Start by rejuvenating the skin with a serum. Napoleon Perdis' Chief of Makeup Services, Rebecca Prior, says, "Even though it�s a skin care step, the better your skin is, the less you'll have to do with your makeup." Look for a serum with peptides, which pep up your skin instantly, and antioxidants, which provide ongoing protection throughout the day.
Next, apply a color-correcting primer that has a purple tint. "Purple counteracts the yellow sallow color in the skin," says Prior. Try NP Set Brightening Pre-Foundation Primer, $29, which evens skin tone and has microscopic gold flecks that help brighten skin.
Expert tip: Look for a foundation that has SPF protection in it, which cuts out one skin-prep step.
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Add contours
No, you don't need bronzer or a big, special brush. Prior says all you need to do is apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks to get color, then brush it back to your temples to get definition.
Expert tip: Don't have blush with you? Apply a blushy pink creamy lipstick or lip gloss onto the apples of your cheeks to give color and luminescence, says Prior.
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If you have tired, puffy eyes ...
The best way to de-puff tired eyes is to apply a cooling eye cream right when you wake up, which will help decrease swelling while moisturizing and priming the skin for makeup. Also, opt for a cream that dries instantly, like this reader favorite: MAC Fast Response Eye Cream, $30.
Expert tip: If you don't have an eye cream on you, apply Preparation H gel onto the lid, which helps reduce puffy eyes fast, says Carmindy Bowyer, author of "Crazy, Busy, Beautiful."
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Open up your eyes
After applying your eye cream, the next step is mascara. "Even if nothing else is done, your eyes will look finished to some degree," she says. When skipping liner or shadow, it's imperative to take care to apply mascara directly to the roots of the lashes so that it helps frame the eye. And don't forget to curl. Curling your lashes helps the light hit your eyes so that they look bigger and more awake.
Next, apply a highlight shadow under the brow and on the inner corners of your eyes. Bowyer says, "The contrast of the highlight next to your bare skin on the lid creates the illusion that you are already wearing a neutral lid shadow."
Expert tip: If you accidentally smudge your mascara elsewhere on your face, Prior says primer will easily remove the stray makeup without stripping off everything else.
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If you have under-eye circles ...
Use a concealer that is the color of your skin tone -- not lighter. "A lighter color doesn't cover darkness, it's just going to make your skin look muddy," she says. Another important tip: Look for an orange-based concealer in your skin tone (try Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, $32). "Under-eye darkness often has a blue-ish base, and orange will counteract that." Then apply a wash of lightweight powder over the concealer to secure it in place.
Expert tip: Use your ring finger to dab on the concealer, says Bowyer. "It is the weakest digit, so [you] won't pull too hard on your delicate eye area."
We see her all the time. The woman in the next lane, swerving because she's applying her mascara while going 55 miles per hour. Or the one who's so busy perfecting her smoky eye that it takes her a solid 30 seconds to start moving after the light turns green.
Oh wait, was that you we spotted on the road today?
It's OK, we won't wag a finger just yet. We know how hectic mornings can get with the kids screaming and the breakfast burning and the dog scratching at the front door because he's ready for his walk.
So, when we are finally out the door, sometimes we, too, hope for a red light or four so we can finish filling in our eyebrows.
And while there's the obvious problem with putting on your makeup while driving (read: it's illegal), there are other risks as well. Like stabbing yourself in the eye with your eyeliner from a sudden stop. Or hitting a bump in the road that forces you to draw your liner so thick you walk into work wearing a cat eye to rival Cleopatra's.
Now, we're not saying that you should forego wearing makeup to the office altogether. In fact, researchers at Harvard University and Boston University found that wearing makeup can actually raise your perceived level of competence, likability, and trustworthiness. It can also help you look more awake and put-together -- even if you didn't get enough sleep or have enough time to get ready in the morning.
That's why we've compiled these makeup looks that are so easy, you can apply them in five minutes flat -- ideally when your gearshift is in park. We also uncovered the best makeup tricks to disguise the problems one too many busy mornings cause: sallow skin, tired eyes, and other dead giveaways that you're overworked and not getting enough shut-eye. Ready to look awake, competent, and not like Cleopatra for that 8 a.m. meeting? Park that car and try one of these looks.
