Beauty Products to Help You Cut Down Time in the Morning
Without looking like you did.
Without looking like you did.
Text: Carolyn Hanson
Some of us just aren't morning people. If you're reading this, you probably aren't one of them. We've compiled and tested products that can help you simplify your routine in the name of 15 more minutes of sleep–even if it means cutting a corner or two.
Ursa Major 4-in-1 Essential Face Wipes:
Yes, you're completely "supposed to" wash your face in the morning with a cleanser. You "should" totally do that. But sometimes, you don't have the energy to do that. So you use a makeup remover wipe, because it's better than nothing. (We've all done it.) These wipes from Ursa Major fall somewhere between what you're "supposed to" do and the compromise. The 4-in-1 formula–the same as Ursa Major's ever-popular Face Tonic–cleanses, exfoliates, soothes redness and irritation, and hydrates. The wipes themselves leave absolutely no residue, which makes them perfect for a quick pre-toner or pre-makeup wipe-down. They're also 100% naturally-derived and 53% organic, so you can feel good about what you're wiping your face with first thing in the morning. A bonus? They're also perfect for any other time of the day you may need to rinse your face, so keep some in your gym bag too.
Palermo Hydrating Facial Toner - Rosewater and Chamomile:
Toner can be a finicky product, given its consistency. Usually, you dump some onto facial pads, and then wipe the product onto your face that way. However, a spray toner is much more time-efficient, and just as effective. This one from Palermo, for those with regular skin, tones your skin without irritating it, which is a frequent fear with toners. The aloe, chamomile, and rosewater work in tandem to give your skin the brightening and soothing nutrients it needs in the morning. Just a few spritzes, and you're hydrated and good to go.
True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster:
Speaking of brightening, this all-natural Vitamin C booster technically isn't something you have to use in the morning, but mixing a few shakes of this powder with your serum at night (easier than it sounds!) will help you wake up looking like you slept as long as you actually wanted to. It's just one more step before you go to bed that will save you from tired, puffy eyes and sallow skin in the morning. Plus, it stimulates collagen production and fights wrinkles, so it's really a win-win.
Pai Skincare Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic:
Another spray toner, this time, however, for more sensitive skin that might be more susceptible to the witch hazel in the Palermo product. The scent, not often found in skincare, is absolutely addictive, and the fact that this tonic targets oily and congested skin is a blessing during the current summer months. It's incredibly refreshing and leaves no residue, which makes it a perfect toner to just spray and move on.
ILIA Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer:
The holy grail product for laziness. ILIA's tinted moisturizer isn't full coverage, or a BB or CC cream, so it has no chance of making you look cakey. In fact, it barely feels like it's on, despite the fact that it seems to cover imperfections perfectly. Plus, it has SPF 20, which means you can go about your day feeling good about the product you have on your face without adding another layer of sun protection. It's hard to find a balance between coverage, SPF, and being moisturized without your face getting covered in layers of gunk. This product manages to straddle that line perfectly, without making you break out. Next time you feel like skipping foundation, this is where you should turn.
Most women won't go out of the house anymore without their eyebrows somewhat done. But when you're not putting on a ton of makeup, it's easy to over-or-under-do your brows. You want them to look filled in, but you don't want them to look too filled in, because an Instagram brow with an all-natural face looks way too stark. This Brow Pen is the perfect compromise. It's as straightforward as it seems, with a felt tip on the end to dispense product that will make your eyebrows look full without looking like you fussed with them. It's also practically mess-up proof, so you won't have to spend time fixing them.
Spending a lot of time on haircare in the morning is a luxury not everyone can afford. For the rest of us, there's Verb's Ghost Oil, which uses moringa oil to protect and enrich your hair, while also taming frizz. Pump a little into your palms, rub them together, and run your hands through your hair a few times and you'll have shiny, beautiful hair with minimal flyaways.
DS & Durga Rose Atlantic Eau De Parfum:
Don't have time to shower before running out the door? Rose Atlantic, a scent by Brooklyn-based artisanal perfumery DS & Durga, is the closest you'll get to an invigorating, shower-fresh scent. With notes of bergamot, rose, dune grass, and salt water, it's a scent that makes you feel like you've just stepped off the most luxe beach in the world. Rose Atlantic isn't overpowering, lasts on your skin, and is the perfect daytime scent for no matter what you're doing, which makes it perfect for going to work and wherever life may take you afterwards.