3 Straight-Up Pretty Makeup Looks You Can Do in Under 2 Minutes
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Half the fun of going out is taking the time to play up your favorite features. But whether that's through a mesmerizing lip color, dramatically lined eyes, or a strong brow game, emphasizing your most striking assets doesn't have to be a massive time suck. Here, makeup artist Nina Park shows us her top so-very-now looks that you can do long before your Uber arrives.
The Look: Intense Burgundy Lips
An ultra-dark, matte pout is the gotta-have-it look of the season. And the genius thing about going strong on the lip is you can slack on the rest your makeup. "Let your skin speak for itself with a dewy, healthy glow that contrasts the matte texture of the lip," says Park. "You don't even need blush. Instead, use a little bronzer to warm up your face and to lightly contour." Keep your eyes naked save for a bit of a bronzy cream highlighter in the inner corners and on the center of the lids. "The more undone looking, the edgier the vibe," she explains.
The Shortcut
The saturated nature of the typical matte lipstick means that wherever you apply it, there it stays, requiring a steady hand. But a liquid matte formula, like Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer, spreads easily before setting, making precise application a breeze. Dab the liquid lip color straight onto the center of your upper and lower lips, press lips together, and use your index finger to push the color in and out into the corners. "Pressing gets the color to absorb into the lips for staying power," says Park. Dab on another layer, press, and repeat until you reach an intensity you love. "You can leave it as a deep stain or build up to a full opaque coverage," she suggests.
The Arsenal
Clockwise from top left:
RMS Beauty Eye Polish in Myth, $28; rmsbeauty.com
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint, $26; glossier.com
Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer in Black Licorice Pop, $18.50; clinique.com
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $48; tatcha.com
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate, $80; tomford.com
The Look: Graphic Winged Eye
This cat eye is no ordinary little flick: The straight clean lines are modern and just the slightest bit exaggerated, but still with a coquette-ish twist. "I like pairing it with a light pink lip," says Park. "The subdued yet sexy color looks good with a feline eye." Dust cheeks with a pale pink blush that's similar in tone to the lipstick—it brightens like a highlighter while also adding warmth to the skin.
The Shortcut
Anyone who's tried a winged eye has agonized over the angle and symmetry. Park's stamping trick nails it in seconds: Dip an angled eyeliner brush into a gel liner and, with your eyes open, stamp a line that follows the same angle as your lower lash line. "The stamp gives an anchor to the shape, so you know each side will be even," says Park. Sketch a line from the outer corner of the stamp in toward your upper lash line—the thicker and more exaggerated the line, the further toward your inner corner the liner should go. To keep it current and graphic, don't trace your entire upper lash line, advises Park.
The Arsenal
Clockwise from top left:
Make Up For Ever Angled Eyeliner Brush 262, $24; makeupforever.com
Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77, $15; inglotusa.com
Benefit Dandelion Brightening Finishing Powder, $29; benefitcosmetics.com
Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Over Black, $29.50; dior.com
Clinique Pop Matte Lip Colour + Primer in Peony Pop, $18.50; clinique.com
The Look: Full-On Boy Brow
Full, brushed-up brows look undeniably fresh and even rebellious—no overly manicured arches here! "Brows that are brushed upward gives your face a little lift," says Park. "And that looks good on everybody!" To enhance the statement, Park likes to use a clear gel that leaves brows just a bit shiny, calling it a "fun new way to accent your look." Keep the gleam to just your arches by dusting skin with a finishing powder and wearing a matte lip color. "The pairing of a matte lip in a feminine red with a fresh-looking boy brow feels really modern," says Park.
The Shortcut
Start by brushing the brows straight up with a spoolie brush. Fill in sparse spots with a flat eyeliner brush and brow powder, and tap the brush at the base of the brow (right where the roots begin), then stroke upward for a feathery effect. To finish, shape brows with a shiny clear gel (go tinted if you have lighter hair) and leave some ends sticking up so it looks bushy and natural.
The Arsenal
Clockwise from top left:
Clinique Pop Matte Lip Colour + Primer in Ruby Pop, $18.50; clinique.com
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo, $23; anastasiabeverlyhills.com
Laura Mercier Flat Eyeliner Brush, $26; lauramercier.com
Clarins Double Fix' Mascara, $24; clarinsusa.com
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $38; lauramercier.com
Makeup: Nina Parks at The Wall Group
Hair: Cameron Rains at The Wall Group
Stylist: Almudena Guerra at The Wall Group
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