By elements staff writer

Women have been applying cosmetics and beauty products since the days of Ancient Egypt, about 6,000 years ago. So how is it that we’re still running out the door each morning with only one eye done or applying lip gloss as we maneuver through traffic?

By simplifying your beauty routine and turning back to basics, you can reclaim valuable time normally spent slaving away in the bathroom every morning. Hey, we all want to look good; but we also want to have a life, too! Here are tips to streamline your beauty process and leave them wondering how you possibly find the time to look that good every day:  

Get back to basics. When it comes to skin care, stick to just the absolute daily necessities. For most women, this means a cleanser, a moisturizer, a toner and possibly an anti-aging product. One of each! Discover what type of skin you have and only buy products for that type which you will use on a regular basis. Yes, that glitter face cream looked fab on New Year’s, but honestly, can you see yourself using it in the foreseeable future?

Goodbye germs. Check expiration dates on all your products. If they are more than two years old, dried out, or discolored, get rid of them (an exception is liquid eye products, which should be discarded after six months). Expired items can accumulate microorganisms and germs, which could lead to infection. If you’ve got unexpired items that you don’t want, check around and see if a relative or friend can use them. (Better yet, throw a beauty party where you invite people to experiment and take home any unwanted products!).

Organize! Keep skincare products together in your bathroom, and cosmetics together in a storage container or case. Use drawer organizers, over-the-door holders and small baskets to keep things in order. Having everything in one place will dramatically reduce the time it takes you to get ready, and save you from sprinting from one room to the other searching for items. (And there are some truly adorable cosmetics cases out there!).

Lighten up. A makeup bag in your purse insures that you’ll always be prepared for a cosmetics emergency. But when was the last time you really went through that thing? Dump everything out (over a table, of course) and sort. What’s expired? Toss it. What’s not needed on a daily basis? File it in your home cosmetics container. What can be down-sized? Purchase smaller mini- or travel-sized versions to reduce clutter even more. Believe me, your shoulders will thank you!

Be a Girl Scout. When it comes to cosmetics, some women can get away with a concealer and a light application of gloss; some women like to whip out the whole nine yards—mascara, blush, everything. No matter which category you fall into, planning ahead can really cut down on your prep time in the morning. Try to take care of skincare applications at night, rather than in the morning. Giving your face a good wash the night before means you can get away with a splash of water in the morning, and applying any acne treatments or anti-aging treatments before you go to sleep can work for you while you snooze.

Read the fine print. Many retail and chain stores let you return cosmetics or products if you are not happy with them after a day or two. Take advantage of this by holding on to receipts and verifying store policies. Don’t be afraid to return that lipstick if it’s not the shade you wanted. Additionally, research and buy quality products. Sure, they cost a bit more, but you’ll get infinitely more use out of them and you’ll avoid buying three different cheaper products to solve what one high-quality product could have fixed.

Two-for-one is way more fun! You can’t do it for everything, but wherever you can, try to use 2-for-1 products. Love fragrances, but always forget to apply it in the mad morning rush? Get a body or hand lotion that offers a sweet scent. If you’re tired of applying moisturizer and sunscreen, combine the two by using an oil-free moisturizer with SPF. Neutrogena makes a great one at a reasonable price.

It’s a cosmetics case; not a tool box. Women love accumulating cosmetics tools, but seriously, you only need one of each tool and most of them can be bought in a set with a case: eye shadow, liner and lip brushes, large blush brush, mascara wand, tweezers and small sponges if you use foundation.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, get rid of that hair. If you feel like you’re a slave to your hair, talk with your stylist to find a haircut that works for you and is easy to maintain on a daily basis. Consider switching to a shampoo-conditioner combo to reduce shower time, or opt to shampoo only a few days a week. Many women find this actually improves hair quality and keeps it looking shinier. Experiment and see what works best for you.