I’ve been told that getting up early every day is a natural part of life that I’m going to have to become accustomed to. This is hard to believe when during college you can schedule your day so that you never have any classes before noon. (Unless you are a very unlucky science major and seem to constantly get stuck in 7:25 labs.) I have tried to avoid early classes in my four years at university, and those I did sign up for I frequently missed. I mean seriously, who really wants to talk about medieval literature at 8:30 in the morning?
My problem tends to be that I’ve gotten too good at just turning my alarm off and falling back asleep for another half hour. I frequently over sleep. This is a problem now that I have a job to be at three days a week. Over sleeping is really not an excuse. So, I’ve become a master at getting fully ready (shower included) for work in 30 minutes or less. My best time is about 25 minutes. I show up at work neat and professional and without having to do my makeup on the bus. Here are my top tips for getting ready on a time crunch.
- Have a dress on standby: I personally love dresses. I would wear them every day. They’re pretty and feminine and super easy to wear. They are especially easy to throw on when you’re running late. They require far less decision than having to choose both a shirt and a pair of pants or a skirt. Accessorizing is also easier with a dress. Lots of them come with their own belt these days and it’s just a matter of throwing on the right necklace and shoes. You’ll look professional and put together without having to worry about whether or not your outfit really matches.
- Know a quick and easy up-do: I do not have hair that air dries well. It turns into a frizzy mess if left to its own devices. Also, nothing says ‘I woke up let and was in a rush this morning’ more than walking into the office with wet hair. Thankfully my aunt taught me a super easy up-do years ago that I can pull off in like two minutes. I have medium/long hair and simply French braid it and then tuck the tail up underneath the braid. Secure it with a couple of bobby pins and people are asking me how I do my hair like that all day. Throw on a cute headband and no one will ever know that you were rushing that morning.
- Tinted moisturizer: The important thing about getting ready in a hurry is being able to combine as many steps as possible. Tinted moisturizer is perfect for that. Moisturizer is not the step to skip when you are rushing. Your skin never looks healthier than when it’s properly moisturized. When you’re fresh-faced and glowing, you will never look like you were hurrying through your morning routine. And the tint will even out your skin tone about as well as actual foundation.
- Pick one facial feature to emphasize: This is a fairly standard makeup rule, but it’s especially important on those mornings when you’re behind schedule. I tend to always go with my eyes and most days completely skip the eye shadow. Eye shadow is great when you apply it properly, but it runs the risk of making you look like a hot mess if you’re running late. Well-curled eyelashes with a touch of mascara will make your eyes stand out and only takes a minute to do.
- Colored lip balm: This is probably my favorite discovery ever. I hate wearing lipstick and lip gloss can just be so goopy. I also have a habit of pressing my lips together when I’m thinking about something. It makes me feel like I’m just wasting my money when it comes to lip gloss. Instead, I use Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. It’s perfect. It keeps my lips moisturized and the hibiscus color makes it look like I’m wearing lipstick. Also, I can apply it as much as I want without looking like a clown. It really is a beautiful thing. It’s also something you can do while running out the door. No mirror required.
- Have a stash of granola bars or some other breakfast food you can eat on the go: Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, even if I never have time to actually eat it. Cereal bars should not be a daily alternative, but they’re great to have on hand for the mornings you are running late like I so frequently am. I can throw one in my bag and eat it on the bus or while I’m walking to the bus really easily. No mess and no sticky fingers are a must. Also, no messy peels or anything like with a banana.
Just these few quick steps and I’m on my way out the door just in time to catch my bus. I’ve just completed a ‘getting ready’ marathon and no one at work is ever the wiser. Everything doesn’t always go according to plan. And don’t let this become your daily routine like it has mine, but it definitely works when you’re in a pinch.