KEY POINTS:
Pressed for time but don't want to compromise your look? You don't have to. Try these shortcuts from industry insiders.
1. Want the smoky-eyed look but have no time to build up layers of shadow? Line the rims of your upper and lower lids with a black eyeliner pencil. Smudge all the way around with a cotton bud
2. After applying lipstick, take a generous dab of clear gloss and place it in the middle of your top and bottom lips for a quick lip plumper. Your lips will instantly look fuller.
3. Make your decolletage stand out by brushing a light bronzer over your cleavage. For a more natural look try a paler shimmer-powder.
4. When brushing your teeth, also brush your lips to sweep off dry flakes. Next, swipe on a gloss with SPF, such as Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF15 ($40) - you'll get moisture, protection and colour at once without needing a lipstick, liner or even a mirror.
5. Makeup mogul Serge Lutens's speedy must-have is Shiseido's Fards a Levres from the Necessaire de Beaute collection: ``It's pointed like a pen. And if I could choose one colour it would be Mise a Mort [`put to death'] _ it's the most lively red, despite its name.'
6. Spread a shimmer cream or powder across cheekbones, at the temples, on eyelids and over shoulders to give lustre.
7. Before applying mascara, wipe the wand with a tissue to get rid of lumps so they don't end up on your lashes (where you'll spend time getting them off).
8. Before applying eye makeup, pat concealer over lids, brow bone and, most importantly, the corners of eyes. This lightens the eye area and ensures your eyeshadow stays put.
9. Set up an area on your dressing-table to spread out your makeup tools, rather than spend time hunting around for them in the dark abyss of your cosmetics bag. Or invest in a clear plastic makeup bag.
10. Your eyebrows are sisters, not twins - so don't spend hours trying to make them look identical or you'll run the risk of overplucking. For instant grooming, brush them with a clear brow gel.
11. Make hair last longer between washes by sprinkling your brush with a light dusting of talcum powder. Turn your head upside down and gently brush from the roots, before finishing the style as usual.
12. Work a dollop (golf-ball size) of mousse through just-washed hair before blow-drying it, or allow it to dry naturally. The alcohol content of the mousse speeds up drying.
13. After applying your body lotion or hand cream, smooth any excess over your hair to tame flyaways.
14. If you want to revive lacklustre hair the decadent way, apply perfume to your hair brush and comb through. Your hair will shine and smell absolutely divine.
15. For an instant hair-colour boost (which knocks off hours sitting in a salon chair) try Matrix Shade Memory Color Enhancing Foam Conditioner ($21). Apply for 10 minutes after shampooing, then rinse. It will brighten and refresh the tone.
16. If you have only a few minutes, blow-dry just the top and front sections of your hair around the hairline. No one will be able to tell that you've ignored the bottom layers.
17. For va-va-voom volume, flip your head upside down, spritz the roots with hairspray, lift your head up then massage your scalp for a few seconds.
18. When washing your hair in the shower, lather with warm water, then rinse in cool. Rinsing in cool water helps add shine to your locks when you blow-dry and, more importantly, it stops you dilly-dallying in a chilly shower when you're in a rush.
19. When you want to wake up fast and fake an energised glow, dunk your face into a sink of ice-cold water.
20. Pressed face powder is easier and less messy to use than loose powder, and gives good coverage quickly. Best of all, it will fit into the slimmest clutch bag.
- Detours, HoS
