Change your look fast: 5 quick makeup fixes

Date March 26, 2014

makeup quick fix — Photography: Model by Dallas Curow; Product by Carlo Mendoza

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When life gets busy, it’s easy for a makeup routine to become, well, routine. We fall back on our tried and true methods and take the easy route just make it out the door on time! Luckily, we’re here to help you out of even the deepest beauty rut with a few tiny tweaks that make a big impact.

From brightening up a bold lip to switching up your bronzer application, these quick makeup fixes will breathe some new life into your daily beauty regimen without stealing valuable time.

Makeup Quick Fix 1: Brighten up a bold lip

Here’s a simple way to give your bold lip a 3D effect. Start by applying your favourite lipstick as usual, using a lip brush if you want extra precision.

To add fullness and dimension, add a lighter colour from the same colour family to the centre of your lower lip. To intensify the effect, add a little to the centre of your upper lip as well. To keep the effect, try to avoid pressing or rubbing your lips together in order to keep the colours from mixing.

Products used: M.A.C Lipstick in “Russian Red” ($19, maccosmetics.com) and Joe Fresh Lipstick in “Neon Red” ($6, at Joe Fresh)

Makeup Quick Fix 2: Tightline your eyes

Tightlining your eyes is a great way to add subtle, sexy definition in just a few seconds— especially when your regular mascara is just not cutting it. Start by curling your eyelashes to open up your eyes.

Using a waterproof eyeliner, gently apply it to your waterline. Blink and squinch your eyes a few times to soften the look. Apply it all the way around for a more noticeable effect, or just do the upper waterline for a cool, no-makeup effect that magically thickens the look of your lashes.

Product used: Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in “Graphite” ($26, sephora.com)

Makeup Quick Fix 3: Contour

With a few swipes of a single product, you can instantly define your bone structure. Start by setting your foundation with a translucent powder to create a smooth canvas.

To contour, take a cool brown, matte eyeshadow and buff it under your cheekbones, on your temples and under your jawline using a slanted contouring brush or small blush brush. For a bit more definition, shade lightly along the sides of your nose with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

Product used: M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Omega” ($18, maccosmetics.com)

Makeup Quick Fix 4: Change up your bronzer application

The most common way to apply bronzer is with a big fluffy brush, the conventional wisdom being that a larger brush better diffuses the product. While true, a large brush also means less control. For a more precise application, use a small stippling brush or fluffy eyeshadow brush and apply your bronzer first in specific areas. Draw two inverted triangles on the apples of your cheeks, then apply small streaks across the top of your forehead, along the sides of your nose, and even in the crease of your eyelid.

Then using a medium-sized brush, blend out the product for a natural, sun-kissed look that still has definition. Bonus tip: use a cream or mousse formula of bronzer for the easiest blending.

Product used: Bourjois Bronzing Primer ($24, at Shoppers Drug Mart)

Makeup Quick Fix 5: Eyeshadow highlight

Here’s a super simple way to brighten up your usual eyeshadow look. Start by applying your base colour across the lid, using a matte product.

Instead of highlighting the inner corner of your eye, apply a light-reflecting shade to the centre of your eyelid. As you go about your day, every time you blink, the light will hit the shimmer on your lid, giving your eyes a little extra sparkle.

Products used: M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Copperlite” ($18, maccosmetics.com) and Nars Shimmer Eyeshadow in “Euphrate” ($25, narscosmetics.com)