In today’s fast-paced world, many of us don’t have the luxury of spending an hour perfecting our makeup. Whether you’re rushing to work, preparing for a Zoom meeting, or getting ready for a night out, a quick yet polished make-up routine is essential. The good news? You can achieve a flawless, fresh-faced makeup look in just 10 minutes—no stress, no fuss!

Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating a fast makeup look that leaves you glowing, confident, and ready to take on the day.

1. Prep Your Skin (1 Minute)

The key to a flawless 10 minute makeup look starts with well-prepped skin. You don’t need an elaborate skincare routine, but a few simple steps will make a big difference.

• Cleanse: Quickly splash your face with water or use a gentle cleanser to remove any overnight oils or impurities.
• Moisturize: Hydrated skin ensures your makeup goes on smoothly and stays in place. Apply a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly.
• SPF (optional but recommended): If it’s daytime, opt for a moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. I use a moisturizer with an SPF in it by Clarins, a 2-in-1 saves even more time!

2. Apply a Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream (2 Minutes)

Skip the heavy foundation and reach for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. These multitasking products even out your skin tone while providing hydration and light coverage. Plus, they blend effortlessly, cutting down on application time.

• How to Apply: Use your fingers or a makeup sponge to quickly blend the product over your face. Focus on areas that need the most coverage (like your T-zone or under your eyes) and blend outward for a seamless finish.

For extra coverage on blemishes or dark spots, dab a tiny bit of concealer on problem areas and blend it with your fingertips.

3. Define Your Brows (1 Minute)

Well-groomed brows frame your face and pull your look together. For a quick yet polished look, choose a brow gel or pencil to fill in any sparse areas.

• How to Apply: Lightly brush a tinted brow gel through your brows for a natural, fuller look. If using a pencil, make short, hair-like strokes to fill in gaps, and then brush through with a spoolie to blend. The eyebrow pencil of Cosm.Ethics Bar has a thin point that makes it especially easy to draw hair-like strokes to fill in your brows and on the other side a brush to blend it with your natural brows.

This step instantly lifts your face and makes you look more put together—even with minimal makeup.

4. Apply Mascara (2 Minutes)

Mascara is also a must in a 10 minute makeup look, it is the quickest way to make your eyes pop without needing an elaborate eyeshadow routine. Choose a volumizing or lengthening formula for a wide-eyed effect.

• How to Apply: Start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the wand as you move upward. Apply one or two coats to your upper lashes, and if you have time, lightly coat your lower lashes for a balanced look.

For an even faster approach, curl your lashes with an eyelash curler before applying mascara. This step alone can make a huge difference, even if you skip eyeshadow or eyeliner altogether.

5. Blush or Bronzer for a Healthy Glow (2 Minutes)

Adding a touch of color to your cheeks is essential for a fresh, awake look. Depending on your preference, you can opt for either a blush or bronzer (or both) to give your skin some life and dimension.

• Blush: A cream blush is perfect for a quick makeup routine because it blends easily and gives a natural, dewy finish. Smile and apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upward toward your temples.
• Bronzer: If you prefer a sun-kissed glow, lightly dust bronzer along your cheekbones, forehead, and jawline. For a fast application, use a fluffy brush to blend it in quickly and evenly.

Tip: You can use your fingers to blend cream blush or bronzer if you’re in a hurry—no brushes needed!

6. Lip Tint or Gloss (1 Minute)

A touch of color on your lips can instantly brighten your face. Choose a lip tint or gloss for a quick, easy application that adds shine and hydration.

• Lip Tint: Opt for a buildable lip tint that provides a sheer wash of color. You can apply it directly to your lips for a natural look that requires no precision.
• Gloss: If you’re after a glossy finish, swipe a hydrating lip gloss in a neutral or slightly tinted shade. Gloss is great for adding fullness and shine without needing a mirror to apply perfectly. Cosm.Ethics Bar has a lovely lipgloss that is buildable and therefore perfect for a quick, yet sophisticated look!

For a multitasking product, consider a lip and cheek tint—apply it to both areas in seconds for a cohesive, natural look.

7. Optional Extras (1-2 Minutes)

If you have a little extra time, here are a couple of optional steps to enhance your quick makeup routine:

• Highlight: Dab a little cream or liquid highlighter on the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose) for a subtle glow. Have a look at the lovely highlighter shades by Cosm.Ethics Bar to have an idea.
• Eyeliner: A quick flick of eyeliner along your upper lash line can add definition and drama to your eyes without much effort. If you’re short on time, tightline your waterline with a dark pencil for a more natural look.

Fresh and Flawless in 10 Minutes

So, with just a few multitasking products and easy steps, you can create a polished, fresh-faced 10 minute makeup look. The key is focusing on the essentials: even skin tone, defined brows, lifted lashes, and a pop of color on your lips and cheeks. This quick routine will leave you looking radiant and ready to tackle the day—no matter how busy your schedule.

Quick Tips for Speeding Up Your Makeup Routine:

• Organize your products in one place for easy access. I use this organizer myself, that makes this especially easy.
• Multitask with products (like a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a lip and cheek tint).
• Practice makes perfect—the more you do this routine, the faster you’ll get!

Now you’re ready to look fabulous on the go, with a glowing complexion and just the right amount of glam!