1. Have a signature makeup look. You know what will get you ready faster than the time it takes for Kylie’s lip kits sell out? Knowing your makeup look and not having to mull over what you’re going to do your eyes, lips, cheeks, etc. Really, all you need is just one look that gets you feeling on point, whether that’s a mascara/blush/lip balm combo, a smoky eye, a cat-eye, or flawless skin. Not sure how to apply makeup in general? I’s OK. There’s a tutorial for everything, including how to contour your abs. Random, I know. Anyway, finding a signature look will get you out the door before your roommate annoyingly asks you where you’re going.
2. Know how to execute a five-minute face. Say your best friend calls you up and invites you out. Sure, you can maybe throw together an outfit in time, but what about your makeup? Are you going to turn down a spontaneous night out because it takes you 45 for that makeup beat? Nope. Take the time now to nail down what products you absolutely need to use to be drinks-ready.
Here’s what I use for my five-minute face: First, I apply a medium coverage foundation all over (Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 30 is my go-to right now), followed by blush (Tory Burch bronzer and blush two-in-one is my jam), then I curl my lashes and apply mascara (Rodial XXL Glamolash formula is insanely good), and the Glossier lip balm, a pinky-nude lipstick, or a red or burgundy lip color, depending on how I’m feeling. Boom: Ready in five. Otherwise your friends/BF will be waiting on you like…
3. Use a tinted moisturizer. Want to cut down your morning routine? Use double-duty products, like tinted moisturizer. That way, you can skip apply moisturizer and foundation, and just apply one product that does both well. Bonus: Get one with SPF to eliminate yet another step in your a.m. routine. One to try: E.L.F. Cosmetics Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.
To find your perfect match, swipe three shades close to your complexion color along your cheek near your jawline — whichever one melds into your skin flawlessly is the winner. Side note: Remember that when the seasons switch up, your skin will be a little darker or lighter. Pick upCover FX Custom Cover Drops that can help you alter and ace your base by adding a drop or two of a lighter or deeper pigment to it. That way, your base won’t look lighter or darker than your skin during the winter or summer.
4. Master a red lip. Listen, I know that bolder lip colors are intimidating to wear — and even more debilitating to apply. But not only is wearing a red lip a power move, it instantly makes you look like you spent way more time getting ready than you actually did.
If you shy away from scarlet shades but want to wear them, here’s how to nail a selfie-perfect application: Use a pointy lip brush and rest your elbow on a desk or counter for steadiness, or opt for a liquid lipstick with a pointed applicator for precision. You’ll see, soon this will be you…
5. Apply SPF instead of moisturizer every single day. Here’s the thing about SPF — it’s so hydrating that you can skip the step of applying your moisturizer (!!!). This is a win-win because not only will it get you out the door that much more quickly, but incidental sun exposure and spending extended time in the sun adds up to brown spots, premature aging, and even worse, skin cancer — so wearing sunscreen on the regular saves you from all that. Also, learn to apply sunscreen to your skin early on, and you’ll look 30 when you’re 40, 40 when you’re 50 — you get the drift. Two sunscreens that I’m obsessed with at the moment are: Chanel UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily Defense Sunscreen Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for face andNeutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for body.
6. Exfoliate from head to toe. This sounds like it’s going to take more time than it’s worth, but if you don’t exfoliate your skin, dead skin cells are going to build up, clog your pores, and then you’re going to spend hours in front of the mirror picking at your face, back, wherever you break out. So, save yourself the time and exfoliate your skin at least three times a week.
Have zero clue what an exfoliator is or what kind to get? There are two types of exfoliation: physical (think jojoba beads or anything with a texture that sloughs away dead skin cells) and chemical (think glycolic, lactic, malic acids that deeply exfoliate your skin), and it’s helpful to do both. Why? It keeps the dead skin cells from building up on the surface of your skin (this can break you out) and keeps your cell turnover working to keep you looking young. Two to try: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment and Blue Mercury m-61 PowerGlow Peelwith glycolic and salicylic acid. P.S. The fun doesn’t have to stop on your face — swipe the pads or use the gentle scrub on your chest, arms, legs, butt, etc. to keep your skin smooth and clear from breakouts.
7. Shape your own brows. If you’re unsure of how to amp up your arches, make an appointment with a brow specialist, like an expert at the Benefit Brow Bar, or read this to help teach you how to take full advantage of the face-framing hairs that reside above your eyes. Once you learn how to fill them in like a pro, you can take the reins and accentuate your arches super-fast on a daily basis. Before you know it, you’ll be swiping a taupe-colored eye shadow over your arches or creating tiny hairs with a pencil fast AF, which will (1) make you feel so accomplished and (2) get you out the door with brows on fleek.✨
8. Do your own nails. Not everyone has the time or money for manis every week — and making an appointment and the time to actually go to the salon is, well, time-consuming. So, here’s my suggestion: I give myself a speed mani that includes pushing back my cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher, filing my nails, and applying basecoat, color, and topcoat. That way, if it’s taking too long and I don’t have time for a paint job, I can stop what I’m doing and leave the house with perfectly filed nails. But then every two weeks or so, I make time to get a professional mani. Not only is this to treat myself (because why not?!), it’s to get the mini hand massage (hello!), clean up any hangnails, and really hydrate my hands, thanks to the lotions and oils they use at the salon. 💅 💅 💅
9. Blow out your own hair. Blowouts can be expensive and take up to an hour or more, depending on how much hair you have. Which is why if blowing your hair smooth is your thing, it’s a good idea to figure out exactly how to blow out your strands without the help of a pro. Don’t worry, you’ll get good at it and have the process down pat in no time! Not sure how to get a Beyoncé-worthy blowout? The next time you get your hair done, ask your stylist to walk you through the steps. Then, try it yourself in front of him or her, so they can correct your technique. Trust me, once you know how to accomplish a selfie-status blowout, you’ll be able to do it fast AF and will thank me later.
10. Master at least two hairstyles. I never have time to get my hair done and you probably don’t either. That’s why making it a priority to lock down a few go-to styles to look your best at all times is helpful. For example, I figured out how to recreate an I-just-woke-up-like-this texture for when I don’t really want to do my hair, a slicked-back look that can be dressed up or down, a high ponytail and top knot (these come in handy for working out or running around on the weekends), a messy French twist, and a few braids so I can switch up my look. Plus, doing your own hair is empowering — especially when your style comes out looking Instagram-worthy and people compliment you on it, which makes you feel like this: 💁💁💁.
11. Learn how to braid your own hair. Sure, you can go to a braid bar and have your hair braided, but teach yourself to braid and the options are endless. Especially if you learn how to create a more complicated braid, like a French braid, fishtail, or Dutch braid. Regardless of your braiding skills, doing your own hair saves you time on days when you don’t want to wash it. So take the time to watch a tutorial and learn how to up your style game. Who knows, maybe you’ll get so good, you’ll be able to do this: