We’ll admit that in the past we have been known to arrive to work with wet hair, and on occasion our mascara application has occurred mid-commute. Fortunately since those amateur days, we’ve mastered the get out the door quick plan and gotten our pre-workday routine down to ten minutes or less. Ladies, if you’ve ever blushed and bronzed on the subway or powdered up at a red light, this one is for you.

Hair

2 Minutes: Waking up with a serious case of bedhead is not enough to slow down our mornings. Our solution is to brush the ends, removing any obvious tangles. Then, to make up for the lack of actual shampoo, blast roots with dry shampoo. Finally, use fingers to comb through hair. If you’re still seeing some unruly frizz, smooth a drop of oil over the ends or any areas that need it. We love Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment and Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy.

2 Minutes: Step away from the hot tools. Instead, decide which of our two office-friendly hairstyles suits you. Are you a braid girl or a bun girl? Take two minutes and whip your hair into a style that keeps it out of your face and off your mind.

Makeup

1 Minute: Wake up your complexion with a good old-fashioned splash of cold water. As long as you thoroughly cleansed the night before, you can get away with just a rinse in the morning. Then apply your favorite tinted moisturizer or BB Cream (we’re partial to AmorePacific Moisture Bound Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 and L’Oréal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator).

1 Minute: While your chosen complexion perfector is sinking in, take a moment to apply mascara. Save time by choosing a curling formula that will also deliver volume and length like Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara, Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara, or Guerlain Maxi Lash.

1 Minute: Despite our love of liquid eyeliner, our favorite work-appropriate eye makeup must is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil. These little shadow sticks are our nine-to-five picks because they require so much less precision and the color stays put from our morning coffee through our evening commute. Depending on the day, we add just a little to the lash line or smudge it up into the crease.

2 Minutes: Office lighting can be–let’s say–unforgiving, so our secret weapon for getting work-ready in a hurry will always be Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat. Grab your makeup bag’s most versatile tool and highlight the brow bone to look instantly awake, erase dark under-eye circles, and hide imperfections all over.

1 Minute: Take the final minute to make your finishing touches–a dab of blush of the cheeks, a dusting of finishing powder, a spritz of your signature scent–and you’re off to work!

Total Time: 10 minutes.

There is one step that we save for on-the-go application: lips. Stash your favorite tinted lip balm or moisturizing gloss in your purse, and swipe it on as you dash out the door.

How long do you take to get ready for work? Let us know below.

Photos: bds/Veer