Life on the ranch can be, well, a little hectic. One minute I’m pulling calves and the next I need to throw on dinner for 8 or 10 people, or run to town for supplies, etc. Some days it’s a total luxury to have that 20 or 30 minutes to get my appearance whipped into shape. I keep five items in my truck AT ALL TIMES, to throw on in case such a need arises. I only have to use my stash, ooohhh, I’m guessing five times a week or so. These are my secret weapon in the constant fight to not be ‘that girl’ that city folks look at and cringe. Don’t laugh, that’s actually happened to me…

So here we go…

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation – Yes this is more expensive than your average department store makeup, and you know why? Because it’s WORTH IT! Can’t live without it. I’ve been in the pouring down rain for hours working cattle and it never budged, but it’s still easy to soap off at night. This one thing also enables me to workout on my lunch breaks at my office job, because I don’t have to take the time to reapply makeup.

Almay Line Smoothing Pressed Powder – Because even the best double wear foundation in the world won’t stay put unless you set it with powder. I’ve found that this department store brand is just as good as it’s more expensive counterparts. Bonus: I buy it in the translucent color so I don’t have to worry about my makeup looking cakey or overdone. 

Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara in Waterproof – This mascara is totally in your department store aisle, and again, it stays put all day long, washes off easily at night. The one coat means I can swipe it on and go, which is soooo necessary in my world.

bareMinerals Lasting Line Eyeliner – This seems like an extra, but it’s not, it’s a necessity. Lemme tell you why; I spent way too many years not ‘getting’ that you HAVE to apply eyeliner to your upper lid BEFORE you do the mascara. That one little trick saves me a lot of time, since then I don’t have to clean the mascara off my upper eyelid/lash line, the eyeliner just camouflages it and gives me a finished look with no time flat.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss – That finishing touch that helps you pull it all together, when you feel like you’re falling apart! I can put this lipgloss on, and march out the door (of my truck) feeling like I can continue with my plans of world domination, at least for a little while longer. Bonus: Get a slightly red color and it’s still a nice sheer lipgloss, but it can also double as a bit of rouge for your cheeks if you’ve still got the winter whites going on, like me. 😉 

Happiness and Hoofbeats,

The Gate Girl