Must-Have Makeup Products for Busy Moms

Create a quick, step-by-step routine with these highly-rated makeup picks.

February 23, 2023

By: Jessica Butler

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Westend61

Photo By: Shana Novak

Photo By: Iana Kunitsa

Photo By: Andreas Kuehn

Photo By: Prostock-Studio

You're Only Minutes Away from A Full Face

Being a mom is a full-time job. With so much on your plate, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best tips and products every busy mom needs for an easy, five to ten-minute makeup routine. So, you can fly out the door and be supermom — and look incredible doing it!

A Quick Base

When you’re on the go, you’ll want good coverage that blends in fast. After you finish up with your morning skincare and apply sunscreen, use the following products to achieve a fast base that’ll last all day.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This tinted moisturizer from bareMinerals combines mineral-based sunscreen and moisturizing skincare ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and olive-derived squalane, to achieve a polished, protective, and healthy glow. You can even apply it with your fingers and use the warmth of your own skin for quicker results!

BUY IT: Ulta, $37.00

Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

For a bit more coverage on the days you need it, opt for this skin tint by Fenty Beauty instead. Don’t let the "skin tint" title fool you, this formula has great coverage and creates a blurring effect on your skin. It replicates the results of traditional foundation without the heavy feel. And yes, you can totally swipe this one on with your fingers too.

BUY IT: Sephora, $35.00

Urban Decay Quickie 24H Multi-Use Hydrating Full-Coverage Concealer

Still looking to conceal some spots or brighten under eye darkness? This new release from Urban Decay will help you perfect your base and you can blend everything in seamlessly with the small, dense brush that’s attached to the applicator. I use this concealer in place of foundation and it looks so natural and skin-like!

BUY IT: Sephora, $33.00

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser

Here’s a budget-friendly concealer that’ll do the trick as well. This pick from Maybelline has awesome coverage and features a sponge tip for quick and easy blending. Same concept, but different price point.

BUY IT: Ulta, $10.99

Swipe and Glow

These cream and liquid blush/highlighter formulas will blend in quickly and add some color and dimension to your look. Check out our favorites.

Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Cream Blush Stick

Combine both steps of blush and highlighter with one, easy to use product. Pop this stick on from the tops of your cheekbones down to the apples of your cheeks and blend out for the quickest glow of your life. Best of all, this blush stays put all day and a little goes a long way.

BUY IT: Sephora, $25.00

e.l.f. Luminous Putty Blush

This e.l.f blush will give you a luminous pop of color as well. Grab a stippling brush or scoop out a bit and warm it up on the back of your hand before applying. The color options are gorgeous!

BUY IT: Ulta, $7.00

Iconic London Sheer Blush

Not a fan of shimmer, but still want to glow? Opt for this liquid blush by Iconic London. Available in six stunning shades, this blush will leave a soft veil of color on your cheeks for a lifted and sculpted look.

BUY IT: Ulta, $27.00

Easy on the Eyes

Want your eyes to look bright and defined? This next batch of products will do just that — and they'll make it look like you spent way more time getting ready than you did!

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow

Two in one! This long-lasting eyeshadow stick doubles as cream shadow and eyeliner. The shade "Strapless" is the perfect shimmery golden taupe shade, but there are 26 other colors to choose from. Apply it to your lids and smudge out the edges to blend or simply line your upper lash line for a one-step, super fast eye look (my preferred method!). This product lasts a super long time, so it’s definitely worth the price.

BUY IT: Sephora, $32.00

Julep Eyeshadow 101 Creme to Powder Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick

Another great option for a two-in-one eyeshadow/eyeliner stick is this one from Julep. The color options are amazing and will work for any style. Just like with the Laura Mercier, you can swipe and blend or just line the eyes for defined eyes in seconds. With nearly 33,700 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, this is a top-tier (and relatively inexpensive) item for a quick eye look.

BUY IT: Amazon, $11.00

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Lush lashes are the main facet of any eye look, and this mascara has been hyped up for ages on social media for good reason. It lengthens and thickens lashes while avoiding clumps and crumbling. It doesn’t flake or transfer very much after a full day of wear, which is a huge win for busy moms on the move.

BUY IT: Ulta, $9.09

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

Make your brows look fuller, more defined, and keep them in place with this incredible brow gel. The tinted gel comes in 10 shades, from light blonde to cool gray, and you can comb your way to dream brows with great hold in a matter of seconds.

BUY IT: Ulta, $26.00

A One-Swipe Lip

Lips need some extra care too, whether you opt for a lip balm or choose a fun color. Here are our favorite picks for a fast, put-together lip.

Summer Fridays Lip butter Balm

From the texture to the flattering color options, it’s no wonder why this tinted lip balm has rave reviews (and went viral on TikTok!). The vegan formula contains shea butter and murumuru Seed butter for a boost of moisture. Choose between clear "Vanilla," coral colored "Poppy," soft nude "Vanilla Beige," and berry brown "Brown Sugar." Swipe it on and you’re good to go!

BUY IT: Sephora, $24.00

ROM&ND Juicy Lasting Tint

For long-lasting color, try a lip tint and gloss combo. This brand offers plenty of color options, from lighter nudes to deep berries. These tints smell great and the best part is that you don’t need to be precise with your application — perfect for rushed mornings.

BUY IT: Amazon, $13.50

KYDA Lip Glow Oil

This inexpensive dupe for the pricey Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil includes ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin, and honey for maximum hydration and shine. The “Clear to Pink” shade transforms with your body heat from a transparent oil to your perfect pink, and the rest of the colors can be layered for intensified pigment on the lips.

BUY IT: Amazon, $8.99

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Professional Makeup Artists Reveal Their Favorite Tips for Flawless, Long-Lasting Makeup, Lightweight Skin Tints That Will Leave You Glowing, Splurge or Steal? Inexpensive Dupes for Your Favorite High-End Makeup Products

Follow TLC on Apple News