Here’s how to do a full eye look when you only have five minutes

Whether you’re easing into eye makeup or can sculpt and shade with confidence, a quick eye makeup routine brings welcome clarity to a day filled with deadlines and endless to-dos. A few well-placed strokes can streamline rushed mornings and make those spontaneous evenings feel just about manageable.

Vogue’s quick eye makeup essentials

There was a time in the 2010s when I was obsessed with watching lengthy step-by-step makeup routines on YouTube. Back then, thick eye primer, a dramatic cut crease and a razor-sharp cat eye was my signature.

These days, though, I gravitate toward something simpler. A flick of a wing with the same pen I use to fill in my brows, sticking to the outer corners only to avoid smudging on my hooded eyes. Other days, I skip eyeliner altogether and swipe just a single wash of colour across my lids (a bronzer, blush or a brown eyeshadow stick, depending on what’s closest). A coat of tubing mascara helps open the eyes and I’m done. I’m much more focused on lip liner for a pouty finish, rosy cheeks and a fluffy brow. Simple, effortless and just polished enough.

So what’s the trick to refining your eye look? “Cutting down on the number of products you use is key to achieving a faster look,” pro makeup artist Anastasia Vavina previously told Vogue. Remember: a little product goes a long way, especially when time (and patience) is short. Ahead, discover four key tricks to achieving an eye makeup look in five minutes flat.

Stick to a single colour eyeshadow

For your own good, put down the 16-pan eyeshadow palette. Instead, opt for a single eyeshadow for a polished look with zero effort. “There is something so striking about a single colour wash all over the lid,” celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker previously said. “It’s timeless, elegant and ageless and it requires minimal skills to execute, making it a perfect look year-round.”

There are plenty of ways to achieve this simple eye look. “For a quick eye look, cream shadows are your best friend. They blend out beautifully and look like you did more than you actually did,” pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard says.

Opt for multipurpose products

Professional makeup artist El DeBratto knows all about maximising time by minimising the number of products used, in an effort to streamline their routine before early morning shoots. “I’m a huge proponent of finding products you can ‘break the rules’ with and apply to multiple areas of the face, which helps with the overall look of makeup cohesion,” they said. When curating a five-minute routine, Vavina suggests taking a “one-and-done” approach by using the same colour across cheeks, eyes and even lips for a natural, unified flush. Basically, ditch your eyeshadow and use a single-colour cream stick instead. Tap with fingers, blend lightly and your makeup looks cohesive without ever looking overdone.

Swipe on a statement liner

One swipe of eyeliner instantly transforms: the graphic winged eyeliner of the mod era, the moody smudges of ’90s grunge or whisper-thin strokes on the lash line for a minimalist touch. With just a pencil, gel or liquid pen, you can go barely-there or full drama. Eyeliners come in every texture and finish imaginable, from classic kohl that melts on contact to razor-sharp liquids built for precision. The possibilities are endless. “To take an easy eye look up a notch, I like to take an eyeliner in the same colour family but a shade deeper of whatever eyeshadow you use,” says Spickard. “Bring your liner along the the upper and lower lash lines and buff out with your finger or a small pencil brush.”

Bat your lashes big-time

When in doubt, mascara is the simplest route to any easy eye makeup look. Never underestimate what a quick lash curl and a few strategic swipes can do. “Curling your lashes will make you look instantly more awake,” per DeBratto. “I like to curl my lashes to the gods, squeezing the curler from the base of the lashes to the tip to ensure that I get an even bend throughout the lash. Then I’ll opt for my favourite tubing mascara to hold it all together.” The effect is eye-defining, effortless and done in under 30 seconds.