The 5-minute face makeup essentials
Everything you need to get out the door in a hurry
Everything you need to get out the door in a hurry
There’s a time for perfect contouring and it’s not 7:47am post-gym, pre-work. These are the five makeup products you need when the clock’s not on your side, plus how to apply them to look flawless in a flash.
1
Foundation
It sounds counterproductive, but applying a double layer of your foundation ensures you’ll be done in two minutes – sans concealer. Use your hands first and rub a liquid foundation on with your palms as you would a moisturiser and your base coat will be on in 20 seconds. “Once you’ve done this, concealing imperfections with a second light layer is so much faster as the product has something to blend into,” says MAC Senior Artist Nicole Thompson. Try Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation.
2
Highlighter
You might not have clocked eight hours sleep, but a pearly highlighter works hard to hide a multitude of sins (hello, midweek Prosecco binge). “Applying a highlighting cream to the tops of the cheekbones, brow bones and down the nose will give you instant luminous skin. It doesn’t need to go everywhere,” says Thompson. Go for a gold shade to brighten up your complexion and zap life back into tired skin. Try MAC Strobe Cream in Goldlite.
3
Lip/cheek tint
The beauty of this multitasking duo? The colour fades into an I-woke-up-like-this flush while also providing a healthy dose of pigment. First, give your lips a once over with a makeup wipe, to get the blood pumping and amp up the natural rosy colour in your lips. Then rub the colour in with your pinky finger for a natural-looking stain. Add two dashes of the same colour to the apples of your cheeks and pat in for a plumping effect. Bonus points: it can be chucked in your bag for afternoon touch-ups. Try Endota Spa Natural Lip & Cheek Tint.
4
Brow crayon
When you’re racing the clock, go for a feathery and full look à la Cara Delevingne, as opposed to a defined brow, and you’ll cut your time in half. “With your brow pencil, start at the base of your brow on the inner corners and quickly stroke the colour through the brows in an upward motion,” says Thompson. For an even faster brow, brush through a tinted brown mascara to hold the hairs in place and emphasise the shape and colour to boot. Try L’Oréal Brow Artist Maker.
5
Mascara
According to Thompson, you can use the wand in a different way to create fullness quickly. “A lot of mascara gathers at the end of the wand; instead of wiping it off, use it!” Here’s how: holding the wand vertically, wipe the end across your lashes, then twist the brush around and comb through to get rid of clumps. Speedier than building up a false lash vibe with layers? You bet. Try Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara.
If you want more speedy solutions, try these quick beauty fixes for the time poor.
For more quick beauty tips from Women's Health, check out womenshealth.com.au
Main image credit: Ed Urrutia
