Whether you’re running late or just want that extra ten minutes in bed, it’s always a good idea to have a quick and easy makeup routine that you can do in just 5 minutes. You may think that’s not enough time for anything polished or defined, but with the right choices and a practiced routine, you can have a fresh, but made up face, in no time. Here’s a look that can easily take you from day to night in just a few minutes.
0:00 – 1:00 – Apply a tinted moisturizer, such as Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20 $32, all over your face and blending into your neck. Even if you’re not normally a tinted moisturizer person, a product such as this acts as a primer and illuminator while providing coverage. If you prefer to wear foundation, try adding just a drop of your favorite liquid highlighter to the mix for a subtle glow. You could also replace this step with a beauty balm such as Dr. Jart’s $32.
1:00 – 2:00 – At this point, take a look at your skin and see what other areas need coverage, if you take a small concealer brush, or even an eyeliner brush, and stipple a creamy concealer right onto the blemish or imperfection, you’ll just need to pat it with the pad of your finger to blend it into the base.
2:00 – 2:30 – Take an all over cheek and lip color, such as Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge $24, and blend either with a brush or with your finger tips into the apples of your cheeks. I prefer cream blushers because they give you a flushed look that’s hard to achieve using powder, plus it’s easy to build color in the right areas rather than absently swiping a brush across the cheek. Set your base with a quick swipe of translucent powder.
2:30 – 3:30 – When approaching your eyes, look for an all-in-one product such as Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil $20. This acts as a liner and a shadow and there’s a great range of colors. For day I would suggest Midnight Cowboy or Sin, which are light shades that will blend into the skin but still give a hint of color, but if you’re more daring you could go with Mercury, a gunmetal color that would be less harsh than black. With this product you can either line all around your eyes and blend like a shadow or use it to highlight the inner corner or upper lash line. I would forgo heavy eyeliner if you’re in a rush, but if you can’t go without, a quick swipe of a kohl liner on the waterline will add definition without a heavy stroke.
3:30 – 4:00 – Curl your eyelashes and apply one coat of lengthening mascara; this will add definition to your eyes without looking too made up.
4:00 – 5:00 – At this point, take a look at your whole face and see what needs fixing. If you’re not used to going out without lip color, blend a small amount of your cheek color into your lips. You could also use this time to fill in your eyebrows if that’s part of your regular routine.
After these five minutes, you should be left with a minimal makeup look that is polished enough to take on the day but easy enough to do on the fly. Spray your face with Urban Decay’s Dew Me Moisturizing Makeup Setting Spray $29, which with keep your skin fresh and moisturized and help your makeup last all day. If you’re looking to transition this look quickly to night, carry a bold lipstick color and one of the shadow pencils and you’ll be set to go out.
Photos: IMAXtree
