The lives of beauty and fashion editors in major U.S. cities have been chronicled on the big screen for years. In fact, it’s likely the glamorous, yet slightly crazed, antics of Carrie Bradshaw, Jenna Rink, and Andy Sachs that inspired us to dive headfirst into these careers at all—each of us beauty editors having lived, or currently living, in a bustling city like New York or Los Angeles at one point or another. While many aspects of these fictional journalists’ lives are fabricated on-screen (the big apartments, the walk-in closets, the seemingly bottomless funds), the one thing that rings true is the rushed getting-ready scenes between meetings, writing articles, and running to the next high-profile event. That, my friend, is a nearly everyday occurrence.
Since we’re often creating real-life versions of these scenes in our tiny apartments—throwing clothes into heaps on the floor, swapping our flats for heels, and dabbing on lipstick in the back of a cab at the speed of light to make it to our next commitment—we’ve become quite proficient in the art of quick glam. From touch-ups to full faces, these are the multitasking products we rely on for looks that last all day, deliver high impact with little effort, and simplify our lives altogether. Keep reading for the list that will keep your routine low-maintenance without sacrificing style.
The Best Multitasking Beauty Products Editors LoveBest for Quick Color: Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm
Clinique
Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm
Clinique’s Chubby Sticks were some of the first beauty products I ever played with as a blooming teen, but the newly released Color Balms have been an essential in my rushed glam routine ever since arriving on my doorstep. The tawny mauve shade Amp’d Up Apple has been my personal favorite for achieving a believable flush that doubles as rosy contour—its cool undertones offering chiseled warmth to my winter-pale skin. After applying to my cheekbones, I dab a bit onto my lips and across my eyelids for a cohesive, flushed look. Voilà!
Best All-Purpose Liner: Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever
Artist Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner in Wherever Walnut
“I can’t even begin to count the ways I’ve used this product. Lip liner! Eyeliner! Faux freckles! Even contour (if I’m in a pinch). The warm, rosy-brown color is so versatile, and I’ve gone through at least three in my lifetime. In fact, I’m in the process of whittling down my fourth pencil into a tiny stub right now. It makes sense why so many makeup artists keep it in their kits.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, beauty editor
Best Skin Hybrid: Merit The Minimalist Complexion Stick
Merit
The Minimalist Complexion Stick
This multitasking complexion stick from Merit is something I think Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy would own today. Chic and minimal, this hybrid formula offers medium, buildable coverage that subtly evens texture and tone while allowing your natural glow to peek through. It doubles as both concealer and foundation, covering dark circles and redness without feeling heavy or starchy, and it blends like a dream—meaning I can blend with my fingers when I’m in a serious rush or go at it with a brush when I have a bit more time. I keep one in my gym bag, one in an always-packed travel kit, and another on my makeup display. It’s that serious.
Best for Hair Touch-Ups: Davines Oi Hair Oil
“I kid you not—I would attend 50% fewer events if the slicked-back bun didn’t exist. It saves me every single time my hair is flat, oily, or dull. I lightly mist with water, smooth on the impossibly lightweight yet ultra-hydrating OI Oil from Davines for shine, twist into a bun, then lock it in with the flexible-hold hair spray. Clean. Chic. Secretly nourishing.” — Emma Hughes, associate social media editor
Best for Eyes, Lips, and Cheeks: Embryolisse Color Balm 3-in-1 Stick
Embryolisse
Color Balm 3-In-1 Stick
“When I say that this color stick has replaced my entire makeup routine, I mean it. I scribble it on my cheeks for a quick flush, dab it on my lids for some monochromatic color, trace it along the sides of my nose as a contour, and swipe it across my lips for a soft, rosy-brown pout. Truly a hero product in every sense of the word!” — Jamie Schneider, senior beauty editor
Best for Setting and Sun Protection: e.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable All Set for Sun Setting Spray SPF 45
E.l.f. Cosmetics
Suntouchable All Set for Sun Setting Spray SPF 45
I don’t know about you, but I worry about my skin in the sun near constantly. Though I am diligent about my daily sunscreen, I like knowing that my products are doing more for my skin than just making me look more presentable, which is why I frequently reach for the Suntouchable All Set for Sun Setting Spray from e.l.f. Cosmetics. In addition to being a lightweight, clear setting spray that preserves my makeup, doesn’t make my skin look greasy, and sprays in a fine mist, it also offers SPF 45 for an extra layer of protection. It’s a must in my book.
Best Allover Mist: Emi Jay Aura Hair Mist in Toasted Sugar
Emi Jay
Aura Hair & Body Fragrance Mist in Toasted Sugar
“Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m generally not one to gravitate toward warm, sweet gourmands as my fragrance of choice, but there are some sugary, addictive blends that have made it into my perfume lineup. It’s a gourmand blend of spun sugar, sweet vanilla, and delicate musk accented with bergamot and jasmine for a cozy and airy finish I can’t get enough of. I like to spritz this one as I’m heading out the door or tuck it away in my Pilates bag to freshen up after a session.” — Maya Thomas, associate beauty editor
Best Blonzer: Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
Rhode
Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy
“Whenever I’m short on time, I swipe this blush onto my cheekbones (sometimes even on my eyes and nose) straight from the bullet. The terra-cotta color is so flattering. For me, it works like a blush and bronzer in one, making my otherwise dull skin look naturally flushed and sun-kissed. Often, I don’t even reach for a makeup brush or Beautyblender; I blend it with my fingers before running out the door.” — McLintock
Best No-Budge Lip: Summer Fridays Flushed Lip Stain
Summer Fridays
Flushed Lip Stain 12-Hour Long-Lasting Lip Tint
“Every beauty editor needs a long-lasting lip combo in their survival kit. I personally can’t stop raving about the new lip stains from Summer Fridays. They truly last for hours—no reapplication required. I line and fill with the lightest shade, Slipper, then layer Rosette along my Cupid’s bow and lower lip for added depth. A swipe of the Berry Lip Sleeping Mask from Laneige on top seals everything in with glossy perfection.” — Hughes
Best Priming Moisturizer: Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
MERIT Beauty
Great Skin Moisturizer
For a beauty editor, I far prefer a quick skincare routine over something long, multilayered, and involving 10 steps. Because I’m also often in a rush, I unconsciously gravitate toward skincare products that perform two functions at once—for example, this priming moisturizer from Merit, which not only nourishes the skin but offers longer wear for your makeup. The formula absorbs quickly, which is a plus for rushed routines, and it effectively hydrates my sensitive skin without irritating it. I’m currently on my second bottle—it’s that good.
Best Allover Hydrator: Bonjout Beauty Le Balm Skin Savior Solid Serum
Bonjout Beauty
Le Balm Skin Savior Solid Serum
“This French pharmacist-formulated balm has been such a godsend this winter. I’ll typically spot-treat it overnight on patches of extra-dry skin (namely the sides of my nose—so flaky this time of year!), but I’ve also applied a thicker layer as a deep moisturizing treatment, on my cuticles to prevent pesky frays, and on my lips to heal the dreaded winter chap. It also makes a great, shimmer-free highlighter on no-makeup days!” — Schneider
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
“When I’m on the go, I like to keep my makeup very minimal and effortless, so I always keep Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in my bag. Lately, I’ve been loving the shade Bichette: a stunning red berry with an orange undertone that gives my skin a sun-kissed glow and flush of color in a single step. While I do love swiping this onto my cheeks, I’ve also found that patting it onto my lips offers the perfect base for my berry-toned lip combos.” — Thomas
Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer
Laifen
SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer
While you could argue that a hair dryer isn’t a multitasking product, I beg to differ when it concerns this model from Laifen. When I’m getting ready in rush—which is nearly every time I do my hair—I rely on a high-speed hair dryer like this model to get the job done efficiently. Because of its fast-drying mechanisms, I can also effortlessly diffuse or coiff my hair with the styling attachments included, which would take much longer with a traditional hair dryer. As they say, time is money—and this is a worthy investment of both.
