Working from home (or anywhere) can be pretty awesome and it provides us with a sense of flexibility and being more casual, instead of having to pick what to wear every single day to look at least presentable.

And the truth is, we've all been there—scrambling to look presentable for a last-minute video call while still in yesterday's mascara and our favorite pajama top (we all know that nobody sees below the chest on camera). As someone who's perfected the art of the quick Zoom glow-up over countless morning meetings, client calls, and virtual coffee chats, I'm sharing my foolproof 5-minute makeup routine that'll have you looking polished and camera-ready in no time.

Why a Zoom-Specific Makeup Routine Matters

Before we get into more detail about the step-by-step process, let's talk about why your regular makeup routine might not translate well to video calls. Camera lighting is notoriously unflattering—it tends to wash out our natural coloring and create harsh shadows that make us look tired or sallow. Plus, certain makeup techniques that look gorgeous in person can appear overdone or unnatural on camera.

The key to great Zoom makeup isn't about looking perfect; it's about looking like the best, most awake version of yourself. This routine focuses on enhancing your natural features in a way that reads well through a camera lens while being quick enough to execute even when you're running late.

The Essential Products You'll Need

The beauty of this routine lies in its simplicity. You won't need an entire makeup counter's worth of products—just these carefully chosen essentials:

Base Products:

• Tinted moisturizer or BB cream
• Concealer (one shade lighter than your skin tone)
• Cream blush or liquid blush

Eye Products:

• Neutral eyeshadow palette (or one versatile shade)
• Mascara (waterproof if you're prone to watery eyes during long calls)
• Brow gel or pencil

Finishing Touches:

• Lip color (tinted balm, lipstick, or gloss)
• Setting spray (optional but recommended)

Step 1: Create a Smooth Canvas (60 seconds)

Start with clean, moisturized skin—this is non-negotiable. If you haven't already applied your morning skincare, at minimum splash some water on your face and apply a lightweight moisturizer. Your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath.

Apply your tinted moisturizer or BB cream using your fingers, focusing on the T-zone and any areas that tend to look oily on camera. The goal isn't full coverage—it's evening out your skin tone and creating a smooth base that won't look cakey on video.

For concealer, focus on under-eye circles and any blemishes around your nose and mouth area, since these are the parts of your face most visible during video calls. Blend quickly with your ring finger or a damp beauty sponge. Choose a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone to counteract the unflattering shadows that camera lighting creates under your eyes.

Step 2: Add Life to Your Face with Blush (30 seconds)

This step is crucial and often overlooked. Camera lighting tends to flatten facial features, making us appear washed out and lifeless. A strategic pop of blush brings dimension back to your face and makes you look healthy and alert.

Cream or liquid blush works best for this quick routine because it blends seamlessly and looks more natural on camera than powder formulas. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples. For fair skin tones, peachy pinks work beautifully; for medium to deep skin tones, berries and deeper corals are stunning.

Don't be afraid to go slightly more intense than you would for in-person interactions—cameras have a way of diluting color, so what looks bold in the mirror often appears perfectly natural on screen.

Step 3: Define Your Eyes (2 minutes)

Eyes are the window to the soul, and they're definitely the focal point during video calls. The goal here is to make your eyes appear larger, brighter, and more awake without looking overdone.

Start with eyeshadow—choose one neutral shade that's slightly deeper than your natural skin tone. Sweep it across your entire eyelid and blend it up toward the brow bone. This creates subtle definition that prevents your eyes from disappearing under harsh camera lighting. Champagne, soft brown, or taupe shades work well for most skin tones.

If you have five extra seconds, apply the same shade to your lower lash line using a small brush or your finger. This creates cohesion and makes your eyes appear more defined on camera.

Next, curl your lashes and apply one coat of mascara, focusing on separating and lengthening rather than adding volume. Clumpy lashes look particularly unflattering on video calls. If you wear false lashes regularly, skip them for Zoom calls unless you're attending a formal virtual event—they can look overdone and distracting on camera.

Step 4: Frame Your Face with Brows (45 seconds)

Well-groomed eyebrows frame your face and provide structure, which is especially important when half your face is cropped out of the camera frame. You don't need to create Instagram-worthy brows for a work call—just enhance what you naturally have.

If your brows are already in good shape, a quick brush-through with a tinted brow gel is all you need. This sets the hairs in place while adding subtle color and definition.

For sparse areas, use quick, light strokes with a brow pencil to fill in any gaps, focusing on the tail end of your brows where hair tends to be thinner. Remember, your brows should be sisters, not twins—aim for a natural, slightly enhanced version of your natural brow shape.

Step 5: Perfect Your Lips (45 seconds)

Your lip color choice can make or break your Zoom look. Nude or very pale lips can make you appear washed out on camera, while overly dark or bright colors can be distracting during professional calls.

For work calls, stick to "your lips but better" shades—think rosy nudes, soft berries, or muted corals. Tinted lip balms are perfect for this because they provide color while keeping lips moisturized throughout long calls (nobody wants to deal with dry, flaky lips mid-presentation). I personally keep it simple and elegant with VEXA's LushKiss Pout Booster - Instant Lip Plumper that plumps my lips while protecting them and, it tastes like vanilla cinammon -a taste of fall in your lips!

However, if you prefer traditional lipstick, apply it lightly and blot with a tissue for a natural, stained effect. Avoid high-shimmer or very glossy formulas, as they can look too reflective under certain lighting conditions.

Proven Tips for Camera-Ready Success

Lighting is Everything: Before you even start applying makeup, test your lighting setup. Natural light from a window is ideal, but if that's not available, position a lamp or ring light in front of you to eliminate unflattering shadows.

Keep Powder Handy: Even with setting spray, you might need a quick touch-up during longer calls. Keep a compact with translucent powder nearby for any shine that develops, particularly around your T-zone.

Test Your Look: Before an important call, do a quick test run with your camera to see how your makeup translates on screen. What looks perfect in your bathroom mirror might need slight adjustments for video.

Less is More: It's always easier to add more makeup than to remove it. Start with light application and build up if needed.

Focus on the Upper Half: Remember that most video calls show you from approximately the chest up, with primary focus on your face from the nose up. Prioritize your eye area and ensure your complexion looks even in that zone.

Adapting the Routine for Different Call Types

Internal Team Meetings: Stick to the basic routine—it's professional but not overdone for casual check-ins with colleagues.

Client Presentations: Add a subtle highlight to your cheekbones and inner corners of your eyes to appear more polished and awake.

Virtual Networking Events: Consider a slightly bolder lip color and make sure your brows are particularly well-defined, as these features help you appear more memorable on screen.

After-Hours Social Calls: Feel free to experiment with slightly more colorful eyeshadow or a fun lip color—these calls are about connecting with friends, not maintaining corporate professionalism.

Building Your Zoom Makeup Kit

Keep your Zoom makeup essentials in one easily accessible place. I recommend a small cosmetic bag or drawer organizer with just these key items so you're never scrambling to find what you need when a call is starting in five minutes.

Consider investing in travel sizes of your favorite products for your office desk if you work in a hybrid environment. There's nothing worse than realizing you need a touch-up between back-to-back meetings and not having your essentials on hand.

The Confidence Factor

Here's something I've learned after hundreds of video calls: the most important element of any makeup routine isn't the products you use—it's how the routine makes you feel. When you look put-together on screen, you naturally sit up straighter, speak more confidently, and engage more authentically with others on the call.

This 5-minute routine isn't about conforming to beauty standards or hiding who you are. It's about putting your best foot forward in a professional context while feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. Some days you might skip makeup entirely, and that's perfectly fine too—but on days when you want that extra boost of confidence, this routine has you covered.

Remember, everyone looks different on camera, and most people are far more focused on what you're saying than how you look saying it. The goal is simply to feel like yourself—just a slightly more polished, camera-ready version.

The beauty of this routine is its flexibility. As you get more comfortable with the steps, you can complete them in under five minutes, or take a bit longer if you have extra time to refine the details. Either way, you'll step into your next video call feeling confident, prepared, and ready to tackle whatever the day brings.

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About the Author

This article was written by Jennifer, a beauty and lifestyle contributor at The Working Gal. With more than 12 years of experience in the beauty industry and a passion for practical, time-saving routines, she specializes in helping busy women look and feel their best with minimal effort.

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