50 Ways to Look Super in 50 Seconds or Less

By Cara Birnbaum

Go from frazzled to fabulous in a flash with these expert time-saving tips

1. Ditch under-eye bags
Surgery to lift your lids? Nah. Just Brush on a rich, satiny shade like topaz or amethyst, then blend into the crease. Dark colors create depth, distracting from bags (light, sparkly colors exaggerate the problem). L'Oreal HIP Bright Shadow Duos in Showy and Reckless are perfect. ($7, drugstore.com)

2. Get your skin glowing
You don't need to see an entire episode of My Super Sweet 16 to appreciate its absurdity. Same goes for glycolic peels--even a quick one can make a noticeable impact. Leave on the Wexler Exfoliating Glyco Peel System for less than a minute and all but the most sensitive skin types will slough off dull layers with no irritation. ($60 for 30 pads, bathandbodyworks.com)

3. Play up your lashes (Without looking made-up)
Use a skinny pencil like Mally Beauty Lash Illusion Lash Filler to smudge between lashes. ($19.50, qvc.com)

4. Tone your thighs
You need an elliptical for that, but self-­tanner can quickly mask flaws. For goof-proof bronzing, use a foam brush from the hardware store to apply a quick-drying formula like Lancome Glow 'N Wear Flash Bronzer. ($31 for 5 oz, sephora.com)

5. Take 10 pounds off your face
A brushstroke of a bronzer such as Bonne Bell Powder Bronze just below your cheekbones creates slimming definition. ($4.50, walgreens.com)

6. Pump up the volume on flat hair
Find a happy medium between puny locks and pageant hair: Spray a volumizer, such as Garnier Fructis Style Volume Inject Mousse, on a comb, then rub the comb into your roots. ($4 for 6.8 oz, walgreens.com)

7. Fake a high-maintenance hairstyle
Headbands like these from Braidies blend into your hair for a chic Princess Leia look. ($10, drugstore.com)

8. Sport Jennifer Aniston arms (well, sorta)
Give your biceps instant definition: Do 20 to 30 reps of any strength-training exercise just before you go out. The weight resistance will flood the muscles with blood, leaving you looking more pumped for several hours--about as long as it'll take you to get the Friends theme song out of your head.

9. Wake up eyes
Apply a dab of white shadow on the inner corners of your eyes. The sponge tips of the Cargo EyeLighter precisely deposit pearly powder like a mini-spotlight. ($17, sephora.com)

10. Put your hair in happy-hour mood
To revive a limp style, spritz roots with a volumizing gel like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray and scoop it into a high ponytail. Leave it there as you touch up your makeup, then release it right before heading out. Gently massage your scalp to restore fullness. ($24 for 8 oz, bumbleandbumble.com)