Let’s face it, most of us prefer to hit snooze one too many times until it’s too late in the morning. And now we’re running around panicking, saying ‘We’ll never do that again’ and forget about packing lunch, we have a limited time to perfect our visage.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be too complicated. No matter how tired I am in the morning, or the lack of effort I want to put into making up my face, I will never ever leave the house without any makeup on. I have mastered the art of the ‘5-minute natural makeup look.’ I still manage to look put together and presentable despite the rush, but those looking at you will never be able to tell!
Now depending on where you work, minimal makeup is usually the norm. However if you work some place where you’re expected to use the heavy hand; then following my recipe might not be for you but it still offers many useful tips.
My lazy morning recipe has become a little life saver for me and I want to share it with my fellow ladies.
After washing your face and moisturizing, your steps are:
1. Apply a tinted moisturizer if you are used to wearing foundation or want to even out your skin tone; a tinted moisturizer works great as you will get a good even coverage.
If you barely use foundation, then all you need is a little concealer; usually around the eyes, lids included, around the nose and any blemishes or scars, then finish with a powder; loose or compact to mattify the skin. Some excellent tinted moisturizers are Bobbi Brown Oil Free SPF 15, Estee Lauder Daywear Plus Multi Protection SPF 15, Clarins Hydra Care SPF 6.
2.Fill in your eyebrows, the most important step in the whole makeup process besides perfecting your skin. Eyebrows not only frame the face, but add definition and character so you should take good care of them, ensuring you’re regularly grooming and keeping them neat. Use an eye shadow or brow pencil close to the colour of your brows, fill them in carefully. Use an angled brush, if you’re using eye shadow; make small whisk-like movements in between the hairs.
3.Next you need to add some colour to your lids. Go with neutral, light colour eye shadows. Light pinks, peaches, corals and light browns are suitable colours for going natural or monochromatic.Cover your lid with a neutral based colour including the brow bone, then with your darkest neutral shadow; colour in your crease, followed by a lighter pigmented colour to go over your lid and finish with your lightest neutral in the tear duct; the last step really brightens your eyes. I love using Jest by MAC in the tear duct.
4.Now it’s time to line your eyes, you can go very simple and casual or you can skip this step all together. If you’re lining your eyes; use a pencil, liquid or dark eyeshadow. Remember this is a natural look we’re going for so no need to go crazy with wings here. Apply the liner very close to the lash line so it’s barely noticeable but still defines the eye, finish right at the outer corner. I prefer using shadow as you can blend it into the whole lid.
5.Lashes, another crucial step. Always curl your lashes; it instantaneously opens up your eyes. Even if you want to skip all the other steps, don’t skip this one. Shu Umera offers one of the best curlers in my opinion, worth every penny! Curl each side twice and then apply very light mascara. Stay away from the maximum volume mascaras.
6.Time for blush; I use two different types, one that is a darker shade for contouring and then a rosy one for the apple of my cheeks. The darker blush I use on my cheek bone and on the sides of my forehead. This will create some definition and angles in the face. Note: Use blush sparingly if you have a strong angular face. A fantastic blush is Sin by Nars.
7.Finally, we need to finish with the lips. Use a complimentary neutral or a light colour lip liner and fill in your whole lip. Then you can do two things here: apply a light/nude lipstick or just use a lip gloss. Both are flattering and both look simple and neat.
Some other products and techniques you can use are:
Highlighters and luminizers – apply to forehead, to the bridge of your nose and on the brow bone. Make Up For Ever sculpting kit is perfect for contouring and highlighting.
Bronzer – Looking sun kissed gives off a healthy glow, which is favoured when going for a natural look. Loreal, Bobbi Brown and Guerlain offer some great bronzers.
So there you have it, as wordy as it looks, it’s actually quite easy. Once you have all the right supplies, you’ll be well prepared for those rushed mornings!