You’re never not up for a girls’ night out — but you’ve spent enough time jostling for mirror space to know that getting ready with 10 ladies can be…challenging (wielding a curling wand becomes even more difficult). The next time you’re primping with a small army of friends, try these space, time, and sanity-saving tricks.
Leave Your Brushes at Home
Instead, bring a beautyblender® to apply all of your make-up. Use the multi-tasking wonder sponge to put on foundation (squeeze some into a travel pot so you don’t have to lug the whole bottle), blush, eye shadow, and even lipstick!
Pack All-in-One Products
Save major space in your make-up bag with multi-purpose products like stila’s convertible color, which gives your lips, eyes, and cheeks super pigmented colour, and Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain, which leaves both lips and cheeks with a rosy flush.
Bring a Travel Mirror
Space in the bathroom is at a premium, so tote your own. Palettes with a mirror, like this one from ModelCo® are a great way to bring along a variety of make-up with you, and guarantee that you’ll get a much closer look at the finished result than you ever would from leaning over the bathroom sink!
Get a Head Start on Your Hair
Multiple heat tools in a small space can get dicey, so leave your curling iron at home. Before you leave, twist your blow-dried hair it into a high bun, securing it with hair grips instead of a rubber band to avoid kinks. Spritz with hairspray to set it. When you arrive at your pre-game destination, undo the bun, finger comb your hair, and mist it with a texturising finishing spray for soft, voluminous waves.
Skip the Polish Drama
Waiting for your nails to dry is not an option. If you haven’t got time for a mani then a quick coat of Ciaté London’s Bloom Boost will add a pretty, natural, glow to your nails. Failing that, if your current nail colour is looking a little chipped then try layering on a glitter polish to fill in the gaps.
Take a Virtual Shower
Unless you happen to be getting ready at a mansion with 10 bathrooms, showering is out of the question. To freshen up fast (hey, you can work up a sweat dancing to Beyoncé’s “7/11” while applying your make-up), wipes are your saviour. Swipe Korres’ Pomegranate Cleansing Wipes under your arms and you’ll feel good as new.
Finish with a Handbag-Friendly Fragrance
Leave your jumbo bottle of perfume at home and stash a smaller version of your favourite scent in your bag (like English Laundry’s Signature For Her Purse Sprayer) for a last-minute refresher. If you prefer roll-on perfume then there’s also a roller ball version: dab a little extra in your palms and use it to tame flyaways.