By will-buy
Done are the days of the hour spent painstakingly contouring your cheekbones.
Now may be the year of the two-minute makeup bag, based on according to global trends forecasters WGSN
Reluctant to relinquish the benefit of low-maintenance looks and speedy techniques adopted over lockdown, we want multitasking cosmetics that create an easy but pulled-together finish before it is boring.
Enter the resurgence of tinted creams, gels and balms that add a matching shot of colour to lips, cheeks and eyes in a quick swipe.
Makeup artists have long used lipstick over cheeks or blusher on eyes. That's OK if you're in a runway show but not so practical in real life.
However, the latest crop of multipurpose formulas has been created to consider any combination of areas around the entire face into account. Let the finish you need to achieve dictate the texture you choose.
'A gel will give more intense colour, almost like a stain, and is more likely to possess a matte finish,' says makeup artist Florrie White, who used them on actress Emma Corrin for the GQ Awards.
'If you want shine and illumination, select a balm or cream you can build up in layers to get the intensity you would like.'
For a super-sheer but pigment-rich hit of cherry, try Typology Tinted Balm in 1 Ruby Red (lb14.90). Added hyaluronic acid and raspberry seed extract allow it to be very nourishing too.
Chantecaille Cheek Gelée in Lively (lb40) is really a gel cream in pale peach that's delicate enough to wear all over and can flatter pale and deep skin color.
For a richer, creamier consistency, Rose Inc Blush Divine Lip & Cheek Colour (lb23 in coral-orange Anemone) gives luminous warmth and it has line-blurring properties.
For eyes, brighter hues of peach can also add freshness, while darker tones of plum and berry work for a bolder, more smouldering look.
For a creamy, golden orange effect, Sculpted by Aimee Cream Luxe in Peach Pop (lb16) gives blendable colour in a semi-matte texture, while sunset-inspired Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm in Power Hour (lb18) is a deeper terracotta tone having a buildable, second skin finish.
Matte and powdery with intense colour payoff, a little Trinny London Lip2Cheek (lb25) goes quite a distance. Try Pia for a sophisticated pop of peony pink.
Seeds of Colour Natural Colour Balm (lb21) is available in four shades which are lightweight enough to provide a wash of colour but easily layered to have more punch. For any juicy damson hue, Berry Red is ideal.
Key towards the two-minute turnaround is applying fingertips as blending tools no matter what format your multitasker is available in.
Celebrity makeup artist Florrie White says: 'I prefer to put colour around the back of my hand to warm and soften the feel, then it will meld easily to the skin and blend well.
'Start together with your cheeks, sculpting them across the cheekbone. You'll be able to add layers to darken the colour from the lips or the outer corners of the eyes, making them the dominant feature.'
Benefit, creator from the OG lip-and-cheek combo with Benetint, includes a host of shades inside a richer liquid, including Playtint Lip & Cheek Stain (lb16), a grown-up bubblegum pink.
Chanel No.1 Red Camellia Revitalizing Lip And Cheek Balm (lb38) is infused with nourishing oils to soften into the skin while imparting blush-mimicking shades for example warm cinnamon Vital Beige.
And if you like colour completely from a stick, Butter London Plush Rush Blush & Lip in Amazed (lb21) glides on soft pink-peach, prepared to be buffed in 120 seconds.
