Your guide to getting your makeup on in 15 minutes or less

As we fall back into routine, we also fall into the morning rush. We usually don’t have endless time to spend on skincare and makeup. Here’s your guide to getting your makeup on in 15 minutes or less, with potential modifications and variations based on your timeframe.

Super Quick Skin Prep

When you wake up in the morning, all the oils and impurities from your skin will have surfaced, and they’ll need to be washed off before applying makeup. Wash your face first! If you apply makeup without washing your face, the makeup won’t lay as well, won’t last as long, and can make your skin break out. If you have more time in the morning, you can use a gentle cleanser to wash your face to help remove that layer. Short on time? Splash some water on your face and wipe well with a clean towel.

Once your face is clean, you’ll want to apply a moisturizer. Some moisturizers double as makeup primers, saving you another step. Primer isn’t always necessary, but moisturizer is, so a 2-in-1 is your best option. Some of my favorite combo products: the Bobbi Brown Face Base Moisturizer and Primer and the Embryolisse Multifunction Daily Moisturizer and Primer, a more affordable option.

Makeup Fast Track

Different people have different priorities when it comes to makeup — some people won’t leave the house without mascara, while others won’t go to the grocery without lipstick on. This quick makeup routine will be a generalized routine, but you can pick and choose what you feel you can skip to save more time, or what makes you feel most comfortable.

Once your face is clean and moisturized, you can move on to your base makeup. If you want to cover blemishes quickly and easily, now is when you would spot-conceal. For everyday foundation, I like to use something light, but some will prefer fuller coverage.

For the next few steps, I like to start with cream products and set with powder products, but time doesn’t always allow for that.

When I’m in a rush, I like to apply under-eye concealer after my cream products. That way, if I didn’t precisely blend the bronzer or blush, I can easily clean it up with the concealer. Realistically speaking, most of us are tired in the morning and need to cover up those dark circles.

Next, I set my concealer with a pressed powder. Personally, I find pressed powder quicker and easier to apply than loose powder.

If you’re very low on time, it’s best to only use powder products — they take less time and effort to blend than cream products. To avoid patchy application, especially if you don’t have time to waste on blending, dip your brush into the powder product, swirl the brush into the palm of your hand to evenly disperse the product in the brush, and then use a tapping motion to apply. This will give you a smooth, blended effect.

Speedy Eyes

For some of us, just applying mascara is enough eye makeup, but if you want a little something more that needs minimal time and effort, here are some tips.

As far as brows go, just brushing them and applying a clear brow gel can be enough. If your brows are sparser, try using a brow pen or pencil to fill in the patchy areas.

For eyeshadow, I like to take a fluffy eyeshadow-blending brush, dip it into my bronzer, and fluff it all over my eyelid. It gives the face a more cohesive look, as though you put in more effort than you did.

Eyeliner will vary based on your preferences, but my go-to for everyday is to apply a black or brown pencil liner on my top and bottom waterline, then use my finger to quickly smudge it out. It’s an easy way to make your eyes pop. If I have a bit more time, I’ll add a tiny baby wing at the ends of my eyes.

Finally, I tackle mascara. I like to curl my lashes before I apply the mascara, but it’s not necessary if you’re in a rush.

Finishing Off

To complete the face, use your favorite lipliner and lipstick. If I’m rushing, I skip the lipliner and just use lipstick. You can always carry an extra lipstick in your purse and reapply as necessary.

Then, do a quick misting of setting spray, and you’re done!

Now that you have the overall guide, you can pick and choose which steps work best for you. A clearly defined makeup routine designed for when you’re feeling rushed will help with time management — and make sure that when you do run out, you feel like you look great!

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 966)