Quick-Fix Beauty Routine

Who has time for a labor-intensive beauty routine? Even if you’ve streamlined your routine to the bare bones, sometimes you’re going to need some extra help on days when your hair has lost its luster (and you’ve got an important meeting at work) or your skin just looks blah (which happens to all of us). These products are fantastic quick fixes when you need a little bit of extra help on the fly.

Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh is a French cosmetic dermatologist whose products are adored by Europeans who clamor for his cutting-edge expertise. Now, you can instantly zap zits with his super-handy spot-fighting treatment: All you need to do is dab a tiny bit on the offending pimple. It’ll also calm, reduce redness and tighten pores. Keep one handy in your purse, and prepare to be amazed by how quickly it works.

To buy: Barneys, $70

Sometimes you’re in such a rush to get the kids off to school, especially when they’ve been dawdling all morning trying to choose an outfit, that you don’t have time for your morning shower. Horrors! Don’t worry—Neuma Style Extender spray is better than typical dry shampoos. It mists on, giving your hair tons of shine. You can then restyle it or just dash out the door. It also smells heavenly.

To buy: Neuma, $20

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You’re running late, it’s pouring outside, and of course you’ve got an important meeting with the big boss. You look in the mirror and want to scream. Your hair has taken on a life of its own, and not in a good way. Don’t panic. A tiny amount of Aussie's Miraculously Smooth Anti-Frizz Cream will smooth down the frizz and add shine and moisture, leaving you confident that you can tame your tresses.

To buy: Drugstore.com, $5

The late Nora Ephron wrote the wonderful book I Feel Bad About My Neck, and now you can avoid feeling bad about your neck when you start using this Mama Mio firmer. It is one of the few products I’ve found that, thanks to its ultra-creamy texture and antioxidant ingredients like co-enzyme CoQ10 and milk thistle, really does instantly smooth and tone the often-neglected, yet tender, thin skin of your neck and décolletage.

To buy: Mama Mio, $45

BB creams are the latest buzzword in makeup, and for good reason. They’re the ultimate multitasker, providing hydration, SPF protection, pore-minimizing, brightening, imperfection-hiding and the smoothing effects of a primer in one easy step. Rimmel London’s new BB Cream is absorbed in a flash and makes you look rested and refreshed—with a very cool matte finish—even if the baby was up all night. Available in light, medium and medium/dark.

To buy: Ulta, $7

I stopped wearing powder when my skin got drier and my pores became more noticeable. Powder just seemed to highlight everything I wanted to conceal. So I was thrilled to find Mally’s amazing translucent Face Defender. You won’t believe anything this transparent can work, but dab it on gently … and prepare to be wowed. Its high-tech yet sheer coverage makes the Face Defender a wonderful quick-fix weapon when you want to touch up your makeup and brighten your complexion without having to redo anything.

To buy: QVC, $40

When your skin has lost its zing, or when you’re noticing dark spots and an uneven tone, it’s time to add an effective brightening product to your beauty arsenal. This serum is lightweight, smells yummy and instantly boosts radiance for those dull days. And if you use it regularly for about six weeks, you’ll notice even more visible results.

To buy: Kahina, $72

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Stress combined with a lack of sleep can leave dark circles under your eyes that make you look even more tired than you feel. Luckily, you can banish the bags with Clairvoyant’s soothing Brightening Boost. Just dab on three little dots under each eye, and pat gently. The cucumber, caffeine and aloe in this green-scented cream instantly reduce puffiness while lessening your dark circles.

To buy: Clairvoyant Beauty, $20

Paula Begoun, author of The Beauty Bible and Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, knows her skin care, so you can trust her products to do what they say they’re going to do. And this new foundation goes on smoothly without caking, gives just enough coverage to minimize pores and soften wrinkles, and lasts all day. If you want a quick-fix look that is polished and professional without noticeably heavy coverage, this is the foundation for you. It’s packaged in a tube so you can throw it in your purse, and it's available in six levels, from Level 0 (Porcelain) to Level 5 (Medium/Tan).

To buy: Paula's Choice, $25

Chipped nail polish or raggedy nails can ruin an entire outfit in a hurry, so you’ll want to add super-quick nail fixes to your beauty arsenal. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure gives you five nail qualities in one little bottle: base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color and top coat. You just need two coats, and it’s highly chip-resistant—so it will last through many diaper changes. And with 42 shades, the only thing that'll hold you back is deciding which color to choose.

To buy: Target, $6

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