Cast your mind back to the glory days of beauty YouTube, where we sat down and zoned out watching a 20-step makeup routine (it is my firm belief that Sam and Nic Chapman are the greatest of all time, for the record, and Nic has recently reinstated their channel!)
These days, a leisurely 15-minute video may be the perfect switch off on a hungover Sunday morning, but it isn’t always relative to the amount of time we will have to recreate it.
In fact, increasingly, a question I hear more and more is “what can I quickly throw on in the morning?”
Night-before prep
Before we go any further, it’s worth pointing out that you can make your morning infinitely easier with a bit of night-before prep. For those that use tanner, a couple of James Read’s Click and Glow Drops, £25, James Read in your bedtime moisturiser will give you a healthy, golden glow in the morning, no foundation necessary. I use mine twice a week and have done for a few years now.
For those that wish to achieve a flawless base, using an exfoliator like the Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pads, £70, John Lewis, before bed will mean that by morning dead skin cells are buffed away and your makeup looks smoother.
The quick morning routine
Now for the morning itself. All year round, it’s crucial to start your routine with an SPF. If you have time (or have skin on the dry side), feel free to use a moisturiser underneath it, and if not, the SPF alone will suffice.
This seems to be the step that my friends simply cannot be bothered with, and yet it’s the one that will honestly protect you not only from sun damage but also the onset of fine lines and wrinkles.
When time is of the essence, follow with a multi-purpose base. Armani’s Neo Nude Glow Foundation, £28.47, John Lewis will densely hydrate the skin and deliver a fresh, glowing foundation all in one.
Now for a wash of colour – what butter is to bread is what Nudestix is to multi-tasking. I am absolutely obsessed with Nudestix, a series of multi-purpose, quick, high performing creamy sticks. If I gave up makeup artistry tomorrow, my own beauty stash would consist largely of these.
Depending on the look you’re going for, it has a series of matte and cream finishes in bronzers, blushers, highlighters, you name it; most complete with a brush at the end. Another advantage of Nudestix is that your lips and cheeks (and even eyes, if you like) will all match.
I’m now a devout tubing mascara girlie because they don’t smudge at all (we’ll address this in another column – Clinique’s Lash Power, £19.55, John Lewis is my favourite). Use this and even if you are catching your tail all morning, your makeup will stay polished.
In the spirit of more time saving, opt for a brow mascara in a rush. Benefit’s Gimme Brow is arguably one of the greatest.
And, after a touch of a silky, lightweight powder like the one from Sculpted by Aimee, you can be out of the door in minutes and feel completely put together.
As a final step – and ONLY if you have time – don’t skip the lip liner. This one, tiny step pulls everything together like you wouldn’t believe. Find one that matches your lip line exactly as this will be the most versatile. Mine happens to be Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk.
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I hope you’re learning a little something each week here – please feel free to send me any specific requests on Instagram @RoseGallagher and I will gladly talk you through them!
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