20 easy tips to improve your 5-minute makeup routine

Combine your base and sunscreen steps by using a tinted sunscreen. Most will only have a little bit of pigment, but it’s enough for the light coverage you’re after when doing your makeup in just five minutes. It’s a time and money saver.

When it comes to a quick makeup routine, time is (obviously) of the essence and every little decision wastes time. Skip hemming and hawing over whether you want to use a beauty sponge or a brush and just use your fingers. They’ll get the job done as well, and you’ll use less product. 

In the same vein, skip your powder products when doing your five-minute makeup routine for even more time saved. Liquid blushes and highlighters can be easily blended with your fingers, and you won’t have to dirty a tool. 

Brows are an essential step in the makeup routine, but they can be awfully time-consuming. Instead of fussing with a pencil or pomade, use a tinted brow gel. With one swipe, you’ll instantly enhance your brows. It’s easy and satisfying. 

The more products you use in your makeup routine, the longer it will take. Cut down on the number of products you need by using multipurpose products. A colored tint can be used on cheeks, lips, and eyes, making blending the most challenging step in your routine. 

Tape doesn’t need to be used every time you’re getting ready, but if you need to apply eyeshadow and don’t have time to deal with literal fallout from your darker shades, use tape to either pick up the fallout without making a mess on your face or by placing it at an angle around your lid to catch fallout before it hits your skin. It’ll also create a sharp line with minimal effort. 

Precision is the enemy of a time-saving routine. If you can’t leave the house without eyeliner but don’t have time to apply the perfect wing, smudge your liner for a smoky effect. It’ll give a cool, effortless look without taking too long. 

This is a good tip whether you’re spending five minutes or five hours on your makeup. Apply your makeup in order of what’s messiest. If your eye products will get pigment all over your face, do your eyes first. If it’s your brows, start there. This will keep you from having to clean and reapply anything. 

Rather than using three eyeshadow shades, two lip colors, a primer, and mascara, pare down your products. Opt for one shade on the lids, one shade on the lips, and just your mascara (or whatever your version of paring down products looks like). 

Instead of trying to fit 10 steps into a five-minute routine, pick which makeup steps are most important to you and stick to those only. If you care most about brows and mascara, do those. If it’s lips and concealer, only wear lips and concealer. Pick what makes you feel most confident, and don’t worry about the rest. 

Plenty of makeup mavens swear by powder, and for good reason, but when it comes to a quick routine, setting spray is the better option. It’s much quicker and can dry while you fix your hair or put on your clothes. Plus, it’s lighter and gives a more natural finish, which is usually the aim of a five-minute routine. 

Sometimes, all your lashes need is a little lift. Curling your lashes can make a huge difference in their overall look, and if you only have five minutes for a makeup routine, skipping mascara will cut down on time. 

No time for a full face of foundation? Get into spot concealing. You’ll need a perfect shade match to achieve this, but this allows you to only conceal where you have dark spots or blemishes rather than applying base to your entire face. 

Non-touring was all the rage for about four months in 2016, but it’s actually a really good technique if you’re short on time. Rather than contouring your face, use highlighter to illuminate the high points on your face. It’ll give the same effect with half the effort. 

Everyone wants an eye that makes a statement, but that’s one of the most time-consuming steps in a makeup routine. Instead of attempting a wing in under a minute, apply black liner to your inner top lash line. It can be tricky at first, but it makes a huge difference once you get the hang of it. 

If tightlining freaks you out, use white liner on your bottom lash instead. This will open your eyes and make you look more awake. It’s quick and far less intimidating than tightlining. 

If you want to highlight but don’t have time, put a dab of oil into your foundation. It’ll give you a natural glow without using another product, and it’s an inexpensive hack. Be careful with this trick, though, as it could cause some unwanted skin issues. Use an oil that’s gentle on the skin and won’t cause you to break out. 

Don’t drag out your pencil or liquid liners when you’re short on time. Use eyeshadow instead. Get an angled brush and your darkest shadow shade and draw a line. This also allows you to get creative with your liner color, which is another way to save time while sporting a fun look. 

Who says you need eyeliner? If it’s going to take too much time, skip it entirely. If you feel you need it, go heavier on your mascara to make up for it, or if you’re really adept, use falsies. 

If you only have time for, like, two steps, make one of them a lip and make the color choice bold. Mascara and a bright red lip is a classic look that looks good on everyone for every occasion. Pick your version of it and use it in times of haste.