I, like so many other women, have a really bad habit of waking up at the absolute last minute in the mornings and then scrambling to get myself looking even halfway decent before I run to work or school.

Sometimes you just don’t have the time to style your hair, do your make-up and pick out your outfit to the level of perfection you desire. But instead of throwing your hair in a super messy ponytail and wearing your old sweats and flip flops, it’s still possible to look stylish and reasonably well-groomed, even if your time in the morning is limited.

The first thing I like to do after waking up is prepping my skin and body for the day. Often this means putting on my beloved Jergen’s Natural Glow lotion from head to toe, washing my face, putting on moisturizer and other skin care products, putting on deodorant and of course brushing and flossing my teeth. This isn’t a terribly long process to begin with, but in a rush I’ve been able to cut it down to a few simple things that take less than 60 seconds altogether.

Instead of using a liquid-y face wash, get some daily facial cleansing/make-up removing wipes. I use Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes (they have “Morning Refresh” towelettes with an awesome citrus scent and exfoliating bumps), which I can rub over my face, neck and upper body in a few seconds for a really clean, fresh feeling. Then apply moisturizer, deodorant, brush your teeth and you’re well on your way to being ready for the day.

 

When it comes to your hair, you don’t have to freak out if you didn’t have time to wash it! Just flip your head upside down and spray some dry shampoo into your roots (an alternative solution is to take a small amount of baby powder in the palm of your hand and rub it thoroughly into your hair). This will eliminate the appearance of greasiness. Brush it out for a few seconds under your hair dryer to make it look softer, and if it still doesn’t look great you can sweep it up into a high bun, which always looks chic and professional. If I know I’m going to be in a hurry in the morning I like to wash my hair and flat iron it the night before, sleeping with it in a ponytail to help retain the straightness.

If you’re like me, you love playing with make-up and experimenting with colors and feel naked without your favorite products on. When you don’t have time for all that you need to figure out which make-up products you just can’t do without. For me it’s concealer, powder foundation, blush and mascara. These will ensure that my skin looks smooth and my eyes look somewhat defined.

If you really want to wear more elaborate make-up but are short on time, I recommend trying some of Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils. These eyeshadows come in a variety of colors, neutrals and brights, which you can blend together to create quick, gorgeous looks. They are incredibly easy to apply and go on super smoothly. Just draw a little on your eyelids and you’re good to go!

You can also carry a bright lipstick in your purse to apply en route (just not while driving!), which instantly steps up your look. (See our favorite drugstore lipsticks for Summer!)

As for your outfit, don’t just throw on whatever you see on the floor – a good idea is to have a variety of pieces that will give you a put-together look while being super easy to mix and match. For me this means dark skinny jeans, leggings and maxi skirts (which are nice when it’s been a few days since you’ve shaved your legs), then a lot of pretty knit pullover sweaters and tops. A versatile trench coat and/or blazer jacket are nice to have as well, especially if you work in a business environment.

If your outfit is too simple, take two seconds to put on a statement necklace or another piece of bold jewelry.

Ta da! You’re all ready to run out the door.

What are your tricks for getting ready in a hurry? Leave us a comment!

Written by Rhiannon Payne