My Favorite Multi-Tasking Products: See How Rediscovering a Few Key Beauty Items Helped Me Save Face -- and Time

Most (who's joking -- all) mornings are hectic for me -- I get up early to squeeze in 20 minutes on the elliptical (at least three days a week), then juggle getting myself ready while making sure the kids actually brush their teeth and walk out the door fully clothed. So needless to say, by the time I arrive at the office, I'm exhausted.

And because I, like many of my friends, think I can do everything, and for the most part do -- there's one little area of my life that tends to get neglected in all the hustle and bustle -- my beauty routine.

Sure I wash my face with a cleanser made for my combination skin, and I never forget to apply sunscreen, but when it comes to applying all of my products each day -- face cream, eye serum, foundation ... the whole bit, I tend to skip most of it. Instead, I just swipe on mascara, throw my hair into a ponytail and dab on lip gloss in the car.

But a few days ago, I felt a little blah (that's putting it nicely) when I looked in the mirror and decided to make a change. I thought, if other women can run their households and look great, then I could too. I just needed to figure out a way to be supermom and squeeze in morning beautification time.

First, I needed to get organized ... I thought if I went through the bazillion cosmetics stashed in my bathroom, I could set aside the items I'd use the next day. Instead, I came across a few products that not only beckoned to be used, but would likely save me some time -- multi-taskers. Products that, like most moms, wear many hats. They hydrate, protect and prime all in one or serve as lip, cheek and eye makeup ... the possibilities are endless.

So which multi-tasking products did I discover and am using now?

CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation, $11.99
This serves as my foundation and SPF, plus it has an anti-aging serum in it to improve the texture of my skin and keep the makeup from actually sinking into my wrinkles.

Nars The Multiple, $37 This cream-to-powder stick is a lipstick, eyeshadow, blush and highlighter all rolled into one. It gives my face an overall glowy look and it's beyond easy to apply -- even
on the go. My shade of choice -- Copacabana.

Bumble and Bumble Leave-In Conditioner, $22 When my hair is still damp and I don't have time to blow dry, I throw in some of this leave-in conditioner -- it hydrates hair and works as a styling cream so I can wear my hair wavy without much fuss.

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30, $30 I don't use this one every day, but if I'm really pressed for time, I use this in lieu of liquid SPF and powder. It evens out my skin tone, plus it keeps shine to a minimum.

And another benefit to using these superhero beauty products? Less products means I spend less cash, and they don't take up as much space in the bathroom. A total win-win. So now it's your turn ... what are your favorite multi-tasking products?