Most of us don't have a ton of time to primp and prep—after all, you've got a million and one tasks on your to-do list and applying your makeup doesn't even rank in the top 30. The good news is, achieving your beauty goal, whether it's clear skin, beautiful nails or shiny hair, doesn't have to use up tons of time or money. After years of working with genius beauty editors, I've learned that making simple tweaks to your routine (rather than total turnarounds) can help you look gorgeous in almost no time at all. Test-drive a few of these quick, easy beautifiers and soon you'll be showing off an amazing look in mere minutes.
Sleep your way gorgeous
A cotton pillow doesn't allow skin to glide over its surface, causing sleep lines and dents. Over time, the repeated pressing can lead to permanent creases. Instead, cover your pillow with a case made of silk or satin (synthetic is fine) and get gorgeous while you sleep.
Make your hair shine
Healthy hair starts in the shower. Suds up with shampoo at the roots (where oil concentrates) to avoid drying out the rest of your hair. Condition from midshaft to ends; avoiding extra moisture at the roots helps maintain your style so you can cut back on washes to every other day or less often. Then wrap wet hair in an absorbent microfiber towel to start the drying process to cut back on frying blow-dry time.
Cover your hands
Washing the dishes and cleaning your house can expose your hands to harsh, drying chemicals. Water also swells nail layers, leading to splitting and chipped polish. Wear protective gloves when you submerge your skin in a cleansing solution, and your hands (one of the first zones to show aging) will earn applause.
Make SPF the encore
Always apply sunscreen last—after serums and lotions—so it can form a protective barrier. Use a foundation brush to push the formula into the hairline, an often-overlooked spot where skin cancers are on the rise. (While you're at it, rub some on ears, another susceptible spot that's often snubbed.) Then wait three minutes (the length of your favorite Beyoncé song) before applying makeup.
Nibble your teeth whiter
No time to brush between meals? Grab a crunchy fruit or veggie snack such as an apple, pear, celery stick or some baby carrots. Munching revs saliva, which shows up on the scene to flush away particles that could stain your smile.
Get flawless-looking foundation
For a natural finish, apply base or tinted moisturizer with a foundation brush (it has a flat, upside-down U shape). Before moving on to blush, puff out your cheeks like a blowfish and run a cotton swab over smile lines to remove makeup that may have settled.
De-stress in the shower
After sudsing up with shampoo, press the pads of your fingertips into your scalp in a circular motion, going up and down your head, along the hairline and around ears. Don't just move the hair around—move your scalp. Doing so whisks away oil at the roots and instantly relaxes you.
Shave smarter
Wait no longer than three minutes after getting in the shower before picking up your razor. Warm water softens hairs, but too much soaking can cause skin to swell, hiding them. Result: postshower stubble. To avoid ingrowns, shave in the direction of hair growth first (downward on legs; upward under arms), then again in the opposite direction.
Power up your body lotion
Rather than slather chilly lotion all over, heat a handful with your hair-dryer until warm. (To avoid causing a mess, set your dryer on low and aim it down toward your palm, at least 3 inches away.) You'll be more likely to cover your whole body—and ensure soft-as-silk skin—when your routine has a pampering spin.
Swipe a straw
Dark soda, red wine, coffee and deep-colored juices can stain teeth. Consider ordering beverages that are light (such as pinot grigio and chamomile tea) and clear (seltzer or plain old water) instead, and limit dark ones to two a day and sip them through a straw to avoid contact with your chompers.
By Lucy Danziger.
By Lucy Danziger.
