Ah, mornings. Thanks to my kids’ raging bed head and picky eating ways , I don’t have a whole lot of time to spend on getting myself full-on glam each day. I never leave the house without makeup, so I count on fast fixes to get presentable in a flash. I usually try to pick one feature to play up and keep everything else pretty simple. Whether you like to put on a full face of makeup, or wear the bare minimum, there are a few beauty hacks that I think all moms need to know about, from how to hide dark under eye circles to keeping lipstick on a little longer. And here’s something else: Contouring isn’t as scary as it sounds; I figure if I can figure out how to fake model-like cheekbones, I can skate by wearing yoga pants!
So, I’ve rounded up my favorite makeup hacks for skin, cheeks, lips, eyes, and eyebrows. Some of them are perfect for your school morning routine while others are great for date night . Now excuse me while I go man handle my eyebrows. These things aren’t going to reshape themselves!
More Quick & Easy Beauty Tricks:
25 Easy Makeup Hacks for Mom
Skin: The Perfect Base
Getting the perfect base isn't as difficult as you may think. By using a damp Beauty Blender , you can create a flawless finish with less foundation, fast. Plus it's great at evenly spreading sunscreen and fixing beauty blunders.
Photo: Birchbox
Skin: Smoother Complexion
This at-home peel means that I can wage all out war on my skin's texture and fine lines. Without having to sit in a dermatologists office, I can help reverse the signs of aging in just a few minutes. Buh-bye, fine lines and wrinkles.
Photo: Neostrata
Skin: Hide the Flaws
We've been doing it all wrong! There is a correct way to apply concealer and it is not dabbing it on the dark circle. Without adding any more time to your routine, you can better disguise your dark circles by following this easy tutorial .
Photo: Maybelline
Skin: Color & Coverage with One Product
There are some days when I need a little color and coverage fast. My solution is a tinted sunscreen. This one by Clarins feels super lightweight, has decent coverage, adds a bit of color, and protects my skin from the sun. It's one of my faves.
Photo: Ulta
Skin: Banish Dark Circles Fast
My dark circles are at an all-time high right now so I've been researching how to cover them. I've tried a few concealers but they just aren't cutting it. Then I came across this tutorial for using lipstick (yes, lipstick!) to color correct those dark spots, and it's working way better! Just be sure to blend well.
Photo: Deepica Mutyala /Instagram
Cheeks: Fast Fix for Too Much Blush
It happens. Sometimes we are a little heavy handed with the blush. But, when you're a mom trying to get out the door there's no time to scrub your face and start over. Follow these simple steps to get a more natural glow fast.
Photo: The Beauty Informer
Cheeks: Brighten Your Face
You don't need to buy special makeup to help brighten your face during your next date night. Use a shimmery shadow to create the same effects as a highlighter. This tutorial tells you what colors to use and where to apply.
Photo: Makeup and Beauty Blog
Cheeks: Lip & Cheek Color with One Product
Pick up a multi-tasking product that is designed for your lips AND your cheeks! Or, you can even use your lipstick (yes, your lipstick) as both blush and lip color.
Photo: Sephora
Cheeks: Quick Slimming Trick
I' ve been hearing a ton about contouring and highlighting and always thought it sounded like way too much work. Turns out it's actually quite easy and it's a great way to make your face look thinner (if that's something you want to do, that is!). Genius!
Photo: The Beauty Department / Instagram
Cheeks: Get a Summer Glow
Sure, blush adds color to your cheeks but if it's a sun-kissed look you're after, bronzer is the way to go. Just a few swipes with a blush brush and you'll look like you've just spent the day at the beach.
Photo: Cover Girl
Lips: Lipstick That Makes Teeth Look Whiter
Did you know that you can make your teeth look whiter just by wearing lipstick with blue undertones ? This one looks blue, but actually goes on in a lovely plum color. And with just a quick swipe, you'll have beautiful color and a brighter smile.
Photo: Ulta
Lips: Color that Lasts Longer
I love to wear color on my lips, but I hate to reapply. Using a lip stain is the perfect solution. It goes on like a lip balm, but the color lasts for WAY longer. It's perfect for adding a finishing touch to your look without any fuss.
Photo: Sephora
Lips: Lipstick That Stays Put
When I wear lipstick, I set it with a little powder to add a layer of protection that helps make it last. It's a fast fix to keep your pucker pretty from drop-off through your afternoon meetings.
Photo: A Beautiful Mess
Lips: Create a Fuller Pout
Want to create sexier, fuller lips for date night? Here, you'll find a tutorial on how to easily make your lips look more full with just a few supplies. No needles required.
Photo: The Beauty Department / Instagram
Lips: Your Perfect Shade
A little mascara and lipstick goes a long way. Get the perfect shade of lipstick by customizing one. This simple DIY shows you how to create your own lip gloss using an eyeshadow. You can even blend a few colors to create something totally unique.
Photo: Vaseline /Instagram
Eyes: Fuller Looking Lashes
I've recently started to "tight line" my eyes and it's totally awesome. What that means is that you use the liner in between the roots of your lashes instead of above. It leaves you with a really natural eye look and makes your lashes seem way more full. I'm loving this for days when I want to look put together but don't care about having a defined eye look.
Photo: Ms Quinn Face
Eyes: Quick Cat Eye
I love the look of a cat eye but have the hardest time getting both sides to look the same. By using a business card as a guide , it's easy to get it right. It takes a little practice to figure out how to line it up correctly, but once you get the hang of it, it's a total snap.
Photo: Momtastic
Eyes: Fuller Lashes
Skip the falsies and get the look of thicker lashes with a powder. This easy-to-use product gives your natural lashes a boost. Just apply the powder after your first coat of mascara and seal it with a second coat. No messy glue required!
Photo: Ulta
Eyes: Simple Smokey Eye
I love makeup looks that only need a few supplies and are fast. This simple smokey eye look uses just an eyeliner and your finger. It doesn't get easier than that! I think this might be my new every day look.
Photo: L'oreal
Eyes: Flawless Eye Shadow
I feel like when I try to put shadow in the crease of my eyelid, I always end up putting it in the wrong place. This gal uses a spoon to guide where she puts her crease color. After you do this for a few days you'll have a better understanding about where your shadow should go and you'll be an eye pro.
Photo: Beautifoles /Instagram
Eyebrows: Transform Light Brows
I just started filling in my brows earlier this year. It's a big deal because I have blond eyebrows which means that they are hard to see, especially in pictures. This easy-to-use brow color is perfect for everyday use. It just brushes on and helps to define your eyes. It does come in other colors also so this isn't just for blonds!
Photo: Cupcakes and Cutlery
Eyebrows: Tame Unruly Brows
My eyebrows have a mind of their own. They have cowlicks and stick straight up in all the wrong places. I have to use some sort of product to try and tame them or I just look crazy. Here is a DIY for making your own taming wax . Just use a little brush and swipe it on to encourage them to behave.
Photo: Soap Deli /Instagram
Eyebrows: Skimpy Brow Solution
Eyebrows frame your face and, when done correctly, can make you look younger. This easy tutorial will show you how to get the perfect eyebrows quickly, with just one product.
Photo: Maybelline
Eyebrows: Pluck Without Pain
My eyebrows need to be plucked daily to keep them in check, but the pain can be unbearable. These easy tips will help you get a clean look, with less pain.
Photo: Michelle Phan
Eyebrows: Lasting Brow Color
While tinting your brows at home might sound like a process, it actually doesn't take that long. Plus once they are done, you won't need to spend the time filling them in daily. This is especially awesome for light haired beauties.
Photo: Sharon the Makeup Artist