Hands up who has had to work on New years eve? Or working a Friday before a party or event. You can feel flustered, forget something and be self conscious. Life moves fast, and sometimes you only have a few precious minutes to transform yourself from “work” to “red-carpet ready.” Whether you’re heading to a holiday party, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or any special occasion, this guide will show you how to get ready quickly witphout sacrificing your radiant glow.
Click here for the SOS Emergency Glow Up Plan!
Grab your coffee (or facial mist), and let’s go! By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident, motivated, and one step ahead of preparation for your next big event—even if you’re pressed for time.
The Minimal-Effort Glow-Up for Busy Queens
1. A Reliable Outfit That Always Works
When there’s no time to experiment, a tried-and-true outfit is your dependable choice. Think of this as your safety net—a look that never fails to make you feel confident and put together.
Classic Formula:
- Little black dress: Universally flattering, timeless, and incredibly easy to style.
- Statement earrings or a bold lip color: Instantly elevate your look and add a festive flair.
- Comfortable yet stylish shoes: Block heels or sleek flats keep you dancing all night without the pain.
Bonus Hack: Keep a small clutch packed with essentials (lipstick, mini perfume, face mist, and blot papers) for quick touch-ups mid-party.
2. Radiance Boosting Skincare
Prep your skin for makeup application quickly but effectively.
- First step: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities without stripping your skin.
- Apply a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to plump and refresh dull skin.
- Use a facial mist or toner to lock in moisture and create a smooth perfect base for makeup.
- Don’t forget your lips! Exfoliate gently and follow with a nourishing lip balm for a perfect pout.
3. Time-Saving Makeup Priorities
Makeup doesn’t have to be a marathon. Focus on these three key areas: Skin, Eyes, and Lips.
Skin
- Apply primer to your face and eye primer to your eyelids.
- Use your favourite reliable foundation or skin tint for lightweight coverage and a natural glow.
- Brighten your under-eyes and conceal blemishes with a quick touch of concealer. Blend with your fingers for speed.
- Dust a bit of translucent powder on your T-zone to keep shine at bay. Avoid using too much powder, as it can emphasize fine lines.
- Finish with bronzer, highlight and blush for warmth and dimension and a golden glow.
Eyes
- Add a shimmer shadow in gold or champagne—perfect for the holiday season and great for special occasions. Use your ring finger and blend out with a soft fluffy brush.
- Curl your lashes and apply your favorite mascara for instant definition.
Lips
- For the final step of make-up application, choose a bold lip color like matte red or berry. A bold lip instantly pulls together any look and gives you an effortless pop of glam. Prefer gloss? add a lip stain or use liner all over your lips then add gloss on top.
IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO REMOVE ALL YOUR MAKEUP AND REAPPLY EVERYTHING!
- Evaluate how your makeup looks. The common areas that need special attention tend to be smile lines, under eye concealer and t zone shine.
- Spray face mist (not setting spray) all over your entire face, then gently blot with a tissue.
- Use a cotton pad and makeup remover to carefully remove under eye concealer and any oil/makeup on smile lines.
- Apply eye cream and take a tiny bit of EYE primer and softly pat on smile lines, and t-zone. (eye primer tends to be thinner and less heavy duty than face primer and is a great way to avoid creasing on smile lines.
- Apply concealer, do not blend.
- Use a stippling brush or a soft brush (beginners guide to makeup brushes) to touch up any areas where your foundation has faded away.
- Blend concealer.
- Use powder products to touch up bronzer/highlight and blush, depending on what look you’re going for.
- A little glitter on the inner corner of the eyes is instant party season glam.
- Setting spray!
- When I am in a hurry, lip stain and gloss are my go to’s. Think disco style. Its a lot easier than rushing a bold lip and getting lipstick on your teeth.
3. Effortless Hair Hacks
Bad hair day? No problem. A sleek ponytail or bun is a surefire way to look polished in minutes.
- Smooth flyaways with a little serum or gel.
- Add a festive touch with a sparkly barrette or decorative headband.
- If you don’t mind glitter, it can look very striking on slick styles. Mix it with hair gel or sprinkle a little in your hair and set with hairspray.
Pro Tip: Hair accessories aren’t just for convenience—they’re a secret weapon for making your look appear more intentional and polished.
4. Budget for a Taxi
Want to know a secret weapon for getting ready faster? A pre-booked taxi. Skip the stress of public transport or rushing to find parking. Use that extra time to add finishing touches to your glow-up or simply breathe before the big event.
5. Remember to Hydrate and Eat
Glow-up starts from within. A healthy glow is as much about what you put in your body as what you put on it. If you’re not going to a dinner party it is important to prioritize a balanced, simple meal.
- Hydrate: Drink a glass of water before you head out. Staying hydrated is the best way to prevent dull skin and maintain a fresh complexion all night.
- Have an easy meal: e.g. A quick omelet, some fries, or a slice of pizza and salad keeps your energy up so you can enjoy the night without feeling faint or fatigued. Or grab/order something ready made to save time.
Pro Tip: The 15-Minute SOS Emergency Glow Up Checklist
If you’re really short on time, here’s a fail-proof plan to look party-ready in 15 minutes:
- Face: Concealer for under-eyes and blemishes, blot shine.
- Eyes: Glitter.
- Lips: Lip stain and gloss.
- Hair: Pull hair into a sleek bun or ponytail, add a shiny accessory, and you’re done.
- Outfit: Stick to your go-to little black dress with bold accessories for effortless style.
7. Confidence > Perfection
Here’s the truth: A glowing complexion and confidence go hand-in-hand. Your goal isn’t to look flawless—it’s to feel amazing in your skin.
Even if you don’t have time for a full skincare plan or facial treatment, focusing on small details like hydrated skin and a bold lip can make a world of difference. So make life easy for yourself and prep as much as you can before. Having a reliable look ready will save you time and make getting ready fun, no matter how much little you have.
Start Your Glow-Up NOW!
Ready to master the art of the GRWM express? Whether it’s for a holiday season bash or a New Year’s Eve countdown, you’ve got everything you need to shine.
👉 Share your favorite quick glow-up hacks in the comments and inspire someone else to sparkle with confidence. Let’s glow together! ✨
