Instead of always worrying about what to get everyone else on your list, put some thought into what you really want for Christmas. Here’s our list to give you jumpstart.
Here’s your gift guide for that traveling gal that you know and love. And, the one thing that always comes with traveling = stress. These desirable gifts will help her out while she’s abroad.
You deserve to take that trip with your girlfriends to Cape Cod for the weekend. Or how about that long getaway to Europe with you SO. Either way, traveling is supposed to be detoxing from your everyday life and the stress that comes along with it. We don’t know about you, but there’s this lingering stress of not only what to pack when traveling, but how to pack. Often times it’s our bulky and numerous hair products that steal all that extra space. Here’s our guide to traveling light with all the haircare essentials and without that pestering stress that usually comes with it.
4) Apply Makeup Faster
To apply makeup faster: Keep it simple.
Daytime makeup should be light and “barely there.”
Makeup Geek suggests picking your “top three most important things.” Skip the rest.
In a pinch, enhance your best features. This allows you “to focus on those parts of your face you want to highlight,” says Makeup Geek.
Eyes
Apply mascara and a splash of light eye shadow.
Save the elaborate eye makeup for evening, when the light is dimmer and you need more definition.
Eek! Dark eye makeup in bright lighting can make you look older.
TIP: Clean your mascara brush the night before.
Your mascara will coat much quicker and more evenly.
Skin
Rinse your face with cold water.
This wakes up your skin, tightens your pores and reduces surface oil.
Use foundation to even out your skin tone only if you need it.
TIP: Save even more time. Wash your face in the shower beforehand.
Touch Ups
It’s unnecessary to apply all your makeup at home.
Example: if you drink coffee, don’t apply your lipstick until later.
TIP: Pack a small makeup bag that fits in your purse for touch-ups at work.
BONUS TIP: Prepare for Departure the Night Before
How many mornings have you forgotten where your keys are, or forgotten something at home? A bit of organization the night before always saves time. Here are a few habits you can incorporate the night before to ensure that your exit is flawless.
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Designate a DO NOT FORGET station near the door.
Put your keys, purse/wallet/briefcase, etc, near the door. Getting into the habit of putting essentials in the same place every day will virtually eliminate the chance you would misplace them.
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Hang your clothes in the bathroom before you shower.
The steam will relax wrinkles, and your clothes will be immediately accessible.
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Clean your coffee maker the night before.
Washing out the coffee pot is yet another hassle you don’t need to deal with in the morning.
1) Cut Your Showering Time in Half
Set a timer for 5 minutes.
We know. You’re not a child, and nobody likes to be micromanaged – but it’s the little things that add up to a 20-minute shower.
Most people think they only shower for 5 minutes, but in reality, it’s more like 10 or 15 minutes. Setting a timer will drastically reduce your shower time (and bonus: think of all that water you save).
TIP: Listen to music instead.
If you prefer to wake up with tunes, pick your favorite 5-minute Wake-Up And Dance song on your MP3 player. Challenge yourself to finish your shower before the song ends.
TIP: Try showering the night before.
Sleep with your hair bundled on the top of your head, or try this t-shirt trick to keep your hair from getting frizzy and reduce breakage as you sleep.
To style your hair in the morning: just comb out your hair and then moisten your hair with a spray bottle full of water before you apply product.
Next Page: Cut Your Hair Styling Time in Half
2) Cut Hairstyling Time in Half
Style with Click n Curl
Styling with Click n Curl in the morning takes literally minutes, and minimizes the amount of time you would spend on your hair.
Forget drying your hair and THEN styling it. With Click n Curl, you can dry and style your hair at the same time, which could eliminate 10 – 15 minutes out of your styling routine.
TIP: Save even more time while the rollers are cooling (AKA, while the curls are “setting”) and put on your makeup.
Use the right product
Select a heat protectant + blowout spray product. This will make your blowout (your Click n Curl style) look fuller and last longer.
Leave your hair alone
Don’t touch your styled hair! If you’re good at leaving your hair alone throughout the day, your blowout could last two days or more! Just use dry shampoo on day 2 instead of washing and re-styling your hair. Smooth out any flyaway strands with a boar’s hair brush and light hairspray, and you’re ready to go.
Next Page: Get Dressed Quicker
