For many of us, time is precious. We’re always zipping from one place to the next: rushing through the morning to catch the train or beat traffic, zooming through the 9-to-5, then squeezing in a social life amid all those life and work tasks. Every minute counts, and that definitely includes the time you spend getting ready each day.
A long, unhurried routine is so much fun when you’ve got an hour or two to perfect every step of your makeup—painting on layers of concealer and contour, fluffing on precise clouds of blush, lining and shaping your lips into a work of art. However, the everyday rush typically requires a little less precision and a little more go, go, go, but you still want to look your best and make the most of each brushstroke and blend. So, where can you save time in your daily makeup application, and where should you spend a few extra minutes to ensure everything looks like an IRL filter?
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As with all things makeup-related, practice makes perfect, and the more you hone your skills, the faster and easier your day-to-day prep will be. But if you’re looking to optimize your routine to get the most impact in the least amount of time, here’s where pro makeup artists recommend spending and saving those precious seconds—and some easy tips to help you perfect your visage when the clock is ticking.
Where to Save Time in Your Makeup Routine
Smudge your eyeliner
While a precise cat eye can be time-consuming, celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno says a more casual liner look doesn’t need to be perfect. (It often looks cooler that way!) “Instead of building a full wing, press a bit of liner or shadow right into the lash line and softly smudge it,” he says. “It defines without the time commitment of precision.”