Make-up in minutes

STEP 1
Start the day with a BB cream. BB creams offer a lovely light coverage and go some way in hiding those pesky dark circles under the eyes and covering any hormonal blemishes that might pop up. A BB cream doesn’t provide as much cover as a foundation, therefore it's quick and easy to apply (with fingertips is best). It is quite forgiving if you haven’t had time to blend it with your jawline. Our favourites are Rimmel BB Cream, RRP$15.99 from The Warehouse, Kmart, and selected Farmers stores and supermarkets, and Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF30, $75, smashboxcosmetics.co.nz.

STEP 2
Brows are still big news. Sweeping a brow pencil in light feathery strokes through your brow is an easy way to provide shape, fill in the gaps and instantly frame your face – ultimately making you feel a bit more polished. Eye of Horus dual brow stick, $35, stellabeauty.co.nz, is a two-in-one gem – with a chiselled brow stick (to help you easily achieve a blunt brow shape) on one end and a gel mascara on the other, it is the only brow tool you will need.

STEP 3
Personally, if I left the house with only one cosmetic item on, it would be mascara. There is no easier way to feel and look more awake than with a quick coat on your lashes. Mascara opens up the eyes and can be applied lightly for a subtle daytime look, or built up with multiple coats for a more dramatic evening look. Eye of Horus mascara, $45, stellabeauty.co.nz, is a good buy, as not only is it cruelty-free, it doesn’t need to be removed with a special make-up remover (just a cloth and warm water will do the trick as the warm water melts the oils in the mascara).

STEP 4
The last step is a quick pop of lip colour that also doubles as a cheek colour. We naturally lose our summer glow in winter, so a touch of blush works wonders in these cooler months. Try Smashbox LA Lights Blendable Lip and Cheek Colour, $56, smashboxcosmetics.co.nz, or Benefit Bene-Tint, RRP$57 from Smith & Caughey's. If you are more of a traditional lipstick kind of girl, you can’t go wrong with a popular everyday shade like Violet Mousse by Karen Murrell, $30, karenmurrell.com