How to Do a Five-Minute Makeup Makeover

In general, we want to look good. Whether we're going to the office, running errands, or just staying at home, most of us want to be able to pass by the mirror and not cover in shame. It's a simple enough task, but we're not always willing to sacrifice a lot of time and energy in order to accomplish it. Some equate having a polished look with spending hours getting ready. That need not be the case with a few quick fixes. Of course there are times when we want our makeup to look exquisite and we'll put a bit more effort in. But for busy days when all we need is a small pick-me-up, here are some basic steps in getting the most out of a five-minute makeover.

Skin Care

Nice looking skin is the first step in creating any type of put-together look. In all actuality, the best thing you can do for your skin to look good is to be healthy. That includes getting enough sleep at night and drinking enough water during the day. Rested and hydrated skin is undoubtedly going to give you a better base to work with when applying makeup. Hydration is most effective from the inside-out. Do all you can to take care of yourself and your skin in order to optimize your personal beauty.

Use a facial cream to topically moisturize skin. Add a layer of foundation; whether it's liquid, powder, or cream is up to you. If you have some notable blemishes or imperfections, add spot concealer to the troublesome areas. Setting your foundation and concealer with additional powder is entirely subjective when doing a five-minute face. You may or may not feel it's necessary.

Eyes

The eyes can naturally draw attention, so even when doing a quick look, it's important to take care of them. A dark liner drawn inside both top and bottom lash lines will quickly add depth to your lashes and a nice frame to your eyes. A light shadow placed just under the brow bone will highlight the eye area without taking much time at all. Top lashes should be coated with mascara, but bottom lashes are optional depending on your skin coloring and intended results.

Cheeks

Because the foundation and concealer combination will likely override any natural rosiness your cheeks might possess, applying a quick blush on the apple of your cheeks will add a nice, healthy glow to your otherwise mono-tone skin.

Lips

With a quick and natural look, adding lip color may not be crucial--but adding the look of lip hydration is. Applying a gloss or even a lip balm will help complete the overall polished nature of the look.