Whether you are a stay-at-home mami or work full-time in an office, you can rely on simple makeup tips to go from soccer mom to evening diva in minutes.
WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT
If you have been running errands all day, picking up the kids from school and dropping off your laundry, it’s important to prep your skin after sweating all day long—remember, your morning makeup will act as a base for a more glammed up look. No time to wash your face? Gently press baby wipes, cleansing towelettes or blotting papers to absorb any impurities from your skin. It may not be the best way to cleanse your skin but it’ll save you precious time. Try Neutrogena Deep Clean Shine Control Blotting Sheets ($5.99).
By wiping off dirt and sweaty makeup, your skin will feel fresh but that also means you’ll have to reapply any foundation you had on. If you are a bare-faced gal, opt for tinted moisturizers or BB Creams. These give you a hint of color without looking cakey.
Want to cover up imperfections? Then foundations with light to medium coverage are for you. Using your fingers (Hey, don’t judge—chances are you won’t have time to pick the right brush), dot foundation all over your face and blend well. Extend to your décolletage, if necessary. Try Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation ($7.94) or L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Liquid Makeup ($8.49).
Extra Tip: switch your regular concealer for a “radiance-boosting” one. It won’t completely conceal, but it’ll illuminate strategic areas (under-eye circles, over your cheekbones and along the brow bone), so you’ll look refreshed. Try Burberry Sheer Luminous Concealer ($40).
ENHANCE YOUR EYES
Moms are superheroes. We can go from one place to another in seconds, iron our husband’s clothes and have dinner ready all in one breath. That said, it’s understandable that we usually do this bare-faced. A little eye makeup goes a long way when it comes to putting our best face forward without spending hours in front of the vanity mirror.
Stick to foolproof shades such as brown, khaki, grey, mauve, dark green, gold, copper or bronze. A palette will be a safer option for you, as it has everything you need and you won’t waste time mixing and matching. Apply a soft color in your lids as a base; the lighter (or shimmery) ones in the inner corners of your eye and then add some darker shadows in the crease. Blend to get a natural smoky eye. Try e.l.f. Essential Flawless Eyeshadow in Beautiful Browns ($2) or Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad Golden Mink ($75).
If you had the time to apply eyeliner in the morning, work with it by reapplying or blurring it with dark colors for a sultry effect. Don’t forget to curl your lashes and coat them in black mascara. Try Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Matte Black ($20); MAC Cosmetics Penultimate Eye Liner ($18.50) and CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara ($7.99).
Read Related: Makeup Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms
THINK COLOR
Ditching your sweatpants may do wonders for your mood—but a bold lipstick is an instant mood lifter. Matte formulas are timeless; just don’t forget to apply them with a lip brush for a perfect finish. Lip balms in colorful shades, flashy lip glosses or semi-matte lipsticks are allowed, as long as you feel comfortable reapplying every hour or so. On the other hand, nudes with caramel, beige undertones will always be in and are a great alternative if you chose dark eye makeup. Try Armani Beauty Rouge D’Armani Sheer Lipstick in Red 401 ($30); Nars Cosmetics Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Happy Days ($24); Pixi Succulent Lip Twin in Nude Lily ($16.49) and Dior Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in Charnelle ($32)
When you highlight your eyes or lips, it’s best to use neutral tones on the rest of your face. A touch of blush on the apple of your cheeks or even a sweep of bronzer under your cheekbones will do the trick. Spritz on your favorite perfume and you’re good to go. Who said a soccer mom can’t also be a diva?
