Fashion
Lazy Girl Hacks To Up Your Beauty Routine In 2016
Sometimes you just can't be bothered by the time and effort that goes into a Kim K contour and cat eyes on fleek. However, 2016 is in full swing, and I say it's high time to truly live by that cliché "new year, new me" mantra. Fortunately, lazy girl beauty hacks are in abundance for anyone dying to up their makeup game in the new year! It may sound like a hoax, but you can look red carpet ready with minimum effort.
With a few simple tips and tricks, you can transform a nonexistent beauty routine into what will seem like a full regimen. No, you won't need boatloads of product, nor a steady surgeon's hand to nail your makeup. Sacrificing your sleep won't be necessary either. All it takes are a few multitasking beauty products and a little willpower. You'll be surprised when you manage to snooze your alarm and still make it out of the door with a done-up face. After all, no one says you have to sacrifice your inner lazy girl to be a makeup maven! If you're determined to switch it up this year without a major commitment, work these eight time-saving beauty hacks into your new year routine.
1. Play Up The Eyes
Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in "Electric", $7.99, ulta.com
OK, so you don't really have the willpower to go full on glamazon today? No biggie! Just focus on the eyes. No matter how plain Jane the rest of your look is, adding a pop of color to your eyes will liven up the party. All it takes is a bold liner — I'm partial to electric blue. You won't be adding much else to your look, so you'll have plenty of time to perfect your show stopping liner, whether you decide to go with a dramatic cat eye or a little smudging on the lower lashes. If you're a tried-and-true lazy girl, you probably already know a genius eyeliner hack or two to nail those blue wings in a flash!
2. Know Your Five Essentials
Make 2016 the year you finally get your five minute face down. When I'm in a rush, I stick to my five essentials: foundation, concealer, mascara, brow filler, and a lip and cheek stain. Foundation gives me a smooth, color consistent finish; concealer and mascara brighten the eyes and high points of the face; my lip and cheek stain adds just enough color; and groomed brows always make for a polished look. You might find your five essentials are different (perhaps, for example, you swap a bold lipstick or liquid liner for the blush) but the theory is the same.
3. Make All-In-One Your New Go-To
Naked Flushed Palette, $32, urbandecay.com
There's nothing like a face palette that will kill several birds with one stone. All-in-one beauty products get your routine down to a science. Kits like Urban Decay's Naked Flushed palette include a bronzer, blush, and highlighter. That's everything you need to pull off a glowing complexion in no time. If you can't be bothered with neatly applying lipstick and eyeshadow, at least nail a fresh face with a complexion palette.
4. Nail Down The "3" Contour Method
Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio, $45, sephora.com
There's no doubt that 2015 was the year of the contour, and the trend is likely to stick around in 2016. Thought there was no way lazy girls could get their contour on? Guess again! Not only will contour sticks make your life easier, but using the "3" technique will forever change the lazy girl way of life. Highlight one side of your face by drawing a backwards three (in an "E" shape), starting at the top of your temple. Continue the "3" past the bridge of the nose, hitting below your cheekbone. Finish the bottom line underneath your jawbone. Make a regular "3" with your contour shade. Begin the "3" above your brow, continue above your cheekbone, and finish the bottom line above the jawbone. You will then draw a second set of 3's on the other half of your face. Blend all of the product for a seamless finish. This method may sound complicated in writing, but if it can be completed in a one minute video, there's hope for lazy girls yet!
5. Know That Neutrals Are Your Best Friend
L'Oréal La Palette Nude 2, $19.99, cvs.com
When all else fails, you can't ever go wrong with neutrals. When there's zero time to decide which shadows match what blushes and lippies, keep it neutral. A color as universal as taupe will work well with a host of other shades.
6. Save Time With Multipurpose Pencils
OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil in "Lydia", $16, occmakeup.com
Just like a complexion palette, multipurpose pencils can save the day in a major way. A pencil like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' may be used as eyeliner, lip liner, and even shadow (hence the ambiguous name of Cosmetic Colour Pencil). I use my "Sybil", described as a midnight brown, and "Sebastian", plum-toned taupe, OCC pencils as eyeliners and even lip liners when I'm keeping the pout in the neutral family. There are also plenty of other chubby sticks on the market that can be used as both shadows and liners that'll give you no excuse for not having a done up look.
7. Make Skincare A Priority
At the end of the day, no amount of "cake face" will solve the problems of unhealthy skin. Upping your skincare routine will give you a fresh face and a beautiful complexion that you won't want to cover with product. For starters, you'll want to invest in a quality moisturizer, toner, and an eye cream. With your skin care in check, heading out of the door at the last minute, makeup free, won't be a problem. There's nothing like a lazy girl with a beautiful glow and taut skin. These are some of my favorite products for clear, even skin.
Patricia Wexler Intensive 3-In-1 Eye Cream, $32.50, bedbathandbeyond.com
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15, $29, amazon.com
Dr.Jart+ Pore Medic Pore Minish Mist, $30, sephora.com
8. Know That Red Is Your Savior
"Ruby Woo" by MAC, $17, maccosmetics.com
Consider red lipstick to be the LBD of the beauty world. You can instantly boost your look with a dramatic pout. If you'd rather not go for bold eyes, focus the attention on your lips. Red lipstick has a way of instantly upping your game with minimal lazy girl effort. There's no way you won't look well put together.
Who's really going to be winning in 2016? With these hacks, I'd say lazy makeup mavens — by a landslide.
