Three years ago, when I had my son, I learned a morning beauty regimen that was so awesome, I’ve used it ever since. I got these tips from Rebecca Perkins, makeup artist and the founder of Rouge New York, an NYC-based makeup salon. She’s also the mother of a 4-year-old, so I knew she wasn’t going to give me any crazy-town advice about facial contouring and eye shimmer. But this routine isn’t just for mothers of young children. It works for everyone. Never have time in the morning? Good. It’s for you.
Put in some dry shampoo
Dry shampoo can take greasy hair and make it look clean in about a minute. Just make sure you brush it through, or your hair will be white and you’ll look like one of those people who do Revolutionary War re-enactments.
We like: Psssst! Instant dry shampoo, $6.99 at Duane Reade
Moisturize … strategically
“Instead of a moisturizer and a serum and a foundation, just apply a deep rehydrating serum and then a tinted moisturizer that has an SPF,” says Perkins.
“It’ll help smooth out and wake up your complexion in one step.”
We like: Algenist Repairing Tint & Radiance moisturizer with SPF 30, $42 at Sephora, and Z Skin Systems Radiant Skin serum, $159 at zss-skincare.com
Lash out
“Two coats of mascara can make you look more refreshed and awake,” says Perkins. Refreshed and awake is good! This is what we’re going for. Because we’ve got a train to catch.
We like: Rimmel ScandalEyes Show Off mascara, $6.99 at Duane Reade
Seeing red
And now for the last step: red lipstick. I’ve never been one to go for bright lipstick, but as Perkins points out, it’s one of the best ways to signal to the world that you are a woman who is ready to start her day. “You’d be amazed at what a red lipstick can do,” says Perkins.
We like: Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in “Love That Red,” $7.99 at Duane Reade
If you have extra time
Apply a concealer with a brightening agent that’s in pen or brush form. Apply it from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner of your eyelids; repeat the process for under-eye circles if you need to.
We like: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer, $5.59 at maybelline.com