Beat the Clock Beauty

If You Have:20 Minutes

The look is: Simply sophisticated Here's how to get it: 2 minutes: Apply foundation or powder to any area that needs it. Counteract dark undereye circles with a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation. Try: Max Factor Erace in Natural ($4.75). 3 minutes: Apply eyeliner along your upper lashlines. We like Prescriptives Delux Eye Pencil in Khaki ($17.50) because it works well with all eye colors. Use a sheer, olive-colored eyeshadow, like the darkest shade in Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Sea Glass ($4.15), on the outer corners of your lower lids and blend toward your temples. Brush on two coats of mascara. 60 seconds: On cheeks, use a neutral-colored blush, and on lips, a pink-brown gloss, like Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Divine ($18).

2 minutes: Work a smoothing balm, like Clinique Hair Care Perfectly Straight ($14.50), through damp locks and divide hair into two-inch-wide sections. 7.5 minutes: Blow each section dry and straight using a large, round brush. "Natural bristles work best because they distribute your hair's natural oils and enhance shine," says Laura de Leon, our hairstylist for this story. 4 minutes: Divide hair into two-inch sections again and run a flat iron over each one. 30 seconds: Apply three or four spritzes of light hairspray. Another option: To enhance rather than straighten curls apply a dollop of anti-frizz styling gel to damp hair from roots to ends. Attach a diffuser to your hairdryer and blow hair dry. Take about eight half-inch thick pieces of hair from around your face and the top of your head and wrap them around a curling iron. Spritz on a shine-enhancing spray.