I’m a beauty expert – here’s how to cut your morning routine in half & have extra time in bed

MORE than half of women stopped wearing make-up during lockdowns and as we return to our pre-pandemic lives, the old getting ready routine seems daunting.

While working from home we got ready in just 15 minutes on average, compared to 90 minutes before the lockdowns.

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Here, Siobhan O’Connor shows how to cut the time you spend on your beauty regime . . . without scrimping on looking good.

ONLY CLEANSE FACE AT NIGHT

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WE’VE all been taught to cleanse our skin first thing in the morning, but experts say that a splash of water is perfectly adequate.

Cosmetic skin doctor and co-founder of clinic Victor & Garth, Dr Miriam Adebibe, says: “The most important time to cleanse is after a full day of products on the face and pollution so as long as you do that properly, a splash of water is fine in the morning.”

OVERNIGHT BUN FOR A BLOW-DRY EFFECT

MOST of our time in the morning is spent washing and drying our hair, but you can prepare the night before.

Wash your hair and dry to 70 per cent with a hair dryer, then braid into French plaits for loose waves.

Or try the overnight robe belt trick – wrap your hair around it and sleep in it.

To wake up with hair that looks fresh from a blow-dry, twist hair up into a bun on top of your hair and leave overnight. This creates a looser, bouncier wave.

Cover hair in a silk or microfibre wrap to prevent frizzing (Brushworks Hair Wrap, £9.99, lookfantastic.com).

APPLY DEODORANT BEFORE BED

INSTEAD of applying deodorant when you get up in the morning – which often causes those pesky white streaks that you then need to scrub off your clothes – tend to your armpits the night before.

This gives the anti-perspirant time to seep into skin, which is easier in the evening as your body temperature is lower and you sweat less.

Applying it before bed also means it is one less thing to do in the morning.

A natural balm will also keep your pores clog-free (NUXE 24H Sensitive Skin Deodorant Balm, £8, lookfantastic.com).

SHOWER AT NIGHT – IT KEEPS YOU CLEANER

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IT’S the habit that divides the nation – do you hit the shower in the evening or the morning?

While it works wonders at awakening tired eyes in the morning, research suggests sticking to the ritual at night rids your body of any airborne allergens, irritants and dirt which can transfer on to your bedding and could irritate skin or cause acne.

So kill two birds – bathing at night saves time and your skin.

If you are not convinced, make the most of your morning rinse by brushing your teeth in the shower and face the shower head to avoid getting hair wet.

SPRAY ON YOUR MOISTURISER

SUFFER with ultra-dry skin and hate baring your legs in a midi dress?

Buffing in moisturiser can take a bit of time – and result in greasy hands that need washing – so opt for a spray-on option.

Try Eucerin Aquaphor Body Ointment Spray, £16, Boots.

Spritz it on from head-to-toe and wait ten seconds for it to dry before chucking on your clothes.

Or better still, use an in-shower moisturiser or add baby oil to your evening shower or bath.

SLICK BACK HAIR WITH LIP BALM

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LUCKILY for us, slicked-back ponytails and buns are on-trend.

So, if your hair is looking a little greasy – and the dry shampoo is running on empty – it’s time to scrape your hair back.

Celebrity hair stylist Carl Bembridge says: “Use a back-combing brush to pull back every strand.

For stubborn wispy hairs, use your lip balm to stick them down.”

SWITCH TO THE 30-DAY WASH

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TIKTOK users are training their hair so that it only needs to be washed every 30 days. Imagine the time saved.

It’s a gradual transition, reducing the frequency of washes until you get to the month mark.

The theory is that the scalp adjusts and produces less oil. I have gone a month without washing my hair before, and it does learn to wash itself.

APPLY TALC AT NIGHT

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ALWAYS apply at night as, just like deodorant, it gives it longer to soak up any grease.

Think ahead and use dry shampoo just one day after you’ve washed your hair as this will keep clean locks fresher for longer.

Try using talcum powder as a back-up, making sure to brush through from roots to ends to evenly distribute and allow any extra oils to be absorbed.

DO YOUR MAKE-UP ON SUNDAY NIGHT

IF you find putting on make-up a chore, there are a host of products you now “tattoo” on to your face, like a transfer, which last for days.

Try these peel-off eyebrow tattoos which last up to a week.

They will survive showers and even swimming (£29.95, icicosmetic.co.uk).