5 Ways To Look Great, Fast!

Whether it's in the morning before work or on your way out for the evening, you don't always have endless time to primp. We talked with Allure beauty director Amy Keller about the best products when you're under the gun.

• Exfoliating is the quickest way to get fresh, glowing skin. We love Pangea Organics Facial Scrub because it's gentle and softens skin instantly. Another alternative: a plain washcloth.

• Dry shampoo has saved us countless washes and fussing with our hair. It's hands-down the best thing that's happened to our beauty routine. Just a touch of Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo erases any sign of dirty hair—and the Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo Spray has the added bonus of volumizing if your hair is prone to falling flat.

The Best Hair Products of the Year.

• Mascara is always an effortless way to brighten eyes, and a brush with plastic bristles is best because it helps the product go on quickly without clumping—CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara is our favorite.

• Light glosses and lipsticks don't require any mirror time. Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Voluptés are bright, sheer lipsticks that add some color and are impossible to mess up.

• While nude nail color is always fresh and classic, it's also very easy to apply quickly. Our faves: Yves Saint Laurent Nail Touch Nail Lacquer Pen and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color (we swear it dries in under sixty seconds).

Big Breakthroughs: The Year's Most Inventive Beauty Products.

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