Who really has the time to spend hours on their makeup? I’m lucky if I remember to get changed out of my pyjamas before I leave the house, let alone worry about the state of my face. Luckily, in recent months, I’ve had excellent practice in turning myself around in record timing. While I’m still not great at choosing something to wear when time is against me (I usually have to plan my outfit the night before because it’s a very time-consuming process), I have learned how to make the most out of my face in just a few minutes.
Firstly, I scrap foundation. I understand that for some people, the idea of leaving the house without foundation in terrifying, but just hear me out. Instead of foundation, I apply a super full-coverage concealer liberally. My go-to is the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer. I apply it around my nose, under my eyes and on any areas of redness. Because I apply it with my fingers, it’s super easy to blend out. If you’d have asked me 6 months ago if I’d ever consider concealer without foundation I’d probably have laughed out loud, but honestly it’s makes SUCH a huge difference.
Next up is bronzer. I apply the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder as a contour. I take a big bronzing brush (because who really has time for precision contour at 7am?!) and dust it along my hairline, into my temples, under my cheekbones and along my jawline. Essentially, you want to create a ‘3’shape on both sides of your face. This adds definition and gives the illusion that I’m way healthier than I actually am and got way more sleep than I actually did. Once that’s done, using the same brush, I lightly dust the apples of my cheeks with the bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush to make everything look a little more ‘natural’.
I have very dark brows so I’m lucky that I don’t have to faff around with tints and filling them in. However, if there is one thing that I have learned it’s that when time is of the essence, you should never start trying to give your brows a reshape. You will be sat there for hours trying to get them to match. Instead, I opt for a tinted gel. I’ve used many in my time but since Glossier launched on UK shores, there’s only been one gel for me. Glossier Boy Brow is more of a putty than a gel. It really sets them in place and gives them the perfect tint. So, instead of whipping out a pencil, I just run a clean spooly through them, zig-zagging it in an upwards motion, and then set them in place with this stuff.
An eyeshadow stick will buy you time. Trust me. The Matte Caviar Sticks from Laura Mercier are true lifesavers. This one, in shade Caramel, is the ultimate nude shadow that creates the perfect no-makeup-makeup eye. Simply swipe it over the lid and blend out with your finger et voilà. When I’m short on time, my mascara choice is crucial. I need something that requires almost no eyelash curling and something that will make an impact in just a few strokes. Benefit They’re Real. Enough said.
Finally, for the finishing touch, I apply one swoop of my go-to nude lip. There’s no time to be faffing around with colour and definition. This Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte lipstick in ‘Vibe’ acts as a liner and a lip colour in one and is a nude so close to my natural lip colour, it’s like it was made for me. And that’s it. I’m done. Usually with about 30 seconds to spare which leaves me just enough time to through the lippie in my bag, pick up my cup of tea and run out the door. You are welcome. #SpeedyShannon.