5 beauty hacks for busy women

Time. We never have enough of it do we, ladies? Back when you were in school, it was easier - thanks to uniforms there were no clothing decisions to be made each morning, and rules around makeup kept our daily routines nice and simple.

But now, as working professionals, we need to look the part. It doesn’t mean you need to dress to the nines and don your six-inch heels every day (please don’t), but it does mean you need to look presentable and respectable - especially if you regularly face customers or clients.

In our increasingly time-crunched lives, it can be hard to get ready fast each morning and look your best. Let us help you with a few getting-ready-for-work hacks.

1. Do your makeup on-the-go
   Who says you need to sit in front of a big Hollywood mirror to put your face on? What’s wrong with some pampering on the MRT or in the back of a taxi? You’ll save at least 20 minutes of your morning if you can figure out a simple routine you can do with a compact mirror in a crowded space. Easy peasy!
   
   
2. Sort out your outfit the evening before
   There is nothing worse than spending an hour trying on clothes, only for it all to end up in a heap on the floor (we call it a ‘floordrobe’). To save yourself the hassle, take 10 minutes before you turn in for the night to pick out tomorrow’s clothes. Then you can wake up, shower, and get ready without giving it another thought.
   
   
3. Don’t bother with a full face - lipstick will do!
   If all else fails, just slip on some lippy and go. Your face might not look ‘perfect’ to you, but to everyone else you will look like you spent at least 10 minutes putting your makeup on rather than 30 seconds. This is especially good if you are rushing to a meeting - pull your hair back in a quick, sleek ponytail, whip on the lipstick, and you’re done.
   
   
4. Perfect the ‘messy hair’ look
   The messy bun, the messy braids, the “I woke up like this” messy short ‘do. It all works if you know how! Done right, the messy look doesn’t actually appear messy at all - it can be professional and sleek, and suitable for the office. Our favourite? Braid your hair the night before when it’s still slightly damp. When you wake up, blow dry them slightly, and then run a flatiron over them to set the waves in. Undo each braid, spritz on some hairspray, and you’re sorted! Lovely ‘messy’ waves.
   
   
5. Add these to your routine: Dry shampoo, a BB cream and facial mist 
   An all-in-one BB cream negates the need for a moisturiser, serum, primer, foundation and sunblock. Winning! A quick spray of dry shampoo will get you through one more day of dirty hair if you’ve run out of time to wash it (again!), while a facial mist will help wake up your skin so you look alive before that big meeting. Also, it will make you smell nice, which is always a plus in sunny, sweaty Singapore.