I’m not one for drawers of make-up, but I do have a vanity case that’s a bit like an Aladdin’s treasure trove.
Out of this muddled stash I generally choose seasonal items to put into two small make-up bags. One bag is generally at the ready for my everyday look, and the other is a little more involved – and takes longer to apply. This bag is all set for night-time looks and for trips away.
Organised, eh!
Bahaha! Not! Because things Do Go Missing or are relegated to Handbag Status and end up in the Deep Dark Depths of places that don’t get visited often.
Quick makeup tips for the 5 minute face
As regular readers know this is not a blog by a perfect women with a perfect look producing airbrushed photos. It’s WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) warts and all, mistakes included. I had a look at some Football WAG blogs this morning, and to tell you the truth I nearly gave up the blogging will to live. They are so perfect, and styled and squeaky gorgeous.
Well, sadly I’m not even remotely perfect, and nor is this blog gorgeously styled.
So here goes. All the pics are selfies taken with my phone, but I hope to share with you a 5 minute approach to getting out of the house in lazy-woman fashion and looking presentable. Of course it goes without saying I’m opening up the comments and hoping to hear your best tips too.
Pic 1. This is the au naturel face to begin with. Back-lit of course – I’m not going to let you see All my wrinkly secrets! Plus because my lips looked ghostly I had slicked on a little ’17’ Rose lip gloss.
Pic 2. Then on went Olay Total Effects Day Cream touch of foundation with an SPF 15 – lovely for our sunny WA days. I apply it liberally to my face and neck.
Pic 3. Over this a light dusting of Rimmel Natural Bronzer (waterproof bronzing powder, SPF 15) in 022 Sun Bronze.
Pic 4. A little bit of face sculpting went on with Collection Shimmer Shades. I swiped a largish brush across the medium brown colour in the pallette, and brushed it under my cheekbones from mid cheek to hairline.
Pic 5. Taken before any sculpting. After this picture was taken in lazy girl style I brushed my neck and decolletage to get all the dark powder off the brush, then used the peachy colour from the pallette on the apples of my cheeks. Very gingerly (I didn’t want to look like Wurzel Gummidge’s wife Sally) I added it until there was a hint of colour. At this stage I also put on a deeper shade of lipstick.
Pic 6. What a difference the sculpting made, don’t you think? Alright on this side of my face I was a bit heavy handed, and had to dab some of the powder off with a tissue. I also dotted on some eyeliner under my eyelids close to the lashes, on the top eyelids as well, carefully but quickly joining up the dots. Eyebrows? No time to draw them in 5 minutes – I find them a bit fiddly.
Then a bit of eye shadow (swiped on with my index finger for everyday make-up), a quick slick of mascara on my top lashes. Brush my hair – and I’m ready to go.
So 5 Quick Steps :
- Foundation + Bronzer
- Cheeks: Blusher in 2 steps
- Lipstick
- Eyeliner
- Eyeshadow and Mascara.
Ready to go Girl!

Linking with Fabulous Fun Life
Have you any tips or favourite products for a 5 minute face? Please do share with me in the comments.
Until Next Time,
What a fabulous 5 minute face. I try really hard to achieve my look in 5 minutes but fail dismally. I use a similar number of products to you most days but I think I get a little distracted as I love applying makeup. I find it really relaxing and don’t feel myself if I don’t go through that morning ritual.
I agree, Kate! It is easy to get distracted. I can do it in 5 minutes, but I also enjoy the times when I have moments for “I wonder what this would look like?” touches!
Great moisturizer choice! My mom taught me from a young age to ALWAYS wear moisturizer. It’s a must! Creates such a nice base for any makeup routine ๐
I agree Sagan. And finding the RIGHT moisturiser for your skin type is imperative too.
This is a very pretty look. Even better that it only takes 5 minutes to do! Found your blog on the Monday Makeup Madness link-up. ๐
Thank you Cara – and yes, time is of the essence for me ๐
your 5 min makeup looks great! I would barely have my base done in 5, i’m so slow!
Haha Lily! My routine is probably nowhere near as professional as yours!
Hi Lily, I think your makeup would probably be a lot more professional than my quick efforts ๐
Gorgeous quick look. Love all the photos along the way
Thanks Mel, glad you liked it ๐
Jo, my favourites are CoverGirl Outlast all day lip colour, Rimmel Scandaleyes retro glam mascara and Ego Sunsense Invisible Tint SPF 50+… and a splash of Coco Chanel.
Thanks Lyn, some great ideas there for me too … I like the sound of the Sunsense Invisible Tint SPF 50+ – and of course a touch of glamour with the Coco Chanel ๐
I use a primer and BB Cream (from one of your previous posts which I love). A blue (dark and bright) eyeliner pencil around the eyes and smudge it. Lipstick and big brush of blush. If I have time I use mascara, if not the blue eyeliner gives a smoky look which acts as mascara eye liner and eye shadow.
I like the double ups, Jan ๐ and the idea of the dark blue eyeliner pencil around the eyes. Glad the BB Cream from one of my previous posts was a hit ๐
That is quiet a transformation in just five minutes! I never ever leave home without at least foundation (with 30+ sunscreen inbuilt), a little light dusting of powder and blusher and always lipstick. Most the time I don’t bother with eye shadow, because I can’t be bothered, but I like to wear eyeliner on my lower lid and mascara. I’m very lazy actually and I know I should apply more effort and flair with my makeup.
You always look lovely in your photos Kathy ๐ I think I’m going to ‘up’ my foundation to 30+ sunscreen inbuilt on your suggestion.
Your makeup looks nice, Jo! You must be well practiced to get it down to under 5 minutes!
Thanks Bonny! I reckon I’ve been told to ‘hurry up’ too often. Now I’ve got it down to a fine (but not super polished) art!
Garnier BB cream and my eyebrow pencil are my best friends, and a swipe of Revlon stay on lippy.
I also like Garnier BB cream, Sue. Thanks for the tip about Revlon stay on lippy – I’m going to check that out.
Hi Johanna, just wondering if you remember the brand name of the AWOL lipgloss and lipstick that you used for these photos? They look great and I think they would suit me too. And I totally get the AWOL situation as well:)
Ohh Corinne, now you’re asking! I’m going to go look right now … ok, here I am again some minutes later … I found them … I put them on a shelf two shelves above my make-up bags, and they’d got covered with a top that I’d flung off in order to take those selfies! So thanks for making me find them! Now if I’m not mistaken ๐ they are: Rimmel, Moisture Renew, 180, Vintage Pink and the Lip Gloss is: No 17, Ultimate Volume Lip Gloss in Barely Rose.
One of my favorite makeup tips I received from my grandmother- Not only does it save a bit of time, but while traveling it saves a tiny bit of space. Use your lipstick on your lips and for your blush on the apples of your cheeks. It makes me happy when a product does double duty, so I love the tip about the Olay day cream, foundation AND spf 15, A three for one! If you are careful in choosing colors, your bronzer, blusher or contouring powder can also double as eye shadow, or visa versa.
Thanks Denise, that’s a great tip for blusher, and also to use bronzer and contouring powder as eye shadow when need arises.