Best Way to Save Time on Make-Up

Are you guilty of applying make-up on the bus or train? Stop this bad beauty habit and, instead, cut down on make-up-application time with these time-savers. Cosmetic companies have helped you to cut corners and saved you from carrying around a hefty bag laden with dozens of cosmetics by cleverly devising multi-purpose products that can be used on the lips, cheeks and eyes. Try Virgin Vie’s All Rounder, Colourings’ Complete Colour, BeneFit’s Nine One One wand, Trucco’s Lip and Face Compact, Bobbi Brown’s Bronzing Stick, Aveda’s One Colour Plus Uruka, Nars’ The Multiple or Vincent Longo’s Lip/Eye Pencil.

Long-lasting make-up means that you don’t have to waste time retouching as lipstick, foundation and eyeshadow stays put – even when eating or kissing. Do away with make-up application altogether by investing in semi­permanent make-up, such as eyeliner, brow-shading and lip colour that lasts for five years.

Base in a jiffy

To save on time-intensive application, try a multi­purpose base, such as YSL’s 4-in-1 Sheer Powder Creme Veil, Max Factor’s 3-in-1 Complete Coverage Make-up, Virgin Vie’s One Step Face Base, Estee Lauder’s Minute Make­up or Stila’s Complete Coverage Make-up. Another option is to, use a dab of base or concealer only where you need it. For long-lasting results, try L’Oreal’s Colour Endure Foundation, Versace’s Long-lasting Hydrating Foundation, Dior’s Long-wearing Hydrating Concealer or Revlon’s ColorStay Foundation. If you haven’t got time to apply a base, one application of fake tan will give your skin a touch of colour and warmth that lasts for several days.

Swift blush

Imparting a rosy glow to your cheeks is quick and easy to achieve: if you wear nothing but blush on your skin, a cream, gel or stain blush can be applied swiftly to naked skin (powder blush only really sits well on a foundation or powder base). If you only want to carry the bare essentials in your hand bag, for retouching, both a multipurpose product or a little lipstick smoothed on cheeks can also be used as blush.

One-minute eyes

Do away with lengthy mascara applications by tinting your eyelashes with a home eyelash-dye kit or by having them dyed professionally at a salon. You can also darken brows; the effect should last for up to a month. If you prefer the stronger and longer-lasting effect of liquid eyeliners to pencils, opt for fool-proof liner pens, such as Lancome’s Artliner or Maybelline’s Liner Express. Wave goodbye to endless retouching by finding a good, long-lasting eyeshadow, such as Clinique’s Stay The Day or Avon’s Perfect Wear. Instead of using different products on your eyes and brows, use one product for both features. For example, brown eyeshadow works as an eyeliner and a brow-definer, while your mascara can even double up to thicken and darken brows. Another option is dual-purpose products, such as Elizabeth Arden’s Dual Perfection Brow Shaper and Eyeliner.

Lasting lip colour

Lipstick can be fiddly to apply, so for extra-fast results just add a slick of coloured gloss: try Almay’s Lip Balm With Colour, MAC’s Lip Glass, Blistex’s Lip Tone or Stila’s Lip Gloss. For lipstick that stays the day use Cover Girl’s Continuous Colour Self-renewing Lipstick, Revlon’s MoistureStay or Dior’s Diorific Long-wearing Lipstick. You can also try a self-renewing lipstick, such as Max Factor’s Lasting Colour Self Renew Lipstick, that refreshes itself when you press your lips together. Cut down on application time by using a lipstick and liner in one. Plump for products like Elizabeth Arden’s Exceptional Lip Talkers or Maybelline’s Lip Express.