What To Do When You Don't Have Time For Makeup

We've all been there, right? It's a dark, cold winter morning and absolutely nothing sounds better than snoozing your alarm when it starts blaring. But hit snooze one too many times and you'll be running late for work or school before you know it. When that happens, you really need to know the one thing to do when you don't have time to put on makeup, and it's a trick that always saves me.

I respect people who don't wear makeup — seriously, it's not for everyone. Some people have sensitive skin and can't wear products, some people don't want to learn how to put it on, and some people just plain don't like it. I have no problem with that, but as a self-professed beauty addict, I've never been the type of person who likes leaving the house without makeup. For me, it's fun to experiment with different beauty items and play up certain features with products. But even I'm not perfect, and there's plenty of times I need to be out the door in five minutes and don't have time for makeup.

So what do I do in that situation? I always put on one product, even in the winter: Sunscreen!

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen, $19, CHECK IT OUT

Seriously, it's impossible to overstate the importance of sunscreen. No matter your skin tone or race, you need to wear it every single day, even if it's not sunny. As I've grown older, I've gotten more and more careful about my skin, and sunscreen is so vital to keeping it youthful. I usually mix my normal moisturizer (which has SPF), with a BB cream, which also has built in SPF and the added bonus of smoothing out my skin.

Of course, sunscreen isn't technically makeup, and I like to wear a little something, even if I have absolutely no time to do it. In those situations, I use my favorite trick. Pick one go-to product and make sure you always remember to put it on. Here are my three suggestions.

1. Mascara

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara, $7.25, CHECK IT OUT

If you have light eyelashes (like I do), mascara is a must-have. It's the one product I always put on, and I keep a mini tube in all my bags so I can swipe some on if I'm running late. This L'Oreal one is my fave from the drugstore, but I also love Diorshow.

2. Lipstick Or Lipgloss

MAC Russian Red Lipstick, $17, CHECK IT OUT

If you have naturally dark lashes, you probably aren't the type who needs to wear mascara every day. And yes, I'm insanely jealous. In that case, do the "no-makeup makeup" look by swiping on a little lipstick. It'll add a pop of color and make you look totally pulled together, even if it took two minutes.

3. Eyebrow Gel

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara, $7, CHECK IT OUT

It's the year of the eyebrows in the beauty world, and perfectly groomed brows are essential, even if you don't wear much makeup. If you have dark brows, brush through them before you leave the house to look put together. If your brows are light or sparse, like mine, my favorite product is a tinted brow gel, which take 30 seconds to put on (or less!) and totally transforms your look.

Pick a go-to product and a feature you want to play up, and you'll never have that panicked running late feeling again.

Image: Unsplash; Courtesy of Brands