Look Your Best at the Last Minute !

Look your best at the last minute!
So you've got a big night ahead of you and an hour to get ready -- unwashed hair, nails in desperate need of a manicure, tummy looking bloated -- and you've got to look your best! How will you ever manage it? Here's a few quick tips that will keep you on top of your game.

Lifeless hair
Got no time to wash and style your hair? You have one of two choices:
• Use a styling spray and pull it all into a slick bun on top of your head.
• If you're planning on leaving your hair loose, avoid serums and mousse altogether.
Got oily tresses that stick to your scalp? Sprinkle some talcum powder onto the roots of your hair and leave it in for a few minutes, then brush it all out.
The powder absorbs the grease and you'll be left with a sweeter-smelling scalp and softer hair.
Another option is to spray some water onto your hair instead, which reactivates the products already used to style it; then run a wide-toothed comb through, or scrunch it, depending upon whether it's straight or wavy.
Pull back your hair in a tight bun or go for the careless curls !

For puffy eyes and dark circles
How are you supposed to banish under-eye circles and puffiness when you're in a tearing hurry? The answer is simple -- cucumber slices and rosewater. Before you slather on make-up, cleanse your eyes with two drops of rosewater each.
Rosewater helps to clear redness and make tired eyes look sprightly. For the under-eye circles and puffiness, chop up a couple of cucumber slices and place them on each eye.
You can also grate the rest of the vegetable and apply it as a facepack. A few minutes with the cooling effect of cucumber and you'll look fresh.
Use cucumber and rosewater for bright eyes .

Acne and pimples
It never fails. Just before a big date or important office party, you discover a big fat pimple on your face. So how are you going to get rid of it? Well, you can't. But what you can do is conceal it.
First off, you need to invest in a quality skin-concealer which matches your skin tone. When the emergency arises, you need to apply an ice-pack for a few minutes to the pimples or acne to reduce the redness and swelling.
Next, apply the concealer over them with your finger tip, blending it in properly. Top off with your foundation makeup powder and you're set.
Ice packs, concealer and foundation makeup will have your face glowing .

Dirty, cracked nails
There's no turn-off quite so big as noticing somebody is in desperate need of a manicure/ pedicure -- dirty nails speak volumes about one's personal hygiene. If you've got grubby digits, you need a quick-fix.
Cut or file them down to get rid of unsightly cracks and remove any dirt that may be embedded underneath the cuticle. Then rub a little moisturiser into them for that neat, polished effect if you have no time to apply varnish -- it won't dry quickly enough.

Unruly eyebrows

If your eyebrows are unruly, you need to be able to tame them at the nth hour. If they are overgrown, take a small dab of hairspray and smooth them over, then use a new toothbrush to comb through.
You can also use a plucker if a couple of strands are looking too out-of-place. For eyebrows that have been overplucked, you need to use a soft makeup pencil to fill in the bald spots.

Your skin: From drab to fab
If you have the time to take a shower, use a bath lotion and lather using a loofah, which will gently exfoliate your skin. Follow up with a moisturising lotion suited to your skin type and the weather -- humidity calls for a light, water-based one. Exfoliate and moisturise for a healthy glow.

Battle of the bulge

If you've gained a couple of pounds and find unsightly bulges showing from underneath your clothes, you need a fallback outfit just for outings like this.
Wear an empire-waisted dress or blouse, which flows away from your stomach and hips.
If you're wearing pants, a pair of roomy straight-fits should do; they're the 'in' thing at the moment.
Also, do invest in some tummy-control underwear or a corset, depending upon your problem areas. They may not look too glamorous, but who is looking underneath?
They'll help you rock your outfit, sucking in your waist, slimming your thighs and firming your butt. Well worth it!


Jazz it all up
And here are a few tips to make sure you look your best at all times:
• If you have no time to change your outfit, at least make sure to colour coordinate your handbag, shoes and belt -- matching them up will create a very groomed look.
• Accessorise. Don't make a habit out of stepping out without wearing a watch, earrings, necklace or bangles. Your appearance will be very plain if you suddenly head out at the last minute with no accessory to glam things up a little.
• When it comes to footwear, make sure your everyday pair can double up as nightwear too. You don't want to head into the office in a pair of flipflops only to find that your boss is treating everyone to drinks after work at a swishy club.
• Carry a compact and a stick of lipgloss in your purse -- you never know when you'll need them.
• Clean, well-pressed clothing is always a safe bet. That way, even if you have to swing the casual look, you can do it in style.
-
-