10 Women Reveal Their Quick Beauty Tricks




Picture this scenario. It's a weekday morning and you're sleeping soundly when your alarm goes off. You're still feeling tired, so you reach over and hit the snooze button. A few minutes pass. By the time you actually wake up, you realize that you have a very short amount of time to get ready for the day ahead, not to mention you have to get your kids out the door for school!

This scenario is very common for many women. We juggle a lot of responsibilities and as a result, we're often left with little time to become glamorous. What's a girl to do? Well, we at AOL Shopping asked our readers to reveal their five minute beauty routine. Check out their tips and recommendations to use the next time you only have a few minutes to perfect your look.

..................................................................................................................

Loreal's Bare Naturals"I've got five minutes to get ready, hair looks a mess and makeup isn't done. What do I do, and how will I pull off a polished look in such a short amount of time? I rush to the bathroom, plug in my hair straightener, and pull out just five cosmetic items. While my straightening iron is heating up, I apply L'Oreal's Bare Naturale Foundation (from $10.88) to my face. Next, I apply Rimmel London's Exaggerate waterproof eyeliner in Noir. For my lashes, one coat of CoverGirl's Fantastic Lash waterproof mascara in very black does the trick. These two products seem to brighten up my eyes, making them really shine. Then I apply
Max Factor's Color Genius Blush in Peaches. Last, I choose a light gloss for a little added color. One product I love is N.Y.C's Liquid Lipstick in Liz. Finally, I run a comb through my hair and using my Conair Straightener, quickly go over the unruly pieces to make them lie flat. I use the small, 1 inch tool for these quick fixes as it is less bulky and allows me to move through my hair rather quickly. I unplug the styling tool, and am ready to head out the door in five minutes, feeling put together and rather pleased that I still look good." -- Brandi, Wind Ridge, PA



"Time is of the essence, but why should you go out the house without looking at least remotely sane? Who knows if the former football player turned pediatrician who happen to own properties in both the Hamptons and Dubai is grabbing for the frozen peas as you scour for breakfast Hot Pockets. Here are a few quick and easy beauty tips to keep your face and maybe love life in the express line and out the door in five minutes:
It should take no more than 90 seconds to get that face in first gear. The key to a quick and easy beauty regimen is to incorporate healthy skincare on the fly. I do so with simple household products, I grab coffee grinds, like Café Bustelo's Instant Coffee (pack of 4 from $19.14), then I blend it with Williams-Sonoma's House Olive Oil (from $26) and let it rest on my face for up to 60 seconds. I rinse my face with warm water and step out all shiny and new. BUT, if you're worried about the coffee grind smell, feel free to rinse with a light soap. I use Noxema's Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser (from $8.99), it leaves the skin clean without the drying after-effect..." -- Ericka, Brooklyn, NY


Coppertone Ultra Guard Protection SPF 90
"Sometimes I just want to run out wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses to avoid having to put on makeup but, it never seems to fail that it's just those times that I run into friends or acquaintances that I haven't seen in a while. To avoid that embarrassment, I've come up with a five minute beauty regimen that helps me look pulled together but not overly made up for walking the dog or running errands. I always like to start with a moisturizing sunscreen to make my skin look dewy and get sun protection all in one. I like Coppertone UltraGuard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 90+ (from $8.04). Next step is to fill in my brows. Years of plucking have left my eyebrows quite sparse, so I do a quick fill-in with Clinique Brow Shaper. It is super easy to apply with a brow brush and looks much more natural than an eyebrow pencil. I bring my lashes to life with a couple of coats of black mascara. The final touch is to add some color to my lips. I love a natural tone like Bobbi Brown Sandwashed Pink Creamy Lip Color topped with some clear gloss. Then I pull my hair into a neat ponytail and I'm ready to face the world (or at least my neighborhood)." -- Meryl, 49, New York, NY


"My morninClinique's City Base Compact Foundationgs seems to involve an express makeup routine. I always hit snooze one too many times or go to get my clothes out of the dryer only to find them still damp. From slip-on flats to my one-cup coffee maker, I cut corners where I can in the morning rush and that includes speedy beauty sessions. Thankfully for me, there is a two-in-one product like Clinique's City Base Compact Foundation (from $23). It's a time-saver because it allows you to skip separate foundations and powders and accomplish the same flawless finish in only one step. It also works well with all skin types and offers great coverage. I have combination skin, and it is sometimes hard to find a well-balanced look and feel. This works wonders for me because I can leave it light where I need makeup least and build it up where I need it most, without it ever drying me out or clogging me up. I can't imagine spending any more time on makeup in the morning and luckily, with this little treasure, I don't have to." -- Deidre, 22, Jackson, MS


Estee Lauder Lash XL Mascara"
After taking a quick shower and scrubbing my face clean with Ivory soap, I grab some baby oil and my favorite moisturizer which is Nivea Tone. First, I slather on the baby oil followed by the Nivea Tone all over my face, arms, legs. I also use the baby oil to smooth my hair back. Then I slather a bit of extra baby oil on my dry lips. Next, I thicken up my thin lashes with Estee Lauder Lash XL (from $31) in black. This mascara really thickens my lashes with one good thick application. Next, I use the very end of the mascara to draw a line close to my eyelashes. I also use the mascara to darken and thicken my eyebrows. Just one swipe across each brow and they look thick and dramatic. Next, I apply Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Almond to my lips. The final step in makeup application is a quick dusting of Estee Lauder Lucidity Translucent Powder in Transparent on my face, ears, and neck. This transparent powder blends right in with just about any skin tone from light to dark. The powder makes my skin look naturally smooth and flawless, and not like I'm wearing makeup. This routine usually takes me five minutes or less." -- BB, 46, Philadelphia, PA


C.O. Bigelow Lip Gloss"Like me and other women, we are on the go these days. As a makeup artist for over 15 years, here are a few tips that I use that leave a lasting mark and only takes less than a minute for each step but it looks like you spent an hour in front of the mirror. The best part, I can put these few items in a small cosmetic bag and leave it in my purse for touch ups. I use this instead of lipstick because it lasts longer and it doesn't have the makeup taste. I use CoverGirl's Outlast lip stain. It comes in a variety of colors for around $8. I also put on a shiny lip gloss from Bath & Body Works called C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine (from $7.50). My favorite is the gloss with peppermint flavor. I love the moisturizing feel, high gloss, and a touch of minty flavor that gives a cooling sensation when applied." -- Miss Sassafrass


CoverGirl Illuminator concealer stick"As a mother of a 1-year-old, five minutes is about as much time as I can hope for to get ready. That is not enough time to do much with my hair, so I tend to focus on my face instead. I have sensitive, combination skin with pink undertones. My 5-minute beauty regimen starts with a CoverGirl Smoothers Concealer (from $1.99). I dot a little moisturizer on my fingers (I like Clean & Clear's Oil Free Morning Burst Shine Control Moisturizer), and I use the moisturizer to blend the concealer. Instead of a foundation, I put on Maybelline's Mineral Power finishing veil in "light." It provides translucent, natural coverage and never looks 'cakey.' However; I find that it retains oils, so I usually top it off with a little bit of CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder in "natural ivory," which I put on with a large round brush. I use the same brush to add some blush or bronzer, depending on the season. I finish off the look with Cover Girl's Lash Blast mascara, which adds incredible drama and has all-day staying power but easily washes off with water. If I have a few extra seconds, I'll add some sparkly taupe eyeshadow, and I'm out the door. This entire regimen takes five minutes or less and looks great all day long. I keep blotting sheets in my purse for mid-day shine removal, and this negates the need for any makeup touch-ups." -- Jen, 27, Olyphant, PA

"We have all heard how beneficial it is to drink green tea, however not many know how beneficial it is when used topically on your skin. My favorite brand to use is, Yogi Super Anti-Oxidant Green Tea (from $2.98) (or just about any tea will do). Simply pour one cup drinking water into a small sauce pan, add one Yogi tea bag, and heat until water begins to boil. Reduce heat to low and lean over the pan closely enough to feel the steam on your face but not so close that you burn yourself. Steam for just a minute or two and then dip a soft cloth or paper towel into the hot green tea, let cool slightly, then apply to face and neck. As it absorbs into your skin, you will actually feel the sensation of something wonderfully nourishing happening. There is no need to rinse it off. Simply continue with your normal skincare regimen. I can't tell you how often people comment on my skin after performing this simple and inexpensive regimen." -- Bonnie, Santa Rosa, CA


"The best beauty tip I've received in the past year came from a Bobbi Brown make up specialist at a Bobbi Brown party in my town of Montclair, NJ. As I sat in the chair waiting for the specialist to choose the colors for me, she picked up a dark brown eye shadow and held it up to my eyes. "Yes," she said to me, "This will be just the right color." I made a face in protest. I was used to wearing shades of green and blue eye shadow to match my hazel green eyes and fair skin. Surely this color, Bobbi Brown Rich Brown (11) Eye Shadow (from $20) would be too much? She told me not to fret, guaranteeing that I would like the results. As she prepared to apply this shadow to my eyes, she did something else unexpected. She dipped her Bobbi Brown Eye Definer Brush in water. She then tapped this wet brush into the eye shadow. When she was done, she held the mirror up for my skeptical inspection. Lo and behold, the dark brown looked amazing! It seems that with my fair coloring and undefined features, what I had been needing all along were the sharp, defining contours of a dark brown around my eyes. The same color can also be used to fill in faint eye brows, using the same brush. Now, when I'm in a rush and have little time to prepare my makeup, I know that applying that Bobbi Brown Rich Brown (11) Eye Shadow will do the trick to make me look instantly pulled together and sharp." -- Cynthia, Montclair, NJ


Aussie Freeze Hairspray"Sadly, time management isn't one of my strongest attributes. Therefore, only having five minutes to get ready for an important event isn't unknown territory to me. To make matters worse, I have flat hair that if left unfixed, looks matted to my face. To counter this unfortunate trait, I first throw all of my long hair in a tight, low bun with about 10 bobby pins. I then take Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Spray (from $4) and squirt about 10-15 sprays in my hair. Next, I silently curse Julia Roberts for having such naturally full and beautiful hair while applying Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara and Mac Studio Fix powder. I once had a Rudolf-looking blemish catastrophe before a blind date and Studio Fix saved me. The guy turned out to be a loser, but at least my face looked flawless. Once I hit the five minute mark, I take out the bobby bins to reveal slightly wavy hair. I pull it into a low, loose side pony. If I find myself with only five minutes to make myself presentable, this is my never-fail beauty regimen." -- Amanda, 22, Montgomery, AL


Check Out A Few Deals From:
L'Oreal
| CoverGirl | Estee Lauder
& Avon:
Eye Want It All Complete Custom Set
(from $12.99) | Pop Up Brush Set (from $5.99)
Skin So Soft Towelettes (from $14.99) | Jillian Dempsey Professional Multi-Pencil (from $6.99)

..................................................................................................................


You've heard from 10 women across the country. Now it's your turn. What do you use when time isn't on your side? We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below.

______________________________________________________________________________

Check out our new Secret Shhhopping Series! Our Secret Shhhopper is secretly shopping at your favorite stores and reporting back on the customer service. Find out the skinny on your favorite retailers!

Watch Us on YouTube: AOLShoppingtv
Become a Fan on Facebook
Sign up for the AOL Shopping news

Add your comments

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Comments page 1 of 1

  • Kathi
    Highest Rank
    Kathi said 6-07-2010 @7:34AM

    Just a helpful hint that I would like to pass on, Be very careful with the Coppertone sun screem ultra guard, Do not apply to skin that has any kind of irritation or previous sunburn (No matter how slight) The sunscreen is so strong that it can intensify the existing irritation! It happened to me while on vacation and I had to spend a day in the medical unit and 2 days in my hotel room lost alot of my vacation due to that coppertone, not to mention 200.00 dollars for Doctor and medication to treat it

    reply
  • Daria
    Neutral
    Daria said 6-07-2010 @8:00AM

    I'm sorry, but BB from Philly must look like a crazy woman with mascara as eyeliner and brow makeup, and baby oil in her hair! I see these women who always look like a gloppy mess with their mascara kinda all over the place and she must be one of them. Don't do this! If your hair is thick and coarse enough you could get away with a LITTLE baby oil....
    My 5 minute routine lately has been to rinse with water then use a serum under Clinique City Block Sheer- it says sheer but it gives just a little matte color that evens everything out and I usually don't even need powder with it. Then white eyeliner on the inner bottom lids, eyeshadow brushed on with a little darker shade brushed on a wet brush for liner. Burt's bees pomegranate lip balm feels good and gives some color- then whatever with the hair, depending on what it looks like that morning.

    reply
  • Karen
    Highest Rank
    Karen said 6-07-2010 @8:40AM

    One of the best things you can do for yourself is to find a stylist who can give you a great haircut. Even if you prefer long hair, an occasional trim to help eliminate bulk or split ends can make a world of difference in how easy--or difficult!--your hair is to style. If you love mid-length or short hair, you know how critical a good cut is. Also--and this seems too obvious--the more closely you work with the hair you actually have the easier it will be to live with. My hair is angora-cat-fine, and very curly. Wearing it short and in an uncomplicated style is the perfect solution for me, and it takes all of twenty seconds to make it presentable in the morning ( dampen palms with water or a little hairspray; mess it all through with my fingers, pushing various bits around the way I like them, and that's that! ). I don't even have a blow-dryer: better for my hair and my skin to not blast them with hot air! Also, sleep on a satin pillowcase. Your hair will be much easier to style come morning at any length, without lots of fuzzies or the dreaded "bed-head" look. ( P.S. I am not a hairdresser, but I've learned a lot from them over the years! ) And, if you want an extra spark after your hair and make-up have been dealt with, take the few seconds for just one accessory: great earrings!

    reply
  • laura
    Highest Rank
    laura said 6-07-2010 @9:20AM

    For a truly maginificent skin, use 1 capsule Herpanicine (at Vitamin Shoppe nationawide and on line) and 1 capsule Bio-Cil (also found at Vitamine Shoppe)--take them in the evening before you retire. Daily in the morning, 1 capsule of a top quality Stress-B Vitamin Complex (Twin Lab, Solaray or Mother's all on line).

    The two skin care-targeted supplements are synergistic for improving ageing skin, minimizing pores, wrinkles (they fill in - takes about a month with perhaps 70% difference in the skin's texture and overall appearence) and new skin cells are fantastic. Also hair, nails, lashes and eyebrows fill in and strengthen. Skin is hydrated and fresh. For laser treatments or plastic surgeries, this blend shores up the procedures with optimum results.

    If you smoke anything stop - the kiss of death for great skin and hair.

    reply
  • Mrs. Foster
    Highest Rank
    Mrs. Foster said 6-07-2010 @10:35AM

    I have been on a 5 minute routine since college in the 80s and have done most of these tricks. Only I use Tazo Peppermint, Spearamint & Tarragon tea not only as a steam for my face but as a rinse for my hair. I have chemical allergies so I make my own night moisturizer from castor oil, olive oil, and goat cream. I always wear sunscreen after having skin cancer at 20, and makeup rarely. Most people think I am 10-15 years younger than I am. Girls - TAKE CARE OF YOUR Skin and you won't need to be cosmetically 'adjusted' later.

    reply
  • Catherine
    Neutral
    Catherine said 6-07-2010 @10:59AM

    I LOVE the Reverta products but you can only find them on line Reverta.com

    reply
  • Emilia
    Neutral
    Emilia said 6-07-2010 @11:34AM

    Nice try! This is simply a way to advertise products, nothing to do with real people giving tips. You want a REAL tip? Wash your face in plenty of cold water when you first wake up. (If you can, add ice to a bowl of cold water and immerge your face, keeping it as long as you can.) It halps you wake up and has the added benefit of closing your pores. I also do the same after a shower, before I apply my face cream.

    reply
  • patardugno
    Neutral
    patardugno said 6-07-2010 @11:36AM

    The Tea on the face would turn your skin orange or brown! What mean people would try to trick people into doing that.
    I know this for a fact because my mother was a cosmotologist (beautician) & when us daughters were teenagers our mom told us to use tea bags instead of the instant tanning products that suddenly appeared on the market in the 70's. The tea worked great,...without all the chemicals. But unless you know you skin will turn orange or tanned, it may be a nightmare if the women are only looking for a facial.

    reply
  • Lisa
    Neutral
    Lisa said 6-07-2010 @12:23PM

    I pull my hair up to where a high ponytail would be, twist and secure with a clip (i think they're called banana clips - long with several "teeth") in the am I let it down and it's got body and slight curl - and I have fine limp hair. I do this with hair that has been styled that morning - I can usually get 2 or 3 days out of a style session with this trick. I am older so I don't have oily scalp. You could refresh with one of the "dry shampoos" if needed.

    reply
  • Lisa
    Neutral
    Lisa said 6-07-2010 @12:28PM

    The tea she is talking about does not have the dark color of a black tea. I want to hear more about how to use tea as a self tanner thouhg!

    reply
  • Pattie
    Neutral
    Pattie said 6-07-2010 @12:31PM

    My sister in law manages a modeling agency and gave me this basic tip that takes 10 seconds. Never leave the house without lipstick and earrings. But, for five minutes I will pull my hair back in a killer barrette (if it is misbehaving), put on a glowing moisturizer (love Philosophy), eye shadow in taupe, one coat of black mascara (love Cover Girl 9X) and lipstick, with a swipe of the lipstick on my cheeks. Done. I am lucky to have nearly perfect skin (at 54!the gods have blessed me) but if I have one more minute Bare Escentials does the trick with just one coat.

    reply
  • Marcie
    Highest Rank
    Marcie said 6-07-2010 @1:06PM

    I have sensitive, combination skin. My entire make-up routine consists of: Bare Minerals make-up in Bisque, which I apply with a cotton ball to problem areas such as discoloration, broken blood vessels, blemishes, large pores etc.; using the same cotton ball I apply Bare Minerals blush called "riches"; I then use a double ended make-up brush to apply Bare Minerals eye shadow in either Cognac Diamond (brown shade) or Humor, (a gray shade); with the other end of the brush I apply "Gossamar" which is a sparkly white mineral eye shadow under my eyebrows; last, I apply Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Watermelon. Five easy steps. Good to go, all natural!

    reply
  • Marcie
    Neutral
    Marcie said 6-07-2010 @1:19PM

    BB from Philadelphia must be kidding. Slather yourself in baby oil? I'd be a shiny, greasy mess with a huge breakout on my face from clogged pores. Baby oil is a petroleum product, it's not good on your skin long term. Baby oil in your hair? Who do you want to look like, Dracula? The kicker was mascara on your eyebrows! I'm still laughing about that one.

    reply
  • Betsy
    Highest Rank
    Betsy said 6-07-2010 @1:43PM

    Hey Marcie If you want really nice, soft skin this is what I have been doing since I saw it in Cosmo over 20 years ago. You get all wet & then put a handful of Epsom salts in your hand... squeeze a dose of baby oil onto the Epsom salts and it will quickly absorb and make a mush.(You will learn if its more than you care to use and can simply cut the amt of Salts and Baby Oil to suit you) then slather it on your elbows knees thighs and arms, back and shoulders. The abrasiveness of the Epsom Salt will gently "scrub" away the rough spots and the baby oil fills right in and softens the skin. Rubbing it on your thighs really helps with any cellulite. It doesnt build up but gets drawn into the skin where it can do some good instead of just pooling. After all these years my skin is nice and soft still. Lived all my life 3 blks from the Jersey Shore and now I wish I had known more about sun damage. But do try the epsom salts and baby oil, Marcie. If you dont like it no harm done!

  • sanb100
    Neutral
    sanb100 said 6-07-2010 @1:41PM

    I don't have a comment...I have a question! I need help! I've got very dark areas all around my eyes, and along the side of my face. We were at a family function the other day, there were photos taken, and I looked horrible...like a shadow was over my face. What can I use to combat this look? I've tried concealers, powders, facials.....nothing seems to help. Can someone please offer me a solution. (I'm a 57 year old African American woman). I'd appreciate your suggestions.

    reply
  • bev
    Neutral
    bev said 6-07-2010 @4:58PM

    San: I dont mean to scare you but please have the darkness under your eyes looked at. There are many people that have darkness under their eyes and you could just be one of them but its also a sign of a heart problem.

  • k. Dierks
    Neutral
    k. Dierks said 6-12-2010 @4:01PM

    Window washing solution.........
    Empty 1 gallon bottle
    I bottle sudsy ammonia
    1 bottle rubbing alcohol
    1 small squirt of dishwashing liquid
    Fill the remainder of the bottle with water
    works wonders on windows, mirrors etc.

    reply
  • Annie xu
    Neutral
    Annie xu said 11-15-2010 @7:42AM

    For a lady to keep young in any time is a dream for everyone, and I think we shall not mind the result too much, mainly you enjoy the process and be with a healthy heart you will be young and nice.
    Welcome to my store: www.ioffer.com/selling/anniepurchase,;
    Also www.annie-purchase.com for business cooperations discussion.
    Hope everyone is nice and healty everyday.
    Life is your own.

    reply
  • Cosmelan
    Neutral
    Cosmelan said 2-24-2011 @8:48AM

    So encouraging things are provided here,I really happy to read your post,I was just imagine about it and you provided me,I really bookmark it,for further reading,So thanks for sharing Pretty information.
    http://www.thebeautyinsiders.com/cosmelan.html

    reply

style team