by Trayle Kulshan

Created on: May 03, 2010

How can a woman look her best without spending more than five minutes in front of the mirror?  A smile is the best accessory, and paired with a simple makeup routine, one can ensure that beauty shines through everyday with minimal effort.

The following steps will help develop a five minute makeup routine that is right for you. Since each face has its own beauty, there is no formula answer; getting the basics right is all you need. A five minute routine can also be adapted to any situation: getting ready every morning, changing your look for the evening, refreshing yourself between long flights or whenever!  

Step #1: Prepare the canvas (1 minute, 30 seconds)

A clean face is a beautiful face: If you are coming out of the shower, dowse your face in cold water to shrink your pores, tighten your skin and wake you up. Otherwise, take the time to wash your face thoroughly with a cleanser or soap and rinse well with cold water. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. If you have dry skin or live in a cold climate, a light facial moisturizer might be necessary to avoid the flaky look.

*Tip:  Use your hands to lather and wash your face, rather than a wash cloth which can build up germs.

*Tip: While soap is fine, especially when you are on the run, finding the right cleanser for your skin type can be essential for daily use at home. Mary Kay 3 in 1 Cleanser Gel is great for combination skin.

Step #2: Even out (1 minute)

Use a high quality concealer to cover any blemishes or spots. A liquid concealer like Revlon Color Stay works well and lasts all day, but some people prefer a solid stick. The important thing is that the concealer match your skin tone and skin type.

*Tip: When covering blemishes, use your dry, clean finger to blend the concealer. This will give more control than a makeup sponge.

*Tip: If you choose a liquid concealer, dab it onto the blemish and let it dry a few seconds before blending it in very gently with a patting motion. This will allow it to adhere to the problem spot.

Next, even out everything by brushing on generous amounts of a powder based foundation. Pay special attention to even out where you have covered any blemishes. Brush over eye lids and under your eyes, forehead, everywhere. Mary Kay makes a very good powder foundation that is long lasting and covers well.

Don't bother with blush, it can end up looking too made up and takes time to get right. Your natural colors will light up your face, especially when using a powder

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>