Cindy Nell’s lazy girl beauty tips and products for busy moms
From a colour corrector to cancel out and cover discolouration, to a gel that will keep your brow game strong, to an eyeshadow palette to wake up tired eyes – you’ll breeze right out the door no matter how little time you have.
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As a mom, finding time to get glamorous can be a challenge. In our dreams, we leave the house fabulously put-together every day.
In reality, we don’t have the luxury to go through a multi-step skincare and makeup routine – we’re lucky if we remember to put mascara on both eyes on crazy-busy mornings. Sometimes a hot shower isn’t even on the cards. But because Cindy Nell-Roberts – a former Miss South Africa turned television presenter and CEO of Cosmetix – firmly believes beauty makes you feel good on the inside, it’s worth finding ways to get the job done against all odds.
“As moms on the go, we all need a little pick-me-up – even if it’s fairly minimal makeup to help us feel normal again,” Cindy says.
“Feeling good about ourselves is an instant energy boost and mood enhancer.” If you tip-toe to the bathroom when the kids are sleeping (we see you, four-hours-of-sleep brain!), Cindy has shared her best time-saving, getting-ready secrets.
From a colour corrector to cancel out and cover discolouration, to a gel that will keep your brow game strong, to an eyeshadow palette to wake up tired eyes – you’ll breeze right out the door no matter how little time you have.
Step 1: Wake up your skin
Trends come and go, but according to Cindy, that glowing, your skin-but-better look is timeless. “These days, it’s all about the now-iconic no-makeup makeup look. We’re seeing a lot less makeup than before, which lets your natural features come through,” Cindy says. First, she suggests massaging in two drops of the CATRICE Energy Boost Serum. With 7% ginger complex, it’s the wake-up call for dull, tired skin.
Step 2: Conceal smartly
Cindy says the trick to a fresh, even complexion lies in a colour corrector. One palette with five colours, the CATRICE Allround Colour Correction Palette is the secret weapon to create the perfect base for makeup. A dot of the green concealer is a miracle worker if you have to cover up redness or a sudden spot. Feeling tired all the time? The peach concealer will spot-conceal any dark circles and hide shadows under your eyes.
Step 3: Ace your base
For a one-minute flawless face, Cindy mixes the long-wear CATRICE True Skin Hydrating Foundation, which contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, with the CATRICE One Step Skin Perfector – a four-in-one primer with an SPF of 20. “This instant complexion-saving product that adjusts to your skin tone is a real timesaver,” Cindy says. “Wrinkles are the last thing we want to add to our already long list of worries. A good face primer blurs the skin, fills in open pores and reduces shine, providing a smooth canvas for makeup. This one also offers skincare benefits to hydrate, soothe and nourish skin for the day ahead.”
Step 4: Neutral shadows are your friend
Soft, muted shades – think earthy hues like taupe or brown – accentuate your eyes instead of overpowering them. “For bright, wide-awake eyes, you want to choose a cream eyeshadow. The CATRICE Pro Next-Gen Nudes Palette offers a versatile range of shades for you to choose from,” Cindy says. Start in the crease to establish a contour and then build on that. Cindy’s top tip: Popping a subtle, slightly shimmery champagne colour on the tear duct will wake you up faster than a shot of espresso. If you’re not a fan of shimmer, she suggests using a single shade all over the lid, like a warm brown or orange.
Step 5: Brush up on your blush technique
When in doubt, use the CATRICE 3 Steps To Contour Palette for a quick, healthy flush. “This palette is great as it’s perfect for any skin tone and consists of three shades – a warm brown, a cool brown and a cream shade to set under the eye,” Cindy explains. To nail the natural look, use a fan brush to contour the cheekbones, hairline and side of the nose. For a pop of colour, a dab of the waterproof CATRICE Blush Box in Nude Peach – a nude-coral shade for summer – is one of the quickest ways to liven up your complexion. Dust some from the apple of the cheeks up towards the temples and you’re good to go.
Step 6: Turn up the glow
Don’t skip the highlighter! Tap your highlighter of choice – Cindy loves the CATRICE More Than Glow Highlighter in Beyond Golden Glow – on with your fingers for a lit-from-within glow. You can also apply it with a fluffy brush for a subtle hint of luminosity that can only be seen in a certain light, just like real skin. Only apply it where you really need it: usually on the chin, cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
Step 7: Groom your lashes and brows
A brow gel is a must for a natural but still groomed look, Cindy says. The easy-to-use CATRICE Clean ID Hydro Brow Fixing Gel will lift and shape every individual brow hair with ease, whether worn alone or with a brow pencil or pen. Follow with a coat of the CATRICE Glam & Doll Easy Wash Off Power Hold Volume Mascara to achieve the fluttery lashes that dreams are made of and you’re on your way.
Step 8: Swipe on a lip gloss
The last step to complete your natural-looking makeup look? Add a tint of colour to your lips. Cindy is obsessed with the CATRICE Volumising Lip Booster in Nuts About Mary, which delivers the perfect amount of colour straight from the tube. Nothing could be easier! Keep your flawless beat in place all day with the CATRICE Fix & Protect Spray, a gentle mist that sets makeup and protects against UV rays.