I’m sure many of you can relate, whatever shape your life takes. Balancing family life with work. Gah! But here’s the thing I'm keen to share. Throughout the daily chaos, I’m looking “polished” and giving off the “I’ve got my shit together vibes”. Oh yes I am. Thanks to my 5 minute morning makeup regime. Girls, it really does take just 5 minutes and works wonders for your self-esteem.
My Aunty Floppy used to call it “putting your face on”. A little makeup can affect us on so many levels. It makes us feel more confident, feel more fabulous, even feel more beautiful. It boosts our confidence. Gives you a lift when you're feeling a little blue, perks you up when you're feeling down. I'm not suggesting makeup can replace that genuine happiness that glows from within. But makeup can facilitate getting into “character” as we tackle a challenging meeting, think Diana Prince transformed to Wonder Woman. It becomes part of shaking off the mumsy vibe as we jump into another role. The game face. For some it’s just part of who we are. And I'm not going to lie I do get a little kick out of a compliment.
After 40 I think we want to resemble some form of "pulled togetherness". So I filmed a Facebook Live video while I did my 5-minute morning makeup regime this week. Here I show you how to do a "quickie" when you're short on time. (Because I’m in the habit of over-sharing and blabbering way too much, the video goes for 20 minutes.) I will edit some ramblings and load an abridged version to YouTube in the coming weeks
READY? HERE WE GO. 5 MINUTES TO A MORE POLISHED VERSION OF YOU.
SET? BEFORE YOU REACH FOR YOUR MAKEUP …
Prep your skin. Makeup will only ever look as good as your skin will allow. So really, get that sorted first. My skin was dehydrated and suffering the effects of not-enough-sleep. So I prepped with Vanessa Megan Prebiotic + C Brightening Exfoliator following by Vanessa Megan Advanced Anti-Ageing EPI Cell Serum (both incredibly effective, 100% natural, Australian certified organic advanced anti-ageing skincare products). My skin looked a whole lot brighter and plumper than it had on waking and felt like a baby's bot bot. The benefit is two-fold .. makeup sits beautifully on well prepped skin AND you're skin gets a well-deserved treatment.
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FOUNDATION/BBCREAM/CCCREAM - 2 MINUTES
I chose Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. This freaking awesome – and yes, crazy expensive – foundation is a lifesaver when you’re looking for more coverage and some serious luminosity. Available at David Jones $99
It’s a staple in every professional Makeup Artist’s kit and that’s because it does 2 things really well:
1. gives an amazing flawless, luminous finish
2. while still looking natural.
A little goes a long way. 1 – 2 pumps is enough to do your whole face and neck. Blend with your fingers and, if you want more coverage, build up in the areas you feel you need it more. I’ll often layer a little extra on my cheeks and under the eye area. Use whatever foundation you like.
YSL TOUCHE ECLAT RADIANT TOUCH - 30 SECONDS
I’ve dedicated a whole Blog Post to this golden tube of amazing-ness, it’s definitely my No 1 secret weapon. There really is no other product quite like it. YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch is a light-weight, light reflecting fluid that has the power to give you an instant eyelift.
That’s not an exaggeration. Check out my Facebook Live video to see how to apply it.
I use a “triangle” technique which brightens and lifs the whole under eye area – so if you’re exhausted, hungover, a little sunken and dark in that area – it provides the illusion of plumper, brighter, healthier happier looking you!
Available at
LONG-WEAR EYESHADOW PAINT, LIKE MAC GROUNDWORK - 1 MINUTE
The busy womans new best friend. Long wear cream shadow pots/paints/sticks do save time. Eyelids are mostly oily, veiny, uneven little compadres. A cream shadow knocks bad the redness and creates a flawless looking base. I chose MAC Cosmetics Pro Longer Paint Pot in Groundwork It’s a lovely matte neutral mid-brown colour, that creates a little depth in the eye.
A couple Pro Artist tips: 1. Work fast. Oh okay then! Many of these long wear cream shadows set and dry quickly
2. Use your finger start at the base of the lashline and blend upwards, softening to the brow bone.
3. Using the lower lashline as a guide, take your finger and sweep it upwards to ensure the eyeshadow is “lifted” at the outer corners of your eyes.
See my Facebook Live video for more specific instructions.
Available from MAC Cosmetics $35
CURL EYELASHES - 10 SECONDS
Invest in a good lash curler. Dedicated followers of mine will see I am obsessed with this tool. Yes, it really is worth getting.
Kevyn Aucion $ 30 available at Mecca Cosmetica
Shu Umera $32 available at David Jones
APPLY MASCARA - 10 SECONDS
Grab your favourite mascara and work from the root of the lashes wiggling the brush upwards. Apply 2 coats. And focus a little extra product on the outer lashes – it opens up and elongates your eyes. I used Max Factor Masterpiece Max. Loving the little plastic bristles - they really help to define the lashes. $24.95. Available from Priceline.
DEFINE AND FILL IN YOUR BROWS - 30 SECONDS
Use a clear brow gel to “define” the eyebrows.
MAC Brow Set in Clear $28.
Available at MAC Cosmetics.
Take a small angled brush and a little pomade product to fill in any gaps. Focus on creating a straight edge under the brow. Don’t make too high an arch – elongated flatter brows are more youthful and help to give the illusion of everything “lifting” (kinda what we’re hoping for post-40!)
Benefit Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit in Medium $55. Available at Sephora.
Lily Lolo Eyebrow Duo $18 is a super 100% natural alternative.
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POP OF CHEEK COLOUR - 10 SECONDS
I generally choose a cream blush when I’m frantic. It’s easy to apply – use your fingers – and blends beautifully with your foundation. Tap colour on to the actual cheekbone and blend upwards.
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks $50 available at Bobbi Brown Australia.
Stila Convertible Colour $36 available at Mecca Cosmetica.
Sephora Wonderful Cushion Blush $20 available at Sephora.
CONTOUR CHEEKBONES - 5 SECONDS
Adding a natural contour is incredibly effective for us older birds. A little depth of colour swept under the cheekbones, run along the “jowls’ and under our double-chin can make you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. Subtle but impressive.
I recommend NARS bronzer in Laguna as it suits most skin tones. It’s matte, with a very subtle sparkle. Available at Mecca Cosmetica $58.
A good 100% natural alternative is Au Naturale Organic Creme Bronzer Stick. Use sparingly.
$42.95
BUY NOW BeautifulBecause.
LIPS - 10 SECONDS
Mood dependent. I used a clear red as everything else was incredibly simple.
But go with what works for you. I do think a bright or strong lip is what makes this 5 minute makeup come together. When rocking a bright lipstick over age 40, pop colour on the centre upper and lower lip only, press your lips together, then line just the centre top and bottom (particularly if you’ve a cracked lipline). Choose a moisturising satin finish over a shimmer, pearl or super matte.
There are a couple of clear orange based reds that I love:
So I challenge you to up your game and get your face on. That 10 step regime took us 4 minutes 45 seconds. Pretty sure most of us can manage that can’t we? Life’s for grabbing by the short and curly’s – whatever it may throw at you – and if a little makeup makes you feel match ready, go for it. It’s just makeup (but it does have secret powers).
With love, Amanda xxx
PS If you haven't yet, please jump over to Amanda Ramsay Makeup and Beauty YouTube Channel and Subscribe. I’d love you to share the link with anyone you know who might enjoy the video tutorials. Every second Tuesday I intend to load up a new video, designed to help you busy over-40’s women with a little makeup insider know-how.
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** Please note that there are some Affiliate links in this story. When you purchase using an Affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The advice given is my independent professional opinion and commentary is not paid for.
