Some may have developed elaborate 12-step beauty routines to fill the long days of lockdown, but let’s be realistic – now many of us are back on the commute demands a different approach. We want fast and furious: quick skin, hair and make-up that can help us to cheat our way to looking bright and breezy – as well as staying put behind the mask on public transport, or in the face of the wind on a walk or cycle.

Here are eight beauty ideas for returning to work – think of it as new-season stationery …

1 Skincare that’s simple. With skincare, we’re paring back and looking to products that simply do what they say on the (preferably recyclable) tin. If you need to make your skin look awake and ready to go, try a gel or emulsion moisturiser. It’s a quick glow-enhancer for mornings when you oversleep. For a luxe, seriously sophisticated option, La Mer’s Hydrating Infused Emulsion (€230), launched in August, is a glorious thing. It’s clearly deadly expensive – but it’s so light but luscious, with the main ingredient being seaweed (no need to brave a cold swim in the sea). You’ll be hard-pushed to return to a regular old face cream. This feels very energising, and seems to wake skin up and help it to glow.

Rather more accessibly, new Skin Proud Sorbet Skin Everyday Jelly Moisturiser at Boots Ireland (€14.99), with plenty of rosewater, gives a quick layer of moisture (tap it onto cheekbones as a last step and see the glow). It’s clearly aimed at a younger market – and the packaging is disconcertingly similar to the pink and plastic bottles you’d buy for your toy baby doll in the 1970s – but it’s cheap, cheerful, vegan and cruelty-free.

2 A bit of a base. I love the idea of a one-stop foundation such as new Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Foundation SPF40 (€55), as it claims to do everything in one go. I love the glamorous glass bottle, but found the formula a bit dry on my skin, and heavier than I like. I’ve just spotted Trinny London has a new BFF product launched today, BFF Rebalance, a tinted serum in 14 shades for a light and breathable soft matte finish – their words not mine as I haven’t tried it yet. But it sounds like a good alternative to the bestselling BFF SPF30 cream, if you prefer to use a separate SPF product (as dermatologists recommend you do). €31, at www.trinnylondon.com.

3 An eye cream that works. Even if we don’t especially care about wrinkles etc, most of us want to look less tired, and most have something that keeps us awake at night, whether worries/babies/teenagers/lockdown puppies … My current bag-banishing failsafe is Clarins Double Serum Eye, as it combines soothing eye cream with a refreshing and brightening serum, delivered in one pump (€59).

4 Blush. You might not think of blusher as an essential, but it’s definitely become one of mine – you’ll find people say you look well when you have a healthy flush of colour. We tried a bit of blush to counteract the deathly effects of Zoom, and became hooked. Current favourites include Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Blush – the mini palette means no waste, and it’s a lovely light, incredibly fine texture. €43 (be aware that it’s smaller than it looks on screen if you’re buying online), or available in a duo together with the brilliant Confession Ultra Slim refillable lipstick, €64 at Arnotts. For the Rodarte SS22 show, (pictured top), make-up artist James Kaliardos used various shades of Nars Air Matte Blush.

5 A manicure is as good as a blowdry for feeling instantly groomed and good to go. We’re booking in to the Gloss House Nail Studio, just up from Booterstown Dart station: from €28 for a basic mani or pedi. And the Nailberry polish shades are delectable. 45 Booterstown Avenue, Co Dublin; www.glosshouse.ie.

6 A subtle fragrance – ie one that doesn’t enter the room before you do. While working from home meant you could delight in your strongest scents, now consider your poor colleagues and return to something less strident. Try Shiseido’s new Ginza eau de parfum (from €56), a fine floral with jasmine, magnolia and Japanese orchid; it is also available as a shower cream (€45) and a perfumed body lotion (€49), which will give skin just enough subtle scent that’s lovely as opposed to loud. At Arnotts and pharmacies nationwide. Jo Malone London are championing their Pear & Freesia Cologne for autumn – a mellow yet bright and light scent that will not annoy anyone.

7 New tools. We may no longer need a new pencil case for a new term, but investing in some new make-up brushes could help make the morning go more smoothly, quite literally. Make-up artist Sarah Keary’s brushes are now available individually – they were previously in sets – with prices from €12 to €20. Go for the blush brush (€16) to apply your flattering cheek colour with a clean sweep. www.sarahkeary.ie

8 A lipstick that stays on. We want one that will withstand the mask, as well as stay put without drying lips (tip: if the lip area feels dry or liney, L’Occitane’s Divine Immortelle Eye & Lips Contour, €59, is a small but mighty product). Several brands have come out with long-lasting liquid stains recently, and we’re enjoying Lancome’s new L’Absolu Rouge Drama Ink, a water-in-oil formula which is light and lovely to wear, leaving a veil of colour on lips all day. In 18 shades from hot reds to classic nudes: my pick is 270, a velvety soft pink. €32.50 at counters nationwide.

Main featured image: Rodarte SS22