It seems like everyone is always in a rush – especially in the mornings. The morning can be the busiest and sometimes the most stressful time of the day. From showering to getting ready to making breakfast and taking the kids to school, not everyone can spend an hour or two sitting in front of the mirror to get their hair and makeup together. Well, there are ways you can speed up your beauty regimen by making a few simple changes to your routine. You’ll not only be able to save time, but you can reduce stress levels so you can better focus on the more important things.
Here are some tips to start your day looking great with a minimal amount of effort:
Hair: Rather than spending time using a blow-dryer and brush or straightener to get super sleek hair, try enhancing your natural waves instead. A morning hair routine should not take any more than 10 minutes, blow-drying included. As a NYC salon stylist in SELF Magazine suggests, wash your hair at night and apply a styling cream, like Bed Head Small Talk, to towel dried hair and wrap in a bun. In the morning, let your hair down and comb with your fingers.
Skin: Instead of packing your entire skin care routine in the A.M., make sure you remove your makeup the night before (which you should always do anyway) and deep clean your face with an exfoliating face wash. This will prep your skin for the morning while avoiding breakouts. When morning comes, gently wash your face while you’re in the shower and follow up with an oil-free moisturizer. Lightly brush your lips to remove flakes after brushing your teeth and apply a lip balm.
Makeup: Primer, foundation, concealer, powder--all these take up time when applying separately. Why not use a makeup that has all four? Yes, such a thing does exist! Stila One Step Makeup is a primer, concealer, foundation and powder all in one. It's a mineral-based formula that’s long-wearing and controls oil.
If you want something more natural or if you don’t like the feeling of wearing makeup, go for a tinted moisturizer with an SPF. You get sheer coverage, hydration, and protection against UV rays in one application.
Depending on your makeup preferences, experiment with different routines so you know which steps and products you can eliminate to save time.
Additional tips to shave off time in the long run…
* Set up designated area in your bathroom counter or bedroom for all your makeup and beauty tools. Organize and separate the ones you use on a daily basis from the products you use for special occasions. This will help you find what you need and be ready much quicker--especially if you're in a time crunch.
* Have a professional shape your eyebrows every 6-8 weeks. Waxing or threading your brows is fairly inexpensive and all you have to do is pluck out random hairs to maintain it.
* Get a semi-permanent manicure. It's a high-tech mani where the nails are painted on with a colored gel, then you place your hands under a UV light to harden the color. They last around three weeks. It costs around $30-$40 to get done but if you find your nail polish chipping every two days, it may be worth the investment.
What are some ways you save time with your morning beauty routine?
