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For many of us, time is precious. We're always zipping from one place to the next: rushing through the morning to catch the train or beat traffic, zooming through the 9-to-5, then squeezing in a social life amid all those life and work tasks. Every minute counts, and that definitely includes the time you spend getting ready each day.
A long, unhurried routine is so much fun when you've got an hour or two to perfect every step of your makeup—painting on layers of concealer and contour, fluffing on precise clouds of blush, lining and shaping your lips into a work of art. However, the everyday rush typically requires a little less precision and a little more go, go, go, but you still want to look your best and make the most of each brushstroke and blend. So, where can you save time in your daily makeup application, and where should you spend a few extra minutes to ensure everything looks like an IRL filter?
As with all things makeup-related, practice makes perfect, and the more you hone your skills, the faster and easier your day-to-day prep will be. But if you're looking to optimize your routine to get the most impact in the least amount of time, here's where pro makeup artists recommend spending and saving those precious seconds—and some easy tips to help you perfect your visage when the clock is ticking.
Where to Save Time in Your Makeup Routine
Smudge your eyeliner
While a precise cat eye can be time-consuming, celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno says a more casual liner look doesn't need to be perfect. (It often looks cooler that way!) “Instead of building a full wing, press a bit of liner or shadow right into the lash line and softly smudge it,” he says. “It defines without the time commitment of precision.”
Celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard also likes a smudgy look when on a tight schedule. “Blending out eye shadow takes time to perfect,” he says. “Skip the eye shadow and do a quick smudged liner and lots of mascara to define the eyes.”
Try a lip stain
When you're pressed for time, skip the liner or liquid lipstick in favor of something easy, breezy, like a stain or just a hint of soft color. “Tap color in with your finger,” advises Briceno. “Let the edges stay slightly diffused. It looks modern and takes seconds.”
Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo agrees and recommends using a lip stain to save time. “A lip stain is an excellent time-saver because you can apply a wash of color on your lips and not have to worry about touching up for a long while,” he notes.
Swipe on highlighter
Highlighter can be one of the most impactful parts of a makeup routine, but that doesn't mean it needs to take as much time as, say, sculpting your brows or layering bronzer and blush. Here, a little product makes a big difference. “You don't need multiple layers” of a glow-getting product like highlighter, says Briceno. “A small touch on the high points of the face [cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, for example] is enough."
Maximize your lash routine
A few strategically applied individual lashes can totally elevate your eye makeup and, with a little practice, become second nature. Oquendo recommends spending some time nailing your lash application technique so it can save you time in the future and give your daily routine a little extra zhuzh, even if you're going mostly barefaced. “After overcoming the initial learning curve and becoming comfortable applying individual lashes, you can do this really fast and save yourself a ton of time,” Oquendo says. Plus, he notes, many lashes now come pre-glued, so you can skip that often-messy, painstaking step.
If you wear mascara, celebrity makeup artist Ash K Holm says you can absolutely skip applying it to your lower lashes when you're short on time. “Skip the bottom lash mascara if you’re not going for full glam,” she says. “Don’t get me wrong, I love a bold bottom lash, but it’s not necessary for every day.”
And don't forget the power of a lash curler, which can wake up your eyes in less time than it takes to sip your coffee. “My tip for using it quickly and confidently is to tilt your chin up and look down into a mirror or compact,” explains David Birdwell, makeup artist and director of global education & artistry at BareMinerals. “Rest the curler at the base of the lashes and gently pull back to lift the lid so you can get close to the lash line without pinching.” With a little practice, he says it becomes second nature. “Nothing elevates a look quite like perfectly curled lashes, and it always feels like a little luxury step.”
Opt for multi-use products
Products that work for multiple purposes or on multiple areas of the face, like blush-bronzer combos, are worth their weight in gold when you're crunched for time. Birdwell recommends swapping your foundation for a tinted moisturizer, which “combines hydration, SPF, and coverage in one quick step” and makes your routine a little breezier. In addition, he likes using a bronzer-blush hybrid—a.k.a. a blonzer—on the cheeks, temples, and lightly across the bridge of the nose “for a soft, sun‑kissed look.”
Don't have enough time blocked out to whip up a smoky eye or colorful cut crease? No problem. “Skip eye shadow by using your bronzer or blush along the crease of your eye for a cohesive, monochromatic look,” says Steve Kassajikian, head of global artistry at Urban Decay.
Skip contour, but add definition with bronzer
If you're a contour pro, sculpting and chiseling your features probably goes pretty quickly, but if not, skip it. “Contour is not necessary for every day,” says makeup artist Jonet Williamson. Instead, she says, grab a bronzer with depth and dimension, something that is easy to blend while also adding warmth and subtle definition. “You can use this to add subtle definition in one step versus two,” she says. An easy way to do this is by applying bronzer to the temples, the hollows of your cheeks, and under the jaw, as well as a bit on the bridge of your nose.
Start with a light hand and add more if you need to
It's easier to add product than it is to take it away, says Birdwell, so take a minimalist approach at first; we've all had those memorable run-ins with too much cream blush or extra-thick eyeliner. “When applying cream blush, smile to find the apples of your cheeks, then lightly tap your fingertip into the product and dab it onto the skin,” he advises. “This helps you gauge how much you need and prevents overapplication, which ultimately saves time.”
Where to Spend Time in Your Makeup Routine
Don't skip skin prep!
Think of your skin-care routine as the first step in your makeup application process; if your skin is adequately hydrated and prepped, your makeup will look so much better. “Don’t rush your skin prep,” advises Holm. “Even five extra minutes spent letting your serums and moisturizers absorb will make a huge difference.” As an additional step, Holm likes to quickly cleanse her eye area to get rid of any leftover mascara or liner before applying fresh makeup.
Birdwell also recommends giving your pre-makeup skin care its moment in the spotlight, especially SPF. “Always spend time applying your SPF. Sun exposure is one of the main causes of skin damage and premature aging, so making sure you apply the proper amount is essential," he says.
Blend, blend, and then blend some more
Across the board, makeup artists agree that your base is often the most important part of your routine and should be treated as such.
“If your complexion looks flawless and incredible, the rest of your makeup will too,” says Spickard. Take your time when layering and blending foundation or skin tint, concealer, and the rest of your day-to-day base. Spickard advises using a clean brush to buff and blend out product, especially bronzer, blush, and contour. “A seamless, beautifully blended complexion will always win.”
Briceno agrees: “Blending is where you win or lose the look,” he says. “Even if you’re using minimal product, take the extra time to really melt it into the skin so there are no edges or patches. That’s what makes it feel elevated.”
Conceal and color correct like a pro
Oquendo recommends carving out time for any necessary color correction, whether it's to conceal dark circles or cover redness from blemishes or post-acne marks. “Color correcting is crucial, because if you take a little extra time to apply a color corrector at the beginning of doing your makeup, then apply the concealer over it, and then let both dry down a bit, you can get a flawless complexion tailored to your skin tone,” he says. Use an appropriately toned, color-correcting powder, like one with a green undertone to help neutralize redness, or a rosy tone to brighten dark circles, then finish with a long-wear setting spray.
“If you're short on time and skipping a full face, spend time perfecting your complexion by really blending your concealer,” says Birdwell. “Be strategic and apply it only where you need it.” On blemishes, he likes a full-coverage matte concealer, while a creamier, radiant formula works well under the eyes. “Taking time to blend each area properly creates a true skin‑like finish.”
Sculpt your brows
Your brows frame your face, says Williamson, so spend time on them to “ensure that you look and feel like yourself.” In addition, she notes, brows are one of the first features people will notice if they're asymmetrical or one is darker than the other. “Use the outer corner of your eyes and the bridge of your nose as guidelines for how to shape your brows,” Williamson advises. “Clear brow gel and a brow pen are the fastest way to get a really great-looking brow without spending too much time on it.”
Practice your eyeliner skills
Yes, we know eyeliner has a spot on both the spend- and save-time lists, but stay with us: If you regularly wear and enjoy liner, then you'll want to spend a few extra minutes ensuring it looks great. “Make sure your eyeliner is symmetrical and the right shape for your eye,” says Kassajikian. You may need to do a little cleanup, especially if you're using a liquid or gel formula. “Try a pointed Q-tip and a small, flat brush with concealer to ensure a crisp, sharp tip," Kassajikian suggests.
Holm is also pro spending extra time on your liner. “A winged liner done well is worth every minute it takes. Done in a hurry, it will be the first thing people notice—and not in a good way,” she says. “I’d rather skip liner entirely when I'm short on time than rush through the application.” If you're a winged liner newbie, Holm advises drawing the shape first with powder eye shadow as a guide, then painting liquid liner on top.
Strategically apply eye shadow
Just like eyeliner, eye shadow is an essential piece of the beauty puzzle for many people, so if you like defining your eyes with shadow, spend a little extra time on it. “Take time building your eye shadows for a seamless blend to avoid them from getting muddy or having harsh lines,” says Kassajikian. He also recommends using multiple brushes, not just for cleaner application but also for strategic placement: one for diffusing color all over the eye, one to define, one to blend.
