This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.
For three years, I lived the leisurely life of a law student. Wait, let me clarify that. The life of a law student is not exactly what you would describe as leisurely, at least in the way sunning on a beach is leisurely or drinking cocoa is a mountain cabin is leisurely. What I mean is that, as a law student, I could set my own routine, working my classes around my personal sleep schedule. Classes starting before 10 AM were mostly out of the question. I would avoid classes that met on Friday altogether. Basically, I would roll out of bed sometime after 9, Monday through Thursday, rush around in an effort to look decent, and slide into my seat two seconds before the lecture started.
How things have changed! Now that I have a real job, I can't show up at 10 AM. Although I have some daily flexibility, I can't set my schedule so that I don't work on Fridays. These days, I'm up at quarter to 7, bright and early, five days a week. After a morning jog, I have just enough time for a shower, a blow dry, a quick skin care routine, and a bowl of oatmeal (with berries, pecans, brown sugar and soy milk, thanks to my fabulous spouse!). And then, swoosh, I'm on my bike for the ride to work. About 12 seconds into the whole process, I am already behind. Seriously. Adjusting to a new morning routine is complicated. It sounds silly, but I have to figure out my groove--namely, how many times I can hit snooze before I absolutely have to get out of the bed, or else.
One of the ways I've sped up my morning routine, is to have a quick and easy skin care and make-up plan. I wash my face in the shower and, once dry, use the Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration (prior to the arrival of this great new product I used Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion, also wonderful), and then it's a tiny bit of foundation, powder, bronzer, mascara, and eyeliner. A dab of lip shine and I'm done! I can pull off the whole makeup routine in seven minutes, three if I'm in a real hurry. The Olay Total Effects is fast-absorbing, which helps speed the process along. Since my make-up bag has just the essentials, I toss it in my purse before I head out the door so that I can do a quick touch-up before an important meeting or lunch date.
Need a fast-absorbing moisturizer to speed along your morning routine? New Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration instantly cools and leaves skin with a moisturized fresh feeling that lasts from morning to night. This oil-free daily moisturizer provides 7 anti aging benefits in 1 lightweight formula--complete with vitamins, minerals and cooling mint extract for an invigorating burst of freshness. For more information visit Olay.
For a chance to win $100 from the wonderful (and beautiful) folks at BlogHer, leave a comment telling me what makes your morning routine great. Do you relax with a cup of coffee? Go for a morning jog? Then, visit the BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page where you will find 14 other bloggers’ beauty stories and 14 more chances to win!
Rules:
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: (a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post, (b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post, (c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post, (d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
- Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 27, 2010.
- This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected
tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/#!/bellows22/statuses/17792250742317057
Posted by: Debbie Bellows | December 22, 2010 at 08:05 PM
I relax in the morning by drinking my cup of coffee and using my netbook to check email and read the news. Thanks for the chance! :)
Posted by: wcc | December 22, 2010 at 11:10 PM
I tweeted about this giveaway: http://twitter.com/whitechocolatec/statuses/17839570984902656
Posted by: wcc | December 22, 2010 at 11:11 PM
Getting up before everyone makes me feel great. I have the entire house to myself...I have four children btw.
leahforlove at aol dot com
Posted by: Leah | December 23, 2010 at 04:09 AM
http://twitter.com/#!/leahforlove/status/17914700498997248
leahforlove at aol dot com
Posted by: Leah | December 23, 2010 at 04:10 AM
I have two cups of coffee at my computer while watching the morning news. It's my favorite time of the day.
Posted by: Cynthia C | December 23, 2010 at 04:59 AM
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/clc408/status/17927601884504064
Posted by: Cynthia C | December 23, 2010 at 05:01 AM
I get up at 5:30 am, so my routine is basic.. shower, wash my face, do my hair, put on make up and get to work on time :)
Posted by: marci | December 23, 2010 at 05:54 AM
The most positive parts of my morning routine are:
Making sure I have some breakfast
Brushing and flossing my teeh
Posted by: Paul Duca | December 23, 2010 at 06:25 AM
I try to take at least 10 minutes every morning to meditate while looking out at the world through my window. [It's the calm before the storm!]
Posted by: Adrienne | December 23, 2010 at 07:23 AM
Hmm....even with a real job, I get to roll out of bed at 9! Don't go to work until 10am (get out at 6pm) and I live about ten minutes walking from work. The walk to work makes my morning routine great, especially when I'm not carrying three bags!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Melissa O. | December 23, 2010 at 07:48 AM
I like to go online and check my email and catch up on the news as soon as I wake up. It helps me wake up gently.
Posted by: katfam | December 23, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Like you, I also start my weekdays out with a run before anyone else gets up. It makes me a totally different person inside and out
Posted by: Jeannett | December 23, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Sit and have a cup of coffee and read a little in my book
Posted by: Leona P | December 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM
My morning routine goes well (and quietly) after I've gotten my daughter out the door to school... then I sit quietly with a cup of coffee
Posted by: Suzanne K | December 23, 2010 at 02:19 PM
I take the first 10 minutes to pet my cats and drink coffee before I turn on the radio or check email.
hmcnaron at gmail
Posted by: hj | December 23, 2010 at 02:31 PM
I enjoy my morning cup of coffee then check email
Posted by: VickieB | December 23, 2010 at 04:04 PM
tweet http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/18095244620857344
Posted by: VickieB | December 23, 2010 at 04:07 PM
a strong cup of coffe and some bacon :0)
Posted by: Alice C | December 23, 2010 at 04:28 PM
well first things first,getting myself up outta bed,go get the coffee going,get the kiddles there clothes,then its just crazyiness!wouldn't change any part of it
Posted by: katherine | December 23, 2010 at 07:51 PM
My morning routine is made great when I take my first sip of hot tea, usually it's Double Spice Chai tea. It honest to goodness makes my day so much better.
Posted by: Jennifer Miller | December 23, 2010 at 08:27 PM
A shower & a cup of coffee, gets my morning going.
clemensrhonda@hotmail.com
Posted by: Rhonjerm | December 23, 2010 at 08:44 PM
I do enjoy my mornings. I have a large cup of tea. I was using 1% milk but have switched to a vanilla liquid creamer; what a difference.
Well, its me, my tea, entering contests on the internet and watching Good Morning America.
Posted by: Sylvie W. | December 23, 2010 at 08:49 PM
I work at night so when I get up in the afternoons my routine is to have a diet coke and take my shower. It helps me to feel awake and refreshed.
wikkiecat at comcast dot net
Posted by: Marie | December 24, 2010 at 04:32 AM
Besides kissing my DH and cuddling with me sweet children, I love that first cup of tea and hot shower! I would welcome a change in skin care and have heard wonderful feedback from users of this product. Thank you for this opportunity!
Posted by: Laura | December 24, 2010 at 05:33 AM
I need my coffee to get started in the morning and then I'm ready to go! Thank you and Happy Holidays to you! :)
Posted by: Christine | December 24, 2010 at 06:05 AM
I tweeted http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/18306347489566720
Posted by: Christine | December 24, 2010 at 06:06 AM
I am a morning person. I rise early, put on the coffee, shower, enjoy my cuppa while I check my e-mails, then start my day. Weather permitting, a nice walk energizes me to be productive.
Posted by: kaholly | December 24, 2010 at 06:51 AM
Two cups of coffee and two newspapers make my morning.
Posted by: Sarah | December 24, 2010 at 08:40 AM
I start out with hot tea and my emails.
Posted by: Happi Shopr | December 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I start my day off with a can of Coke it just makes me smile. Then I check out my favorite blogs.
Posted by: Stacey K | December 24, 2010 at 12:50 PM
I read the paper in the morning which helps me relax.
Posted by: Jeff | December 24, 2010 at 01:10 PM
I have retweeted.
http://twitter.com/mrcheapo/status/18413286840074240
Posted by: Jeff | December 24, 2010 at 01:11 PM
I have breakfast with my 3 year old in my lap, cuddling. It's our mommy-and-me time before I zip off to work!
Posted by: Aleksandra | December 24, 2010 at 04:26 PM
I get up have a ice cold Mountain Dew and meet my boyfriend for breakfast. He makes my morning's routine great. He's fantastic to me.
Posted by: alice | December 24, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Sleeping in longer! ;P
Posted by: Claire | December 24, 2010 at 05:43 PM
My morning routine is great because I "wake up" and then take an extra long shower to really wake up. I love using citrus or minty shower wash in the morning. It's so invigorating!
Posted by: Jessica | December 24, 2010 at 08:22 PM
I'M INTO A NICE CUP OF "COLA" IN THE MORNING, SERIOUSLY kytah00@yahoo.com
Posted by: ANGEL JACKLYN | December 24, 2010 at 08:54 PM
TWITTERED ALSO twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/18528769358696448 kytah00@yahoo.com
Posted by: ANGEL JACKLYN | December 24, 2010 at 08:55 PM
I love seeing my daughter's face every morning, it makes my day happy! Paula C.
Posted by: Paula Caudill | December 24, 2010 at 09:48 PM
Tweet - http://twitter.com/Sexyknickers68/status/18543901161820160
Posted by: Paula Caudill | December 24, 2010 at 09:50 PM
My coffee with flavored creamer gets my morning going.
tesashel225 (@) aol (.com)
Posted by: Tesa S. | December 24, 2010 at 10:37 PM
I sit at the computer with a glass of water and take my time for a while before getting started on my day.
Posted by: Debbie C | December 25, 2010 at 12:49 AM
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/18589205626093568
dchrisg3[at]gmail[dot]com
Posted by: Debbie C | December 25, 2010 at 12:50 AM
I'm retired now, so my morning routine is whatever I want (at least most days)
Posted by: Norma | December 25, 2010 at 01:20 AM
I loathe mornings - I'm a night owl. So my "routine" involves staggering around and looking for a diet coke.
Posted by: LAMusing | December 25, 2010 at 01:21 AM
tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/18597380756606976
Posted by: LAMusing | December 25, 2010 at 01:23 AM
Getting a good nights sleep always makes my mornings better.
Posted by: Steve W. | December 25, 2010 at 01:33 AM
i relax in the morning with tea and devotions..then the day starts and boom..running till night time!
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
Posted by: Ambergi | December 25, 2010 at 02:35 AM
alternate rules entry
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
Posted by: Ambergi | December 25, 2010 at 02:36 AM
I usually have 10 whole minutes in the morning to drink a cup of coffee and check my email before the two boys get up and all mayhem breaks out as well all struggle to get out the door by 7am.
Posted by: Debra F | December 25, 2010 at 02:56 AM
tweeted
http://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/18621149143375872
Posted by: Debra F | December 25, 2010 at 02:57 AM
I have to wake up, drink coffee and check my email before I do anything else. Need that quiet time every morning.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Georgia | December 25, 2010 at 06:03 AM
Tweeted too
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/18668176485122048
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Georgia | December 25, 2010 at 06:03 AM
I love getting up before my family in the morning...I make a cup of coffee and relax with the computer!
gina.m.maddox AT gmail.com
Posted by: Gina @ The Crave to Save | December 25, 2010 at 07:06 AM
http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/18683525817442304
tweet!
Posted by: Gina @ The Crave to Save | December 25, 2010 at 07:06 AM
I relax in the morning with a cup of coffee and check my emails.
alissme72 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Melissa W. | December 25, 2010 at 08:50 AM
My morning routine is getting my son up, he and my husband fed, and taking a 20 minute bath while doing a sudoku puzzle. It is my time and no one can disturb me!!
Posted by: June Stevens | December 25, 2010 at 08:59 AM
My morning routine is GREAT! My husband leaves for work early, I get to laze in bed for a few extra minutes after he leaves before getting the kids up, Since he is already gone, there is no fighting over the bathroom and mornings go smooth.
Posted by: Holly | December 25, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Every morning, I make a pot of coffee and relax for a few minutes while it's brewing. It's one thing I look forward to every morning.
glycinemax at gmail dot com
Posted by: Erin | December 25, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I get up 2 hours early so that I can enjoy my coffee, check my e-mail and wake up.
marybug2@yahoo.com
Posted by: Mary M | December 25, 2010 at 10:57 AM
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/marybug2/status/18742826443481088
marybug2 at yahoo.com
Posted by: Mary M | December 25, 2010 at 11:01 AM
I take the dog for a long walk.
grace45241@yahoo.com
Posted by: Rebecca Hackett | December 25, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Waking up with my puppies licking my face and jumping all over me gets my morning off to a good start!
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: susitravl | December 25, 2010 at 12:15 PM
I love a hot shower and a hot cup of coffee to make my morning routine great.
Posted by: julieh | December 25, 2010 at 12:48 PM
I take a nice hot bath in the morning before work using my favorite bath products.
Posted by: Jennifer G | December 25, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I take a few minutes to do a crossword puzzle in the morning...it's mt alone time.
Posted by: Erica C. | December 25, 2010 at 01:07 PM
I relax in the morning by sitting and enjoying my breakfast and coffee before I start to get ready
Posted by: Stacy | December 25, 2010 at 01:28 PM
I have to take a shower. Even if I had one the night before I just have to get a shower so I can feel clean and refreshed!
Posted by: Gena | December 25, 2010 at 02:20 PM
I tweeted at http://twitter.com/GMERRELL/status/18793514879946752
Posted by: Gena | December 25, 2010 at 02:22 PM
First thing in the morning, I check my email/facebook. Then I shower and get rolling!
Posted by: Wanda | December 25, 2010 at 05:45 PM
http://twitter.com/hiann88/status/18850405567963136
Posted by: anna t. | December 25, 2010 at 06:08 PM
These days it's the fact that I don't need to rush anywhere - my daughter is finally sleeping normal hours so we enjoy our nice slow mornings, me with a cup of tea and her with some nice oatmeal I make her.
Posted by: Mir | December 25, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I get up before 4 am, shower, shave, dress and walk 1.5 miles to catch the bus to work.
Posted by: Richard T. | December 25, 2010 at 06:09 PM
http://twitter.com/hity88/status/18850120762130432
Posted by: Richard T. | December 25, 2010 at 06:09 PM
One thing makes my morning and that would be Coffee and laptop checking Email! Great giveaway thank you and Merry Christmas :)
tishajean@ charter.net
Posted by: latisha depoortere | December 25, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Tweeted too
http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/18864473804636160
tishajean@ charter.net
Posted by: latisha depoortere | December 25, 2010 at 07:05 PM
I usually eat my bowl of cereal while going through e-mail in the morning.
Posted by: Lorri Jeanne | December 25, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Sleeping in and then having my morning coffee makes my morning great! That is if I can sleep in (never seems to happen for some reason) :D
Posted by: Jill H | December 25, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/18886490348064768
Thanks
Posted by: Jill H | December 25, 2010 at 08:48 PM
just read the news on some sites over a cup o joe, 10 minutes of me time
Posted by: Daniel M | December 25, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Though I'm not a morning girl by any means, I will usually get up about 30 minutes earlier than my kids to mentally prepare myself for the day.
Posted by: Pauline M | December 25, 2010 at 09:12 PM
I like to play a game of Solitaire on my iTouch before getting out of bed.
Posted by: Paula Hafner | December 25, 2010 at 09:24 PM
I go to the gym - not only do I feel wide awake, I'm also wide awake!!
Posted by: Craig Johnson | December 25, 2010 at 09:33 PM
My morning routines are made great by a wonderful husband who makes me breakfast.
Posted by: Katie R. | December 25, 2010 at 09:52 PM
i always check my email and facebook before i start my morning
Posted by: brittany | December 25, 2010 at 10:02 PM
The best part of my morning routine, when I have time, is to read for a few minutes. I usually have a novel or non-fiction book that I'm working on, and it's very relaxing to just lie back on the bed and not think about the day ahead, just focus on what I'm reading.
Posted by: Auriette Lindsey | December 25, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I like to relax with a good book!
Posted by: Chrysa | December 25, 2010 at 10:29 PM
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyJinxy/status/18916343092871168
Posted by: Chrysa | December 25, 2010 at 10:30 PM
can my answer be "going back to sleep?". JK. I always enjoy my morning shower. Nice and hot with tons of pretty smelling bath products.
I also enjoy my cinnamon toast crunch. Oh the simple pleasures, right?
Posted by: Danielle B. | December 26, 2010 at 05:16 AM
My morning routine requires a cup or two of hot tea, reading my email and checking the news. Then I'm ready to get going. mcgillrmcgill(at)charter(dot)net
Posted by: Aisling | December 26, 2010 at 05:25 AM
Cup of coffee starts every day......
Posted by: JRG | December 26, 2010 at 06:02 AM
I get up 30 mins early to get me a big glass of orange juice, watch the news and eat a sausage and egg biscuit.
Posted by: Krystal | December 26, 2010 at 06:16 AM
I make a pot of black tea every morning
Posted by: Jean F | December 26, 2010 at 06:46 AM
I try to wake up early so that I can have some time to myself before the kids wake up. I'll make myself some hot green tea and check my emails.
Posted by: AEKZ2 | December 26, 2010 at 07:08 AM
I wake up have a cup of orange juice and read at least a chapter of my book. I find its a good way to wake up and start positive.
Posted by: kai | December 26, 2010 at 07:55 AM
In the winter time it is really cold here in the morning so I look forward to jumping in my hot shower!
Posted by: heather | December 26, 2010 at 09:05 AM
First thing is coffee and a biscotti. It's almost a requirement!
Posted by: Kristin | December 26, 2010 at 09:42 AM
My morning routine starts out with a cup (or two or three) of coffee while I check my email and read updates from my favortie blogs.
Posted by: Kari | December 26, 2010 at 09:50 AM
My morning routine is awesome . . . I start off with Pepsi while my coffee is brewing and start breakfast for me and my man. We both wake up early before he has to go to work so we can spend quality time to start off the day. Life is wonderful :)
gina_alfani at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Gina Alfani | December 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM