You know those people who swipe on mascara and tinted balm and call it a day? I love that for them. But that's not me. I don't do "barely there." I don't do "out the door in five." When I wear makeup, I commit. My morning routine involves a soft, slightly smudgy, surprisingly wearable smokey eye—on any day I have somewhere to be, whether that's work, an event, or really anything that's not a grocery run.
Ask any of my friends: I have two speeds—undone or soft glam. Some days, I leave the house with nothing but SPF and a clean face. But when I do wear makeup (which, to be honest, is most weekdays), I go all in. For me, it's less about covering up and more about feeling put-together. (Look good, feel good—I believe in that, at least for myself.) And after testing what feels like hundreds of makeup brushes, eyeshadows, and eyeliner combos, I've nailed a version that takes under 15 minutes, never looks harsh under the scary office lights, and holds up through subway rides, back-to-back meetings, and my regularly scheduled self-crisis.
