In these wild times, we’ve all been spending far longer than we’d like stuck in front of a webcam. In some ways, it’s oddly charming—like being back in the photobooth days. But in another way, it can create a whole new world of anxiety. We’re at home, so how put-together do we have to look? Is it acceptable to get onto a Zoom call in pajamas? How about if they could totally pass for day clothes? And as for makeup—well, that’s a whole other minefield.

In my opinion, the ideal webcam look isn’t one that screams “I’m wearing makeup.” You want to blur out any imperfections, put on a more polished air, and not look like you’ve spent hours carefully coordinating your look. Effortless has never been so stressful, huh?

Lucky for you, I’m here to help. Here’s a super quick, uber slapdash way to get ready for a webcam meeting.

Obviously, you want to start by washing your face. If your quarantine acne is getting out of control, let me tell you you aren’t alone. I’ve been using a tiny bit of the Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Mask as my morning cleanser. I simply rub onto my wet face in the shower and leave on until I get out—and it seems to be helping. I’ve also been a big fan of the Inkey List PHA Toner, which helps massively with any texture issues and gives skin more of a glow. Because everything is mad, I’ve been amping up my skincare by adding in the Zelens Brightening Serum. It’s super expensive but I really am noticing a difference in how even-toned and glasslike my complexion looks. Finally, you want a nice, dewy moisturizer with good grip to prime for makeup. I’m still convinced there’s none better than the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, as unglamorous as it is. 

Okay, makeup. You’ll want something you can slap on quickly and blend with fingers for maximum efficiency. Start with your BB, CC, or ETC of choice. Mine is the Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream, which has a natural, dewy finish but also a surprising amount of coverage. It blends perfectly with hands, which is what we want here. If you have anything more pertinently in need of coverage, dab on a liquid concealer (I used Tarte’s Shape Tape) and again, blend with a finger. A tapping motion tends to help retain the most coverage. Remember that the undeniable bonus of a webcam meeting is the poor quality of the camera, so you don’t need to worry about getting this too perfect. Or, like, perfect at all.

Next, add some color to your face. I used the Make Beauty Universal Stick, which looks like a pale lilac shade until you start applying and it turns a beautiful dusty terracotta. Apply directly along your cheekbones to give a hint of dimension while adding a rosy glow. I also used the Universal Stick around my eyes (smudged across the lid and lower lashline with a finger) just to give some definition there without bothering with eyeshadow.

Brows should be brushed upward with a product of your choice. I used Glossier Lash Slick (which, yes, I know, is supposed to go on lashes, but it works really well on brows too) to add shape and bushiness. I used the mascara on my lashes, too. It works surprisingly well in both areas, giving natural volume, definition, and color in mere seconds.

If you’re really pressed for time, one thing that can really help pull a look together is an inner-corner highlight. Any old, shimmery liquid shadow can be quickly dabbed on to make eyes appear bigger and brighter and to give the illusion that you’re exceptionally put-together. I used my favorite, the Tarte Rainforest Of The Sea Seaglass Eyeshadow in “Night Dive,” which is a pale pink with reflects of neon green and gold. You can also put a tiny bit of this on your cheekbones if you want some extra dewiness. It’s a little glittery to pass in person, but on a webcam looks perfectly fine.

For lips, I’m of the opinion that a slightly shiny balm is your best option. It shows you care about your appearance, but also that you’re just chilling out at home. I think the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is perfect for this, as it has a nicely glossy finish and a hint of pink tint.

Brush your teeth, give your hair a flip, and voila! You’re ready for your close-up. Well, actually, definitely not a close-up—but through a wide-angled lens on a built-in webcam, you’ll look perfect.