So here is what I look like when I wake up in the morning:

Except not really because this photo was taken at 6 PM and I had just returned from a really long trip and I'm sure you can sense my exhaustion. Anyway, me without makeup. You are so welcome, Internet.

When I was taking these photos I made sure to time it - of course I forgot to take a photo of the time - but still it takes about 10 minutes. In fact no matter the season or where I happen to be going it always takes about 10 minutes for me to do my entire face. There is never much variance except and I keep my lip glosses/stains/sticks/balms close by and can choose a color based on my whimsy. Though the best days are when I have to just go with whatever is already in my handbag and I am surprised by what's in there. One day it's a very neutral gloss and the next it's a dark Nars lip lacquer. It thrills me to no end. I am such a girl.

Anyway this is about winter makeup and how I do my winter makeup which isn't that different from how I do my summer makeup except that there is more moisturizing to protect my skin from the harsh, dry, winter weather and then cream blush instead of a powder. The cream gives more moisture as opposed to the powdered, iridescent blush for which sunlight to reflect off my face. It's because there is no sun in upstate NY winters. There is just a lot of cold and gray and so I need an extra oomph of color so that I don't look so...depressed.

Here goes:

1) On my face in that first picture I am wearing Purpose moisturizer with SPF 15, Smashbox Photo Finish Light foundation primer (amazing stuff), and Neutrogena lip balm with SPF 15. You can see in the photo that my skin is pretty uneven in color and so that's my primary reason for wearing makeup; to even things out. My philosophy is to be as nude as possible, smooth everything out and you'll look fantastic.

2) Next is the tinted moisturizer and foundation. Just a tiny squeeze of each. See? Even.

3) I've recently started using mineral foundation which is nice and light and has SPF 15 in it. I mix two colors and do a dusting. It just makes things that much more even and it takes like 30 seconds. I would never wear this in the summer because I only wear the tinted moisturizer/foundation combo. But it's a nice winter change up.

4) This Tarte blush in 'blushing bride' is my new favorite thing. I got it as swag at a party and I thought it would be a ridiculously bright shade and a horrible cream blush. I barely knew what to do. Polar opposite. It does wonders. Smile at yourself in the mirror (because you are gorgeous) and then dab it on the apples of your cheeks and then smooth it out with your fingers. The warmth of your fingers helps to spread it out a bit. You don't need much. And look! I'm glowing!

5) Then it's the eyes. Because I had planned to be doing my makeup at this time I decided to play up my eyes instead of my lips. I never go heavy on both. One or the other. And trust me, it's none too dramatic. I first put on eye shadow primer (depending on what is going on for the day) and then I put on the same eyeliner I have been using since age 16. Then a swoop of eye shadow with a brush (this day it was MAC eye shadow in Sketch). Then mascara.

6) I threw on some $1.00 e.l.f. lip gloss and voila! Pretty.

I've been doing my makeup like this since September-ish and everyday someone says to me, "wow, your skin! It looks great!" It's the primer - it keeps things in place and the mineral foundation evens things out and the blush makes me look thrilled to be awake even though I am not.

I think you all should share your makeup routines as well. Between you and me: I LOVE watching people do their makeup. So please tell me all about yours.

BlogHer CE, HeatherB also blogs here. She really loves lip gloss.