As a makeup artist I am constantly meeting women that are after a simple makeup routine that takes no more than five minutes. We all want to look our best but often don’t have the luxury of time each morning to do a full face of makeup. Having a few multipurpose go-to products can be a savior when facing a cold Canberra morning when we’d all rather spend a few more minutes under the covers. A little bit of sheer coverage, some subtle colour and definition around the eyes can all be done with a few key products in just a few minutes.
A tinted moisturiser is the quickest way to get that ‘your skin but better’ makeup look. It keeps the skin hydrated and provides a natural sheer coverage. A long time favourite of mine is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, it contains SPF 20 and in addition to the cult favourite original formula they also have oil-free and illuminating options. They are gorgeous lightweight products that even out the skin tone and give the skin a beautiful healthy glow. Tinted moisturizers work well with a brush or sponge but I prefer it blended in with the fingers. The warmth from your hands really helps the product melt into the skin. Laura Mercier is available at David Jones.
For a pop of colour my must-have product is the Becca Beach Tint. Gorgeous on the cheeks or lips this versatile product creates a lovely flush of colour that dries down to a stain and lasts all day. This light cream gel is non-greasy, doesn’t streak and blends beautifully with a brush or your fingers. All seven shades are extremely wearable but my pick for winter is Raspberry, a beautiful deep berry pink. I also love to wear them on the lips underneath a nourishing lip balm. Becca is available at Concept Makeup & Brows.
Nothing makes you look more put together than beautifully groomed brows. They frame the face and can change your entire look. There are so many products available for keeping the brows looking good but for a quick five-minute face you can’t go past tinted brow mascara. They add colour and definition to the brow and help keep them in place. My favourite is the Tinted Brow Gel by Anastasia Beverley Hills. There are six shades available and the wand deposits the right amount of product. The formula is long lasting and doesn’t leave the brows feeling too stiff. So simple. Anastasia Beverly Hills is available at Concept Makeup & Brows.
Mascara is an absolute must have. I’m not awake until I have my mascara on and I think it is the finishing touch to every makeup look. There are so many great ones to choose from. My current favourite is the Benefit They’re Real Mascara. Perfect for length, volume, separation and it holds a curl really well. For best application curl your lashes first then wiggle the wand into the roots of the lashes to get as much lift as possible. Benefit is available at Myers.
With only five minutes there is no time to fuss with four different eye shadows or a handful of brushes. For a simple eye look I love the Ombre Blackstar cream eyeshdows from By Terry. They come in an easy to use bullet applicator and blend like a dream. All colours contain light reflecting properties that create a beautiful dimension on the lids. This product does all the work for you! The lighter colours work well as a subtle wash of colour and the darker colours can be smudged into the lash line for definition. My top picks are Bronze Moon, Brown Perfection and Velvet Orchid for a pop of colour. By Terry is available at Mecca Cosmetica.
