Do you find yourself getting up early just so you can make sure you have time to do your makeup? It’s easy to get caught up in your makeup routine. You start out with a few extra touches and then it turns into an hour long session of perfecting your look. If you think your routine might be out of control, it could be time to cut back. Here are some signs that you need to rethink how you do your makeup.
1. You use more than one skin care product
Each additional skin care step takes time because you need to wait for it to absorb before you can start on the next step. If you use two or more products to smooth and moisturize, you should reduce this to just one. For those who really need multiple products, try using them at night, instead. This way, you’ll have more time.
2. You use multiple colors to create the perfect look
If you are blending the perfect shades to create your makeup, it takes time. In fact, it may take too much time. Whenever you blend, you add more minutes to your makeup time. Don’t use multiple colors for your daytime look, or you can easily overdo it.
3. Every step takes a long time
The trick to fast makeup is to learn some shortcuts. Chances are, you don’t need to go the whole nine yards every morning, so learn to cut down and make do. Learn the tricks to speed the process up and you will be out the door early every day.
4. You use 3 different products on your lips
It’s a waste of time for most people to line their lips, then prime them and finally add some color. If you’re in a rush, there is no reason not to keep it simple. Use a tinted lip gloss to give color and shine. You can easily reapply it throughout the day.
More: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Makeup Routine
5. You wash your hair each morning
It is actually bad for your hair to wash it daily. The excess shampoo can dry hair out and cause it to become brittle. It will also add a lot of time to your daily preparation for the day. Consider skipping the wash every day and either do it at night or wash every other day, instead.
More: 11 Most Effective Ways to Grow Out Your Hair
6. Your eyes are amazing
Since your eyes are the windows to your soul, it makes sense to spend the most time on them, right? Wrong. When you spend too much time creating just the right color palette, adding mascara and fake lashes, you cut into other activities. Keep it simple with one shade of eye shadow and some mascara. You’ll look great and won’t have to spend so much of your morning on your eyes.
More: 9 Best Foods to Eat for Healthy Eyes
7. Your makeup is all over the place
Getting organized is the best way to cut time in the morning. If you can’t face dropping parts of your routine, you can at least organize everything in a makeup box. Set it up in the order you will use each product so you can grab it and get each step done quickly.
8. You remove makeup in the morning
Leaving your foundation and colors on overnight is a bad idea unless you enjoy zits and clogged pores, but many women do this. Make sure you get rid of your old makeup the night before and you will save considerable time the next morning.
More: 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Morning Beauty Routine
9. You stare at your features in the mirror
It’s normal to look in the mirror while putting on your makeup, but do you spend time worrying about the flaws in between? Stop obsessing about every little thing and focus on getting your makeup on. While being a perfectionist may be great at work, it can make you late if you spend too much time staring at your face and wondering if your eyebrows are even.
10. New looks are a regular thing for you
While it can be a lot of fun to create a whole new look, weekdays are not a good time to try this. Spend your weekends coming up with and practicing new makeup styles. You will be able to perfect them for weekday use and save quite a bit of time.
Most people will find that they can cut time from their morning beauty routine. If you find that your makeup takes longer and longer to do, it’s time to reassess your priorities. Do you want more time in the morning or are you determined to have a perfect look?
More: 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Morning Beauty Routine
You can begin to reduce your beauty time immediately. Try the two in one products that allow you to coordinate lip and cheek colors. Shower at night instead of in the morning. You can even eliminate or put away many of your unnecessary products and drastically reduce the time you spend in front of the mirror each day.1