Beauty
You’ll never run late again (well, maybe).
![](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/8/9/57a604ab/look-bettermages-before-afters.jpg?w=248&q=50&dpr=2)
Common wisdom says that how we look and present ourselves to the world can, at times, be directly tied to how we feel about ourselves — so who wouldn’t want to look even better? Whether it’s a fast skin-care refresh, a unique accessory that makes the outfit, or a hair hack that takes minimal effort, we put together a list of the easiest and most clever things you can do for a quick pick-me-up. Here are 45 things you can do in a jiff that will make you look even better, all in under five minutes.
1Use This Styling Balm For Sleek Buns & Braids
This hair wax stick allows you to get creative and nail your desired hairstyle, all while avoiding a greasy look. Whether you’re creating a bun or braid — or just hoping to tame a few persistent strands — this stick gives you an all-day hold without feeling sticky. Not to mention, the stick applicator makes it easy to travel with.
2Enhance Your Pout With This Juicy-Looking Lip Oil
For the “less is more” girlies, this moisturizing lip oil is really all you need before you head out the door. The lightly tinted gloss softens your lips, leaving them smooth and supple, while infusing them with a sheer wash of color. The end result even has a slight plumping effect that enhances the natural shape of your lips.
- Available shades: 19
3Conceal New Root Growth With This Touch-Up Powder
Conceal root regrowth and fill in fading hair lines with this root touch-up powder. It instantly fills in sparse or discolored areas for a fresh-from-the-salon look, without spending the time or the money. The pigment lasts up to 48 hours — or until your next shampoo — and is resistant to water and sweat.
- Available shades: 15
4Apply This Water Blusher For Natural-Looking Color
Instead of spending time applying a powder blush, give this water blusher a try. Offering a dewy, natural flush that melts seamlessly into your skin, it goes on smoothly and has a lightweight, watery texture that makes it easy to blend. This ingenious buy is a great alternative for those wanting more subtle color with a light glow.
- Available shades: 8
5Ditch Your Sweats For This Lounge Set Instead
Instead of spending Saturdays in mismatched or worn-out sweats, give this waffle-knit lounge set a try. Wear it as pajamas, around the house, or even out for errands, as the cohesive style lends it a polished vibe. The set includes waffle-knit shorts (with pockets) and a button-down top for a chic look you won’t want to take off.
- Available sizes: Small — XX-Large
- Available colors: 10
6Moisturize In Record Time With This Wet-Skin Lotion
Boasting an impressive 4.7-star overall rating, the Jergens wet-skin body lotion is formulated to be applied when your skin is still damp from the shower. A great way to speed up your mourning routine, it’s infused with shea butter oil and coconut oil to leave skin looking and feeling silky. Plus, it has a refreshing, subtle scent that’s so delicious.
7Add A Flush Of Color & Hydration With These Tinted Lip Balms
If a bold lipstick isn’t your thing, give these tinted lip balms a try for more subtle color with added hydration. The pack includes four balms made with organic ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, and aloe vera gel. They add a flush of color to your lips while eliminating dryness, too.
8Use This Moisture-Barrier Spray To Prevent Frizz
Humidity doesn’t stand a chance when you prep your hair with John Frieda's Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier hair spray. Not only does it provide a firm hold for your style, it also prevents frizz and puffiness for a smooth, sleek finish that lasts all day. Just style your hair, finish with this spray, and relax knowing your look will last.
- Available options: 3
9Correct Your Makeup Mistakes With These Pre-Moistened Swabs
Everyone makes mistakes — especially when putting on eye makeup — which is why these makeup-correcting swabs are pretty genius. They look like regular cotton swabs but are pre-moistened with makeup remover to gently and precisely fix any errors without messing up the “good” parts. They’re great for errors as well as touch-ups throughout the day.
10Swap Your Sloppy Sweats For These Flowy Lounge Pants
Combining comfort and style, these wide-leg lounge pants are an upgraded alternative to standard sweatpants. Made with buttery soft material, they have a wide, fold-over waistband. They’re available in four different lengths for a more custom fit and have deep, functional pockets. The draped silhouette looks so nice, too.
- Available sizes: Small — XX-Large (four lengths available)
- Available colors: 12
11Apply This Hair Serum For Strength & Shine
Give your hair a mega-dose of nourishment with this hair serum that’s packed with ingredients like argan, apricot, and jojoba seed oils. It’s great for damaged hair and delivers a silky smooth finish with a healthy shine. Results include fewer split ends, less tangling, and greater overall strength and elasticity. Plus, it leaves hair with a silky finish.
- Available options: 6
12Blur Imperfections With A Brightening Powder
Instantly touch up your skin and refresh your complexion by blurring away imperfections with this pressed finishing powder. The powder applies quickly and smoothly for a matte finish that can also help your makeup last longer and look fresher, too. It’s infused with pink calamine and micro-pearls for a subtle glow.
- Available options: 4
13Put A “Filter” On Your Face With This Liquid Glow Booster
Give yourself an instant glow with this complexion booster that enhances skin's appearance for a dewy, radiant look. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and finely milled powders for a perfectly smooth finish that blurs pores and uneven texture. Wear it alone, under makeup, mixed with your favorite foundation, or as a highlighter.
- Available shades: 12
14Swipe On A Nail Concealer For A Mani Without The Work
This nail concealer is a one-step brightener that goes on like polish, delivering a sheer veil of color for a healthy-looking glow. It’s suitable for all skin tones and acts as a filter for your nails, neutralizing discoloration and adding a subtle, shiny finish. Just apply one or two coats on bare nails or over regular polish, and let it work its magic.
- Available colors: 5
15Use This Popular Dry Shampoo For An Instant Refresh
This reviving dry shampoo by Kristin Ess is a versatile, refreshing formula enriched with vitamin C and marine algae. Infused with rice starch, it effectively absorbs oil while also eliminating odors and adding volume. It has some pretty great reviews, too, with shoppers noting its ability to extend the life of blowouts.
16Perk Up Your Under-Eye Area With A Caffeine Serum
Revive your delicate under-eye area with this caffeine-infused serum that helps to reduce puffing, dark circles, and uneven texture. In addition to caffeine, it also has hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, and peptides to add moisture and brightening power. The formula goes on smoothly and is non-greasy.
17Prime Your Lashes Before Applying Mascara
For an even longer and more voluminous lash look, start with this primer before adding your mascara. It goes on light green as it coats your lashes, creating extra oomph. Then add your regular mascara right on top of the damp primer for a look that’s dramatic without having to deal with false lashes.
18Use Teeth-Whitening Pens For Faster Treatments
Teeth whitening doesn't have to be a long or unpleasant process thanks to these teeth-whitening pens. This three-pack of pens gets to work without harsh ingredients that can cause discomfort. Just softly paint onto our teeth and smile for one minute as your teeth absorb the formula.
19Apply This Shimmery Body Lotion For An Instant Glow
This “summer shine” body lotion by Mario Badescu is great any time of year (not just summer), giving your skin an instant, radiant glow. It’s enriched with vitamin A, beeswax, and peanut oil to revitalize the skin and add deep moisture. One reviewer wrote, “It has a light consistency and is very mildly scented. The best part is the soft shimmer it leaves on my skin.”
- Available options: 5
20Hide Your Bra Straps With These Clips
Instead of splurging on a bunch of bras, make your existing bras work for any outfit, thanks to these bra strap clips. The hooks can turn regular bras into racerbacks by connecting the straps in back. Meanwhile, the additional straps can help hold shoulder straps taut, so they won’t slide off or peek out from under tank tops.
21Tie On A Silk Scarf To Create A Whole New Look
Feel like you don’t have anything in your closet? Just put on a simple outfit and add one of these scarves and you’ll have a whole new look. Made from 100% mulberry silk, these scarves measure 21 by 21 inches and can be draped around the shoulders, wrapped around your neck, or tied to your tote bag. With 36 designs to choose from, you’re sure to find one (or a few) that you love.
- Available styles: 36
22Add Instant Hydration & Glow With This Multitasking Balm
Enriched with skin-loving, natural ingredients including coconut oil and shea butter, Burt’s Bees Miracle Balm adds instant, long-lasting moisture wherever you put it. (Try it on your lips or anywhere else that’s in need of hydration.) But that’s not all — you can use it to style your eyebrows, tame flyaways, or add a subtle glow to your cheekbones.
23Thicken The Look & Feel Of Your Hair With This Lotion
Give your hair a voluminous boost with the Mega Full thickening lotion by Garnier Fructis. The lightweight formula doesn’t weigh your hair down — just spray it on damp strands and style as usual. Cotton flower extract helps to provide long-lasting body and fullness that lasts until your next wash.
24Upgrade Your T-Shirt To This One With A Lacy Back
Instead of throwing on your classic (or dare I say boring) tee, give this lace-back shirt a try. It’s available in an impressive 30 colors and prints, including chic black and wine red, and is made of a polyester and spandex blend for stretch and comfort. The cowl neck and slim fit only add to the elegant style.
- Available sizes: X-Small — 3X-Large
- Available colors: 30
25Rock These Trendy Sunglasses Wherever You Go
These rectangular sunglasses deserve an-almost permanent place on your face — and they’re the fastest way to create a glam look. They block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and come in mod white, classic black, and fun shades like sky blue and clear pink. Whether you’re hiding the fact you didn’t sleep well or just want to look and feel chic AF, they’re an instant outfit upgrade.
- Available colors: 11
26Carry All Your Stuff In This Tote With Puffer Vibes
If you’re a “more is more’” type when you’re on the go, this puffer tote bag is a must have. Offering a fun athleisure aesthetic, the oversized bag is made of quilted nylon with a soft interior lining and double stitching for added durability. Unlike similar totes, it has a top-zip closure to keep your items secure and an interior zipper pocket for your smaller stuff, too.
- Avaiable colors: 5
27Create A Smooth Base For Clingy Clothes With This Seamless Bra
This smoothing bra by Warner’s is a great foundation garment when you’re wearing formfitting or clingy clothes. It’s comfortable thanks to the wide straps and seamless build, while the wire-free design means a no-poke fit. All-over stretch fabric adds to the comfy factor and it comes in 18 different colors.
- Available sizes: X-Small — 3X-Large
- Available colors: 18
28Use These Chic French Clips Instead Of Your Usual Hair Claw
Add an element of style and flair to your ensemble with these French hair pins that look way cooler than traditional claw clips (though we still love those, too). They can be used for a variety of hairstyles, from chignons to half-up looks. Just insert into hair, then twist 180 degrees for a secure hold.
- Available colors: 4
29Use These Necklace Extenders To Customize Your Jewelry
Whether you’re looking to layer necklaces of a similar size or just want to make your favorites a bit longer, these necklace extenders make for a great addition to your jewelry collection. The set of four is available in four different finishes to seamlessly match your jewelry and can add up to 6 inches of length to any necklace.
- Available finishes: 4
- Available options: 2
30Add A Bit Of Edge To Your Look With This Chain-Link Belt
Add a bit of edge to any look with this chain-link belt. Whether you’re rocking a T-shirt and jeans or a cute dress, it adds a unique, fashion-forward touch. The chain is available in silver and gold and can be cinched at the waist or draped at the hips.
- Available finishes: 2
31Use A Sugar Scrub To Eliminate Lip Flakiness
Lips are often neglected when it comes to skin care, but they shouldn’t be. Use this exfoliating lip scrub to gently slough away dead skin and reveal smoother, softer skin. It’s made with Hawaiian cane sugar and hydrating kukui oil and shea butter that, in just a few minutes, will leave your lips hydrated and looking silky.
32Throw On This Dress For A Polished Look Without A Lot Of Thought
On the days when both style and comfort matter, reach for this cap-sleeve wrap dress. Made of a mid-weight jersey knit for softness and stretch, it features an adjustable wrap closure at the waist plus a hidden button to keep it secure. And the style is an instant look thanks to the visual interest the wrap design creates.
- Available sizes: X-Small — 6X-Large
- Available colors: 7
33Use An Ice Roller & Gua Sha To De-Puff Your Face
Whether you use it to wake up your skin in the morning or to massage away tension at the end of the day, this ice roller and gua sha facial tool are handy to have around. Both tools work to reduce puffiness and soothe irritation while sculpting the skin. Keep them in the freezer, so they’re ready when needed.
- Available colors: 4
34Apply An Under-Eye Concealer That Doubles As Skin Care
Multitasking skin-care products are a great way to streamline your morning routine and get more bang for your buck — like with this under-eye concealer that masks imperfections and hydrates the skin, too. The formula also uses peptides to firm, ceramides to moisturize, and long-lasting pigment to conceal dark circles.
- Available shades: 10
35Make Your Eyebrows Pop With This Pigmented Gel
The eyebrows truly do frame the face, so give them a little bit of shape and control with this eyebrow gel. Available in six shades to match your natural brow color, it’s easy to apply with the spoolie brush and fills in sparse areas, while sealing in your desired shape, too.
- Available shades: 6
36Throw Your Hair Up In One Of These Elevated Matte Clips
Standard hair claws may do the job, but these chic hair claws do it while looking good, too. Featuring a combination of architectural and organic shapes, they boast a sleek matte finish. They firmly hold your hair in your preferred hairstyle and can be easily removed without any pulling or damage.
37Smooth Your Feet With This At-Home Foot File
Remove rough skin, target calluses, and eliminate dry, cracked heels with this foot file. It might seem intimidating at first (it kind of looks like a kitchen grater), but in just a few gentle swipes, you’ll be so glad you tried it. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and is made with a comfortable handle.
38Lift & Curl Your Lashes In Just A Few Seconds
Sure, mascara can make your lashes look good, but curling them with this eyelash curler before applying is even better. With two replacement cushions included, the curler fits the unique curves of all eye sizes and shapes, opening up your look without any heat required. It’s durable, made of premium stainless steel, and available in three finishes including chic rose gold.
- Available finishes: 3
39Smooth Out Skin Texture With These Resurfacing Pads
Up your skin-care game and use these resurfacing pads infused with 20% glycolic acid to exfoliate and smooth the texture of your skin. Each jar contains 50 pre-soaked pads that you swipe on to stimulate cell turnover for a brighter complexion. The addition of green tea, calendula, and vitamins add soothing power.
40Give Your Sneakers New Life With These Sponge Cleaners
Instantly freshen up your favorite tennis shoes with this 10-pack of sneaker erasers. Use the white side first to clean the midsoles, then flip it over to the orange side to wipe away any residue. The end result? New-looking kicks that aren’t new at all.
41Slip On These Elegant Sandals Instead Of Flip-Flops
Sometimes the subtle difference of wearing a well-constructed, trendy sandal instead of rubber flip-flops is all you need to upgrade your outfit in a flash. These braided open-toe sandals are available in 10 different colors like beige, black, and tan. There’s also a 1-inch block heel for just a little bit of lift, while still remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear.
- Available sizes: 5.5 — 11
- Available colors: 10
42Swap Your Boring Socks For These Embroidered Mesh Pairs
Trade in your boring, standard socks for these adorable patterned ones to instantly feel cuter. Each pack includes four pairs, and there are 26 color and pattern combinations to choose from. The socks are made with a lightweight and breathable mesh that will look great with just about anything from white sneakers to chunky Mary Janes to ballet flats.
- Available colors: 26
43Rock A Jumpsuit When You Don’t Want To Put Effort Into An Outfit
This wide-leg jumpsuit proves you can be comfortable and look very put together at the same time, all with minimal effort. The jumpsuit features a V-neckline and camisole straps, all while being made of a high-stretch fabric that feels so good on. You can pair it with everything from sneakers to heels.
- Available sizes: 0X — 4X
- Available colors: 6
44Scrub Away Pesky Skin Bumps With This 2-In-1 KP Exfoliant
Achieve smoother-looking skin and slough away bumps with this KP Eraser body scrub by First Aid Beauty. It’s formulated with both chemical and physical exfoliants that target rough bumps and dry spots caused by keratosis pilaris. The result is skin that’s ultra-silky and smooth.
- Available options: 6
45Perfect Your Complexion With This Tone-Matching Foundation
Give your skin a picture-perfect look in real life with this skin tone-matching foundation by Almay. It goes on as a basic-looking white cream that will instantly transform as you apply it, melting in with your natural complexion and releasing pigment as you blend it. In the end, you’ll get a luminous glow and natural-looking coverage that looks tailor made for you.
- Available shades: 6