Looking polished doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort (Photo: Getty Images)
Cover Looking polished doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort (Photo: Getty Images)

Applying makeup doesn’t need to be complicated or heavy-handed, and it certainly doesn’t need to take long at all. Here are some low effect, high impact beauty tips

Whether it’s because you’re not very confident in applying makeup, don’t like to but would still like to look more put-together or your alarm didn’t go off, this foolproof routine will have you out the door looking like you’ve made an effort in less than ten minutes.

Read more: Expert Tips on Building the Perfect Hair Care Routine

It really is all about that base

Regardless of whether or not you’re putting on makeup, always cleanse your face in the morning and apply a hydrating serum followed by a sunscreen. You can layer SPF on top of moisturiser if you have dry skin, but if you have oily skin or live in a hot and humid climate, an oil-free sunscreen is a great daytime option to moisturise and protect your skin.

What you absolutely do not want to do is rely solely on the SPF a makeup product claims to have. That level of protection depends on applying an amount of the product as you would a sunscreen, and no one applies half a teaspoon of foundation to their face and neck in one sitting.

Once your skincare is taken care of, then you can start on your makeup.

Don’t miss: 8 Cleansers to Revamp Your Skincare Routine

Bright-eyed and bushy tailed

Even if you don’t feel alert and energetic, you can still look it by opening up your eyes with a little bit of liner or mascara. Simplify things by picking just one or the other. But first, pat a thin layer of eyeshadow primer on your eyelids if your skin gets very oily. This will prevent smudging and panda eyes.

If you’re going with mascara, curl your lashes first—if your lashes are shorter or dead straight, an electronic lash curler does wonders—before swiping on a layer or two of mascara. If you have an overall fairer complexion, a brown mascara will look more natural than black, and if you have brown eyes, a navy one will make the whites of your eyes look brighter.

If you’ve always avoided eyeliner because you aren’t good at drawing neat lines, no one said eyeliner must be sharp or tidy.

Grab a tiny slanted eyeliner brush, dip it in a bit of gun-metal grey, dark brown or deep bronze powder eyeshadow and press it all along your upper lash line. And then, to defuse the liner you’ve created, gently smudge it with your pinky fingertip or a cotton bud. Voila, subtly defined eyes.

Put your best face forward

Unless your job requires full glam (it doesn’t, you’re not a Kardashian) there’s really no need for full coverage foundation. Apply a smoothing primer like the Hourglass Mineral Veil primer, followed by a tinted moisturiser or a medium coverage foundation to even out your skin tone. A good tip is to apply your primer before you do your eye makeup, so it has time to settle on your face before you apply your complexion product.

A damp beauty sponge is great for controlling how much product and coverage you’re putting on your skin, but using just your fingertips is absolutely fine. In fact, the warmth of your fingers will help blend in the product and make it look more natural. Just make sure to achieve an even coverage all over your face.

If you have a dry skin type, this alone will do, but if you’re more oily-prone, apply a dusting of translucent setting powder with a large fluffy brush or the beauty sponge you’d used for your foundation. Make sure to buff off any excess at the end to avoid a heavily powdered look.

Add a pop of colour

Finally, if you do nothing else, find a tinted lip balm in a shade that you like. Adding a vibrant shade like pink, orange, berry or red, or even a subtle nude, in a glossy sheen that can be easily applied with or without a mirror will instantly make you look more lively. If your skin type isn’t very oily, you can also swipe the tinted balm on your cheekbones and blend it up towards your temple for a playful hint of blush.

Even with no face product, a bright tinted lip balm paired with groomed brows—whether that’s achieved just by brushing it through with a clean brow brush or enhanced with a touch of a tinted brow gel—will always look effortlessly polished.

Topics