We’ve all been there: Accidentally (ok, maybe a little on purpose) hitting snooze one too many times in the morning, which means dashing out the door, and before you know it you’re on the commute with a mirror in hand, trying to perfect your eyeliner before you arrive at the office. What can we say? There are just days where 30 minutes of glam-up time at home is forsaken for extra winks.
For the perpetual busy or lazy girl, maximum glam and minimal effort is the heaven-sent formula for a low maintenance makeup routine.
Here’s what we like to reach for: Multifunctional makeup products with an easy application and a stay-all-day durability… This is a touch-up free zone ladies, ain’t nobody got time for that.
Click through our gallery to see our top 10 picks for effortless makeup products that’ll have you looking immaculate in mere minutes.
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When it comes to makeup, we want it done well and we want it done QUICK. However if you’re a klutz, you’ll probably end up with one too many eyeliner or lipstick smudges to convince anyone that you didn’t just come from the circus. (We know because our hands just aren’t that steady either.)
But it’s time to ditch the Q-tip and makeup wipes – this clean-up pencil from Nudestix instantly removes all blunders such as mascara transfers, runny eyeliner, and eyeshadow fall-out with a few blots. The pencil contains jojoba seed oil to naturally dissolve all oil-based products gently without pulling. Perfect for quick spot-treating and quick fixes in the morning, this life-changing product also works for foundation or concealer creases. It’s almost as if the makeup gods have decided to bestow upon us an undo button for makeup. “Let there be a fix-all miracle for makeup clumsies.” And here it is.
This primer sets the bar for all other makeup primers with its pigmentation-correcting properties. It also has a delightful surprise; When you blend this into your skin, you’ll find it transforming to match the exact shade of your skin tone.
No sorcery was involved in the making of this primer, just genius ingredients – it contains encapsulated pigments to adapt to your skin tone perfectly while blurring your skin for a soft-focus finish. If you’re too lazy to reach for color correctors in the morning, go for this holy grail primer instead.
Urban Decay Self-Adjusting Complexion Primer, $55
If you’re a fan of lightweight and dewy foundations, go for skin tints that’ll offer you an unfussy look. We recommend this one from First Aid Beauty for its serum-like texture that’ll feel weightless on the skin while giving you a polished glowy finish. It also doubles as an SPF 30 sunscreen for paramount UV protection.
This skin tint goes on pretty sheer on the skin, but can be built-up for more coverage. We especially enjoy its consistent application which blends out easily and sets to a matte, natural finish. Simply take this out on the go and blend it out with your fingers for an instant flawless foundation application.
First Aid Beauty Skin Tint, 34USD
There’s no need for us to prattle on about the convenience of a cushion compact, our best bet is that you already know all about the ease of application that comes with these compact foundations. But this best-selling cushion from Lancome calls for a special shoutout from us for its infallible hold and long-lasting glowiness. In short, the word ‘touch up’ will no longer be in your vocabulary once you’ve introduced this to your beauty arsenal.
This foundation goes on evenly and comfortably, concealing minor flaws such as dark spots and uneven patches. It veers towards a finish that’s more matte as compared to other dewier BB-cushions; rendering it as the perfect go-to for women with oily skin.
Concealer in crayon form – it doesn’t get easier than this, folks. For a fast and precise concealer application, this chubby twist-up concealer pencil from L’oreal is one to beat. It’s practically overloading in creaminess which explains why it literally blends out like a dream.
Simply dab the tip of the pen on your troubled spots after you’ve applied liquid foundation and blend it out with your fingers for a medium buildable coverage.
When you haven’t got the time to define your brows in the morning rush, turn to a time-saving alternative instead: eyebrow mascaras. A top-notch brow gel, such as this one from Benefit, is ideal for a fuss-free application to help you achieve #eyebrowsonfleek in under a minute.
This standout brow gel naturally shapes our brows with a strong colour payoff while volumising our brow hairs and keeping it in place. Comb the mascara wand through your brows and voila – all sparse areas are filled in and you’ve got the rest of your brow hairs tamed and in check.
Scribble, smudge, repeat. With this eyeshadow pencil, it really is that easy to achieve a flawless smokey eye. Charlotte Tilbury has even gone the extra mile in doing all the science for us to create shadows that’ll enhance every eye colour.
For us asian girls, we’ll stick to the shade in Amber Haze (an antiqued bronze-gold) or Dark Pearl (a greyed-out amethyst) to bring out our brown eyes and make em’ sparkle.
What makes this eyeliner great is the sharp angled shape of the nib which practically does all the work in creating a wing for you. It’s budge-proof, water-proof, and most importantly, it’ll hug the lashline from corner to corner for a precise application close to the lash line that’ll enlarge the shape of your eyes.
With just one simple flick of the wrist, you’ll be able to achieve an opaque, bold cat eye.
Benefit They’re Real! Push-up Eyeliner, $42
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When we say that the NARS The Multiple is multi-purpose, we really do mean multi-purpose. It works as a highlighter with its gorgeous shimmery accents, and a warm rosy blusher to give your face a radiant flush. With the right colour, you can even double it as a contour stick to naturally sculpt and contour your cheeks.
Congruently, we like to use it on our lids for a subtle eyeshadow look or even on our lips for a flush of colour. For a fool-proof daytime look, use the peachy-pink shade in Orgasm to sculpt the hollows of your cheek for a fresher, luminous contour.
Nars The Multiple, $60
As easy to apply as a lip balm, with all the colour of a lipstick. This lip balm will give your pretty little pout a sheer, healthy tint while nourishing and plumping your lips with its buttery smooth formula. Our current beauty obsession is the Kiehl’s butterstick in the shade Naturally Nude – it’s the perfect peachy nude that’ll complement every skin tone.
Fuller-looking lips? Check. Long-lasting hydration? Check. This ultra-moisturising lip balm earns our lazy girl stamp of approval.
