Some of us who are over 50 enjoy the process of applying makeup and find it relaxing, therapeutic or just plain fun. Others of us, not so much. But no matter where we are on this continuum, there are certain times when we’re running late and need to get out the door in a hurry… or we simply prefer a quick and easy makeup routine.
So today I’ll share with you some ideas, makeup techniques and products that can help get us on our way in no time – without sacrificing a beautiful, finished look.
In order to accomplish our goal of looking our best in the least amount of time, here’s what we can do. First, we can use products that are quicker and easier to use either due to the product’s formula or to the actual design of the product.
For instance, it’s faster to use a stick foundation, since all we need to do is simply remove the cap and apply it, than to use a liquid foundation that we have to pump out of the bottle and then apply. Second, we’ll focus on ways to multitask with products so one product is doing the work of two or three products.
To look our best, filling in our brows is really a necessity for most of us. But this first step will vary a bit depending on what (if any) eyebrow challenges we have. If our eyebrows just need to be filled in a little bit, we can use a product that can multitask for us: a tinted eyebrow gel.
Tinted brow gels can not only apply color to our brows to help them look thicker and better, but they can also hold our brows in place. Brow gels vary a lot from brand to brand in terms of how much pigment they apply and how much hold they offer for wiry brow hairs so you may have to “audition” a few before you find what works best for you.
If you need a little more help, there are products that have fibers in them like Elf’s Wow Brow and Benefit’s Gimme Brow. In the video I’ll be using Benefit’s Gimme Brow since it has fibers built into the gel that can make my brows look fuller.
Still need some help? You may want to use an eyebrow pencil like Elf’s $2.00 Instant Lift Brow Pencil for two reasons: first it glides on quickly and easily and second, it has a thicker applicator so it’s possible to apply more product more quickly.
You may also want to consider using an eyebrow stencil. By simply filling in the blank area of the stencil, we can ensure a faster, easier and pretty flawless brow application technique.
To ensure that our eye products last longer, don’t crease or smudge and cover up any discoloration we might have on our eyelids, we can first quickly swipe on and blend out some eye shadow primer. All we need to do next is apply a cream or liquid eye shadow product.
Cream and liquid eyeshadows take less time to apply than powder eyeshadows which require brushes. And I recently found a cream eyeshadow product that multitasks as an eyeliner. It’s Tarte’s new QuickStick which is waterproof and comes in 6 different combinations of colors.
Normally, the Quicksticks are $25 each, but through this special package on QVC I was able to buy three Quick Sticks for only $39.00. And by the way, there’s also a three pack of these combination eyeshadows and liners in what they call “rose” colors.
I apply the latte tan in my crease – and slightly above it – and the brown eyeliner which is on the other end. And I’ll use the eyeliner on the outer 1/3 area below my eyes as well.
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These next steps you certainly don’t have to do, but they’re really quick and easy to do with these products. I apply the matte cream on my eyelids to brighten my lid area which will make my eyes look bigger. I also apply it under the arch of my brows to help lift my eyes as well as on the inner corner of my eyes to lighten up that area.
Then, I add a little of the dark brown eyeliner color on the outer corner and outer crease area of my eyes just to give them more emphasis. The eyeliner isn’t as creamy as the eyeshadow, but it’s definitely workable. To finish the eye area, I quickly curl my lashes and add some mascara.
I’ve already done my skin prep, so my next step is to apply my sunscreen. I use Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield “Glow” which has a mineral SPF of 50. This is another multi-tasking product because I’m not only getting sunscreen protection, but I’m also adding some glow so I won’t need to apply any highlighter.
Next, to cancel out redness, age spots and all kinds of other interesting things on my face, I apply another multi-tasking product which is both a foundation and a concealer. It’s The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick from the new clean beauty brand Merit.
The beauty of these stick foundations is that we can just dot them on quickly and then use a brush or a sponge to blend them out. I like working this product into my skin by using a dampened makeup sponge. I also put some of this product on my finger and apply it around the outer edge of my lips to help keep my lipstick from feathering.
There are certainly a number of other good stick foundations as well – including the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick, the Hourglass Foundation Stick and Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation stick.
To complete this look, I just add some cheek and lip color. For blush, I use a Merit product called Flush Bomb because the applicator ensures a really quick and easy application. All I need to do is take off the top and sweep the blush from the temple area down to within two finger widths from the nose.
And just to make it look seamless with my foundation, I like to take the makeup sponge I used earlier with the Merit foundation stick and just touch up along the edges of the blush.
Next, I’m going to apply a lipstick that doesn’t require lip liner to keep it from migrating into the fine lines around my lips: it’s Maybelline’s Superstay 24 Hour 2 Step Liquid Lipstick. If you’re not familiar with this product, it’s designed to be long wearing and doesn’t cake or flake.
It’s best to start by applying the lipstick in the middle of the lip since there’s quite a bit of product on the applicator when you pull it out – and then finish filling in the lip. Then it’s necessary to allow the lipstick to dry for two minutes before applying the ultra-conditioning balm on the other end of the lipstick. The balm can be reapplied throughout the day as often as needed.
Cover Girl also makes a product like this called Outlast All Day Lip Color with topcoat which they dub as “kiss-proof,” “food-proof,” and transfer resistant.
For a quick final finishing touch, it’s helpful to take just a moment to press a very slightly damp makeup sponge all over the face to help all the products meld together seamlessly.
And we’re done!
What makeup products do you use that make your makeup routine quicker and easier? What makeup techniques help you cut down on the time you spend doing your makeup? Please share with the community!
