The Busy Babe's Beauty Guide
By Kathryn M. D’Imperio
Finding a few moments to ourselves proves
quite the daunting task anymore. With places to go, people
to see, presentations to make and happy hours to enjoy,
getting dolled up sometimes becomes more of a hassle than
it’s worth…or so it seems.
When you add up all the minutes it takes
to select an outfit, accessorize with the right purse and
appropriate jewelry, dry and style your hair, apply makeup
and dash out the door, before you know it you’re running
late again. The problem is this: You want to look great but
you don’t want to spend a near-lifetime getting ready.
The solution? Pick and choose which
elements of your appearance are most important to you. Once
you’ve prioritized, you can really achieve the look you want
in less time. For example, let’s say you care about clothes,
hair, makeup, and jewelry, in that order.
How can you make the most of your time
without leaving out a key element? Well, for starters,
select your outfit the night before, even if it means trying
things on at 10 or 11 o’clock at night. You want your hair
to look nice, so try to have an idea of style – up or down –
before you get out of the shower. Make it our goal to know
exactly how you want to do your hair once you dry it.
Next, critically consider how much makeup
you really need to wear. On days when I’m feeling especially
lazy, I typically slap on some mascara and my favorite
flavored lip-gloss and head out the door. If I have
blemishes to hide, I definitely take care of those first.
Finally, when it comes to jewelry, you can throw on
something basic and simple that goes with anything, or you
can forego the adornments altogether.
Here are some fast, last minute beauty
tips:
DO:
Carry a powder compact at all times. If
you don’t have time for makeup, you’ll be happy to at
least dust some powder on your cheeks and forehead. If
your company throws a last minute photo shoot at you, your
compact will save your tail.
Keep a lip-gloss or Chap Stick handy at
all times. Not only does it make you so much more kissable
should your sweetheart pop into the office for a surprise
visit, but you’ll be keeping your smackers safe from
chapping, splitting and dryness associate with both hot
and cold climates. Even without a true color lipstick, lip-gloss
can make you feel sexy and so worth it.
Invest in some hair accessories,
especially claw clips, hairpins and other barrettes. Even
if you don’t have the time to fashion a new look, twist
your hair back and pin it to your head for a sweeping
look. Some hair clips will allow you to pile all of your
hair on top of your head effortlessly. This comes in very
handy when you don’t have time to dry your hair
completely.
Make your manicures last longer by
applying clear polish every so often. With such a busy
schedule, it is amazing you have your nails done in the
first place. To keep your pretty look alive as long as
possible, apply a clear topcoat daily to prevent the nail
polish from cracking and chipping.
DON’T:
Even think about doing your makeup “in
the car.” Even if you are stopped at a red light, the
minimal time you have between lights isn’t nearly enough
to apply mascara, let alone foundation or anything else.
Especially don’t try to paint your nails in the car!
Go too heavy on the hues… If you’re
doing a dark, intense look for your eyes, avoid going high-impact
on your mouth.
