Flawed to fabulous: an easy guide to the ultimate twenty minute makeover

Spending time indulgently primping in front of the mirror is one of life's little luxuries, but sometimes it's just not possible. Whether it’s impromptu after-work drinks with the girls, oversleeping thanks to a faulty alarm clock, or running late because you’ve been running errands, there are plenty situations where you might need to give yourself a shot of glamour as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, you don’t need to spend hours on hair and makeup to look your best. In fact, you can go from slob to sleek in twenty minutes - if you know what you’re doing.

Put your hair up

Ladylike up-dos are very much on-trend this season, and although some require you to spend a lot of time fiddling around with hair clips, others are extremely low maintenance. Sling your hair into a loose low bun, like the ones seen on the catwalks this season. It's a good idea to learn a few simple up-dos and practise them when you have more time to spare. That way, you'll be able to achieve a great look in a few minutes without even using a mirror. Elle UK have a great video showing you how to achieve an elegant and classy look quickly and easily, simply by twisting your hair and pinning it up.

Pop on some lippy

It’s amazing how much difference a bit of colour on your lips can make. Deep and vibrant shades of lipstick always make the wearer look as though they’ve made an effort, even if they’ve actually spent less than a minute applying and blotting! Dark colours, like red and burgundy, are an easy way to look chic and classy - as long as you've put the time in to select a shade that complements your skin tone. Keep a nice lipstick in your handbag at all time, for emergency situations and for top ups while you’re out and about.

Use an all in one cream

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese may look like the epitome of high maintenance glamour, but she has managed to shrink her beauty regime down to twenty minutes by using a BB cream. Most of the large makeup companies like Elizabeth Arden produce the cosmetic, which is an all in one sunblock, primer, moisturiser and foundation. Investing in a good one will drastically cut down the amount of time you need to spend putting your face on.

Instant toning

You don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get a sleek silhouette. You can cheat by slipping on some clever new shapewear. Even if you’ve had a big bowl of pasta for lunch, the shapewear will keep your belly looking flat, as well as making your bottom look pert. This takes some stress out of choosing your outfit, making it easier to throw on anything in your wardrobe with confidence. 

Spray on some perfume

Smell is one of the most important senses, so before heading out make sure you spritz yourself with your signature scent. It’s a good idea to keep a small bottle of perfume in your handbag for impromptu meetings and evening drinks, too. And that's it: you're good to go!

*blog post in association with Catherine Lavinia