HOW TO WEAR SHIMMER (IN REAL LIFE)

If there were an official list of the top five most difficult makeup looks of all time, I imagine that wearing shimmer would be pretty high on the list (right behind applying false lashes andfinding a red lipstick). But even the biggest makeup klutz can pull off a sparkly look without heading into disco-ball territory—just stick with these simple rules.

Look for little particles

Contrary to what gymnasts and Justin Bieber fans will have you believe glittery makeup can look grownup. The trick: Use products with tiny flecks of shimmer—they’re more subtle and sophisticated than big, chunks. Another plus: less mess!

Pick one place to shine 

To avoid overdoing it, apply shimmery makeup to one feature at a time. For a pretty combo, do bright, colorful metallic lids with a pinky-nude lip gloss. If you can’t get away with full-on bold shadow at work, go with this cubicle-friendly option: Trace dark brown eye pencil along your top lash lines then layer a sparkly liquid liner on top.

Mix textures on your lips

Let’s face it, most of us aren’t blessed with Angelina’s lips, but there’s a quick way to get a shimmer fix and fake fullness. Apply a creamy lipstick then dab a metallic gloss just on the center of your pout. Pair it with tons of mascara (a seductive gaze is optional).

Make friends with highlighter

One creamy highlighter can do so much for your face—and it’s fast. Smudge a little bit above your cheekbones for an instant glow, or put some underneath your brows or in the inner corner of your eyes to make them pop. Try achampagne colored highlighter if you have fair or medium skin; if your skin is dark go with copper or bronze.

BEAUTY DIY: A HAIR MASK YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME

Whether you are strapped for cash, looking to go back to the basics or just wanting to get more hands on in your beauty routine, this do-it-yourself hair mask is exactly what your stylist ordered. It will add shine and moisture, while taming frizz and dandruff. Great hair is just a trip to your pantry away.

To make the mask, simply combine the following:

• 1 raw egg
• ½ cup plain yogurt

Whip the ingredients together. Prior to showering, apply the mask to the entire length of your hair. Be sure to part your hair and really work in the mixture to ensure that it does its magic. Cover your hair with a shower cap, and leave the mask on for one hour. Then rinse your hair with warm (not hot) water.

Apply this mask whenever you need a hair fix.

BEAUTY CHATTER WITH DJ KISS

The first step is admitting those four little words.

“I’m a product junkie,” NYC-based DJ, personality and blogger JaKissa Taylor-Semple, or more commonly DJ Kiss, told MDC.

She went there—and we followed up. With just one quick glance at DJ Kiss on the turntables, it is easy to pick up on her vibrant, fun-loving, dance the night away contagious energy. With the large number of late nights and crowded parties this girl attends, we wanted to understand the in’s and out’s of her approach to beauty. We had an opportunity to speak with her at a recent event to celebrate Nordstrom’s launch of Beauty Spot. Check out what she had to say!

First of all, how would you describe your beauty style in just one word?

Classic. No, wait, that’s too boring. Let me give you something else. Classic is definitely true but I would also say colorful. You’ll never catch me without color. I need color!

We love your day to night transition beauty tips for Nordstrom Beauty Spot. If you only have time for one product application before heading out, what is it?

In general, during the day I usually focus on my lip color and during the night I focus on my eyes. But with that being said, with only one product to transition, I would go with a lip color. You can wear a softer color during the day and then really amp it up for the night out.

How are you transiting your lip color from summer to fall?

My go-to lip color for the summer has been a sheer pink. For the Fall I would like to experiment with a deep burgundy. I’ve seen people try it on the red carpet a little already and I’m obsessed, but I am still trying to figure out the best shade for my complexion.

Who is your beauty icon?

This girl is going to think I’m stalking her but Kerry Washington. I always say she is my fashion icon, but honestly she’s my beauty icon too! She’s gorgeous and not afraid to try trends. I saw her recently do an almost nude face—it takes a lot of courage to do that!

What is your best beauty advice?

Pick something that is your favorite feature—although it can change all the time. Mine is my lips—I can’t avoid them! When I was younger I would say ‘ah my lips are so big’ and I would try to minimize them. As I’ve gotten older, I realized ‘hello-people buy these lips!’ Find your one beauty feature and play that up. It is what makes you unique.

8 STEPS TO RACHEL BILSON’S SUNKISSED STRANDS

“Ombré has really become a global trend and the idea of using color for a multi-dimensional hair color is here to stay,” said Christophe. “You can’t go wrong with ombré. It is meant to be playful and artistic.”
-Christophe Robin, Haircolor Expert

One of the easiest ways to update your look for spring is by adding some sunkissed strands to your hair. This look is best achieved by ditching the highlighting foils for the balayage technique that’s swept the starlet universe. Balayage is a French lightening effect that actually means “to sweep” and it seems that more and more Hollywood beauty icons are taking to the trend each day (including Drew Barrymore, Jamie Chung, and Lauren Conrad to name a few). These highlights are painted by hand with just a bit of color at the roots and more at the ends. The best part? It’s just as low maintenance as it appears since you can go several months without touch-ups since there aren’t hard lines of demarcation. Luckily for you, unlike the painstakingly precise process of applying foils, this color technique is DIY friendly! Stylist Kim Young Eun tells us how to get a Rachel Bilson-inspired look at home:

Step 1: Pick up a home highlighting kit (like L’Oréal Paris Feria Wild Ombré) and mix the dye as directed on the package instructions.

Step 2: Brush out hair that hasn’t been washed in a day or two. You don’t want to battle tangles when creating this look, and your hair’s natural oils will protect your scalp. Create a part where you naturally wear one.

Step 3: Since you’re going for face-framing highlights, tie back the part of your hair that you won’t be coloring.

Step 4: Instead of using the brush in your kit, buy some disposable mascara wands—they’ll prevent any globs of bleach from over-lightening your hair (or from getting where they shouldn’t be).

Step 5: Choose various-sized strands in places where the sun would naturally hit, like near the face and crown, and brush on bleach from the roots down. The lightest, thinnest application should be at the roots, going heavier and thicker as you reach the ends. Just remember to never bleach hair that’s already been lightened or you’ll damage it. And don’t try to match the highlights on either side of the part—your goal is to look like you’ve been at the beach, not like a stylist spent hours creating perfectly symmetrical color.

Step 6: As you paint each strand, twist a long strip of cotton or piece of torn fabric (like an old t-shirt) around it to keep it from touching other hair and your skin.

Step 7: Avoid over-bleaching by diligently watching the clock. Follow the directions in your kit, or start checking your color even a few minutes before your time is up to make sure the effect is subtle.

Step 8: After washing out the bleach and conditioning hair, skip shampooing for a couple of days to protect your new color.

When you do wash, switch to products created for color-treated hair to reduce brassiness. Try: Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner.

WHAT IS A SPOOLIE?

What is a spoolie? Chances are you’ve seen one, but you may not have known the technical term. And if you haven’t, allow us to introduce you to your new favorite beauty tool. The spoolie brush is an often-overlooked eyebrow shaping tool that looks like a mascara wand (minus the mascara) with a tapered head and soft bristles. And it really should be your eyebrows' best friend.

Use it to brush your brows into place (think up and away from your nose, so all the hairs are laying the same direction) before you begin grooming or filling in. Use it after you’ve filled in your brows to soften any harsh markings. A quick brush through with a spoolie will even out the color, making the finished look like your natural brows and not like makeup at all. Who knew something so simple could be so essential?

Product Picks: We’re big on the whole two-birds-one-stone concept, so we love a good pencil with a built-in spoolie. Try one of these double-ended duos: Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre, Maybelline Eye Studio Master Shape Brow Pencil, or The BrowGal Skinny Eyebrow Pencil.

Beauty Bonus: Adding a spoolie brush to your makeup bag will benefit more than just your brows. Spoolies can be used to separate eyelashes and remove mascara clumps too.

4 QUICK TRICKS FOR SHINIER HAIR

Shiny. It’s a word that makes us shriek when it comes to our complexions, but utter these two syllables when we’re talking hair and you can hold our attention better than a “Real Housewives” finale. As beauty nomads, we’ve run the gamut on shine-inducing treatments—from glosses, to slathering our hair with mayonnaise (that was… savory) to cracking a couple of eggs overhead—but,  at the end of the day, we’ve learned that, in the long run, healthy hair is shiny hair. We know, that’s like saying a happy plate is one covered with kale, not French fries—such an annoying truth. Luckily, there are a few quick tricks and changes to make in your hair care routine that can make strands shinier instantly.

1. Get a Trim: Split ends can make your hair look dull, dry, and damaged so haul that precious mane to the salon fora good snip and a boost of shine!
2. Pat Dry: If you normally hop out of the shower and rub your hair dry with a towel, STOP in the name of shine. Hair is shiniest when the cuticle lies flat, but rubbing your hair with a cotton towel forces the cuticle open, making your hair more likely to frizz, and less likely to glisten. Instead, squeeze out excess water as soon as you’re out of the shower, and pat your hair dry gently.
3. Cool Off: Cold water seals your hair’s cuticle (which you now know boosts your shine) so at the end of your shower, blast your strands with a cool rinse.
4. Spritz Smartly: Some days, despite all of our best efforts, flyaways and frizz take the place of what-could-be shiny, luscious strands. To combat this annoyance we like to smooth a tiny drop of Redken Glass 01 Smoothing Serumor Kérastase Cistalliste Lumiére Liquide on our mane throughout the day (behold, it’s liquid magic).

Now get that shiny head of hair out of here and go enjoy the compliments (and envy)!

LAST CHANCE SUMMER MANICURES

The change of seasons means new makeup collections, and our excitement over fall nail color launches keeps multiplying by the day. But we must admit we’ll be sad to see the bright polishes and bold patterns of summer fade off into a distant memory. With Labor Day weekend upon us, we’re seizing this last chance for summer manicures. Neon glitter, colorful French, watercolor–choosing a manicure to rock this weekend is almost as difficult as saying goodbye to summer.

Corrupted Neon Manicure

Ciaté’s Corrupted Neon Manicure is just too bright of an opportunity to pass by. They had us at neon glitter, but the black light top coat really sealed the deal.

10 Autumn Nail Ideas 2013

Hey Divas! Are you ready to do the new nail trends for this season? Are you tired from the summer colors and you can’t wait to do something new and fresh to your nails? Here I present you the 10 Autumn Nail Ideas 2013.

For the nail polish obsessed, the best accessory for fall is lacquer. As the seasons begin to change, we’ll say goodbye to the usual pink and red nail palette. Autumn is going to mix things up with sultry shades of midnight and metallic, with pretty polishes in magnetic and matte.

Click ahead for a look at the 10 Autumn Nail Ideas 2013 and don’t be afraid to try them out!

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How To Get Beautiful Skin?

Given a choice between a beautiful mind and a beautiful skin, most of us will happily go for the latter. And why not, when most of us firmly believe that we all have a beautiful mind (who would be ready to accept otherwise, unless challenged) but not many are lucky to have a beautiful skin. The over-laden supermarket stores groaning with skin care products and the inescapable bombardment of ads promising to make your skin radiant, if not like angels then at least like those of celebrities and supermodels, are a testimony to this. Beautiful skin, other than making a person to look his/her best, is also the best indicator of the overall health of the body. That is why instead of faking beauty through make ups, it is infinitely better to aspire for natural skin beauty. Look at beautiful skin through a health perspective and work towards enhancing the glow of your skin by addressing your total body health. Remember that good health is the best way to light up your skin and it is more effective than any commercial skin care product. Follow the beautiful skin tips given below and you will soon have radiant skin that will be the envy of others. You will also be blessed with a healthy mind and a healthy body. The combo doesn’t get any better than this!
Tips On Getting Naturally Beautiful Skin

• Nutrition is a very important factor for getting beautiful skin. This is why it is imperative to have a healthy diet. Proper nutrition will nourish the skin and keep it radiant and fresh. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and try to cut down on fast foods.
• Drink plenty of water and juices throughout the day. These will not only keep the skin hydrated, but also eliminate toxins from the body. Water is an excellent detoxifier and the juices will provide plenty of essential nutrition.
• Start an exercise regimen. Cycling, aerobics and jogging are excellent in keeping the skin toned, as they improve the blood circulation. Exercise will boost the health of the entire body and so indirectly head towards healthy and beautiful skin.
• Excessive drinking and smoking also takes its toll on the skin. Indulging in such habits will only hasten the aging process of the skin and make it look wrinkled. Smoking and drinking contributes to toxin buildup in the skin, making it prone to blemishes and other skin ailments. So, for beautiful skin, cut down on smoking and drinking if not stopping it all together.
• Don’t over expose your skin to the sun. Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin when out in the sun. Overexposure to the sun is one of the main reasons of untimely aging of the skin. Likewise, during the winter season, use a good quality moisturizing cream to protect the skin from drying.
• Multivitamin supplements are very effective in enhancing the health of the skin. Good herbal supplements can fill up the nutrient deficiency, in case your diet is faulty. If you don’t want to take any supplements, then make sure that your diet regularly consists of plenty of vitamin C rich foods like oranges, lemon, lime and omega 3 and omega 6 rich foods like almonds and sunflower seeds. Also, eat plenty of oily fish like salmon and mackerel.
• Regularly go for a steam bath. This is the best way to cleanse your skin from inside. The steam opens up the pores of the skin and makes it easier to get rid of dirt and grime. Use honey and essential oils on the skin during the bath to cleanse the skin more effectively, for a better and beautiful you!

8 Tips to Create the Perfect Casual Friday Ensemble

These days, women are taken more seriously at work, making up 46.9 percent of the labor force. Of the Fortune 500 board seats, about 17 percent are currently held by women, as compared to 9.6 percent in 1995. Even if you’re not aiming to be a leader at a large company, how you dress is directly proportional to how people perceive you. Here are eight tips to look fashionable and put-together on casual Friday.

1. Casual doesn’t mean unpolished.Just because it’s Friday doesn’t mean it’s time to break out the loungewear as if it’s Sunday afternoon. The goal of casual Friday is to show off your personal style, be comfortable and look professional all at once.
   
2. Don’t skip out on your routine.Casual Friday also doesn’t give you a free pass to spend less time on your hair and makeup. You can’t go wrong with a classic pony and basic cat eye. Keeping your hands and feet well-manicured will also go a long way.
   
3. Bring out those tailored jeans.Pull out those dark wash bootcut jeans hidden in the back of your closet, because they’re perfect for casual Friday. Avoid jeans that are so skinny they look painted on and skip jeans with holes or whiskering. Find your perfect fit here.
   
4. Keep footwear classy. Flip-flops are a big no-no. You can ruin an entire outfit by slipping on the wrong footwear. Avoid stilettos – they’ll have people watching you for the wrong reasons – and pick a polished flat or pump.
   
5. Casual also doesn’t mean revealing.The general rule is to not show any more skin than you would on a Monday. This means if you’re usually in a pantsuit, pick a nice pair of jeans and pair ‘em with a comfy blazer. Avoid shirts that show your bra straps (and any other part of your bra, for that matter), low-cut jeans and cleavage-revealing tops.
   
6. Accessorize wisely.A great way to bring your look together is to accessorize with classy pieces like a collar necklace, enamel bangles or pearl earrings. Choose pieces that can be dressed up or down – it’s a good sign they’re versatile enough for casual Friday.
   
7. Feel free to rock bold hues.If you usually keep outfits in the neutral range during the week, casual Friday may be the perfect opportunity to rock that cobalt blue blazer you’ve been saving for a rainy day. Just keep all the other pieces basic and professional.
   
8. When in doubt...You can’t go wrong with a blazer and button-down. Wrap dresses can also be a great option, but be aware of how much cleavage you’re showing.

Your Skin Care Oil Guide: Our 4 Fave Picks

Have you heard about face oils before? I’m sure many of you have heard or read someone raving about the oil cleansing method, which is basically just what it sounds like: using oils to cleanse in lieu of facial soaps. I personally have been experimenting with the oil cleansing method myself, and even though I’m still afraid to make the jump fully, I’ve had such positive results so far. And, in case you’re wondering, I have naturally oily and acne-prone skin. So why would I be putting more oil on my face?! It sounds crazy, but adding oil actually helps the pH balance of skin, instead of harsh cleansers that strip your face of oils completely, causing your skin to react by creating even more oil.

So, with the success of OCM thus far, I’ve decided to branch out and research what other oils could do wonders for my skin. Here are the four best skin care oils for every skin type. Now, just give it a try; we promise you won’t be disappointed!

For Acne: Tea Tree Oil

The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil, $9, has been around for years as a blemish spot treatment. It doesn’t have the same consistency as most oils, so it’s great to try if you’re wary of the method. If you need more convincing, it’s scientifically proven that 5 percent tea tree oil is as effective at treating acne as 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, but much more gentle than harsh acne treatments.

Try: Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick, $8

For Oily Skin: Grapeseed Oil

You’re probably very averse to the thought of adding more oil to your skin if it’s already oily. I mean if you’re using blotting papers or pressed powder daily, it seems like the worst idea to add another layer of oil. But, grapeseed oil can help regulate your natural oil production. It’s loaded with antioxidants (always a great thing) as well as vitamin C to brighten your skin. If you’re not convinced, try using the skin care oils on your body, and if you like the results, give it a go on your face.

Try: Caudalie Vinosource Nourishing Concentrate, $44

For Anti-Aging: Argan oil

Argan oil has been popping up everywhere, and for good reason: this stuff is amazing. Usually when you hear the words “argan oil” they go hand in hand with supermodel and skin care guru Josie Maran. Her picture perfect complexion is great evidence of how well the stuff works. Argan oil is very rare and, therefore, expensive, but you only need a tiny amount for it to be effective. The oil contains a high concentration of vitamin E and fatty acids, and it's more stable in sunlight than other antioxidants — so it's perfect to wear during the day.

Try: Josie Maran Argan Oil, $48

For Sensitive Skin: Chamomile oil

All oils work wonders for sensitive skin since they are natural and nowhere near as harsh as your average drugstore cleanser. But, your best bet is to try chamomile oil. Just as chamomile tea is popular for its relaxing benefits, so is chamomile oil calming for your skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that make it amazing for patients with rosacea. Test it out first by dabbing some on your wrist and wear it for a day to ensure you won’t have an allergic reaction.

Try: Darphin Organic Chamomile Aromatic Care, $70

THREE COMMON HAIR MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

For a lot of us, hair is the most intimidating part of an at-home beauty routine. And Umberto Savone, famed stylist and founder of Umberto Beverly Hills, has built his reputation and business around addressing that very thing. With two salons and an affordable product line (it’s sold at Target), Savone and his team educate clients, giving them the know-how and tools they need to tackle hair care at home. When I recently sat down with Savone and colorist Jeff John, they outlined a few of the most common hair mistakes we make. Here’s their advice on how to avoid them.

Mistake: Starting off your blowout with a round brush
Avoid it: It’s understandable that many people, after picking up the dryer, go straight for a round brush. That’s what we always remember our stylists using, right? Not so fast, says John. “A round brush is meant to finish your style. Starting with one can actually make your style flatter in the end.” Instead, begin with a flat brush (like Umberto’s Banana Brush), using it to lift up sections at the root as you get out the majority of the moisture. “When it’s about 85% dry and you start to see it fuzz up around the root, that’s when you’re ready for your round brush to get those nice, smooth ends,” says John. And once you’re done drying a section, don’t immediately brush it through or even rake your fingers through it. “Let it set so it maintains that volume,” he says.

Mistake: Not letting hair cool down after drying
Avoid It: After a blowout, let your hair cool completely, either using the cool button on your dryer, or by turning the heat down to the lowest setting. John explains: “The head is a place that a lot of your body heat flows from, and using a dryer can turn up your body temperature. And even after you switch off the dryer, the hair remains hot from within. Because of that, it might just start to frizz on you as soon as you go outside, or even leave the bathroom. Cooling the hair off as much as possible really helps to set your style.”

Mistake: Overwashing
Avoid It: This one, we’ve all obviously heard a million times, with mixed advice about how often we should and shouldn’t lather up. But Savone named it as one of the most common hair mistakes out there. “Many women wash too often, and use way too much shampoo,” he says. His advice: wash every other day at most with a nickel-sized amount of product, even on longer hair. This goes even after a workout. “If you workout and sweat, the trick is to just rinse hair thoroughly under hot water on your skip days. No shampoo. Then, just use your fingers to comb a bit of conditioner through the ends and rinse again,” recommends Savone. This will keep your hair healthy and strong, and will also keep it smelling fresh even when you skip washing.

3 PRODUCTS TO FIX ANY MAKEUP EMERGENCY ON-THE-GO

Much to our dismay, cosmetic emergencies never arrive with advance notice. Consequently, we’ve learned that it's always good to have a few double-duty products on hand—the more prepared you are, the less you have to worry about, allowing you to face the day with confidence. As a professional makeup artist, I've tried (almost) everything and have narrowed it down to the essentials. Here are my picks for three key products to fix any makeup emergency on the go.

1. Q-Tips: A simple and great tool to wipe away smudged mascara, or blend harsh eyeshadows, Q-tips can help erase any make-up mistake easily and without ruining the rest of your makeup.

2. Concealer: If your eyeliner or lipstick starts to run, concealer is a great tool to have on hand. Warm a small amount in between your fingers and pat it on the skin to erase any visible mistakes, while keeping a natural finish. I also like to apply concealer to the lips before lipstick to help prevent bleeding.

My Product Picks: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Cle de Peau Beauté Concealer, L'Oréal True Match Concealer

3. Blotting Tissues: Shine and oil control is hugely important when it comes to maintaining a fresh face. Having a few blotting tissues on hand can help control shine, without having to use a powder compact. Suddenly run out? No problem. The next time you grab a Starbucks latte, take a couple of extra napkins—they’re just as sheer and absorbent and a quick fix for oil control.

My Product Picks: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blotting Tissues, Neutrogena Shine-Control Blotting Sheets, Boots Skin Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

THE BUSY GIRL’S GUIDE TO BETTER SKIN

Most of us would describe the relationship we have with our skin as tumultuous—and that’s putting it lightly. Like the bratty younger sister who does as she pleases with no regard to the fact that um, hello, we have a date tonight and it’d be great if she didn’t have to act up just this once, our epidermis always seems to operate with a (frustrating, unpredictable) mind of its own. (As for the 1% of you ladies who do naturally possess flawless skin—we look to you with awe and envy…mostly envy.)

Unlike the Hollywood set, our daily schedules are usually filled to the brim with not-as-glamorous “real people” chores, leaving little to no time for pore-tightening facials or wrinkle-zapping laser treatments. But before you throw your cleanser out the bathroom window in frustration at the injustice of it all, know this – your busy schedule isn’t the end of your skin health. In fact, using these five smart, time-saving skin tips can instantly help your skin look brighter and more beautiful. Who says busy girls can’t have it all?

1. Eat skin foods: Since eating is a core part of, you know, human survival and all that, you’ll lose no time at all in your busy day by making this switch. The key is to load up on skin-boosting foods instead of salty, processed snacks (you’ll save yourself from bloating afterwards too, which is always a plus in our book). According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center, you should choose foods like salmon andwalnuts, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids that hydrate your complexion from the inside out. Also great are leafy green veggies like kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and arugula, which are full of vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E to help minimize free radical damage. He also suggests tomatoes for their high lycopene content (it helps prevent signs of aging) and blueberries because they’re full of antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals and encourage collagen production.

2. Simplify your morning routine: If you don’t have time to cleanse, exfoliate, scrub, massage, scrub, lather, younameit every morning, feel free to skip it every so often. That’s right—skipping your morning wash may not be as damaging as you might think. Dr. Zeichner states, “In general, it is important to get rid of dirt and oil on your skin; [this is] most important for those who have oily and acne prone skin. However, if you don’t break out, the occasional missed face wash won't be too harmful.” The truth is, you can actually over wash your face. Even if you have oily skin, washing too often can strip your skin of its natural oils, which will cause your skin to overcompensate by producing it in excess. You should wash your face a maximum of two times a day—washing at night is non-negotiable (you need it to get rid of makeup, sweat, dirt and oil from the day) but if mornings are tight, feel free to splash with water or spritz with a refreshing face mist instead of full-on cleansing.

However, there is one a.m. product Dr. Zeichner says you should never skip: a moisturizer containing antioxidants and sunscreen. This study proved that sunscreen can slow the signs of aging skin well into middle age, while antioxidants are what help our skin look bright and healthy—so why not use a product that boasts both of these skin-boosting properties? We love Kiehl’s BB Cream—it’s made with vitamin C, has SPF 50 and comes in 4 different shades to cover as well as moisturize. Lancôme Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Cream and Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer are other great options to get your morning glow on.

3. Choose the right products at night: Instead of wasting precious sleep time and experimenting with a different five-step system every other week, you can whittle down the minutes of your nighttime skin routine by choosing the key product that will benefit your unique skin type. Dry skin? Find a serum with hyaluronic acid like L’Oréal RevitaLift Triple Power Concentrated Serum Treatment. Dark spots? Choose a dark spot corrector serum with brightening ingredients—we’re fans of SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel. Aging skin? Dr. Zeichner recommends using a peptide or growth factor serum (try Fresh Soy Face Serum or L’Oréal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Advanced Skin Repair Serum). Once you know the right products to use for your skin, you’ll spend less time stressing and more time resting. Which brings us to our next point…

4. Sleep: Before you roll your eyes at the hundredth time you’ve heard about the benefits of sleep, you might want to know this: According to a new study by University Hospitals Case Medical Center, fine lines, uneven skin tone and reduced elasticity were twice as great in poor sleepers than “good quality” sleepers. Plus, those who were sleep deprived suffered from “dehydrated skin and dulled sensory response”—yikes. We know it’s easier said than done, but this study clearly shows that catching up on those zzz’s can drastically improve the state of your skin; try your best to set aside at least seven hours every night for distraction-free shut-eye. If you have time, these simple pre-snooze beauty tips will help you wake up pretty. (When an all-nighter is inevitable—we’ve all been there—try these eye-brightening tipsto avoid looking like a sleepy panda the next morning.)

5. Multi-task: Just because your primp time is limited doesn’t mean you should miss out on all the skin-pampering fun—the trick is to multitask. For example, instead of lamenting the fact that you don’t have 15 minutes to spare for a face mask, why not apply it in the shower? Leave it on as you shave your legs/use your loofah/sing Natasha Bedingfield’s “Pocket Full of Sunshine” à la Emma Stone in Easy A and simply wash it off at the end of your rinse. Bonus: the steam from your shower opens up your pores, which allows the mask to penetrate deep into the skin. Instead of spending time cleansing and then exfoliating, combine the two steps in one by investing in a face brush like the Clarisonic Mia—it promises to clean your skin six times better than with your hands alone. Another timesaving trick: choose an overnight peel like Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel, Kiehl’s Over-Night Biological Peel or BRAD Ultra Peel that works as you sleep – two birds, one (very beautifying) stone.