Sometimes, you just need to pamper yourself. Luckily, you don’t need a flush bank account and an all-day spa reservation to do just that.
Read on for some easy, affordable, and fast fixes for your most pressing hair, skin, makeup and relaxation needs.
1. Fake a Summer Glow Year Round
Take your summertime tan right through fall and winter with a simple trick developed by professional makeup artists.
Mix liquid or mineral bronzer with an illuminator cream and smooth over your face before heading out the door.
2. Add Some Hair Flair
Sometimes a touch of bling is all it takes to take your look from so-so to stunning.
Jazz up a plain pony or simple updo by adding a glittery clip or jeweled hairpiece.
Can’t find one that suits your mood? Swipe a pendant or brooch off your favorite scarf or sweater.
3. Whip Up a Yummy Face Mask
For a soothing skin treatment that will leave your skin calm, nourished and redness-free, mix together a quarter cup of cooked oatmeal (the plain or steel cut kind – save the flavored ones for breakfast) with an egg yolk and a couple drops of pure almond oil.
If you have acne-prone or oily skin, swap the almond oil for tea tree oil instead. Allow the mixture to cool and then spread on your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse off.
4. Perfect Your Red-Hot Pout
Everyone loves the look of sizzling hot red lips. But attempting this classic beauty feat can sometimes lead to a look that’s more Ronald McDonald than Rita Hayworth. If you find your fiery pucker bleeds or fades as soon as you apply, try this trick:
Apply a layer of your favorite scarlet hue. Then, use a matching lip liner over the lipstick, being careful not to get any outside the lip line. Using the liner after you apply the lipstick keeps the notoriously difficult red color from bleeding and feathering all over your face and teeth.
More: 10 Dos and Don’ts of Wearing Red Lipstick
5. Instant Manicure Repair
If your nail polish is starting to chip, but you’ve got no time for a start-from-scratch manicure, try swiping a layer or two of glitter polish right over your existing color.
The chunkier or thicker the glitter pieces the better, but color doesn’t really matter. The result is an edgy and chic nail design that looks 100% intentional, even if it’s just a lazy fix.
More: 10 Tips for Picking the Right Nail Polish Color
6. Guacamole Hair Conditioner
Avocados are not only delicious, but they make an amazing skin and hair moisturizer as well.
If your locks look a little listless, brittle or dry, whip up a quick conditioning treatment that will leave your hair softer, shinier and more manageable.
Simply mash a half to whole avocado (depending on your hair’s length) into a couple spoonfuls of coconut oil. Massage into your hair and leave in for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
7. Creamy Dreamsicle Lips
One of this season’s hottest hue trends is fresh, citrusy orange. For a fun pop of color with all the drama of red, but none of the seriousness, look into a juicy orange lipstick.
Keep your look cool (not comical) by balancing the feisty lip color with neutral eyes and a natural blush or bronzer.
More: 10 Best Ways to Plump Up Thin Lips
8. Give Your Flat Hair a Buzz
Thin, lifeless locks get a boost from a very unlikely source: beer! Leave an open beer out on the counter until the carbonation is gone, or else just save the remnants of your Sunday afternoon football brew.
Then dump the flat brewski into an empty spray bottle. Then, spritz your hair with the beer, concentrating most of your efforts at the roots. As it dries, the hops and protein in the lager will bond to your hair structure, plumping it up.
9. Undo Sun Damage
Outdoor activities are great for your body. Unfortunately, they can wreak havoc on your skin, hair, and nails. Undo the harsh drying effects of the sun with a mix of 2 parts honey to one part olive or coconut oil. For extremely damaged hair, add a whole egg yolk to the mix. Smooth on your hair and body, and let soak in for 5 minutes before you shower.
10. An Instant Nose Job
Fake a thinner nose and balance your entire face with a simple 20 second contouring trick. Swipe a contour cream or powder along the sides of your nose. Start at the bridge and stop just before you hit the nostrils. Then, use a highlighter in a shade lighter than you would normally use straight down the front center of your nose. Blend gently and finish with setting powder.
Now that you are aware of a few easy ways to enhance your beauty in just 5 minutes, you may look gorgeous any time of the day. Do you know any other beauty boosts that I should have added to my list?1