Quick make-up TIPS

Quick yet perfect makeup - is it possible to look your best and be ready to go within 20 minutes?

Stress-free mornings are few and far-between.The time between the alarm clock ringing and getting into the office or out on your first errand of the day seems like no time at all. It's filled with waking, washing, dressing and feeding children, dressing yourself, breakfast (if you are lucky), locating car keys, homework, backpacks and breifcases.

Of course we try to be as well-prepared as possible. Lunches made the night before, clothes chosen and laid out ready for everyone, shoes shined, backpacks pre-packed, handbag loaded with the days essentials and plenty of gas in the car.

But it's our face we can't do before hand. And it's the one thing that really notices if you try to rush.

Avoiding makeup altogether would be the easy way out, but there are few women these days who like to start their day with a bare face.

Makeup makes us look better and it also helps protects our skin from environmental hazzards, and helps us look healthy and radiant. Most makeup products these days are also skin care products that actually work to look after our skin throughout the day.

Not only do these products protect, some actually help renew skin and reverse existing environmental damage, age spots and wrinkles. When you add up all the benefits, wearing makeup is caring for your skin.

And if it's only 20 minutes we have to spare for ourselves each morning, there is a way to make every minute count and start out each day looking your best. Here's how:

Cleanse and lightly apply your favorite moisturizer mixed with a dab of glowtion - that is a skin illuminator designed to make you glow but not sparkle. They are many out there - Revlon for example make a great one at a decent price.

Apply a fluid foundation with your fingertips and blend around jaw line.

Press powder into your skin with puff, and brush off excess with a brush. This gives your makeup the staying power it needs for a whole day.

Use a squirt of eye drops in the morning, to instantly brighten your sleepy eyes. Did you also know that eye drops applied over a pimple before you makeup reduces the redness instantly?

Use a powder shadow smeared along your lash lines with soft sponge applicator for a soft, but defined day look.

Apply one coat of lashing-plumping mascara.

Brush your eyebrows into shape, and use a soft pencil to quickly define them if needed.

Smile big and apply your blusher to the fattest part of your cheek with a big brush, slightly and lightly extending the color towards your ear. Go easy, you don't want clown cheeks. Choosing a sheer color with light reflecting particles will help avoid this.

Apply one coat of colored lip gloss for soft, natural lips with a healthy shine.

If you've run out of your usual concealer, use some of the dried up foundation in the bottom of the bottle, it covers up and matches your foundation perfectly. Remember, if you make a make-up mistake and your time is of the essence, just dip a cotton bud in your liquid foundation and wipe away the mistake.

If your hair is a wreck then try holding your head upside down and brushing vigorously. Apply a dollop of hair wax rubbed between palms and loosley pull back hair and fasten with your favorite clips.

This easy makeup will give you a flawless, light finish for day. You're ready to drive the kids to school, run your errands or call into the office before a game of golf.