11 Ways To Streamline Your Make-Up Routine

“If you want to keep your make-up on the simpler side, bright and healthy skin should cut the work in half – which is why regular exfoliation is key. I love the Kate Somerville Exfolikate Two Minute Treatment. Try using this – or something similar – in the shower on clean, damp skin. It resurfaces, brightens and improves uneven tone almost immediately. Finish with a rich, balmy moisturiser when you step out the shower and your skin will feel buttery soft. Remember, too much product pre-make-up will mean it’ll wear off quicker. If, like me, you love skincare, invest in some great overnight serums and treatments instead. That way you’ll save yourself time in the morning.”

“More often than not, you don’t need endless steps to create the ideal base. Really, you just need concealer – a good one will brighten your skin and double up as a foundation. I swear by Rose Inc’s Concealer in LX050. Create whatever skin finish you want with your chosen moisturiser – gel creams will give you a glow and mattifying creams will zap shine – before going in with concealer onto the areas that need it most. A dab on your eyelids acts as a great eyeshadow base and liners will adhere to it well, too.”

“You only need one good brush to create several looks. My favourite is the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush. It blends everything together perfectly and can be used with several different textures – whether that’s concealer, foundation, bronzer or blush. I recommend it to anyone looking for simple, seamless results.”

“If you’re short on time, use your bronzer as an eyeshadow. The tonal quality will enhance any eye colour and give you a natural, contoured shape in this area. Buff yours into the eye crease and under the lower lash line for an instant smokey eye.”

“You don’t need to scramble around for multiple different brow products – a brown eyeshadow used with an eyebrow brush is all you need to add volume. Eyeshadow works well as it gives you that soft, fluffy, natural effect – it’s actually more forgiving than pencils and gels. Don’t bother using a brow powder as well, just look for eyeshadows that are similar in tone to your natural brow hairs.” 

“For simple, fast make-up, some products are more important than others. A bronzing mist stays put, leaves your complexion looking healthy and adds an instant glow. Another useful product is a highlighting powder. Yes, they give your complexion a beautiful glow in seconds, but they also work well on eyelids – especially gold tones. Likewise, everyone needs an eyeliner. Felt tips are great but they aren’t the best if you want a dead straight line. Instead, use a brush to scrape some colour off a gel eyeliner, then blend and build the colour onto your lids. Finally, use a lip and cheek duo – ideally ones with red tones – all over the face. I love Bobbi Brown’s Parisian Red shade. I recommend using liquid lipsticks too – these are so easy to blend onto the cheeks for a healthy flush.”

“If there’s one product that can revive your complexion fast it’s a good glow stick. I love Chanel’s Transparent Baume. It doesn’t have any shimmer, so it’s not too OTT. It just has a light, glossy sheen that enhances your features. Scribble it over your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, eyelids and anywhere else that could do with a bit of luminosity. If you don’t use anything else, this alone is all you need to transform your skin fast.”

“If lipstick is too much for you, simply blot the colour with a tissue. You can also use your finger on the bullet of the lipstick and then press the colour onto the lips to create a soft, stained effect that stays put – it’s so quick and easy. Another hack is to just use a liner instead. Providing you don’t have dry lips, simply scribble it on to add some colour – just remember to smother lips in a balm the night before so they stay soft and smooth. To keep things simple, mix a lip pencil with a lip balm and push the combined colour into your lips at the same time.”

“A feline flick can instantly make your eyes look wider. For an easy, impactful look, gel eyeliners are best applied with a brush. Also, keep an eyeshadow in the same shade on hand to buff a little into the liner and create a more effortless, smoked-out effect. To extend the flick at the outer corner, use your brush and liner, pulling both in an up and outward direction. If you mess up, don’t panic, you can use a cotton bud with some micellar water to tidy it up. My Kit Co does some incredible buds – they’re so thin and offer maximum precision. Finish with a few coats of mascara – I love Lancôme’s Lash Idôle.”

“If you want an all over smokey eye, try a cream shadow stick. They are so easy to use – simply draw the colour along your lash line and smudge it up onto your lids using your ring finger. For maximum drama, apply it into your waterline too, gently smudging it out under your lower lash line for a soft finish.”

“Traditionally, people think of false lashes as fiddly and time-consuming, but Ardell’s Wispies are the opposite. They’re so easy to apply and instantly lengthen your eye shape while visibly adding volume to your lashes. You only need a few to see a difference. Just be sure to use some lash curlers first for extra curl – the ones from Kevyn Aucoin or Tweezerman are my favourites.”