Raise your hand if you have more than an hour a day
to do your makeup?
Okay, now if your hand is raised, then use it to
keep turning pages because this tutorial is not for you.
(You’re an everyday “glamazon,” and I completely admire and
respect you for that).
As for the rest of us, take heart. It’s possible to look fresh
and fabulous even if you are short on time. I don’t know
about you, but the last time I left the house, I was in such a
hurry I didn’t realize I put on mismatched ankle boots before
I walked out the door! If you are like me, you may be
balancing parenting, a demanding career, and other
responsibilities and obligations. This article is for you.
You are not alone, my friends!
I want to share with you the tools and tricks
you need to create a fresh, fabulous, and finished
look in five minutes flat. For these two looks,
I’ve included budget conscious and natural
product alternatives.
Meet Andrea, a 25-year-old dental assistant
who says her biggest makeup challenge is covering
up dark circles. Her skin type is normal to dry.
She describes her approach to makeup as “one
extreme or the other.” Andrea said, “I either get
glammed up completely, or I wear absolutely
nothing. I would really like to learn how to do a
makeup look that is natural that just makes me
feel like an enhanced version of myself.”
After her makeup demonstration, Andrea said,
“This is perfect, I love how natural it is, and that
the lips are a stain. I feel very girly and fresh. This
is definitely something I could do in five minutes!”
STEP 1: COVER
For normal to dry skin, apply small
dabs of foundation to your forehead,
nose, and cheeks. Then, blend with
a synthetic sponge in a downward
motion. Use a slight stippling (patting)
motion for added coverage.
We used MAC Studio Waterweight
Foundation ($33). Almay Smart Shade
CC Cream ($10) is a great alternative.
My favorite sponge used to be
the Original Beautyblender ($20) until
I discovered Real Techniques Miracle
Complexion Sponge ($5), which we
used here. This sponge gives your skin a
nearly airbrushed finish; it’s amazing!
STEP 2: CONCEAL AND HIGHLIGHT
For dark under eye shadows, try IT
Cosmetics Eyelift In A Tube ($29). It
allows you to use one end to conceal
and the other to apply a gorgeous,
semi-dewy highlight. Use the applicator
by applying the “Bye Bye Under Eye
Concealer” from the inner corner, covering
any shadowy areas and blemishes,
to the sides of the nose. Next use the
“Hello Light Liquid Brightener” under
the eye, on top of the cheekbone, and
up to the temple in the center of the
forehead. Also apply above the center
of your top lip. Then fully blend using
a stippling motion with your sponge.
Available at a fraction of the price,
e.l.f. Studio Under Eye Concealer and
Highlighter ($3) works similarly.
STEP 3: CONTOUR
Use a bronzer to achieve an easy
contoured effect in a minimal amount
of time. For dry skin, I recommend
applying a cream bronzer with a brush
to the top of the forehead and under
the cheekbone, along the jaw line and
subtly to both sides of the nose. A
synthetic brush is best when working
with cream blushes or bronzers, as
natural hair brushes tend to soak up
cream products.
We used Sonia Kashuk Undetectable
Creme Bronzer ($11) in warm tan.
This product is an excellent alternative
for Chanel Bronze Universel ($48). I
honestly can’t tell the difference, and
who doesn’t love a deal?
STEP 4: BROWS
Naturally full looking brows hit the
runway this season, so tinted brow gels
are the way to go. Select a shade that
matches your brow color, or one that is
a few shades darker if your brows are
naturally blonde.
We chose to warm up Andrea’s
brows slightly with Anastasia Beverly
Hills Tinted Brow Gel ($22) in auburn.
Comb the brow tint upward through
the brows and then gently lay the hairs
down at the top combing toward the
outward corner. Replicate the look
with NYX Cosmetics Tinted Brow
Mascara ($9).
STEP 5: CURL
Curling your eyelashes is optional, but
do consider including this step if you
have straight lashes. Start at the base
of the lash where your lid meets the
root and apply gentle but firm pressure.
Hold for two seconds and move up the
lash curler just a touch and repeat for
another two seconds.
STEP 6: SHADOW
With your pointer finger, sweep a neutral
cream shadow from lid to crease
and blend softly onto the brow bone
just above the crease. Andrea is wearing
MAC Indianwood Paint Pot ($22.) For a
less expensive alternative try Maybelline
Eye Studio Color Tattoo Cream Shadow
($6) in “Bad to the Bronze.”
STEP 7: MASCARA
For full lashes in a hurry, sweep one
or two coats of a volumizing mascara
from root to tip on the top and bottom
lashes. I love Maybelline Pumped Up!
Colossal Volum’Express ($6).
STEP 8: LIP AND CHEEK
Want a fresh look? Use the applicator
to stripe a line of Benefit Posietint ($30)
cheek stain just above your cheek contour
on the apples of your cheek. Pat
and blend. Next, apply the stain to your
lips and blend with your fingertip. For
a less expensive alternative try Etude
House Fresh Cherry Tint ($8). For a
glossy texture, add a dab of gloss to the
center of your lips.
