
55 Easy Little Tweaks That Make You Look Way Better In Under 5 Minutes
Small fixes, big results.
Switching up your entire routine is an overwhelming prospect (not to mention a hefty investment in your time and money). But a small tweak or two is something we can all get behind — especially if it has the potential to make a major impact. The beauty and fashion finds on this list do just that: give you fuss-free ways to upgrade your everyday getting-ready routine (and all in just a few minutes, too).
01Trade Your Basic Black Hair Elastics For A Set That Looks Like Jewelry
Time to say goodbye to that boring black hair elastic that’s permanently attached to your wrist. Instead, pick up a set of these hair tie bracelets; each set comes with a mix of embellished and braided designs that add a pop of personality to your updos, but look like cute bracelets when worn on your wrist. Plus, since they’re not a major investment like jewelry, it’s less devastating should you lose a hair tie or two.
02Add A Few Drops Of Self Tanner To Your Moisturizer
Technically, you’ll have to wait about eight hours for these self-tanning drops to develop into sun-kissed color, but they only require a few minutes to apply. The seamless application is all thanks to the serum-like drops, which are meant to be mixed in with your favorite moisturizer (or body lotion). The self-tanner drops work on both the face and body, give you customizable color depending on how many drops you go for, and help to nourish skin with ingredients like aloe vera, avocado oil, and squalane.
03Swap Your Plain Black Leggings For A Faux-Leather Pair
When you want to be comfortable, but still look put together, these leggings have you covered. The shiny material makes them look more like leather pants, but the fabric is stretchy enough to take a yoga class in. In addition to multiple color and size options, the leggings come in three different lengths to help you get the perfect fit.
- Available sizes: X-Small – XX-Large
- Available colors: 3
04Overline Your Lips With A Pencil In A Neutral Color
This lip liner comes in more than a dozen neutral colors that can be matched to various skin tones for an overlined look that lets you temporarily fake a fuller pout. The matte finish further helps with defining the lips undetectably, and the sharpenable pencil means you can always line with precision. But the lip pencil can also be paired with your favorite gloss or used as a full-coverage base that helps to lock your lipstick in place all day long (whether you stick to a neutral pink or a statement-making red).
05Use A Purple Conditioner To Keep Blonde Hair Looking Icy
You only need to leave this hair mask on for five minutes to get the full results, but it works in two ways to enhance color-treated blonde hair. First, visible purple pigments serve as a non-damaging toner that neutralizes brassiness for a cooler blonde color. Second, the mask helps to strengthen dry, fragile hair with hydrolyzed proteins and moisturizing vitamins and oils.
06Try A Brown Mascara Instead Of Black (Especially During The Day)
Black mascara will always be a staple, but when you want more of a natural look — especially during the daytime — brown mascara reigns supreme. This beauty award-winning formula lengthens lashes in a single coat, but it comes in a softer espresso color that adds definition to eyes without being overpowering. The water-resistant mascara also helps to condition lash hairs with ingredients like glycerin, castor seed oil, and peach leaf extract.
07Fake A Fuller Hairline With Root Cover-Up Spray
Whether you touch-up your hair color at home or you’re strictly a salon girl, dyeing your roots is a lengthy (and messy process). Not so when you have this root cover up, which can be sprayed right onto your hair to give you instant coverage that washes out at end of the day. The tinted spray comes in multiple shades for blondes, brunettes, and redheads, and stylists note that it’s also a great way to make sparse spots and widening part lines look fuller.
08Curl Your Lashes (Whether Going Bare Or Wearing Mascara)
If you aren’t using an eyelash curler, you’re missing out. This drugstore curler is a classic (it has more than 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon!) for lifting and shaping lashes before you even go in with your mascara (though it makes a big difference on bare lashes, too). The lash curler is made with stainless steel, so it’s easy to clean, and it comes with three replacement silicone pads that protect lashes from breakage.
09Fake A Full Stack Of Piercings With One Clever Earring
If you don’t have multiple ear piercings, but you like the look of stacking, this earring set has you covered. Designed for single piercings, the huggie style earrings actually feature three small hoops that create the illusion of several piercings. Each hoop has a slightly different design for a more convincing look, and they’re less than $15, so they save you money, too.
10Do An At-Home Hair Gloss For Instant Shine
Inspired by an in-salon gloss, this hair mask gives you both shine and conditioning benefits. The in-shower mask works in five minutes to moisturize hair with ingredients like hydrolyzed quinoa, argan oil, and an amino acid blend. As the mask seals the hair cuticle to leave strands glossy, it also helps to shield hair against color fading.
11Swap Your Go-To Sweats For A Pair Of Drawstring-Waist Jeans
Next time you want to be sweatpants-level cozy, but need to look more polished, opt for these drawstring-waist jeans. They stand out from the pack with their seamed detailing along the legs and self-tie waistband, which gives them a stylish look and adjustable fit. Amazon reviewers love that the jeans can be worn casually with a T-shirt and sneakers, or dressed up for a night out — all while feeling like you’re rocking your favorite joggers.
- Available sizes: 4 – 18
- Available colors: 5
12Master The Slicked Back Updo With A Hair Wax Stick
If high ponytails and low knots are in your regular hairstyle rotation, allow us to introduce you to your new secret weapon. This hair wax stick gives your updos a sleek finish by smoothing flyaways and baby hairs into place for 24-hour hold. The vegan and cruelty-free formula also works to nourish hair with ingredients like grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and argan oil, so you won’t be left feeling dry or crunchy.
13Use Sneaker Sponges To Make Your Kicks Look New Again
Once you dampen this double-sided sponge, its micro-scrubbers get activated to remove dirt, scuffs, and other marks from shoes. Especially helpful for restoring white soles for sneakers that look brand new, the sponge acts like an eraser to lift away marks with gentle swiping motions. The sponges are disposable, but they start to break down as you use them, so you’ll know when it’s time to replace them.
14Freshen Up Your Color With A Color-Depositing Conditioner
Freshen up your hair color at home or experiment with another color entirely with this conditioner. The hybrid formula works like a conditioning hair mask to strengthen hair with hydrolyzed keratin, coconut oil, and rosehip seed oil. But as you let it sit (up to 20 minutes depending on how intense you want your results), the conditioner deposits color onto your hair. Because the color doesn’t alter the cuticle, it’s non-damaging, and it starts to slowly fade from your first shampoo, so there’s no long-term commitment involved.
15Add A Touch Of Highlighter To The Inner Corners Of Your Eyes
It takes two seconds to dot this pearlescent shadow at the inner corners of your eyes, but it really helps to brighten up the area. The eyeshadow stick doesn’t require any brushes, as the formula is creamy enough to blend in with your fingertips. However, once it sets, the shadow won’t smudge or crease. It also comes in several other metallic colors that can be worn as eyeshadow or eyeliner.
16Spritz Your Face With Thermal Water In Between Skin Care Steps
This face mist feels ultra luxe, thanks to the water it uses to cool and refresh skin, which is collected from a spring in the French Alps. The water is naturally rich in minerals that help to soothe sensitive or irritated skin, so you can use it as the first step in your routine (think of it kind of like an ultra-gentle toner). But the ultra-fine mist also delivers a boost of moisture that revives makeup (and your skin’s glowiness) during the day. Another tip? Mist on a thin layer between each step of your routine to really maximize on the hydration, a technique called “skin flooding.”
17Get Bombshell Curls — Fast — With A Set Of Heated Rollers
Hot rollers are kind of retro, but they deliver consistent results if you’re after soft waves with some serious volume. This 20-piece set comes with rollers in three different sizes to better customize your curl, as well J-shaped clips that hold them in place, so you can go about your getting ready routine while your curls set. Each curler features a thermal wax core to better retain heat, while the brand’s ionic conditioning technology helps to minimize frizz and enhance shine.
18Comb Through Your Lashes After Applying Mascara
Dramatic lashes require multiple coats of mascara (if you’re not going the falsie or extension routes, that is). But the more mascara you layer on, the more likely you are to experience clumping. This mini lash comb works by brushing through clumps and separating each lash hair for a more fanned-out finish. Just be sure to use it before your mascara has fully dried down.
19Add A Faux Collar Under Your Sweater For A Polished Effect Without The Bulk
These half collars don’t look like much, but they make a major difference when worn under sweaters. The sleeveless design is fitted with adjustable straps to secure under your arms, allowing you to fake the appearance of a full button-up shirt. Especially helpful in the summer when you don’t want to be sweating under multiple layers, the detachable collars are convenient anytime you want a more polished finish with a smooth silhouette.
- Available sizes: Medium – Large
- Available styles: 5+
20Apply A Body Highlighter To Your Collarbone & Shoulders
Before your next night out, swipe this highlighter stick along your collarbones or over your legs. In addition to giving a pearly glow, the blendable formula also moisturizes skin with cocoa seed butter, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil. Though its rounded, oversized shape makes it easy to cover larger areas of the body, the highlighter stick can be used on the face, too.
21Ditch The Pencil (Or Powder) & Tint Your Brows Instead
Tinting your brows is a sneaky way to create the illusion of fuller arches without any makeup. This temporary tinting kit can be mixed up at home — it includes everything you’ll need, including developer and a small mixing bowl — and it deposits color onto your brows in as little as three minutes. As quick as it is to use, the color lasts up to six weeks, meaning you can put your tinted powders and pencils aside for a quicker makeup routine in the morning.
22Add Some Hair Jewelry To Your Ponytail Or Braid
Like jewelry for your hair, this hair tie set makes a statement with its metal embellishments. The gold link chains can work as chunky bracelets, but when you’re ready to pull your hair back, the hair tie bracelets are stretchy enough to secure thicker hair textures. The hair ties come in several different gold designs, as well as a silver option for those who prefer silver accessories.
23Tie A Silk Scarf Around Your Neck (Or Handbag)
There are as many colors and patterns of this scarf to choose from as there are ways to style it. A classic accessory for more sophisticated looks, the scarf can be tied around your neck or wrapped around the handle of your purse for the perfect finishing touch. But it can also be folded into a headbanded, woven through a braid, or worn as a colorful replacement for your belt.
- Available colors: 30+
24Wipe Down Leather Purses (& Shoes) With These Leather Cleaner Wipes
This leather cleaning kit is mess-free and uncomplicated, thanks to its individually packaged wipes that are small enough to fit in your pocket. Each kit comes with five cleaning wipes to remove dirt and oils from leather and faux-leather materials. It also comes with five conditioning wipes that keep leather protected against exposure to snow and rain for six months. Both wipes can be used on leather accessories, handbags, and shoes, as well as car seats and furniture.
25Swap The Body Lotion For Oil When You'll Be Showing Off Some Skin
Even if you’re dealing with dry, flaky skin, this body oil smooths and softens things out right away. Packed with safflower, castor, coconut, jojoba, and rosehip oils, the formula absorbs quickly for a non-greasy finish. Next time you’re showing off your arms or legs, apply a generous layer before heading out the door; it functions as a non-shimmery highlighter.
26Trade Your Go-To Body Lotion For One That Gives You A Tan
Smooth, moisturized skin is immediate with this shea butter- and hyaluronic acid-infused lotion, but that’s not all it does. When used for several days in a row, the gradual tanning lotion imparts a subtle bronzed glow. It’s fragrance-free and suitable to use on the face and body, according to the brand, and it doesn’t require any tanning mitts or rinsing as the color develops (though you will want to wash your hands after to avoid stained palms!).
27Make Your Ponytail Look More Polished With This Retro Tool
If you grew up in the ‘90s, you’ll remember this Topsy Tail tool, which instantly transforms your everyday updo. With no heat styling or special skills required, the plastic tool gives you dozens of ways to upgrade your look — from a simple, looped half-up style to more detailed French braids.
28Neutralize Reddish & Orange Tones In Brunette Hair With A Blue Shampoo
Brunettes with honey highlights or caramel balayage can keep their color-treated hair from leaning brassy or orange with this blue shampoo. The vibrant formula combines blue and purple pigments to help neutralize unwanted warm tones while also cleansing your hair. Once you lather up, you’ll want to let the shampoo sit on your hair for several minutes before rinsing clean. The brand also recommends wearing gloves if you’re concerned about it staining your palms.
29Fluff Up Your Brows Using Brow "Soap"
For fluffed up brows that stay put, this styling cream is actually a brow soap. The non-foaming soap applies transparent, adding some thickness to brow hairs as it gives them hold. Each tin of brow soap also comes with spoolie applicators that can be adjusted at an angle for more control over your brushing technique.
30Take A Break From Gels & Use Press-Ons Instead
Even when you leave it to the pros, nail art is a lengthy process. These press-on nails give you a shortcut to trying out trending looks with dozens of pre-painted designs that include gold half moons, tortoiseshell patterns, and solid colors with a glazed effect. Each nail set has a gel finish, and it comes with everything you need to quickly apply your press-ons for a manicure that lasts up to 28 days.
31Swap Your Go-To Jeans For A Just-As-Versatile Satin Skirt
Available in over 30 colors and stylish prints, this satin midi skirt can be styled across seasons and occasions. As effortless as it is versatile, the midi skirt can be worn with a T-shirt and sneakers for casual occasions, paired with heels and a blazer for a day at the office, or even styled with a chunky sweater and boots in the colder months. In other words, it will quickly become the hardest working piece in your wardrobe.
- Available sizes: X-Small – XX-Large
- Available colors: 30+
32Use This 8-Second Treatment For Your Softest Hair Ever
By the time you’ve massaged this water-like hair mask through your strands, it’s already time to rinse it out. Formulated to leave hair noticeably silkier and shinier after just one use, the fast-acting hair treatment uses ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and vitamin E to hydrate hair without weighing it down. Suitable for both thin and thick hair types, the mask is also silicone-free and safe for color-treated hair.
33Ditch The White Sunscreen For One That's Totally Clear
This sunscreen was formulated to work like a serum, so you don’t have to worry about any white cast or greasy residue. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E ensure skin stays smooth, while vitamin C from kakadu plum extract gives the SPF 50 a boost and helps to brighten existing hyperpigmentation and dullness with continued use. The lightweight sunscreen is noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores if you’re acne prone, and it’s fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free for those with sensitive skin.
34Add A Waist Belt To Give Your Dresses (Or Tunics) A Tailored Look
Want to give your look a more tailored finish without actually having to go to the tailor? Reach for a belt. Made of faux leather and designed with a stylish metal buckle, this set gives you two skinny belts that work with both pants and dresses. Each belt features a sliding adjuster at the back to help cinch in your waist, and the sets — the belts are sold individually, or in sets of two or three — come in a wide range of colors.
35Swipe On A Nail Concealer When You Don't Have Time For A Full Mani
No time to give yourself a full-on mani? Taking a break from gel polish? If you’re partial to minimalist manicures in creamy colors, this nail treatment lets you add some nourishing benefits into the mix, too. Part polish, part strengthener, the nail concealer blurs ridges and discoloration for nails that immediately look healthier. At the same time, celery extract, sunflower seed oil, and vitamins A and E work to support stronger nails over time.
36Use A Wet-Hair-Friendly Brush To Detangle While You Condition
This hairbrush is a favorite across social media and online shopping sites, with more than 70,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone. Designed to work on all hair types, the brush features flexible plastic bristles that differ in length to detangle without pulling at the hair or causing breakage. Pro tip: run the brush through your hair in the shower while you have conditioner in it. Not only will your hair be left perfectly untangled, but it’ll help keep your wave pattern intact (rather than brushing when your hair is damp or dry).
37Remove Pills & Lint In Seconds With A Fabric Shaver
Pilling can make your favorite sweaters and coats look worn-out, but it doesn’t mean they need to be replaced. This handheld fabric shaver gently removes lint and fuzzies in minutes. The rechargeable device can be used on fabrics like wool, cotton, and polyester, and it comes in handy for freshening up furniture, bedding, and curtains, too.
38Apply A Caffeine Serum To Quickly Perk Up Tired Under-Eyes
Whether your eyes look tired or they just feel far from being wide-awake (or maybe a bit of both!), this eye elixir can help. The massaging applicator helps to increase circulation and release tension, as a serum with caffeine, licorice extract, retinol, and peptides works to brighten and firm skin. A metal rollerball applicator automatically adds a cooling effect, but for even more soothing and depuffing benefits, try storing the roller in the refrigerator.
39Apply A Shimmery Balm To Your Cheekbones, Eyelids, & Brow Bone
Tinted makeup balms are ideal for saving space in your bag while traveling, but they’re useful for whenever you’re trying to streamline your routine. This multipurpose formula has a cream blush texture that’s easy to blend on cheeks, lips, and eyelids for a sheer wash of color and shimmer. The balm comes in several pink shades, and thanks in part to moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil and castor oil, you don’t even need a brush to smooth the balm over your skin.
40Ensure Your Shoes Fit Just Right With These Grippy Pads
For shoes that are a tad too big or have a tendency to slip off when walking, there’s these heel pads. The cushioned inserts have an adhesive at the back that you can quickly stick onto the heel of your shoe and leave in place for multiple uses. While the thicker memory foam and silicone grips prevent slipping, they’re also an easy way to prevent blisters.
41Pair Your Loafers Or Mary Janes With Some Cute Ruffled Socks
Sometimes, it’s the smallest details that make the biggest difference. These ruffle socks will take you back to your childhood, but they’re also an on-trend way to add a little personality to your look. From athleisure wear to more formal blazer and loafer combos, the ruffle socks bring in an unexpected touch of femininity.
- Available sizes: 5 – 11
- Available colors and styles: 5+
42Use A Spoolie & Hair Spray To Smooth Down Flyaways
These sparkly spoolies have a surprising number of uses. For brows, they can be used to blend out color pencils and powders, or paired alongside a wax or gel to brush brows into place. You can also run a spoolie through your lashes after applying mascara to comb through any clumps. Finally, the versatile tool can be used to slick back flyaways after coating it with some hairspray or gel — a pro-loved hack for getting perfectly smooth updos.
43Give Your Clothes A Quick Steam Before Getting Dressed
No matter how expensive your outfit is, if your clothes are wrinkled, you’re doing yourself a disservice. This portable steamer is travel-friendly (and perfect for those who live in smaller spaces) and has a foldable design that’s similar to a hair dryer. Despite its smaller size, the steamer heats up in 30 seconds, and it has an 8-foot cord to give you more reach.
44Get Plumper Skin Instantly With A Hyaluronic Acid & Peptide Serum
Consistency is key with any skin care product, but this serum rewards you right away, too. That’s because the lightweight formula is packed with peptides and hyaluronic acid that flood skin with moisture and keep it there, giving your complexion an immediately smoother, more plumped-up appearance. At $20, it’s an affordable addition to your routine, and it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free from drying alcohols, silicones, and parabens.
45Remove Dry, Flaky Cuticles With This Fast-Acting Solution
There are more than 40,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for this cuticle remover that helps keep your nails looking freshly manicured. One drop works in 15 seconds to break down dead skin, making it easier to push your cuticles back without being too aggressive or resorting to cutting (you should never cut your cuticles, BTW). Meanwhile, ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile flower extract, and green tea leaf extract help to moisturize and soothe the delicate area.
46Use Bra Clips To Get A Subtle Lift & Conceal Straps
You can use one of these bra clips to quickly secure your straps, whether you’re dealing with straps that constantly slip or you’re looking to convert your bra into a racerback silhouette. Because the clips pull your straps together, they’re also a clever way to create some lift and cleavage without any help from a push-up bra.
47Or, Go Totally Braless & Use These Silicone Pasties Instead
As helpful as those bra clips can be, some outfits make it impossible to hide your straps. For backless dresses or halter tops where you still want some support without putting your bra straps on display, consider these silicone nipple covers. The reusable covers are lined with a medical-grade adhesive that won’t irritate your skin, but also won’t budge on the hottest summer day.
- Available sizes: A – DD+
48Mix A Few Drops Of This Complexion Perfector With Your Moisturizer Or Foundation
Not quite a primer, but not full-coverage enough to count as a foundation, this drugstore skin tint sits somewhere in between. Available in a range of shades and infused with shimmer and blurring powders, the liquid tint creates a filter-like effect with a glowy finish for skin that instantly looks more luminous. You can use it on its own or mix it in with your foundation; either way, the skin tint delivers plenty of moisturizing benefits thanks to squalane, sunflower seed oil, and hyaluronic acid.
49Add Some Lash Clusters To The End Of Your Lash Line
Mascara and lash curlers can only take you so far. When you really want to amp up the volume and length, this lash cluster kit gives you complete control. The feather-weight design gives you bands of wispy lashes in various lengths, as well as your glue and a pair of angled tweezers to expertly set your falsies in place for all-day wear.
50Throw A Sweater Vest On Top Of Your Go-To Button-Down Blouse
The cable knit texture and slightly oversized silhouette of this V-neck sweater vest has an effortless quality that makes it easy for casual wear. At the same time, it’s still polished enough to wear to work when thrown over a long-sleeve, button-up blouse. Amazon reviewers especially love how versatile the sweater is, and they note that it’s surprisingly soft considering its inexpensive price tag.
- Available sizes: Small – XX-Large
- Available colors: 20+
51Remove Wine & Coffee Stains On-The-Go With These Handy Teeth Wipes
Each of these individually packaged teeth wipes was designed to fit over your finger to create a substitute toothbrush when you’re on the go. The textured wipes help to clean teeth and prevent stains from setting in, and a minty flavor helps to freshen up your breath.
52Add A Bracelet-Style Watch To Your Wrist Stack
A watch is a staple accessory, but it doesn’t have to require a major investment. This adjustable watch has a vintage feel to it with its octagonal shape and Roman numerals on the dial, but it comes in a variety of classic and contemporary metal finishes to suit any style.
- Available styles: 5+
53Trade Your Go-To Claw Clip For A Chicer French Hair Pin
You only need one accessory to nail a timeless French twist hairstyle when you have this oversized pin. The U-shape is the secret behind its staying power, giving your twist a secure hold without pulling at your hair. It also comes in several metal and embellished finishes for when you want to create a polished twist or a messy style with a little more edge.
54Get An Instantly Brighter Smile With Purple Toothpaste
Don’t let the bright purple color of this toothpaste freak you out! The pigment is precisely what makes it so effective at brightening your smile. Purple works to cancel out yellow tones for teeth that look whiter from the first use, but the daily toothpaste also includes whitening and strengthening ingredients to improve the look and health of your smile over time.
55Swap Your Baggy Jeans For More Polished Wide-Leg Trousers
Ordering a pair of pants only to realize that they’re in desperate need of some tailoring before you can wear them out is frustrating. That’s why each size of these palazzo pants comes in short, regular, and long options to better fit legs of every length. The wide-leg silhouetted can be styled casually or more formally, and they come in more than two dozen neutral and statement-making color options.
- Available sizes: X-Small Short – 2X
- Available styles: 5+