The lazy girl’s guide to beauty
CAN’T be bothered spending hours getting ready for a night out? No worries! These beauty tricks are seriously quick and easy.
WANT to look good, with the least amount of effort? Welcome to the lazy girls’ guide to looking and feeling incredible, fast.
Personally, I have no problem with the word “lazy”. I’m very proud to say that I’m the laziest beauty editor in Australia. I’d much rather be bringing you the most exciting beauty news and trends, than spending hours applying makeup.
You, too, can learn to be lazy — one laid-back step at a time.
YOU CAN BE GLAMOROUS AND LAZY AT THE SAME TIME
Lazy girls come in all shapes, sizes and colours. And it doesn’t necessarily mean a no-makeup look. Dita Von Teese, the ultra-glam burlesque artist, swears by wearing just red lipstick and huge sunglasses on her days off. Boom: instant glamour.
LAZY HAIR IS THE BEST HAIR
Of course, there are women whose low-key style personifies the “lazy girl” aesthetic.
“I’ve never pursued the idea of perfect beauty,” Lara Worthington declared to Harper’s Bazaar. Her choppy bob is the ultimate in easy chic. She swears by spritzing sea salt into towel-dried, non-conditioned hair to achieve that lived-in look.
If you have longer hair and also strive for beachy waves, I recommend sleeping on it — literally. In the evening, brush your hair, create a chunky braid and then catch some z’s. The next morning, smugly shake out your casual curls, add a spritz of hairspray, and you’re done.
PILLOWY-SOFT SKIN, JUST LIKE A BED …
A lazy girl knows how to make a beauty trend work in her favour — take the latest craze for all-over highlighting (or ‘strobing’) for example. A similar (and more natural) effect can be achieved by applying a nourishing face oil such as Go To’s Face Hero. Happy skin, happy face.
WHEN IN DOUBT, USE A STENCIL … ON YOUR BROWS
Remember when you were too lazy to do bubble writing on your primary school projects, so you’d reach for an alphabet stencil instead? Guess what — similar stencils exist for your eyebrows. And they actually work, unlike most eyebrow gadgets out there. The e.l.f. Eyebrow Stencil Kit is a ridiculous steal at only $3.
MAKEUP FOR EYES IN ONE, LAZY STEP
When eye makeup seems too hard, grab some glasses to frame your eyes. Or, wear them because you can’t see, like me. When I can be bothered with mascara, I like to very gently press the wand against the base of my eyelashes, to create a “tightlined” (i.e. between the eyelashes) eyeliner effect. A makeup artist told me that, so it must be true.
ONE LAST, LAZY TIP
And finally, if you are too lazy for all of this, may I suggest the following? A good night’s sleep. A big smile. And handing out chocolates, if you really want to be the most fascinating, attractive person in the room.
Carla Gee is a Sydney writer, illustrator, podcaster and beauty editor. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.