We’ve all been there: You shower, pick out your outfit and blow out your hair the night before Monday morning arrives. And yet, you still manage to somehow oversleep and rush out of the house looking a little disheveled — without an ounce of makeup. If only you had more time. You can’t buy more time (although it would be nice), but you can save time on your makeup routine in the mornings, so that you’ll have time to do other important things like grabbing your morning coffee and catching up on Twitter. Below, we put together a beauty cheat sheet featuring our favorite tips and products to help simplify your mornings without sacrificing looking graceful and awake.
5 minute makeup
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Don't Skip SPF
No matter how overcast it may be, never, ever skip SPF in the morning — being in a rush is no excuse, either. Instead of skipping SPF in the name of time, opt for a nourishing formula like this one, which not only protects skin against UV rays, but nourishes the skin with its moisturizing properties.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50, $65 at Dermalogica
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All-in-One for Complexion
This lightweight, serum-based BB cream does more than just provide coverage — it has anti-aging ingredients and is infused with sea buckthorn berry extract and hyaluronic acid, which keep skin hydrated, refreshed and glowy.
Dr. Jart+ CC Essence Balm, $42 at Sephora
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Conceal & Highlight with the Same Product
This classic beauty staple is an easy-to-use multitasker that will hide tired eyes and instantly brighten up the face in just a few swipes.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch, $41 at Sephora
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Skip Fussy Eye Makeup
Eyeshadow is great, but when time is of the essence, it's all about keeping it simple. An eyelash curler is often underrated, but is actually one of the most useful tools out there — it only takes a few seconds to use and makes a big difference. Eyes are instantly opened up and lashes are curled without the need to apply anything else.
Shupette by Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $20 at Shu Uemura
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Lip & Cheek Stain
By now, you can see the ongoing theme of using multitasking products to save time and catch up on zzzs. Finish off your look with flushed cheeks and rosy lips using one shade of lip and cheek stain.
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, $27 at Macy's
