7 Ways to Save Time in the Morning
(and still look gorgeous!)

No matter how perfect your makeup looks or how well your outfit is put together, being late always makes a poor impression. We know that streamlining a morning beauty routine can be a challenge (and who doesn’t want a few extra minutes of sleep?) so we’ve compiled some of The Paula’s Choice Team’s tried-and-true tricks to help you look great and arrive on time, wherever you’re headed.

• Pick out your outfit the night before. Assemble your entire ensemble: coat, earrings, undergarments-everything! Don’t let your morning get hijacked as you scramble to pick out the perfect necklace. Doing this the night before means you’ll absolutely feel more put together in the morning.
  
  
• Do your non-essential or pampering skin-care treatments at night. Cleansing, toning, and a liberal application of sunscreen should be all you need. Unless you’re treating a breakout, you can exfoliate before bed-and wake up with glowing skin! Use evenings to touch up nails, tweeze brows, and tend to any other beauty details that will slow everything down in the A.M.
  
  
• Shower the night before. Not only will this relax you before bed, but it will save you considerable time in the morning. If you’re concerned about unruly bed-head, try sleeping on satin pillowcases, which really does help minimize overnight tangles.
  
  
• Keep a clock in your bathroom, but not your cell phone! Not only is the moisture in the bathroom damaging to your phone (and can activate your phone’s moisture indicator, which voids the warranty), but you can easily get sidetracked by texting or emailing while you should be getting ready. Put your phone in your briefcase or purse-and leave it there!
  
  
• Choose multi-tasking products. Using a well-formulated tinted moisturizer with sunscreen can save you so much time and money! Paula’s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20 is an excellent and affordable option that gives you coverage, hydration, and sun protection-all in one! Other great options are reviewed on Beautypedia.
  
  
• Weekday mornings are not the time to experiment with a new makeup look or new products. Save that fun for the weekend. Creating a new makeup look can take time-and what if it doesn’t look good? You’ll have to start all over! Go with what you know works.
  
  
• Keep your makeup routine simple. This one speaks for itself-staying on schedule means keeping it simple! Your “every day” makeup shouldn’t take you longer than ten minutes, tops!
  

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Get rid of the clutter and stop wasting money as we reveal the skin care products you absolutely don’t need! You’ll discover why separate creams for the eye area, neck, or decolletage area are merely a marketing gimmick and learn why sunscreens over SPF 50 are a potential problem. Call in with questions during our live broadcast to receive expert advice for all of your beauty concerns, and win FREE Paula's Choice products when we take your call!

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Paula's Product Pick

The formula contains 10% of the AHA glycolic acid and the product’s pH ensures it will function as an exfoliant. This moisturizing formula contains some helpful skin-repairing ingredients and antioxidants, making it more than just a one-note anti-aging product. Well done!

For the latest new product reviews, reference Beautypedia.com FREE during January and February. It features over 45,000 detailed product reviews and is the expanded, online version of my best-selling book Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.

Dear Paula,

I used Retin-A for about seven weeks to treat acne. I have very fair, sensitive skin and even though I only applied it three times per week, I experienced very red, peeling skin. I stopped using it about ten weeks ago, but my skin remains very sensitive. Moreover, I cannot use any makeup or moisturizer without having a reaction now. I get many red bumps and tiny whiteheads with any foundation (I’ve tried many), sunscreen, or moisturizer. I think it must be because of the Retin-A, but I don't know how to get my skin back to normal.

My skin gets better after a few days of using absolutely no products, but I want to be able to wear an SPF daily and makeup on occasion. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.

Erikka, via email

Dear Erikka,

This is a tricky one. I suspect what happened is that you may have over-used the Retin-A (applying more than is needed each time) and that coupled with your fair, sensitive skin resulted in intense irritation. Some people cannot tolerate prescription retinoids and it's also possible the strength (percentage of tretinoin) you were using was too potent for your skin. And many people who use Retin-A approach it thinking if a little is good, more must be better - but that can definitely backfire!

When I used Retin-A as a teen to deal with acne, I suffered through more than I should have in terms of redness and peeling, flaking skin. Once I stopped, it took several months for my skin to go back to normal. 10 weeks may not be long enough for your skin to fully recover, especially because tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A) is a potent cell-communicating ingredient and skin can have a long memory for it (one more reason tretinoin is classified as a drug rather than a cosmetic).

Have you tried using a gentle, well formulated BHA (beta hydroxy acid) product? If not, this may help reduce the redness and sensitivity while also reducing the whiteheads. Paula's Choice CLEAR Targeted Acne Relief Exfoliating Toner, Regular Strength is a great option. You would apply this after cleansing morning and/or evening. I'd also suggest treating your skin to my RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner, as this is exceptionally soothing and can restore barrier-repair ingredients your skin likely needs.