15 Easy Makeup Ideas for When You Have Zero Time (2024)

After the year we’ve had, even putting together easy makeup looks might sound exhausting. But the truth is, all you need is a few products and a couple of minutes to revisit the beauty routine you once relied on every day. As the world slowly reopens, prepare to excavate your beloved foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick, and eye shadow.

We spoke to the coolest celebrity makeup artists about the everyday makeup looks they keep in their back pocket for when they’re pressed for time but want to pack a punch. From glittering eyelids to berry lips, there’s nothing boring about these looks. Scroll on for their makeup tutorials, and get ready to be inspired.

Pop of Purple

“This look is all about a very ‘sneaky’ pop of color very close to the lash line,” says Pati Dubroff, who created this subtle liner on Margot Robbie. “For this look, keep the rest of the face soft and neutral,” she says. Then draw a dash of colorful liner at the very base of the lash line. Dubroff used Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Purple Choc, and then used Chanel eyeshadow in Vibrant Violet on a small flat brush to add intensity to the line.

Subtle Wing

Take a cue from TikTok, and swap your liquid or pencil liner for a matte shadow instead. “This way there’s a softness, yet the wing still gives the illusion of a cat-like elongated eye,” says Dubroff. “I used the deep brown tone from Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Clair Obscur with a damp stiff angle brush.”

Glossy Lids

Glossy eye makeup is a pretty yet subtle way to bring all the attention to your eyes. “This look is all about radiance and glow, and bringing more light to the eye area,” says Dubroff. “I first used a eye shadow that has a rosy hue across the lid up through the crease. On top of this, I tapped Chanel Baume Essentiel in Golden Light into the center of the lid for a glossy layer.” She also loves the gloss on the tops of cheekbones.

Fluffy Brows

If you only have 10 minutes to get ready, try playing up your brows. A full, fluffy brow is modern and cool, especially when paired with natural makeup. “Fill in sparse areas by creating hairlike strokes, and always finish with a brow gel to keep them lifted and fluffy,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng. “We used Kosas Brow Pop here. Keeping the tip of your brow pencil sharp is key; if it’s a twist-up, you can shave the edges or just break off the top to get the sharp edges back.” She also loves Glossier’s Brow Flick to add realistic “hairs,” and Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter to keep things in place.

Twinkly Eyes

The easiest way to look like you tried today? Throw some shimmer on your eyes. For the above look, Cheng used the metallic end of Huda Beauty’s Matte & Metallic liquid eye shadows. “I’ll use my fingers to tap onto the center of the lid or corner of the eyes for a subtle twinkle,” she says. “If I want a full on sparkle, I’ll use Lemonhead’s fun assortment of glitters. Mixing and matching texture and layers of colors is a fun way to get more dimension.”

Flushed Lips

For a fresh take on lipstick, apply your favorite shade as a just-bitten stain. “I use a pigmented matte lip color like Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, and press it on with my fingers,” says Cheng. “Slightly balmy makeup products work as well. Tower 28 Beach Please in Power Hour is another one of my favorites.”

Glowing Skin

Glowy skin is one of those makeup trends that will never go out of style. While makeup can help amp up the dew, Cheng says the key is focusing on skin prep. Use a gentle exfoliant to smooth over any dry patches (Cheng likes Glossier’s new Cleanser Concentrate) and a good moisturizer. Then go in with a dewy foundation like Monika Blunder’s Blunder Cover or Shiseido Synchro Skin before popping a highlighter on the high points of your face. Cheng used Pat McGrath’s Highlighter Balm on Indya Moore, above.

Monochromatic Makeup

If you’re short on time (or space in your makeup bag), using the same tone across eyes, cheeks, and lips is so cohesive and easy. “This will be a forever favorite makeup look,” says Cheng. “I love using one or two shades across all the features.” She recommends the Tower28 Beach Please tints, as well as Sisley Le Phyto Blush. “I’ll use this on the cheeks and I’ll dab it onto my lip when I have balm on already.”

Colorful Cat Eye

Consider this green cat eye further proof that simple makeup doesn’t mean boring. Just swap your usual black liner for a vibrant shade. Makeup artist Kate Synnott, who created this look for Ashley Graham, used a soft light-brown shadow to sketch out her wing shape. “Once I’ve perfected the shape, I then go over the line with my green liner,” she says.

Nude Lips

Nude lips are a classic for a reason—they can pull together any look without looking too “done.” Synnott recommends choosing a “fleshy nude color that’s about two shades lighter than your skin tone. Use a brownish liner thats only one shade lighter to create more dimension and depth around the mouth.” She recommends using a shadow smudge brush to blend the liner and lipstick so it looks seamless. She likes Róen Kiss My Liquid Lip Balm in Charlie, and Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick in Pose for darker skin.

Glossy Lips

Gloss isn’t going anywhere. For this ’90s inspired beat, makeup artist Kasey Spickard lined the lips with classic MAC Cork Liner, then went in with a “generous coat” of the ViseartMoisture Boost Lip Shine in Beignet. “This is a gorgeous warm, toasty brown that gives the lips a perfect juicy pout,” he says.

Berry Kiss

Berry lips make as much of an impact as red but are a little more unexpected. Spickcard loves LiveTinted’s Huestick in Free. “You can use the Huestick as a liner due to its pointed tip, and then fill it in.”

Pink Flush

“To achieve a flushed look, my best tips would be to use the same shade on the entire face to create a monochromatic look,” says celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta. “It brings a brightness to the face and allows that one shade to really pop. Don’t be afraid to select a pigmented blush; just adjust the tools you use to gently build up the color until you’re happy.” He loves his Crème & Powder Blushin the shade She’s That Girl for a pop of color with a natural finish.

Red Lips

A red lip seems simple, but Ta says to make sure your lips are prepped for the best results. “I love to use a thin but super-nourishing lip mask and apply to lips while working on the rest of the face,” he says. “Then I’ll go in and apply a high-pigment lipstick straight from the bullet, as I find that it gives the best color payoff and wears longer and better than if you applied with a lip brush.”

Full Lashes

For full fluffy lashes without falsies, Ta says double-curling your lashes is the secret. “It may seem excessive, but once you try this, you’ll be hooked on how amazing it makes your lashes look,” he says. “Then I like to go in with two coats of any volumizing mascara. I like wands that have bristles, as I think it adds to the fullness of the lashes.” Ta lovesPat McGrath’s Dark Star Mascara.

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.