Makeup in 10 Minutes... or Less! :

Dear Lisa:
I don’t have a lot of time to put on makeup, but I want to wear some to make my face look not so tired. What is the least amount of makeup I can wear to look refreshed?
-- Susan in Newark

Contrary to what you might believe, it doesn’t take a full face of makeup to look like you put some effort into your morning beauty routine. Here are a few easy steps that can be done in 10 minutes or less:

Coverage. What condition is your skin in? Do you have a few blemishes you want to hide? Do you have undereye circles? If so, then concealer will be your best friend. Just dab a small amount on imperfections and tap with your ring finger to blend into the skin. Not only is this fast to do, but it helps to make your skin look natural and perfect without looking heavy. For undereye coverage, choose a concealer that has a creamy, not oily, texture such as MAC Studio Finish Concealer or Paula Dorf Magic Stick . By covering the darkness under the eyes, the face automatically looks fresher and brighter. If you need overall coverage, look for a powder or cream-to-powder foundation that can be applied quickly with a cosmetics wedge or sponge.Blush and bronzer. Sometimes tired skin can have a sallow or drab undertone. The best way to combat this is to use a little blush to perk up your cheeks, or bronzer for an all-over glow. The quickest way to apply this is with a cream blush using your fingers to blend the color on the apple of the cheek. Or better yet, use a multi-purpose cream color, such as NARS Multiples or Stila Convertible Color . These can be swiped on cheeks, lips and eyes.

Mascara. Curled lashes with mascara opens up tired eyes and makes you appear more awake. Start at the base of the lashes, and press gently for five seconds. Repeat this method two more times, once in the middle of the lashes, and once at the tips. This prevents crimped lashes and creates a nice natural curl. Apply one or two coats of waterproof mascara and you can instantly become "wide-eyed and bushy-tailed" in one minute.

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