You're Not A Teenager Anymore

Another year and I actually feel a little different. Older. For the first time in as long as I can remember I had no desire to get everyone together for a night out or my usual week-long birthday celebration. Instead I just wanted to relax, be quiet. I enjoyed a very indulgent Saturday afternoon at the spa, attended a baby shower and had a family dinner on Sunday.

What's funny about 28 is that it is 10 long years away from being 18, a year I will always remember fondly. I think it may be the year I am most nostalgic for. It was my last year of high school and I was at the dance studio almost every day, then my first year at university and when I really came into my own. 18 was a good year.

I was reminded of how long ago 18 was by my facialist as we discussed my skincare regime. "Ze skin iz a living sing, eet iz constantly evolfing. You're not teenager anymore, you can't uze ze same moisturizer you used ven you ver 18." Drug store products won't cut it anymore, she said. If I want to protect and repair (yup, repair) my skin apparently it's time for 'active ingredients'. That means anti-agers FYI.

Regardless of my pending wrinkles at the fate of $8 cleanser, I have a good feeling about the year ahead. My career is blossoming and this wedding season is going to be exciting - and busy - for both business and pleasure. I get to be a bridesmaid (for the first time!) in the weddings of two of my dearest friends and one of my other besties has finally set a her date for her destination wedding. Several of my friends are having babies and I just can't wait to see them as mommies and hold their tiny little bundles.

I want to complete a few more projects around the house (Eloise's big girl room, pantry reorganization, find a sofa console) so that I can devote time this summer to helping Chris in the garden with a long list of projects. We want to give our back gate and garden more of a presence so there are plans for outdoor lighting, landscaping and building a deck.

I'm working away on my long list of goals for the year, here's hoping it's my best yet.

Two Minute Makeup

Though I may not be a makeup expert, I do credit my limited abilities for preventing me from looking like a zombie in the first year of Eloise's life.

I also rarely, if ever, go makeup free. I wish I could, but thanks to dark under eye circles I wouldn't dare leave the house without at least concealer. Hormones have done a number on my skin since pregnancy as well and I am certainly starting to notice my age. I am finding that my skin requires more moisture and I have been trying out a few eye creams to combat the super dryness and new fine lines around my eyes. Ah the joys.

Time is of the essence when I'm trying to get out the door in the morning so I have perfected a routine that allows me to easily do my makeup in two minutes, five if I add eyeshadow and liner. Here's what works for me:

 Prep

I wash my face with an Eminence cream cleanser and use a Clarins moisturizer. I let this soak in while brushing my teeth and then I prime before applying makeup. My girlfriend Alex sent me a fabulous primer from Australia called Napoleon Perdis but I can't manage to find it here, so I bought one from Sephora. Their primer certainly does the job, but is not nearly as hydrating as the Napoleon Perdis. Nars makes an awesome primer too.

Conceal

I have major love for Lancome concealer. It is a great consistency and I use it on any blemish, not just under my eyes. It's also waterproof and lasts all day. I do a light dusting of loose powder to set everything (bonus: the powder I use is a drugstore bargain!)

Makeup

I like to do a bronzer-blush combo on my cheeks. I start with Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick and finish with a dusting of Nars Orgasm, the blush that looks good on everyone.

On an average day I just curl my lashes and give them a few coats of good ol' Maybelline Great Lash. But if I am going out or have a consultation I use MAC Era in combination with Sephora Duo Eyeshadow in Natural Brown. I like a subdued cat-eye, so I line my upper lids with Lancome Le Crayon Kohl which I can confidently say is the best pencil liner I have ever used.

Finish

A tube of Carmex (always in a tube and never cherry) keeps my lips moisturized and if I'm not wearing a sheer pink gloss, my go-to lip colour is Lady Bug, a bold red from MAC.

What do you do to get yourself ready for the day?