Beauty to go: quick tips for when time is short

Jet, May 12, 2003

Faster than a speeding taxi, more powerful than a subway train, able to leap sidewalk grates in stiletto pumps in a single bound. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, just a Sister rushing to work in the morning.

Some days it's hard being a superwoman, carrying the weight of career, kids and dirty laundry on your shoulders. Even though you're superbusy scheduling conference calls, carpooling and saving the world, you still have to look good, girl. After all, everyone's watching.

Since time travel is not one of your powers, these amazing beauty tips are fantastic for the heroine who's hard-pressed for time. Don't worry, Sister of steel, your secret is safe.

Tip 1: Get your fast face on. For that superstar look in little time, use a foundation and powder in one to save yourself a step. Skip the sponge and use your finger to dab eye shadow on your lids. Brush on one coat of mascara. For quick lip appeal, pucker up and line your lips with a neutral lip liner (sheer brown and rose hues), then fill in with a matching gloss. Superstar!

Tip 2: Get ready for jelly. Petroleum jelly, that is. If you want to skip the lipstick, dab petroleum jelly on your lips for moisture and shine. Then dab some on your teeth for that supermodel shine when you smile. While you're at it, a little petroleum jelly on your eyebrows tames unruly hairs.

Tip 3: Shield hair with satin. A cotton pillowcase is kryptonite to your hair. It absorbs moisture, making hair dry and brittle, and the friction from your head rubbing against the cotton pillow causes kinks, frizzies and split ends in your hair. Fortunately, there's satin to the rescue! A satin case lets your locks sweep gently across the pillow without tangling and matting, which keeps your mane salon fresh and cuts down styling time in the morning. (A satin bonnet or scarf works too.)

Tip 4: Nail it. Flo Jo fingernails are fun and funky, but they're high maintenance and murder on hosiery. If you want beautiful nails but don't have hours to spare, here's the secret: Cut nails short (close to the fingertip edge) and shape. Next, clean oil from the nail (which causes polish to wear off faster) with polish remover. Polish with fast-dry enamels in neutral or sheer shades, which don't show chips or less-than-super polishing techniques. Touch up nails with clear polish every other day to extend the life of your manicure.

On the other hand, clean, natural nails can be just as sexy. Clean underneath the nails, rub on a buffing cream (olive oil works too) and buff nails with a chamois buffer. Keep a nail file handy to nip chips. No file in sight? The striking strip of a matchbook makes an impromptu emery board.