Mornings can often feel like a race against the clock. Whether you’re balancing work and family, heading out for quick errands, or trying to get ready for a meeting when time isn’t on your side, makeup is often the first thing to be sacrificed. The good news is that you don’t have to compromise on looking polished. A 5 minute makeup routine offers a practical solution, it’s quick, versatile, and effective.
This streamlined approach is designed for different lifestyles. For mums, it means reclaiming a few minutes of self-care between school runs and packed lunches. For busy professionals, it means still walking into the office looking composed even if the morning got away from you. And for those running errands, it’s about stepping out with confidence without spending half an hour in front of the mirror.
The goal isn’t heavy coverage or an elaborate transformation, but instead, natural and effortless enhancement that keeps you feeling like yourself, only more refreshed.
The 5-Step 5 Minute Makeup Routine
Step 1: Primer
Primer is the unsung hero of any routine. It creates the foundation for makeup to grip onto, ensures a smoother application, and extends wear. When you’re limited to five minutes, skipping this step may seem tempting, but a lightweight primer makes all the difference.
ISSADA’s Calm Balm Primer is especially beneficial for Australian conditions where heat, humidity, and sun can quickly undo makeup. Its mineral pigments help balance tone while soothing plant extracts reduce redness and calm irritation.
Features:
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Rose Extract, Witch Hazel, and Grapefruit Extract.
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Lightweight cream-gel texture.
Non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive, oily or redness-prone skin.
Benefits:
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Helps mattify and minimise shine in warmer climates.
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Smooths uneven texture for easier foundation application.
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Provides a longer-lasting base, ideal for busy days out or long office hours.
Pro Tip: Apply primer with your fingertips, foundation brush or sponge and allow it to absorb for 30–60 seconds before aplying foundation for best results.
Step 2: Baked Powder Foundation
ISSADA Mineral Baked Powder Foundation delivers a flawless, soft-matte mineral finish. Slow-baked for 24 hours, this cosmeceutical formula offers breathable coverage with skin-conditioning ingredients.
Features:
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Baked cream-to-powder formulation
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Cosmeceutical-grade minerals, antioxidants, and nourishing oils
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Infused with Jojoba, Safflower Seed Oil, Rosemary, Vitamin E, and Magnolia Bark Extract
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Available in seven colour-adapting shades
Benefits:
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Provides a smooth, soft-matte finish ideal for oily or combination skin
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Helps protect, soothe, and balance the skin
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Locks in liquids and creams for extended wear
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Suitable for post-treatment or sensitive skin
Pro Tip: Use an ISSADA Vegan Kabuki Brush. Buff in circular motions and layer as desired for buildable coverage.
Step 3: Lip & Cheek Cream + Lip Crayon
Multi-tasking products are the backbone of a time-saving routine. The Mineral Lip & Cheek Cream gives instant colour while nourishing skin, making it ideal for anyone with limited time in the morning.
Its cream-to-powder texture means it blends seamlessly into cheeks for a fresh flush and can be pressed onto lips for natural tint.
For a little extra versatility, the Mineral Lip Crayon is another go-to. It glides on smoothly with rich, buildable colour and can even be blended into the cheeks for a soft, natural blush. Together, these products create a cohesive, polished look with minimal effort.
Features:
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Shea Butter, Jojoba, and Magnolia Bark Extract
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Long-lasting, hydrating formula with Vitamin E
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Smooth cream-to-powder texture
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Wide range of natural and vibrant tones
Benefits:
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Adds a healthy flush to lips and cheeks without heaviness
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Hydrates and conditions for comfort throughout the day
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Blends seamlessly for a polished, cohesive finish
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Simplifies touch-ups, one product multiple uses
Pro Tip: Apply the Mineral Lip and Cheek Cream to the apples of your cheeks, blend outwards with your fingers, then add a sweep of Mineral Lip Crayon to your lips and dab a little onto your cheeks for a fresh, cohesive glow.
Step 4: Brow Blender
Defined brows frame the face and instantly make you look more polished. Even if you skip other steps, filling in brows gives structure and balance. The Brow Blender Pencil makes this step easy with its dual-ended design, pencil for filling, spoolie for blending.
Features:
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Available in 3 universal shades.
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Infused with antioxidant Vitamins C & E.
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Smudge-resistant soft-powder finish.
Benefits:
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Creates natural-looking brows quickly.
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Long-lasting wear, ideal for humid Australian days.
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Conditions hair while defining shape.
Pro Tip: Start by brushing brows upward with the spoolie, fill in sparse areas with light strokes, then blend again for a natural finish.
Step 5: Mascara
No routine feels complete without mascara. The Mineral Lash Sculpt Mascara defines, lengthens, and volumises lashes without clumping. Its nourishing formula also strengthens lashes with daily use.
Features:
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Enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 and mineral extracts.
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Flexi-brush technology for even coating.
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Water-resistant and smudge-proof.
Benefits:
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Provides instant lift and curl.
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Conditions lashes to help reduce breakage.
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Suitable for sensitive eyes.
Pro Tip: Wiggle the wand at the base of lashes before pulling through to the tips. This creates lift and volume without over-applying.
5 Minute Makeup for Busy Moms
For mums, mornings are often the busiest part of the day, from preparing breakfast to organising school bags, the mirror doesn’t always make the cut. A 5 minute makeup for busy moms routine ensures self-care isn’t forgotten, even on hectic mornings.
Products like the Lip & Cheek Cream eliminate the need for multiple items. The ProStick can be swiped on and blended while waiting for the kids to put on their shoes. A quick coat of mascara instantly helps tired eyes look more awake.
Pro Tip for mums: Keep your 5 products in one pouch so you can do your routine in the car before drop-off or at your desk once you arrive at work.
Quick Makeup for Errands
When you’re only popping out to the shops or heading to a casual catch-up, less is more. A quick makeup for errands look should feel light and breathable, not overdone.
Primer and powder keep shine in check, while a tinted balm adds subtle colour. Mascara keeps eyes bright and alert, and a quick sweep of brow pencil finishes the look. This ensures you appear refreshed without feeling heavily made up.
Pro Tip for errands: Keep a compact mirror and Lip & Cheek Cream in your bag for touch-ups. It’s a fast way to add a hint of colour before walking into the café.
Makeup for Work When Running Late
Sometimes a meeting is earlier than expected, or traffic eats away at your morning routine. Having a makeup for work when running late approach ensures you arrive polished and professional, even if you only have five minutes.
The ProStick delivers even coverage that looks appropriate in office lighting. Adding a neutral lipstick on top of the Lip & Cheek Cream elevates the look further. Defined brows and mascara finish the routine with confidence.
Pro Tip for workdays: Keep an eyeliner pencil or bold lipstick in your handbag. If you find a few extra minutes later in the day, these small additions can take your look from minimal to boardroom-ready.
Final Tips for Any 5 Minute Makeup Routine
A 5 minute routine doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Instead, it’s about choosing versatile, high-performance products that do more with less. Here are a few final tips:
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Invest in multi-purpose products: A lip-and-cheek cream saves space, money, and time.
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Prioritise skin prep: Primer and skincare ensure everything else applies more smoothly.
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Keep a minimal kit: Too many products can slow you down. Five core products are all you need.
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Adjust for your day: For errands, keep it light. For work, add one extra polish step.
Try this 5 minute makeup routine tomorrow and see how much time you save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 5 minute makeup routine really last all day?
Yes. Using a primer and long-wear formulas like Mineral ProStick and Lash Sculpt Mascara ensures your makeup holds its finish for hours, even through busy days. Touch-ups may still be needed in humid weather, but the core look will remain intact.
What products are best for sensitive skin?
Calm Balm Primer is excellent for redness and irritation, while ProStick’s Aloe and Vitamin E support hydration and comfort. These products are formulated to be gentle while still providing professional results.
Can I skip primer?
Yes, but primer extends wear and helps prevent midday shine, especially in Australia’s warmer climates where heat can affect makeup. Without primer, your base may not apply as smoothly or last as long.
How can I make my 5 minute makeup routine look more professional for work?
Add one or two quick steps such as eyeliner or a bolder lipstick shade. These small adjustments elevate the look while keeping it office-appropriate.
Is a 5 minute makeup routine suitable for mature skin?
Yes, as long as you choose hydrating and lightweight products that won’t settle into fine lines. Cream-based formulas like Lip & Cheek Cream are especially flattering.
Final Call to Action
Looking polished doesn’t need to take up your morning. With this 5 minute makeup routine, you can achieve a natural, professional finish in less time than it takes to make a coffee.
Ready to streamline your mornings?
Shop the 5 Minute Makeup Essentials today and create your own quick, time-saving routine.
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