The Ultimate Beauty Guide

Time is a luxury that gets harder to afford by the day. Case in point: that leisurely hour you set aside to primp for your big event suddenly, inexplicably shrinks to a mere ten minutes (it’s okay—we’ve all been sucked into an Instagram black hole). Before you cue the familiar panic, know this: with a few key tips and tricks, you can still arrive looking fresh, polished, and chic.


Concealer - Time: 30 seconds

Hide dark circles and blotchiness by applying concealer in a few key areas. Start by dabbing a brightening concealer like Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Concealer ($50) under and in the inner corners of your eyes, then apply it down the bridge of your nose and anywhere else where there’s redness. No need to blend just yet you’ll do that in the next step.


BB Cream - Time: 1 minute

Now is not the time for perfectly applied foundation. Instead, grab a BB cream like Dr. Jart+’s Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm ($36) or Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB Cream ($39) and blend it into your skin using a beauty sponge or your fingers, the sheer formula will prevent any telltale streaks. Make sure to blend in your concealer as you apply!


Brows - Time: 1 minute

A dead giveaway that you rushed through your beauty routine? Unruly brows.  Take a minute to tame them by brushing through them with a clean spooly. Then, set them in place and add a touch of color with a tinted brow gel like Anastasia’s Tinted Brow Gel ($22).


Curl + Mascara - Time: 2 minute

Skip the eyeliner and fake wide-awake eyes instantly by curling your lashes and adding a coat of lengthening mascara like Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara ($23). Hold a business card up behind your lashes to prevent mascara from getting on your eyelid. No Q-tip cleanup needed!


Blush + Lip Tint - Time: 1 minute

Dab a berry-colored gel blush, like Tarte’s Cheek Stain ($30) in Flush, into the apples of your cheeks with your fingers, then blend out with an angled blush brush. Pat the rest of the stain onto your lips for a subtle kiss of color.


Bun It - Time: 4 minutes

Today will not be the day you showcase a head full of luscious, perfect curls—but that doesn’t mean your bedhead can’t be tamed. Gather your locks into a sleek sock bun, or spritz a texturizing spray, like Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray ($42), through your ends and pin them into an upside-down topknot. Messy chic at its best!


Spritz + Smile - Time: 30 seconds

On your way out the door, spray your pulse points with an energizing fragrance like Burberry’s Brit Sheer ($50) or Marc Jacobs’ Daisy Eau So Fresh Delight ($75). Then, take a deep breath and smile—arriving at your destination with grace is always the last (and most important) step.