Drab to Fab - In 10 Minutes or Less (My Post-Work Routine)

We've all been there - just getting off work, with plans to rush to and limited time to get primped.  Lately I've been finding that weeknight affairs are more regular, leaving limited time to transform from the tired, sweaty mess that I am post-work to fabulous (or as good as it's going to get!)  I've got my routine down to a science - taking me only 10 minutes (or less) to get myself together, leaving ample time for a de-stressing cup of tea or sometimes even a nap before a weeknight event.  Read on for details on how I put myself together in a hurry.

My much dreaded before photo - this is usually how the end of a workday, plus a heavy commute home leaves me: washed out, frizzy and generally unimpressed.  There are three steps that I take to get from this beast of a photo to the one you see above.

 

Step 1 - Eyelashes

There is nothing I can recommend more than a set of false eyelashes to make you appear more awake, open up your eye and add some drama to you look.  I hate the feeling of applying additional mascara after a long day, so a set of falsies alienates the need to do so.

**TIP - The trick to successfully applying false eyelashes is to wait until the eyelash glue is about 75% of the way dry - usually a minute and a half will do.  If you want to speed up the process (as I often do after work), just use your blow-dryer on a cool setting on the lash glue and they will be ready in no time.



With your eyelashes in place, you will already be able to see a noticeable difference (I sure can in the photo above!).  The next step is to add some colour to your face, and brighten up your entire look.

Step 2: Bold Lip

Those who know me, know that I love a bold lip as an easy way to appear more "done" (I have a tutorial as to how I apply a bold lip colour here.)  For this particular night, I'm using my favourite red lip combination - MAC's lip liner in 'Cherry' and MAC's lipstick in 'Ruby Woo.'

Lip Combination - Mac's Cherry lip liner and Mac's Ruby Woo Lipstick



A bright, bold lip adds so much life to a tired face!  You may wish to stop there, and I often do, but if I feel as though I'm having a particularly bad hair day (and in the case of my before photo - I most certainly am), I leave the final step for hair.

 

Step 3 - Curl your Hair with a Clipless Curling Iron.

I love my clipless curling iron.  Although I feel as though it doesn't produce the best curl (I use my straightener for that), it does allow you the ability to get a casual soft curl for your entire head in about five minutes.  I usually plug my trusty iron in when I first get home from work, and by the time I'm ready to curl it's nice and hot.  I bought my clipless curling iron at Marshall's, however you can find some great inexpensive options at folica.com. 

Call it the old Italian lady in me, but I always like to give my hair a good tease at the roots for additional volume.  I even keep a teasing comb in all of my purses for a quick touch-up wherever I am (it's a problem - I know!)

And there you have it!  My post-work routine in 10 minutes or less that leaves me refreshed and ready for wherever the week night takes me.  Now if only I could find a remedy for the next-morning fatigue these weeknight events leave over, and I'll be set!

What are your secrets for getting ready in a hurry? 

Hope you had a great weekend,

-Joelle