No time for a shower? Start the day with a few wipes. Beauty brand La Fresh makes wipes for almost everything, from face cleansing to sunscreen and deodorant. Start with a La Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser Scented Wipes, $9.99, for a quick cleanse, then use their deodorant, lotion, and sunscreen wipes.
Total time: 30 seconds
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Step 2: Makeup
All right, I'd be lying if I told you that this quickie makeup routine will make you red carpet ready. It won't. But it will make you presentable for the office or grocery store.
To start, grab a BB cream (it's a moisturizer, sunscreen, and foundation all in one). Don't already have one? These BB creams are our faves. Apply it all over your face (you could even apply an extra layer in areas like under your eyes, where you might need more coverage) using your fingers.
Next, use a curling mascara (so you can skip your eyelash curler), like Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara, $28.50. Then finish by swiping the apples of your cheeks and your lips with a lip/cheek tint. We love Korres Lip Butter, $12, which you can use on your cheeks and lips.
Total time: 1 minute, 30 seconds
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Step 3: Hair
Sure, a ponytail is an obvious choice, but there are other styles that take the same amount of time but look far more polished.
For long hair...
Do a quick top knot or high bun. Brush your hair (either with an actual brush or your fingers) into a high ponytail and secure with an elastic. Then, wrap the ends around the base of the ponytail and bobby pin into place. If your hair is thin you can try teasing your ends with a comb a bit first. This is also great for hiding greasy roots, since they'll be under your bun.
For medium-length hair...
Go for intentional beachy/bedhead texture. Just get your hair slightly damp by running your hands under the faucet and then over your hair. Then apply a small amount of texturizing cream or mousse (like Redken Touch Control 05 Volumizing Texture Whip, $28) to your hair, combing it through with your fingers. Gently tousle your hair and take one-inch sections and twist them with your finger to create curls. Let your hair air-dry. And if your hair is on the greasy side, just blast your roots with a dry shampoo.
For short hair...
We don't really need to tell you what to do with this, right? You probably asked for a short hairstyle in the first place to cut down on styling time. Just run some pomade or gel through your hair and comb into place.
Total time: 2 minutes
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Step 4: Breakfast
So technically, we're not including time to sit down and eat this delicious breakfast, but it's portable, which means you can take it with you. Basically you can consider this the world's fastest parfait.
First, grab a travel mug. Then, dump in a scoop or two of yogurt (use Greek if you've got it for the probiotics). Top that with a scoop of granola and a scoop of fresh fruit, like raspberries or blueberries (anything small so you don't have to break out the cutting board). Grab a spoon and head out the door.
Total time: 1 minute
Whether you're working in an office or you're a stay-at-home mom, mornings can be rough. You've got to get up (after not enough sleep), get the kids ready, get yourself ready, and maybe even try to squeeze in a few household chores before the day really gets going.
What usually gets lost in that morning chaos? Of course, the getting yourself ready part. Now, that's not the end of the world if it's just a matter of dropping off the kids and heading back home. But what about those days when you're going to work, running errands, or just want to move beyond a sweatpants-and-greasy-ponytail ensemble?
When you're drowning in to-dos, taking time to apply makeup or style your hair can seem laughable. But really, it only takes a minute or two to pull your look together -- if you know what you're doing. And taking that time for yourself can be a huge mood booster. Not only will you not cringe when you happen to glance in a mirror, but that bit of downtime in your morning routine (yes, even just 5 minutes) can really help relax and mentally prep you for the day. Plus, it's a lot safer than trying to apply mascara in your car.
Keep reading to see our step-by-step routine to get you out the door in 5 minutes flat.
