How to do a quick makeup look in 5 minutes before a meeting

Time of India

2 days ago

We've all had those mornings. You oversleep, your laptop is blinking with back-to-back calls, and you barely have time to brush your teeth let alone look camera-ready. But don't panic.
Looking presentable on Zoom doesn't need to take an hour. In fact, with the right steps, you can pull together your entire routine in under five minutes and still come across as polished, fresh, and put-together.
Here's how to make those five minutes count.
Wake up your face
First, splash cold water on your face seriously. Not only does it help shake off the sleep, but it also tightens your pores and wakes up dull skin. If you have it, follow up with a cooling toner or mist spray to revive your complexion instantly.
Follow with a moisturizer with SPF. Even if you're indoors, the blue light from screens affects your skin over time. A light gel or hydrating cream makes you look less tired, even if you are.
No time to wait? Tap in under-eye cream or serum with your ring finger. It's a small step that makes a big difference on Zoom.
Skip foundation, go tinted
Forget the full base. Instead, reach for a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or concealer. Dab a little under your eyes, around your nose, and any spot that looks red or uneven.
Blend it in quickly with your fingers or a sponge.
This lets your natural skin show through while still giving you that smooth, even-toned look on camera. Zoom doesn't need high coverage; it just needs a little balance.
Bring back color
A washed-out face never looks awake. Add color back in with cream blush or lip tint. The trick? Use a tiny bit on your cheeks and blend it up toward your temples. The same product can go on your lips to save time.
It's fast, flattering, and makes you look instantly more alive.
If you have an extra 30 seconds, brush your brows lightly upward with a spoolie or brow gel. Framed brows make a huge difference on-screen.
Frame your eyes
Your eyes do the talking on video calls, so give them a little boost. Skip the heavy eyeshadow just curl your lashes and swipe on a lengthening mascara. It opens up your eyes and makes you look fresher, even on low-res webcams.
If you're super pressed for time, a quick eyeliner flick at the outer corners gives your eyes lift and shape with minimal effort.
Zoom polish
Throw on a clean top that isn't wrinkled. Bold colors like navy, emerald, or burgundy tend to look best on Zoom. Avoid too much white (it can blow out your face) or small patterns that blur on camera.
Run a comb through your hair or slick it back into a low bun or ponytail. Add a clip if you want it to look like you put in effort. Hairline looking messy? A tiny dab of serum or hand cream can tame frizz instantly.
Take a deep breath. Sit near a window for natural light or angle your lamp toward your face. Then, hit 'Join Meeting.'