The 5 Minute Makeup

There aren’t too many shortcuts needed when it comes to foundation and powder because it’s basically all about blending. However, unless you need the full coverage of all-over foundation, skip the foundation all together. Simply use concealer on problem areas like under eyes, blemishes or other skin redness and set with powder.

If you do like the coverage of your foundation, start with a foundation that matches the shade of your neck and blend it all over your face with your fingers, foundation brush or a sponge. Be sure you’ve blended it all in on your face and neck area.

Be sure your moisturizer has completed soaked in before starting or you’ll end up with terrible results. Next, quickly take concealer and dab it on any blemishes you want to cover. After you’re happy with your blended look, set your face with loose powder.

After your skin tone is evened out and set with powder, it’s time to give it a little color. Learning how to apply blush and bronzer properly is a must for all women.

The trick is, go light. It’s always easier to add a little more if you need it than it is to take some away if you’ve already overdone it. To ensure you look naturally flushed, try applying your blush by a window. This beauty lighting will allow to you to see what it’s going to look like in natural light (or basically what everyone else sees). Choose a light and rosy color and using a large blush brush; quickly sweep it across the apples of your cheeks.

If you want to use bronzer, the same rules apply. Go light and sweep in on your face in the shape of a three (starting with the top of your forehead, moving around your eye area to your cheek and then back across your cheek to the bottom of your chin/jaw line).

After you’ve applied your foundation, powder and blush, you should be left with at least three minutes left, which is all you need to properly dress up your eyes and lips. Start by sweeping a light layer of neutral eye shadow on your entire lid. An eye highlighting powder just below the brow will give your eyes a little extra pick-me-up. You will more alert and awake too. Over the base layer of eye shadow, sweep a darker shade in your eye lid crease only.

Be sure to choose neutral colors for daytime, as darker colors really do take longer to blend together and are most suitable for night wear. Blend the eye shadows together on your eye with a clean makeup brush, so you can’t tell where one begins and the next ends. If you have time, use a quick eyeliner pencil to make a thin line across your upper lash line.

Be sure your line isn’t too thick or too bold in color. If you find it is, take a Q-Tip and lightly smudge it, to make it look more natural. Lastly, take ten seconds to curl your eye lashes with a curler and apply dark brown or black mascara.

This step is fast and easy! To finish your look, be sure to sweep a light lip color across your lips.

For daytime, it’s best to stick with tinted lip glosses or lip tints you can find from many brands like Clinique or Cover Girl. They may need to be reapplied more often than matte lipstick, but they look much more natural and up to date than heavy lip color. 

While the 5 minute makeup face focuses on actual cosmetics, the trick to always looking fresh and radiant is to start and end your day with a proper skin care routine. When you take care of your skin, you’ll realize you’ll need even less time to make up your face in the morning!