Makeup in Mini-Minutes

Do you ever rush out the door to a busy day, only to realize that you've done something horribly embarrassing that only overly rushed people do? Such as, for example, forgetting to put blush on your other cheek, or forgetting to blend that uber-heavy eye shadow so that you look more low-key hipster and less jet lagged call girl? 

Not to worry! Jordan is here with the panacea to your problems. Here are the complete details for a flawless makeup in mini-minutes beauty routine that won't only get you looking gooooood for your day/night, but will get you looking greater than great in five minutes or fewer. 

Step One: The Face

I don't care how tan you are, or how infrequently you treat yourself to that derma-delicious crema called sunscreen. You still ought to put it on as part of your daily routine. I, however, have developed a trick that combines sunscreen and brightening cream into one step.

 Put a dime-sized amount of a thin sunscreen of high SPF (30 SPF at least, 50 SPF if you can, and higher if possible) on the top of your hand, and then squeeze out a pea-sized amount of an illuminating cream onto the same hand. I recommend a slightly runny SPF, such as Chanel's UV Essentiel, and an illuminating moisturizer, such as fresh's Twilight Freshface Glow for this heavenly combination. With your finger, mix the pearly cream into the thin sunscreen and apply generously to your entire face. Once you subtly glimmer with a healthy, fresh, and lively glow, you'll know that you've applied your sunscreen to your whole face. 

You might soon ask yourself--how did I never know that applying sunscreen feels this good--and this beautifying?? Don't forget to apply some of this mixture to the area just under your brows. 

This step should take approximately 60 to 45 seconds to complete. 

Step Two: The Lash Line

To keep the look awake, flattering, and as close to au naturel as possible, use a pen eyeliner, such as Smashbox's Limitless Liquid Liner Pen, to darken your lashline. If you wing your lashes, only wing them slightly--and there is no need to end the line all the way in the inner, kitten corners of your eyes. Don't worry if you smudge it a wee bit.

This step should take 60 seconds.

Step Two: The Color

Mint Snow,
in the stick

This is the fun part--the color, the fun, and the sparkles! I recommend using two different Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour creamy shadows. I personally use the liners in Mint Snow (a pale, silvery blue) and Sapphire (a rich, shimmery, strong blue that can easily go very dark). Although the caviar eye sticks are called eye liners, they are not traditional eyeliners; they are in stick form, and cover more area than the strict lash line, when used. Since they are cream shadows, you have 30 seconds to blend and adjust the liner before it settles for long-lasting wear (a true godsend!).

Sapphire, in the center

 Choose the paler of your two compatible shades (Mint Snow) and swipe it along your lash line, from the inner corner of your eye until just after your base eyeliner line ends. When in doubt, add more. The color is light enough that your line can err on the side of being too large or too long, and nobody will ever notice. Immediately after, run the darker caviar shade from the middle of your lashline to the end. With your finger, blend any access dark color down into your lashes or toward the outer edge of your eye (this is when you'll appreciate the blendability of these Laura products). 

This step should take between 60 and 90 seconds. 

Step Three: The Lashes

To finish off your devilishly catching eyes, opt for a mascara that won't go nuts on volume, clumping, or obscene length. You simply want to give those lashes a little something extra--a bit of volume, a bit of length, and a bit of definition--to complete the look. 

This step should take approximately 45 seconds. 

Step Four: The Lips

Go for any lipstick that you love, as long as it's not too intense! If you're feeling creative, apply a quick layer of a shade just darker/pinker than your lips, and then apply another light layer right above it in a lipstick with a more orangey tone to the center of your lips. Press lips together, and voila!

This step should take 30 seconds. 

So, to add up the time needed for this wonderful Makeup in Mini-Minutes strategy...

Step One: 60 seconds    +

Step Two: 60 seconds   +

Step Three: 45 seconds +

Step Four: 30 seconds   =

Grand Total: 195 seconds (3 minutes and 15 seconds)

Enough said. Happy primping!