We have all had those days, days where we are lucky to get out the door on time to get to work or school only to get to our destination and discover we need to be more than just there: we have to look our best and in a hurry. Crap. So when life throws the pretty curveball at you there are two options: you can freak out or you can rock on. This month I’m going to tell you how to rock on with just a handful of products that are easily stashable in a desk, purse, or locker so you can be fabulous in a flash.
Beauty doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need a pile of products to be pretty, but the reality is you only need a handful of basics to create a complete look that can get you through those days when you have to look nice, but just don’t have the time. Here are the products that I can turn to in a pinch to be pretty and how to go from zero to awesome in just a few minutes.
Image Credit: Nicole Drum
1. Skin type appropriate moisturizer. Unless you are clever enough to have a tiny bottle of foundation in your stash bag moisturizer is going to serve as your base. Even if you did nothing else moisturized skin looks smoother and nicer than skin that hasn’t been. I keep a small tube of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + in my bag because I’m dry, but for the oilier skins a nice gel-type moisturizer would work just as well.
2. Pressed powder. Yes, after a nice coat of moisturizer your skin looks very nice, but if you’re like me and have some skin discoloration concerns or just want to look more polished a nice sweep of pressed powder will take it to the next level. Since it’s summer I’m using a more lightweight powder, MAC’s Select Sheer Pressed Powder, but once could even use a fuller coverage product to do the job. Bonus tip: if you happen to have a powder that you can apply wet or dry, go for the wet application. It will act more like a traditional foundation.
3. Eyeliner. This is where some of our products start doing double duty. Eyeliner is great in its best-known function of defining the lash line, but it can also be used as a stand-in for eyeshadow. How? Apply your eyeliner of choice (I’m using Clinique’s Quickliner for Eyes in Dark Chocolate) in a little heavier of a line than what you might normally wear and then gently smudge upward with your fingertip. The smudging will cause the color to lighten a bit and give you something of a smoky eye. It’s a simple, quick look that looks elegant, wears all day, and doesn’t require a lot of precision. You can finish by applying a bit more of the eyeliner along the lash line for extra definition.
4. Cream blush or all-over color. In general I’m not a fan of cream blushes except for when I’m travelling or the weather calls for it, but cream blushes and all-over color sticks will always have a place in my stash bag because they are lifesavers in a pinch. You can use them as a blush easily, but dab a little on a fingertip and smudge into your eyeliner-turned-eyeshadow for a pop of color or smudge onto your lips for a beautiful, well-coordinated lipcolor. I find that the blush used as lipstick lasts longer on my lips than a lipstick or gloss would. Bonus tip: stick to a rosy or neutral color blush that looks natural on you. My go-to for this is Clinique’s Chubby Stick for Cheek Colour Balm in Roly Poly Rosy. Like a glossier look? I dot on a little bit of my life-essential Carmex.
5. Mascara. No look is complete without some finishing touch and in my stash bag that finishing touch is mascara. Two quick coats of your mascara of choice and you are good to go. My go-to (and new holy grail mascara) is Chanel’s Le Volume. Bonus tip: Those teeny mascaras you get in gift-with-purchase sets are perfect for your stash bag.
There you have it! Five simple steps to a quick, finished face. Now you’re ready for anything! Until next time, stay pretty!
The Hudsucker 
I love the Clinique!