. Augh. But ever since I learned the term “single eyeshadow wash” and discovered cream eye shadows from Liz of Project Vanity, putting on eye shadow is now a must for me!

Even single color eyeshadows when applied in a flattering shade can add such a nice dimension to one’s face.

While I love Maybelline, I’m planning to check out Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Shadow as my sister-in-law is always raving about it.

6 – K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner and Etude Play 101 Pencil in #01

For eyeliners, I use two kinds when creating a wing-tip. I use the K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner for creating the flick, and use a pencil-type liner for lining my eyelids.

A pen-type eyeliner’s pointy end makes it easier to create that perfect flick, while the pencil-type make it’s easier to simply line the eyes.

On normal days, I forgo the wingtip and just line my eyes normally with Etude’s Play 101 pencil in 01. I love it’s very creamy texture which helps me apply eyeliner without the dreaded skin tugging. At 30, the one beauty problem I’m facing right now is wrinkly eyelids! So the less tugging and stretching, the better.

I’m not so sure how the Etude’s Play 101 would hold on oily lids, though. Good thing for me, I have dry lids, haha.

7 – K-Palette 1Day Magic 3D Face Palette

Another product which I’m learning to really love is K-Palette’s 1Day Magic 3D Face Palette. I love the blushes and the I love the highlighter and the contour powder.

I love how sheer the colors are when applied so it’s actually perfect for that “every day no-makeup” look. The contour and highlighter look very natural and won’t look overdone. Unless you’re in a photoshoot, you really don’t need to look unnaturally contoured anyway. The contour and highlighter of K-Palette’s 1Day Magic 3D Face Palette can give your face a natural-looking lift! I especially love to use it to highlight and contour my nose. It’s unnoticeable IRL but in photos, my nose looks noticeably more “matangos”!

The blushes when combined can give you that nice natural flush. It gives the right amount of pink-ness and warm-ness to your complexion.

However, if you prefer products that are more noticeable, this might not be for you because like I’ve said, it’s VERY sheer. You’ll need to apply layers and layers for the colors to actually pop-out. But since I like it natural, the K-Palette 1Day Magic 3D Face Palette is perfect for my needs.

8 – Tarte LipSurgence natural matte lip tint in Exposed

It looks like the only thing that didn’t change in my makeup routine is this! Unfortunately, Tarte is not available in the country yet. It’s sad really as this is one of the best organic makeups around! I love Tarte’s LipSurgence natural matte lip tint. Keeps my lips moisturized and the matte velvety texture feels really nice on my lips! And the shade Exposed is my perfect MLBB (My Lips But Better) shade!

If you see this around in other countries, make sure to try them out! I love this product so much, I have them in 2 other shades – Envy (a nice mauve, berry shade) and Fiery (a matte red).

Put everything on and here’s how I would look.

I just curl my eyelashes and skip the mascara as I’m not a big fan of mascara. Or maybe I just haven’t found the right one… yet.

So that’s it for my updated 5-minute look! Granted, it MAY take a little more than 5 minutes to apply everything, but surely it will take less than 10 minutes, I promise!

Have you changed or added anything to your beauty or makeup routine lately? Let me know on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! ❤

XOXO,