Keep Makeup Routines Simple

In these days of the hectic pace, it's best to keep things as simple as possible -- including facial makeup routines. It can be done, says makeup artist Mandy Gold, and she has some suggestions to trim minutes off the task.

Remember, she says, that your face always looks paler first thing in the morning, because facial blood vessels are restricted during sleep. "So it's better not to start fiddling around with blusher or eye shadow at the time, because you could look overdone later when your normal coloring has restored itself."

To save time with foundation and moisturizer, combine them. "Mix a little of your normal foundation into your moisturizer and put it on in one go -- the color seems to cling to the moisturizer," says Gold. "It's the same idea as a tinted moisturizer, but more hydrating."

For the eyebrows, lightly brush a little mascara over the hairs to avoid the fiddly business with the eyebrow pencil, she says. And finish off the whole business "with a quick slick of clear lipstick -- this really makes your eyes come alive -- and apply your normal lip color and cover with the clear gloss."