25 Beauty Hacks Every Low Maintenance Girl Should Know

1. If you know you’re not going to have time to shower in the morning, spray dry shampoo in your hair before you go to bed. It’ll work its magic while you sleep, getting rid of excess oil and making your mane look voluminous and clean by the time your alarm goes off in the morning.

2. Set your concealer by “baking” it. You can do other things while it sets and have your concealer last all day, without having to take the time to touch it up.

3. Lipstick can double up as a cream blush.

4. Wash your makeup off before bed to keep skin happy and clear. Also, before the gym.

5. CHANGE YOUR PILLOW CASE WEEKLY. This is a great and easy way to keep breakouts at bay.

6. All you (really) need is a good cleanser and moisturizer, both of which everyone has five minutes to use.

7. Invest in a sleeping facemask. Resident Thought Catalog skincare goddess Kendra Syrdal swears by the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, which you can pick up at Sephora. You literally just slather it on your face before you go to bed and don’t need to wash it off. Your skin will look hydrated and supple by the a.m. It’s perfect.

8. Drink a shit ton of water. Classic advice, but this bears repeating.

9. Use conditioner in the place of shaving cream for a close, hydrating shave. Because, as any low maintenance gal knows, the fewer products in your shower, the better.

10. Baking soda can be a great, natural exfoliant.

11. Baking soda can also whiten your teeth! Yes, it’s disgusting. Yes, it works.

12. Sleep in braids to prolong a blowout.

13. Braids can also be worn to buy you an extra day without washing it.

14. Spraying a clean mascara wand with hairspray can help tame flyaways.

15. To get the perfect angle for your cat-eye, make the bottom line of the wing start at the corner and draw outward as if your lower lash line were to extend.

16. Purchase a good setting spray so your makeup lasts. Urban Decay has a great line of various formulations, so you’re bound to find one for your skin concerns and needs. I personally like the Deslick and All Nighter formulas.

17. Line your waterline with a beige or white liner to make you look more awake.

18. To get the perfect foundation match, test the color on your jawline and see which one almost disappears completely into your skin. This will make blending so much easier and will save you time as well.

19. If you use a Beauty Blender, make sure to wet it first to get the best use. You’ll know when it’s damp enough when it has expanded and feels bouncy. Oh, and if you don’t use a Beauty Blender, get one. It’s totally worth the hype and makes blending foundations and other cream products super fast and easy.

20. Not sure how to use a particular product or need inspiration for a particular trend? Check out YouTube. There are tons of beauty vloggers who give step-by-step tutorials. Some notable faves include Jamie Paige, Claire Marshall, and Ingrid Nilsen.

21. If your foundation is too light, scrape off a bit of matte bronzer and mix in to darken. Too dark? Pump a bit of moisturizer mix it in to lighten. This will also make you feel like a real makeup artist and/or chemist.

22. Speaking of bronzer, if you’re missing your eyeshadow, simply use bronzer on your lids for more definition.

23. Blow-dry your hair upside down for extra volume. Add volumizing mousse to take it to the next level.

24. If you’re not too confident with doing your eyeliner, simply use a darker eyeshadow of your choice (I’ve used “Carbon” by MAC in the past) and an angled brush and drag it across your lashline. It’s way faster and easier than liquid or pencil, and pretty much accident proof.

25. Dust a bit of highlighter on your cupid’s bow for more pronounced lips. Add some to the inner corners of your eyes to make them pop. And, finally, apply highlighter to the top of your cheekbones. This will make you look more awake and radiant. Glow ahead, girl.