Online Reporter
Fashion 263 Correspondent
Between getting the kids ready for school, school drop-offs, finding breakfast and trying to get yourself out the door, applying makeup can feel like one more task you simply do not have time for.
But five minutes is enough.
You do not need full-coverage foundation, perfectly sculpted cheekbones or a makeup bag filled with products to look pulled together.
A few well-chosen products can make a noticeable difference, particularly when you apply them where you actually need them.
This routine also works for working-from-home days, unexpected trips to the shops or any morning when you want to look more awake without spending half an hour in front of the mirror.
And if you are not a fan of foundation, you can leave it out completely.
Start with your skin
The quickest makeup routine starts before you pick up a brush.
Clean, moisturised skin gives makeup a better base, particularly if your skin feels dry or tight.
A simple morning routine of cleansing, moisturising and applying sunscreen is enough to get started.
Dermatologists generally recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 as part of your morning skincare routine. Give your skincare a moment to settle before applying makeup. You do not need a complicated collection of serums and creams to get through the morning.
If your skin is particularly dry, do not try to fix it by piling on more makeup. A moisturiser suited to your skin can help keep it comfortable and hydrated.
The five-minute makeup routine
The trick is to stop treating makeup as a full-face exercise. Focus instead on the areas that make the biggest difference to your overall look.
1. Start with primer or skin tint
If you use primer, smooth a small amount over your face, concentrating on areas where makeup tends to move or where you want a smoother finish.
Foundation is optional.
For a little more coverage, use a lightweight skin tint or tinted moisturiser to even out the appearance of your skin without the heavier finish of full-coverage foundation.
If you are happy with your skin as it is, skip this step.
2. Apply concealer only where you need it
This is one of the biggest time-savers.
Instead of applying foundation across your entire face, use concealer selectively.
Dab a little under the eyes, over redness or on the occasional blemish you want to tone down.
Blend it with your fingertips. Your fingers are perfectly useful makeup tools when you are in a hurry, and there is no need to reach for a collection of brushes for a five-minute routine.
The aim is not to cover every mark or variation in your skin. It is simply to add coverage where you want it.
3. Add a quick flush of blush
Blush is one of the fastest ways to bring colour back into a minimal makeup look.
A cream or liquid blush is particularly useful because you can tap it onto your cheeks with your fingertips and blend as you go.
Choose a shade that works with your skin tone and start with a small amount. You can always add more.
Using a lip-and-cheek tint is even quicker. One product can do two jobs, which is exactly what you want from a five-minute makeup bag.
4. Tidy your brows
If your eyebrows are naturally full, skip this step.
If they are sparse or you like more definition, a brow pencil or tinted brow gel can make them look instantly more groomed.
Do not redraw your entire eyebrow. Follow its natural shape and fill in only the areas that need extra definition.
A couple of precise strokes can be enough.
5. Finish with mascara and lip tint
Mascara takes seconds to apply and makes the eyes look more defined without eyeshadow or eyeliner.
Finish with a tinted lip balm or lip gloss. It is quicker than applying a lipstick that requires a mirror and precise application.
If your lips tend to feel dry, choose a product that provides moisture as well as colour.
And that is it.
The five products to keep in your makeup bag
To make this routine as simple as possible, keep these five products together:
Concealer
Cream blush
Brow pencil or brow gel
Mascara
Tinted lip balm or gloss
Add a skin tint if you want more overall coverage, and primer if you enjoy using one.
The fewer products you have to search through in the morning, the faster the routine becomes.
You do not need foundation
One of the biggest time-savers is accepting that you do not need foundation every day.
If you like foundation, use it. But when you are short on time, strategically applied concealer can provide enough coverage for an everyday look.
A skin tint is another option if you want a more even finish than concealer alone.
It is generally lighter than traditional foundation and can be applied quickly with your fingers.
There is also no rule saying your complexion has to look completely uniform.
Skin naturally has colour, texture and variation. A quick makeup routine should make getting ready easier, not turn it into another chore.
Use your fingers to save time
Cream makeup products work particularly well for a quick routine.
Cream blush, cheek tints and some lightweight complexion products can be blended with your fingertips, so you do not have to spend time finding the right brush or cleaning several tools afterwards.
Just make sure your hands are clean before applying makeup.
Multi-use products are useful too. A cheek-and-lip tint, for example, means one product can replace two.
The point of a quick makeup routine is to make your morning easier, not give you another list of tasks to complete.
Five minutes is enough to add colour, definition and polish before you head out the door.
Once you know which products you actually use, there is no reason to spend 20 minutes doing what can be done in five. – IOL Lifestyle
