5 - 10 minute makeup
If this is a regular makeover for you, then my best advice here is to be organized!!
*Keep your brushes clean, easily accessible and ready to go.
*If you cannot have your makeup laid out, then store the main products you use for your “daily makeup” in a way that you can quickly and easily reach everything you need.
*Keep your skin in tip top condition (that way you will use less base / concealer), and keep your brows well maintained so that daily grooming is quick and easy.
*Another practical time saving tip is to have your lashes tinted regularly - that way if you don’t actually get time to whip on some mascara, your lashes will always look fab!
Keep your work look simple. It is easier to do a “natural finish” daily (5-10) minute makeup. It may take a little practice to get up to speed initially (esp if you are new to wearing a full face of makeup), and once you feel confident with the natural look, or have a little more time up your sleeve you could work on a heavier look - going from barely there to brilliantly polished! (then, work on getting this down to about 10 mins).
Barely-there Natural makeover
The key to this look is combining practicality with a beautiful natural finish that is flawless, svelte, and all the while looking professional and contemporary, (to suit your work in such an image oriented industry). Think streetwise, cosmopolitan, understated.
Daytime business makeup that is subtly sophisticated looks best when you select natural tones, as these will be the most suitable for easy wear and quick application.
* The Basics: light foundation + minimal concealer (translucent powder - optional)
* blush is fresh and youthful looking
* neutral eyeshadow, with the option for subtle shading of contour / outer corner; mascara (1-2 coats on the top, very light dab into the base of bottom lashes)
* [kohl pencil (optional) smudged on the top lid only]
* lipliner and lipstick / lipgloss finish the look, balancing and harmonizing the makeover.
The Details:
1. Base: you will need to have a shade of foundation that suits your skintone for the best (and quickest) application. Only apply base where you need it - to even out skintone, around eyes, to cover pigmentation, and for a clear, youthful complexion. Liquid (to suit your skin type) or cream to powder finish (like Vincent Longo’s water canvas or Chanel’s Creme Poudre) are quick and easy to apply, with a light feel and a natural finish. Applying foundation first may give you enough coverage and save time by minimize the amount of concealer you need to use.
If you need to apply concealer only where needed - i.e.. under eyes, in the inner corner of eyes, any blemishes.
2. Blush next - the major faux pas for this look is unnatural blusher (meaning color and / or application). Choose a natural shade - creams are quick and easy to apply and blend away to nothing; or if you like a little more color, just apply more. Stila convertible color, or Bloom sheer color creamsheer color cream have a gorgeous range of easy to use creamy blushers. For a healthy, radiant look, blend a dab of creamy color onto the apples of your cheeks (with your fingertips), and blend away to nothing toward your ear. With creams it is easy to blend away any harsh lines that make cheek color look unnatural - you just want to add a hint of natural glow to your cheeks.
3. Eyes: Look for a compact with 2 - 3 shades, colors that suit your complexion / coloring.
1. To start with, do the 1 step application - a neutral shadow all over your mobile lid blended into your contour.
2. As you get faster, do the 2 step application - build onto your neutral shadow with a deeper color into your contour, or onto the outer 1/3 of your mobile lid.
3. Then when you are a pro @ speedy makeup application, you can do the 3 step application - build on the 2 step and add a touch of a highlighter color just under your brow (or to take your makeup from day to play) to accent your eyes.
o If you choose natural colors, you can’t go wrong - choose warm toned browns for golden complexions, and cooler tones for pinker complexions. Once you have your routine up to scratch time-wise, you can venture into more of the “fashion” tones.
Brush brows into position, and fill in any gaps with a brow pencil a shade lighter than your brow color, brush again to soften the pencil (looks more natural than a solid brow line)
One coat of mascara on top lashes (for more definition add a 2nd coat on outer 1/2 of lashes), and if you need mascara on bottom lashes, keep to a minimum - work into the base of lashes for a natural look.
4. If opting for translucent powder, dust on before applying lips, and only in oily areas (i.e. T-zone: nose, forehead, chin). For a dewy, natural finish no powder is required (and esp with the cream to powder finish foundations), unless you have an oily skin, then just do a light powder, and have blotting paper or pressed powder (in a compact) for touch-up’s as needed.
5. Lips: the rule of thumb here for a balanced look is not to overdo both eyes and lips - go for bold eyes OR bold lips, and tone the other down, as going for strong eyes and lips will give you a very made up look (and takes more time!). Fresh shimmery colors are great for summer with a hint of gloss, and richer caramels or plums are great for the perfect pout in winter! For longer wearing lipstick, apply a pencil that is close to your lipstick color first (all over, or else you get the dreaded VLL [Visible Lip Liner] once your lipstick starts wearing off…), then brush on lipstick / gloss. LipArt lipstick action has tips on lip care and other lipstick tricks!
A look like this can take you 5-10 mins (depending on your level of experience / expertise
This makeup look is timeless, and can be easily transformed from day to evening!