Three minute beauty

Three minute beauty
By Kathy Miller-Kramer, from Lifetime magazine

You don't need to spend hours in front of the mirror to look great. Your free time is better spent doing things you love: hanging out with your honey, enjoying a day in the park or catching a great movie. After all, happiness is the most glamorous accessory a woman can have. But you don't want to feel completely exposed when you go out in the world. Here are four looks that can be achieved in three minutes or less, leaving you more time to go out and do your thing!

Look #1: In the pink
Nothing screams health like pink. Take a minute out of your morning rush to dab creamy blush on your cheeks and blend, then apply a pinkish hue on your lids. "A soft pink shadow works on all skin tones and brightens the eyes," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Martin Pretorius. Finish with a glossy lipstick and people will be convinced you've been getting plenty of beauty sleep, whether or not that's true.

Our favorites for this look?
-Avon Ultra Color Rich Renewable Lipstick in Sheer Lily, $6.50
- M.A.C Cream Color Base in Fantastic Plastic, $14.50
- Cover Girl Triple Mascara in Black Brown, $5.40

Look #2: Drive and shine
It's a snap to look sun-kissed, even when you're on the run. Smooth on tinted moisturizer and apply bronzer where the sun hits you naturally: cheeks, the bridge of your nose, chin and hairline. To look legit, add a touch to your earlobes and collarbone. Swipe on tangerine shadow and lipstick or gloss and get glowing!

Our favorites for this look?
- Stila's Pivitol Sun, $25
- Shiseido Silky Eyeshadow Duo in Fire Sky, $25
- Laura Mercier Lipstick in Apricot Sorbet, $19
- Prestige Aromatherapy Lip Gloss in Skin, $3.25

Look #3: Working girl
To make the transition from work to play, give your daytime face some evening oomph to with a little desk-side tweaking. Emphasize your lips by applying long-lasting lipstick (we like a pearly red), then add just a bit of blush. Fill in brows with powder or pencil, dab on neutral-colored shadow and you're ready to have fun!

Our favorites for this look?
- Max Factor Lipfinity Lustre in Glistening, $12.75
- Prescriptives Mystick Swivel Cheek Color in Woman, $25
- Elizabeth Arden Dual Perfection Brow Shaper and Eyeliner in Sable, $16
- Clinique Quick Eyes in Blue-Grey, $15.50

Look #4: Party girl
Make him wait while you stew over shoes, not what to do about your makeup. Sweep blue shadow across the lower part of your lids, but keep your lips neutral. "You'll get a flash of color when you blink," says New York City-based makeup artist Mel Rau.

Our favorites for this look?
- Clinique Blush Wear in Rosy Blush, $14.50
- Calvin Klein Eyeshadow Duo in Mist Pacific Iridescent, $15
- Anna Sui Eye Color in No. 112, $17
- M.A.C Lipglass in Tittle Tassle, $13