All who wander are not lost, but if El Hub is at the helm, and we’re in our Mazda, chances are… 🙂 Haha! Kidding, babe! Sort of…
That man… OK, he was was born and raised on an island, so when he gets lost while driving, he instinctively seeks out the ocean and then hugs the coast. Now, if you do that on a small island, you’ll eventually get closer to where you need to go. (Granted, this technique works better on a small island like Oahu than it does when you’re driving in the middle of a huge state like California.)
And will he ever pull over and ask for directions? NOPE. Thank goodness for smart phones… Apple Maps has saved our marriage more than once!
Anyway, I’ve learned a thing or two about putting on makeup in cars, because, girl, I’m always putting on makeup in the car. (If I had a nickel for every time I nearly poked my eye out with a mascara brush on 880…)
Over the years and years and miles and miles, I’ve figured out a few helpful tricks that make the process easier and more efficient, and those tricks came in handy last weekend on our three-hour drive up to Redding.
These things are really helpful when you’re doing makeup in the car (or on a train, bus or plane, for that matter):
- Skip the brushes if you can. They just complicate things. Plus, you know that crack between the seat and the center console in the car? It’s a freaking black hole when it comes to makeup brushes. If you drop one in there on accident, kiss it goodbye. You’re not going to get it out until humanity learns how to fold space and time.
- Creams are key. You can apply creams with your fingers, so without brushes, and you don’t have to worry so much about spillage. On that note, try avoiding makeup that comes in jars or sifters because they’re messy. Makeup in pressed pans is OK, but there’s always a chance you’ll drop the pan and shatter it, and you’ll have to use a brush to apply.
- Choose products that have something attached to both ends. For example, a lip duo with a lipstick on one end and a lip liner on the other (like the berry lipstick/liner duo I use below from Wander Beauty). They’ll save a little space in your makeup bag and lighten your load a little.
I did this look with berry lips and cheeks and glowing skin in about 10 minutes in a moving car using mostly makeup specifically designed for travel, but of course you can always use whatever you have on hand. The products are by Wander Beauty, which is an up-and-coming cruelty-free makeup line out of New York (you can find them at Sephora).
Their less-is-more approach to makeup is to focus on products you can easily take with you as you wander the world, or, in my case, as you wander up and down I-5 in Central California.
Their stuff is also great for busy moms, students and professionals — basically anyone who wants to look polished but doesn’t have time to put in tons of elbow grease.
Let’s do this!
TOOLS (products I used are in italic)
- A pearly champagne illuminating lotion (Wander Beauty Catch The Light Highlighter and Glowtion Duo)
- A pearly champagne cream highlighter (Wander Beauty Catch The Light Highlighter and Glowtion Duo)
- Concealer (Make Up For Ever Ultra HD in Y33 and Y41)
- A brow pencil (Wander Beauty Frame Your Face Micro Brow Pencil in Dark Brown)
- A matte berry cream blush (Wander Beauty On-The-Glow Blush and Illuminator in Berry Whisper/Nude Glow)
- A creamy berry lipstick (Wander Beauty Lipsetter Dual Lipstick and Liner in On the Mauve)
- A lengthening mascara (Tom Ford FullScreen Lash Mascara)
1. Apply a champagne pearly lotion all over bare skin
I just use my fingers to massage the lotion all over my face.
2. Even out your skin with concealer
Conceal dark circles if you have them, and even out any areas where you feel you want/need extra coverage on your face (try to keep as much of the pearly lotion peeking through as you can). I use my fingers to do this.
3. Highlight cheekbones with the pearly champagne cream highlighter
Feather out the edges with your fingers.
4. Fill in your brows
5. Blend berry cream blush to the apples of your cheeks.
Use your finger to smooth out the edges. Optional: tap a little blush on your lids to define your eyes.
6. Apply a berry-colored lipstick to your lips
7. Coat your lashes with mascara
8. Don your favorite baseball cap, put your hair in a low side pony, and you’re done!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Looking gorgeous, Karen! You’ve never mislead me — what’s the best eyebrow gel for really coarse, black brows? I keep getting targeted by Glossier on social media…
Hi Sheila,
Happy to help you. I’ve never tried Glossier Boy Brow, but I know a couple gals here love it. I have two that I use and love. The first is the clear brow gel from Benefit because it is NO JOKE. If you want your brow hairs to withstand a wind tunnel, this is the way to go. It will keep those suckers in place. I usually fill in mine first with MAC Brow Sculpt, then brush through with the gel. The second is Hourglass Arch Brow Gel. It’s not as intensely stiff as Benefit, but I like the level of pigment (just enough) and the good amount of hold. I have black brows and use Dark Brunette.
Thank you so much! I’ve been following your blog from WAY back (maybe 2010? 2009?) and just want to say you are a ray of sunshine in my day. You were the person who got me hooked on MAC!
You’re so welcome! I hope you find something you like. And if you don’t, I can hopefully steer you in a direction that will help.
Thank you for reading the blog all this time… Man, the years fly by, don’t they?!
Beautiful scenery pics! When I lived in California I lived in Santa Rosa and Sacramento so it really brings back memories! And you look beautiful too!
Hi Rachel,
The hills are so distinctive, aren’t they? When I think of Northern California, I always think of these hills, especially during the spring.
Do you think you might ever move back here?
Looks like a beautiful day for a road trip. 🙂 Of course, my fave pic is the peek-a-boo. I spotted that cutie pie immediately. HAHA! It’s nice to see all that green, too. Brace yourself, because it’s actually sunny and 80 degrees here today. We’re all in shock!
Btw, I totally laughed about your makeup brush black hole. Reminds me of that Mayhem commercial with the buzzing “phone”. I love that thing. Hope you’re having a great week!
What?! Weren’t you just buried in a pile of snow?
I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.
Isn’t it crazy?! And it’s 59 and raining today (with a supposed high of 66). It’s so unpredictable at this time of year. Not a great place to live for people with bad allergies or those who get migraines, etc, with changes in the weather.
I know – it’s been so ridiculous. I feel like I’m still not caught up from mid-March. We had some excellent news at work which has made it twice as busy for me. And you know what it’s like at home – from one kids’ sport to the next! 🙂 At least once a day I say “oh, I have to tell Karen…” and hardly ever get here to catch up. I hope everything has been going well. I do try to read even when I’m not able to comment!
It’s been the same on this end of the country. Sunny one day and rainy the next!
So happy that you had some good news at work, because when you’re busy the time goes by so fast, right? And it’s always great to get new challenges.
How did the boys do in the hockey tournament?
I agree – so much better than when it’s slow! Fingers crossed we both get some more sun and less rain!
Oh, the poor things. They were a mediocre team and were put in a division with the eventual State Champs and Second place team. They did as well as they could but didn’t win a game. They did have a good time, though. 🙂 Now we’re into baseball season. I miss hockey desperately. HAHA!
Oh, that’s too bad. At least they were able to enjoy themselves. 🙂
You’re one of the baseball coaches, right?
No, I don’t coach anymore, now that they’ve aged out. I did when they were in youth/county baseball and soccer but now they play High School (JV for soccer and baseball, Varsity for hockey because there is no JV hockey). It’s sort of nice to just sit and watch. I do miss those younger years, though. Do I tell you every 6 minutes to cherish? HAHA! I know you do – and you’ll be so glad for the pictures and videos. You’re terrific about that. I wish we’d been better when the boys were young. 🙂
Yes, and I’m definitely listening! Every time she begs to be picked up I remember what you said about holding them. Can you believe she’s already over half my size?! She’s apparently tall for her age (I’m sure it’ll level out eventually, but she’s LONG). I can’t believe she used to fit into the crook of my arm.
So I take it with all these sports they don’t do band anymore?
I think you’ll be glad – they do grow so fast. Pretty soon it will be piggy backs, instead of on-the-hip. 🙂
No, they aren’t able to do band with their full course schedule. At their school, band is a class so they practice during the school day and not after school as a group. One of the boys hasn’t had a study hall all year (even opposite gym because of science lab). I don’t think they miss the practicing part. 🙂 I keep hoping that they’ll pick something up on their own since they know the basics. One of them has a keyboard in his room and he does mess around with that (playing songs from the radio, etc). We had offered to get them private lessons if they wanted to but neither was interested in that. Too much like work! 🙂
This is so fun! I loved seeing a car tutorial. 🙂 The end result is really pretty and natural. I love it!
Thanks, Ruchita! I don’t know if it’s Tabs approved (probably not glamorous enough), but eh! He’ll have to deal.
That photo with Connor Claire peeking in from the back seat is too cute!
Thanks, Kristen. She’s the best co-pilot. 🙂
i have done my best ever eyeliner in the visor mirror of my car.
Hey, sometimes car looks are the best looks!
Is Connor a backseat driver? LOL
This is a nice look! I’ve been curious about Wander Beauty.
She takes after her mom, soo…. LOL!
So far I really like the lipstick/liner duo. So pigmented and smooth, and easy to apply in a moving vehicle. I’ve also heard good things about the concealer and want to try it next.