How to Perfect a 5-Minute Makeup Routine

I love getting to share with you some really talented bloggers, today the lovely Alex from Living. Pretty. Happy, is here to share how she has come up with the perfect 5-minute makeup routine. As well as via her blog, you can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Over to Alex:

Let’s face it, life is busy! We don’t all have the luxury of a spare hour every morning to apply our makeup perfectly.

However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t look polished – even if we only have five minutes to spare.

Five-minute makeup has been a morning necessity of mine for years now, but before I go into how I do it, here are a few things you might want to consider.

The better shape your skin is in, the less makeup you’ll require. Be sure to cleanse and moisturise daily.

However, try not to overload on product in the mornings – you might stop your makeup from staying nicely.

You’ll also benefit from setting out all the makeup and brushes you’ll need in advance. This will save you valuable time.

Now you’re all set, here’s how to achieve…

The 5-minute full-face

• On clean and moisturised skin, apply a BB cream or tinted moisturiser using your fingertips as you would your facial moisturiser. BB’s are great to help blur imperfections and create a more even skin-tone.  Most allow for buildable coverage, so just add more if needed. They often contain an SPF which is a bonus for sun protection and the fight against signs of ageing.
• Next, apply a cream concealer to your under-eye area to lighten and brighten.
• If you are concerned about shine, apply a dusting of powder, concentrating on the T-Zone. Additionally, if you need the makeup to have some staying power, then powder is an absolute necessity in order to set your look.

Top Tip: For extra quick and fuller coverage, choose a powder foundation such as Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in Place Powder Makeup (around £35) or Laura Geller Double Take Baked Versatile Powder Foundation

• Apply a neutral eye-shadow to the bottom of your eyelid and blend (with your fingers or a brush) up to and slightly over the crease. I recommend Clinique Lid Pop in Cream Pop (around £15). If you’re more of a winged eyeliner type of person, then consider substituting eye shadow for eyeliner. Unless you’re very practised and could do both quickly.
• Use an eyebrow pencil to build some definition to your brows. No7 Beautiful Brow Sculpting Pencil (£8) is super easy and near foolproof to use. Follow with a slick of mascara on your lashes.
• Next add a cream blush for a hint of natural colour to the apples of your cheeks. Try to pick a shade that is as close to the natural colour that appears when you pinch your cheeks. The key to cream brush is to go lightly and add more only if necessary.
• Finally finish with a clear or tinted lip balm. They will moisturise and make your lips look naturally plumper, without the need for lip liner or multiple layers. Be sure to pop it in your bag for quick and easy no-mirror required touch-ups. Try Kiehls #1 Lip Balm (around £10) or Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips (around £2).

And ta-da, you’re done!  As you might have realised, this is a very quick cover all bases routine.

It’s completely customisable, so for instance, if you feel that you want to wear far more eye-makeup then you would need to look at what other area you could switch for – perhaps you’re somebody who doesn’t need an all-over base and could live with just concealer in certain areas.

You might also want benefit from having your eyelashes or eyebrows tinted professionally. This would save you time every day.

Just, remember, the more practised you are the quicker you become. Don’t try to do something you’re not practised at when you’re budgeted on time.

Be realistic in your expectation of the outcome. Will you look like the end result of a professional beauty vloggers YouTube video tutorial – nope! (sorry!)

Can you achieve a ‘your skin but better’ look – absolutely yes! Natural-looking, enhanced beauty is achievable by all within five minutes.

Remember we’re usually our own worst critic when it comes to how we look – so take some pressure off yourself and just have fun with it!

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