5 Instant beauty fixes

Hide a pimple

It's inevitable. The night before a big event, you feel a big zit coming on. Don't be tempted to squeeze or pop it; you'll irritate your skin, causing even more redness. If you can't get to the dermatologist for a cortisone injection, reduce the swelling and then cover it up the best you can. Before applying any make-up, wrap an ice cube in a thin towel and set it on the pimple for five minutes to curb the swelling and redness. Put on your foundation first and then apply concealer directly on the bump. Use a make-up brush to blend the concealer thoroughly, so it doesn't look cake-y. Apply a finishing powder with a large, soft brush to set your make-up in place.

Revitalize your hair

If you are late in the morning and don't have time to wash your hair, don't fret. Fortunately, dry shampoos have come a long way and can make your locks look lovely again in a jiffy. Dry shampoos, such as Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo or Batiste Dry Shampoo, soak up excess oils and dirt while adding a little texture to your hair. After using the dry shampoo, pull your hair into a messy updo or chignon for a workday 'do that can't be beat. If you hair is frizzing out, put a little hair serum in your hands, then smooth over your hair to tame flyaways and add a little shine.

Stop the shine

You want your hair to look shiny, but not your skin. When your skin starts to shine in the middle of the day, don't just pack on more powder. First, blot away the shine with blotting tissues. Our favorite are Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper sheets. These powder-coated sheets absorb the oil and leave your skin looking matte and fresh. These sheets are priced at $18.00 for 100 at Sephora.com.

To avoid shine, use a make-up primer such as Philosophy Never Let them See You Shine mattifying primer underneath your foundation. A primer will provide a smooth foundation while absorbing oil, leaving your skin looking absolutely flawless. In a pinch when you are out, if you don't have blotting tissues on hand, you can actually use toilet seat liners to blot away oil and shine.

Unclump your mascara

You just finished your make-up and you realize that you have clumpy tarantula lashes. You don't need to redo your eye make-up altogether. An eyelash comb might help, but you have another alternative too. Keep an old mascara wand and wash it thoroughly (you can even wash it in the dishwasher.). Use the wand to brush away clumps while your mascara is still wet. In the future, you can avoid clumping lashes by using a lash primer before applying mascara. Mascara expires fast. Throw it out after four months to avoid clumps and bacteria.

Get rid of puffy eyes

Puffy eyes can be caused by lack of sleep, dehydration, allergies, hormonal changes and a number of other factors. Drink plenty of water, get a good night's sleep and elevate your head to improve circulation. If you wake up with puffy eyes, you can reduce the swelling in a variety of ways. Apply ice wrapped in a thin dishcloth to your eyelids for a few minutes. If you don't see any reduction in the puffiness, place tea bags soaked in cold water on your eyes for 15 minutes. Tannic acid found in tea reduces inflammation and swelling. For dark circles under the eyes, apply a half of a potato wrapped in cheesecloth. You may have heard that Preparation H or other hemorrhoid cream can reduce puffy eyes. Though it may work, be very careful as not to get any in your eyes.

More beauty fixes

10 Quickie make-up meltdown fixes
Quick fixes for beauty disasters
Date night beauty fixes