The Efficient Girl's Guide to looking presentable
I wouldn’t call myself lazy but I’m definitely a least-energy-required kind of person. I want things to be done efficiently. I don’t want to waste time on anything either. And while my job makes it seem like I have the luxury of spending my sweet ass time getting ready every day, I don’t. Most of the time I do the bare minimum to look presentable – and I want this to take no more than 20 minutes each morning.
So what’s the secret to looking presentable at all times – and quickly? Let me break it down.
+ Prioritize skincare
You know by now that I’m obsessed with skincare. I rarely go a morning or evening without my routine and I take it very seriously. If I spend the extra 5-10 minutes being consistent with my nightly routine (when I’m not in a hurry like the mornings), it shows. I can wear less makeup and have a much better starting point for products.
+ Long-lasting products
Like I said earlier, I don’t fu*k around with efficiency. I want products to last all day and I don’t want to spend time reapplying around the clock. Which is why you’ll find me in Smashbox’s Studio Skin Foundation a lot of the time. It’s long-lasting (as in 24 hours!) and oil-free, so it doesn’t settle into your pores or fine lines which I appreciate. You can build it up for fuller coverage if that’s your thing, but I find one application does the trick.
And if you’re not using a primer first, it’ll change your life. Seriously. If you want something to last all day, try a primer like Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer before foundation. Not only does this primer literally blur out imperfections, but it’s a gel that smoothes out skin and pores so it helps the next layer of makeup to stay on all day. Again, efficient!
![](https://cdn.sivanayla.com/IMG_4054-scaled-1-225x300.jpg)
![](https://cdn.sivanayla.com/11-scaled-1-225x300.jpg)
+ Hair refresh each morning
I only wash my hair 1-2x a week so most mornings, it’s a QUICK refresh. Throw in some texture spray, re-curl a few front pieces, and you’re ready for those annoying last-minute Zoom calls or whatever else you need to look presentable for.
+ Spritz of perfume
Even if I haven’t showered that day (don’t judge me), a scent spritz can trick people into thinking that I have. Pick something light and airy so you smell clean instead of like you’re doused in perfume. I also always have a couple rollers in my purse in case I need to pop into a store or meeting.
+ Clean nails
Not gonna lie, I’m having a hard time not getting regular manicures and pedicures this year because I feel disgusting if my nails are messy. I’m getting better at doing them myself, though, and I also find that a weekly ‘bare manicure’ also looks fine. File, buff, apply nail oil, and then finish off with a topcoat. This won’t look as good as color, but it’s a lot more presentable than totally naked nails, IMO.
+ Brows on point
Like skincare, I’m obsessive about my brows. After all, they make a HUGE difference in how put together you look. So even on days I’m only wearing foundation, I’ll fill in my brows and brush them up using something like this.
![](https://cdn.sivanayla.com/31-scaled-1-225x300.jpeg)
![](https://cdn.sivanayla.com/IMG_4052-scaled-1-225x300.jpg)
This post was sponsored by Sephora. As always, though, thoughts are my own.