One-Size-Fits-All Makeover Ideas

Got the winter blahs (or worse, the weight-loss plateau blues)? Try a beauty pick-me-up for a new look in no time.

Article By: Mary Elizabeth Hurn and Melanie Mannarino

You never need an excuse for a beauty pick-me-up, especially when it can be done without booking an appointment, maxing out your credit card or even commiting to a look you're not sure you'll love. But we'll give you a few good reasons to try one or more of these fun tools and products anyway: 1. You're celebrating your slimmer body. 2. The number on the scale is stubbornly stuck, and you're looking for a change that doesn’t come from the scale. 3. You've been trapped indoors way too often this winter and feeling a bit bored. How do we know they’re fun? We tested them all for you!

Play up your eyes
Now that celebrities are wearing false eyelashes to everything from awards shows to supermarket runs, it’s time for the rest of us to get into the sexy-eye act. Add some wow to your wink with Jane Iredale Professional Faux Lashes. This compact kit include individual natural lash clusters in two different lengths and latex-free lash adhesive.
$24, JaneIredale.com

Add a streak of color
You don’t have to risk a bad dye job to make a bold hair statement. Feather extensions are a little bit retro hippy, a little bit modern cool. Secure it in place with a metal bead, then treat the feather like your own hair: wash, blow dry and even curl it! It will last for up to two weeks. (Got commitment issues? There’s also a clip-on version).
Semi-permanent strands, $3.99, PicassoHairFeathers.com
Clip-ons, $39.95, FineFeatherheads.com

Flash a brighter smile
Few things can improve your look as dramatically as bright, white teeth. And few things can improve your mood like instant gratification. We found the Go Smile Whitening Light System quicker and more effective than strips: The light activates a hydrogen-peroxide-based serum to noticeably whiten your teeth in only about 30 minutes. Looks like this kit earned its hefty price-tag.
$129, GoSmile.com

Get Hollywood hair
Whether you’re trying to channel Veronica Lake or Taylor Swift, all you need is Chi’s Digital Ceramic Deep Waver. This ceramic iron works faster than a curling iron to give you perfectly waved hair – and the digital display and adjustable heat settings guarantee smooth (not singed!) locks.
$129, Ulta

Give yourself a (polished) hand
Gel manicures are ultra-shiny, long-lasting and so fast-drying (the pros call it “curing”) that they’re ideal for panicked late-night “Ugh, my nails look awful!” fixes. Too bad the salon’s not open at 10 pm on a Sunday, huh? That’s why the Gelish Basix Kit, Soak Off Gel Nail Polishes and Mini Pro LED Curing Light are so awesome: You can apply a fast, glossy manicure (or pedi) any time you’ve got a few minutes – without worrying about getting sheet marks.
$14.95 - $69.95, SallyBeauty.com