Whether you’re after beginner-friendly tips or can play with shading like a chiaroscuro painter, an easy eye makeup look is one less thing to worry about in a day filled with deadlines and endless to-dos. Mastering a few quick steps can make hurried mornings a little calmer—and last-minute evening plans smoother to navigate.
Vogue’s Quick Eye Makeup Essentials
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There was a time in the 2010s where I was obsessed with watching lengthy step-by-step makeup routines on YouTube. Back then, thick eye primer, a dramatic cut crease, and a razor-sharp cat eye was my signature. These days, though, I gravitate toward something simpler—a flick of a wing with the same pen I use to fill in my brows, sticking to the outer corners only to avoid smudging on my hooded eyes. Other days, I skip eyeliner altogether and swipe just a single wash of color across my lids (a bronzer, blush, or a brown eyeshadow stick, depending on what’s closest). A coat of tubing mascara helps open the eyes, and I’m done. I’m much more focused on lip liner for a pouty finish, rosy cheeks, and a fluffy brow—simple, effortless, and just polished enough.
So what’s the trick to refining your eye look? “Cutting down on the number of products you use is key to achieving a faster look,” pro makeup artist Anastasia Vavina previously told Vogue. Remember: A little product goes a long way—especially when time (and patience) is short. Ahead, discover four key tricks to achieving an eye makeup look in five minutes flat.
Stick With a Single Color Eyeshadow
For your own good, put down the 16-pan eyeshadow palette. Instead, opt for a single eyeshadow for a polished look with zero effort. “There is something so striking about a single color wash all over the lid,” celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker previously said. “It’s timeless, elegant, and ageless, and it requires minimal skills to execute, making it a perfect look year-round.”
There are plenty of ways to achieve this simple eye look. Pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard is partial to cream shadows, like Merit’s option. “For an easy eye look, cream shadows are your best friend. They blend out beautifully and look like you did more than you actually did,” she says. If you prefer sticks, Chanel’s version feels like a chubby kohl liner, gliding on tug-free and smudging out effortlessly. Meanwhile, Ilia’s long-wear stick formula spans everything from neutral eyeshadows, playful pastels, and subtle shimmers. Those partial to pressed powder eyeshadows will appreciate Jones Road’s pot; all you need is a fluffy blender brush (Chanel’s N°200 is great) to apply.
Opt for Multipurpose Color Cosmetics
Professional makeup artist El DeBratto knows all about maximizing time by minimizing the number of products used—in an effort to streamline their routine before early morning shoots. “I’m a huge proponent of finding products you can ‘break the rules’ with and apply to multiple areas of the face, which helps with the overall look of makeup cohesion,” they said. When curating a five-minute routine, Vavina suggests taking a “one-and-done” approach by using the same color across cheeks, eyes, and even lips for a natural, unified flush. So ditch your eyeshadow and use a single-color cream shadow stick instead.
Make Up for Ever’s Artist Color Pencil is the ultimate multitasker. It resembles a lip liner but deposits blendable color wherever you place it. Meanwhile, in the world of convenient cream sticks, Westman Atelier, Rhode, and Victoria Beckham Beauty all offer multiuse, easily portable pigments designed for swipe-and-go application. Tap with fingers, blend lightly, and your makeup looks cohesive without ever looking overdone.
Swipe on a Statement Liner
One swipe of eyeliner instantly transforms: the graphic winged eyeliner of the mod era, the moody smudges of ’90s grunge, or whisper-thin strokes on the lash line for a minimalist touch. With just a pencil, gel, or liquid pen, you can go barely-there or full drama. Eyeliners come in every texture and finish imaginable, from classic kohl that melts on contact to razor-sharp liquids built for precision. The possibilities are endless. “To take an easy eye look up a notch, I like to take an eyeliner in the same color family but a shade deeper of whatever eyeshadow you use,” says Spickard. “Bring your liner along the the upper and lower lash lines and buff out with your finger or a small pencil brush.”
Spickard likes Victoria Beckham Beauty’s kajal liners: “They’re beautifully pigmented, super creamy, and don’t budge once they dry down.” For a more budget-friendly option, he considers Maybelline Tattoo Studio a must-buy for their serious color payoff and longevity. Meanwhile, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk pencil is the soft-glam essential, offered in flattering shades that make any eye color subtly pop. If you prefer a precise liquid wing that won’t smudge or fade, Stila’s All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is a classic.
Bat Your Lashes Big-Time
When in doubt, mascara is the simplest route to any easy eye makeup look. Never underestimate what a quick lash curl and a few strategic swipes can do—suddenly the eyes look lifted, defined, and noticeably more awake. “Curling your lashes will make you look instantly more awake,” per DeBratto. “I like to curl my lashes to the gods, squeezing the curler from the base of the lashes to the tip to ensure that I get an even bend throughout the lash. Then I’ll opt for my favorite tubing mascara to hold it all together.” The effect is eye-defining, effortless, and done in under 30 seconds.
For a clean beauty take, Hourglass delivers a standout tubing mascara that lengthens and defines without smudging. If you prefer something with more drama, Kulfi Beauty’s volumizing-meets-tubing formula builds seamlessly—from your-lashes-but-better to full flutter with just a few coats. As for tools, Shiseido’s classic eyelash curler remains a pro-favorite for creating a smooth, lifted bend, while those with stubbornly straight lashes may find a heated option like Grandelash’s curler offers longer-lasting lift and shape.
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Meet the experts
- El DeBratto is a nonbinary New York–based editorial makeup artist whose clients include Coco Rocha, Flower Beauty, Kristin Ess, and Glamour magazine.
- Kasey Spickard is a professional makeup artist and Maybelline ambassador based in New York with more than a decade of experience. Spickard has worked with clients such as Jenna Lyons, Kamie Crawford, and Brynn Whitfield.
- Anastasia Vavina is a professional makeup artist and hairstylist based in New York. In addition to working closely with major model agencies, Vavina’s work has been featured in Numero Netherlands, Elle, and more.
