BAZAAR's Senior Beauty Writer Shows You How To Transform Your Makeup In 10 Minutes

The scenario is familiar: you've got a cocktail party to attend and you're running late at work. What do you do? Here's are 7 easy steps that you can do to look party-ready in just 10 minutes (and you don't even have to leave your desk!)

STEP 1: Face Mist

Time Needed: 30 seconds

At the end of a work day, your makeup can be cakey, oxidised and perhaps even faded. To refresh your skin, give it a quick spritz of facial mist. We like Skin Inc's Pure Serum Mist, $98, which is loaded with minerals-rich onsen water, hyaluronic acid and a host of humectants to instantly hydrate skin. After letting the mist settle for a couple of minutes, gently blot the excess off with a tissue.

STEP 2: Touch-Up Your Makeup

Time Needed: 1 minute 30 seconds

Once you've doused your skin in moisture, pat on Sulwhasoo's Perfecting Cushion, $74. Not only does it give medium to full coverage, it imparts skin with a dewy radiance. Follow with NARS' Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $46, which blurs blemishes, mask dark circles and dark spots without sinking into wrinkles or pores for a flawless finish. Finally, set makeup with Dior's Diorskin Forever & Ever Control Loose Powder, $80.

STEP 3: Blusher

Time Needed: 1 minute

Give you skin an instant pick-me-up by adding some blush to your cheeks. We like NARS' Dual-Intensity Blush, $68, which comes in two complementary shades so you can create your desired effect in one handy compact.

STEP 4: Eyebrows

Time Needed: 2 minutes

Intensify your brows before heading out with a brow palette. YSL Beauty's Couture Brow Palette, $99, comes in three complementary brow powders so you can create immaculately defined brows with a 3D effect.

STEP 5: Eyeshadow & Eyeliner

Time Needed: 2 minutes

Add definition to your eyes with a quick wash of brown eye shadow. Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Color in Cocoa, $48, is a rich brown that glides onto lids smoothly and once set, stays budge-proof all night long. For a sexier look, line your eyes with a black liner, ending with a slight flick at the outer ends. We like Shu Uemura's Lasting Soft Gel Pencil, $37.

STEP 6: Curl Your Lashes

Time Needed: 2 minutes

When you want to work fast, make sure you are equipped with the right tools. Designed to suit Asian eyes, the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $30, is a perennial favourite amongst women and makeup artists alike because of its ability to reach even the tiniest of lashes and give them a curled lift. Follow with two or three coats of lengthening mascara like Cle de Peau Beaute's Perfect Lash Mascara, $73, which holds lashes in shape without flaking or weighing them down.

STEP 7: Lipstick

Time Needed: 1 minute

No night out is complete without a perfect red pout. Choose one that's both conditioning and richly pigmented for a bold statement. We like Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G in So Marilyn, a neutral red that flatters almost every skin tone. It's also enriched in skincare ingredients to keep lips smooth.

By Joyce Cheo