Women these days have more opportunities than ever before in history; between careers, families, social lives, and the occasional manicure, it may seem like we have everything we want. But if you survey a handful of these superwomen, you may find that there is one thing we could all use a lot more of: time. When an extra few seconds to sip your coffee in the morning is something to celebrate, it can be frustrating to spend a significant amount of time on your makeup. However, with the right products, you can shave valuable minutes off your morning prep time.

Begin your makeup routine as soon as you get out of the shower; slathering on your moisturizer (with SPF, of course) while your skin is still damp will let it work more effectively. As you're giving it a moment to absorb, take out all of the products that you'll be using and line them up on the counter in front of you; this way, you won't waste time digging through the bag, and you're less likely to skip a step.

Next, using a cosmetic sponge, apply a sheer base to your face. Using a sheer base will save you time in two ways; first, you don't have to be as precise in your application, and second, you eliminate the need for blush as your natural color can still glow through. Look for a product with salicylic acid if you have problem skin, retinol if you're concerned about aging, or SPF in the summer to double your protection. Use a big fluffy brush to swipe on some powder if you're worried about shine.

Next, conceal using a small, stiff brush. Using a brush allows for more precise application and easier blending, so you'll waste less time correcting mistakes. Once you've taken care of those dark circles, you'll need less to make your eyes look great. Using your finger or the sponge in the compact, apply a sheer eyeshadow in a color that compliments your eye color; purples bring out green, a bronze highlights your baby blues, and a gold or green will brighten up browns. Swipe on a dark brown mascara to make your eyes pop, and you're finished with your eyes.

The last key to a polished, quick look is, of course, your lips. Pick a gloss in a sophisticated plum or berry shade, and apply right from the tube.

Obviously you'll need to tweak this routine to fit your personal preferences; for instance, I can't live without eyeliner, so I'm willing to take the extra time to define my eyes. Once you've figured out what works for you, start planning how you're going to use that extra five minutes in the morning!

Learn more about this author, Heather Russell.
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