For those times when you only have ten minutes to get ready, you're exhausted and can't fathom putting a full face of make-up on; these tips can come in very handy.  

Having suitable products in your make-up kit makes life easier.

Less is more; focus on what you have time for and what you can't leave the house without applying.

For me it's a light base and filling in my brows.

1. Apply a brightening highlighter to the face.

MAC Strobe Cream is an absolute life-saver and staple in my make-up kit. This opalescent highlighting cream instantly gives life to the face, and is packed full of vitamins and goodies to refresh and nourish the skin. I often wear this product on its on own to perk up my skin, but it can also be mixed with foundation to give a beautiful glow with coverage. Focus application on the cheekbones, forehead, down the bridge of the nose, and the cupids bow.

2. Apply a cream coloured eye liner to the lower, inner rim of the eye.

This is a super quick step which will brighten up the eyes instantly. Perfect for those with smaller eyes, this trick will make eyes pop and look bigger. Using a cream liner is a softer option than white, and will help to tone down any redness on the rim of the eye.

3. Define your brows

The eyebrows frame the face, and a quick fill-in with some matte powder on an angle brush will further define them. Most of us can use a little help with our eyebrows. The Jane Iredale brow kit (pictured below) is a great investment and lasts forever. Brush your brows into place with the comb, then use the angle brush and a little powder to fill in any gaps and create beautiful shape, then set with the brow wax on the comb. A two minute job that makes a huge difference.

4.  Add a pop of colour - cheeks and/or lips

The quickest way to brighten up the face is to use colour. Peachy-pink natural tones are brilliant for blush and lipstick; a quick dab of lipstick or gloss and a touch of blush on the apples of the cheeks works wonders when you're tired. I adore MAC blush in Fleur Power. Bronzer also works well to give warmth and life to the complexion.



















 

5.  Use a corrective under-eye concealer

Dabbing on a tiny bit of peach-toned concealer will instantly cancel out blue tones and darkness under the eye, and also brighten the eye area. This is an essential daily step for me, even if I'm not wearing foundation (I apply this with my ring finger and pat it on gently over my Strobe Cream). MAC concealer shades in the NW range have a pinky undertone, or alternatively Bobbi Brown's special corrective concealer range is specially designed for this purpose.

Article by Stephanie Coulter