Mornings are hard enough without trying to master a full glam look before coffee. Over the past year, I’ve learned to fully embrace the low-maintenance life. Between work, errands, and just trying to get enough sleep, I realized I don’t always have the time (or energy) for a 10-step routine.
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But I still like looking like I put in some effort. That’s how I ended up with a handful of go-to hacks that save me time while still making me feel confident and pulled together.
So if you’re guilty of hitting snooze one too many times or just don’t feel like doing a full face every day, you’re in the right place. These lazy girl makeup hacks are easy and effective, even on your busiest mornings.
7 Lazy Girl Makeup Hacks
These 7 lazy girl makeup hacks save me from my morning rush every day:
Skin Preparation First
Who has time for a 10-step routine every morning? That’s why I swear by a simple skincare-first approach. Quick prep is everything.
I start with micellar water to sweep away last night’s oil and sleepiness, then follow up with a light moisturizer. But before anything touches my face, I ensure it’s freshly washed. A splash of lukewarm water does the trick on most days.
But if anything that kept me up all night, my face usually tells the story. That’s when cold water (or even an ice cube or cooling roller) becomes my morning hero. It depuffs, tightens pores, reduces redness, and wakes me right up.
Once my skin is prepped, I skip the heavy layers and reach for a tinted moisturizer with SPF. I’m loving skin tints and BB creams with added skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid and zinc.
Base Hacks for the Barely-There Look
If you’re into the barely-there makeup look like I am, here’s one base hack you need to know. Skip the full-face foundation and go straight for concealer. Trust me, spot concealing is a total game-changer.
Instead of layering on product everywhere, just focus on the areas that actually need it. It saves time, feels lighter, and your natural skin still gets to breathe. Now here’s a little trick I swear by. Use your fingers. The warmth of your skin helps melt the concealer in, blending it faster and more naturally. Don’t rub, just pat it in gently.
For a sheer, tinted look, mix a bit of your concealer with your favorite moisturizer. If you’ve got oily skin or larger pores, stick with liquid formulas. For hiding blemishes or stubborn spots, I reach for a cream or pencil concealer.
The goal here is to let your skin shine through while just gently smoothing out the spots you want to cover. Once you try this routine, you might not go back to foundation again.
Multipurpose Products Are Your Best Friend
Multipurpose makeup products are a total game-changer. They save time, space, and, honestly, a lot of effort. One swipe of lip and cheek tint gives an instant color. A little cream bronzer on the eyes gives a soft definition in seconds.
When you’re choosing multi-tasking makeup, look for formulas that feel good on the skin, work well across different areas of the face, and last. I always reach for products that are easy to blend, lightweight, and won’t melt off midday.
Let me share a few of my favorite go-tos. The Sip Sip Hooray Wine Eyeshadow Palette works as eyeshadow, blush, contour, and highlighter. It’s compact, has a mirror, and fits in any bag.
Then there’s the Shade Shifter Lip & Cheek Oil. It adjusts to your pH to give you a personalized flush. It’s glossy, hydrating, and honestly feels like skincare meets makeup.
For eyes, the Double Shot Eyeliner + Kajal has been a lifesaver. One side glides on for the perfect wing; the other smudges into a smoky dream. It lasts all day.
5-Minute Eye Trick
Ever feel like you need a little eye refresh? That’s why I’ve got a super quick and easy eye trick you’ll want to try.
First, start with mascara. Only apply it to your top lashes. It instantly opens up your eyes and gives a fresh, lifted look without the risk of smudging under your eyes throughout the day.
Now, instead of fussing with liquid eyeliner, grab a little angled brush and your favorite dark eyeshadow. Use it to softly line the outer corner of your upper lash line. Flick it slightly upward to fake a soft wing. It’s super subtle but still gives your eyes that “awake and lifted” effect.
Before you finish, there’s one last trick that pulls it all together: curl your lashes. Curled lashes make your eyes look bigger and more awake instantly.
These three steps take just five minutes, but they can totally change how your eyes look. It is perfect for lazy mornings or when you just want to look a little more put together without doing the most.
Brows in a Flash
Who has the time (or patience) to sit and fill in brows every single morning? That’s why brow gel has become my go-to beauty essential. It’s quick, easy, and makes a huge difference with barely any effort.
What I love the most is how it instantly gives your brows that full, fluffy look. You don’t need to be a makeup pro or spend ages with a pencil. Tinted brow gel adds just enough color to make your brows pop while still looking natural. It holds them in place, too, so you don’t have to worry about stray hairs going wild during the day.
Now, if you’re ever in a pinch or run out of brow gel, all you need is a bit of mascara or some eyeshadow that matches your brow color. Use a spoolie to lightly brush it through your brows.
Lips Without the Fuss
You want your lips to look good without spending forever in front of the mirror. Tinted balms and gloss sticks are the easiest way to get both color and hydration in one swipe.
Now, if you want to level up the look just a bit, just dab your favorite lipstick in the center of your lips and blend it out with your fingers. This creates a soft, blurred look. It’s effortless, pretty, and honestly, kind of addictive once you start doing it.
From there, you can finish off with a gloss or balm. If you are wearing bright shadow or a colorful liner, keep your lips simple with a clear gloss. But if you’re going for that warm, sun-kissed glow, reach for a peachy balm or gloss.
You don’t need a million products or a full routine to pull this off. With just a couple of easy steps, your lips can look soft, fresh, and put-together. It’s perfect for when you’re on the go or just not in the mood for a full face.
Lock It In & Go
Instead of the usual powder touch-up that can make your skin look dry or flat, swap your powder for a tinted balm or gloss stick. It gives your skin a healthy, hydrated look while still adding a bit of color. I love how it melts into the skin without sitting on top of it. It’s also super easy to reapply throughout the day without worrying about it looking heavy.
Midday touch-ups don’t have to mean redoing your whole face. Take your favorite setting spray, spritz it onto a damp beauty sponge, and gently tap it onto your skin. It instantly refreshes your makeup, tones down any dryness, and locks everything back in.
Pairing a tinted balm with this setting spray gives you that fresh, creamy glow, and the spray keeps it all in place with zero stiffness. It’s my go-to when I want to look put-together with minimal effort. Plus, it saves you from carrying a full makeup bag around.
Brush your hair
Some mornings, there’s just no time to wash your hair. On those rushed mornings, I like to keep it simple. For medium or long hair, a little gel on the crown goes a long way. Just smooth it through with a comb, tie it up in a ponytail or a bun, and you’re out the door looking polished. For short hair? a mist of hairspray, and you’re good to go. It’s amazing what five minutes can do.
But my favorite trick is the sock bun. At night, I twist my slightly damp hair into one, and by morning, I wake up to soft, frizz-free waves. It’s one of those little hacks that make a big difference, especially on days when I don’t want to put in much effort.
I don’t wash my hair every day. I usually stick to 2-3 times a week. That’s where dry shampoo saves me. Not only does it absorb oil and add volume, but it also smells amazing. On days I skip the wash, a few sprays instantly refresh my hair and make it feel clean again.
Final Words
You don’t need a 12-step routine or a drawer full of products to feel confident. Sometimes, less really is more. There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple. If you can shave a few minutes off your routine and still feel good about how you look, I say go for it. So if even one of these tips helps make your mornings smoother or your nights out easier, I’m glad. So what are your go-to lazy girl makeup hacks?
