When I started to write the blog entry I thought it sounded a bit like discovering the secrets of the pyramids. I knew in my heart of hearts that real woman do this every day. Everyone is scheduled to the max and time is the most precious commodity. I decided to interview clients, my co-workers, and women from all walks of life to discover the secrets of the quick beauty fixes. Let’s face it, for all of us in the real world, ten minutes is about all the time we have to get ready.

I knew these beauty shortcuts existed, and I became determined to uncover each time-saving remedy. After endless conversations I received many tips. Some seemed so totally absurd that at first I dismissed them. Some of the “genius” suggestions included brushing your teeth while taking a shower or laying out your clothes for the next day the night before. After hearing these remarks, I was ready to throw my Blackberry across the room! Then it struck me:  Any routine that saves you time is legitimate. There are no rules. All is fair in beauty and the rush to get out the door looking good. I immediately made an attitude adjustment and opened my mind. My mission was to discover the quick fixes that work to keep you looking great every day.

The most universal solution to the problem of looking good in minutes is a great haircut. When your hair is cut right, it will fall into place easily. I am not suggesting that every haircut will be a wash-and-wear style. In fact, there is a noticeable trend this season towards a soft A-line blunt cut without layers. Hair will be worn straighter but with body, bend, and movement. This means that hair will require a bit more grooming. More grooming requires more time to get ready. The solution to this problem is to wash and dry your hair the night before. In the morning, apply a root lift spray product and wrap hair in your largest set of Velcro rollers. Apply your makeup or blast your hair with a hot dryer for a minute or less. Gently remove rollers and softly brush hair. You can do all this before you finish your morning cup of coffee.

To answer all your pressing blackhead questions, I turned to dermatologist Zein Obagi, MD, founder of ZO Skin Health (whose TE-Pads I've been using for my stressed out/spotty chin area, sob). What's the best way to get rid of and...

Not that you girls will need these tips, because I just know you’re all so sunscreen-obsessed… But just in case… Here are some tips from Fumi Nagai of Privé Salon in New York City on how to hide sunburn with...

Yes, it's one of my all time favorite topics! Here are some thoughts from Thomas Dunkin, Sebastian Professional Stylist Design Team member, on summer hair: "My favorite summer hairstyles are those that are simple and quick, yet visually stunning. Braids...

Every so often in life you stumble upon an incredibly lucky moment and my time has come. I was picked to judge the 2008 Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam. This is the trip of a lifetime to a most exotic destination. I felt like I had won the lottery, that I had been given a chance to become part of a grand world tradition. I think one of the first times I got to stay up late was with my Mom and Dad to watch the Miss Universe Pageant. I remember us all sitting around the television with popcorn in hand, cheering for our favorite picks. These nostalgic moments added to the excitement of today's adventure. There I was... jetting to Tokyo, then Ho Chi Minh City, and finally to Nha Trang, where the Miss Universe Competition took place. I was truly living a dream.

As we flew over the Northern Atlantic and I looked down at the cold seas, I thought about the pressure the contestants must be feeling. Every insecurity must be peaking. I mean, can you begin to imagine the sundry thoughts these woman must be having? I would guess their internal conversations would include everything from "Is my hair right?" "Is my lipstick still on?" and "Do I look bloated?" to "Am I stuttering?" and "Do I sound well informed?"

I instantly realized these thoughts are not exclusive to Miss Universe contestants. These are universal issues women deal with every day. The modern woman holds herself to a very high bar. Her goals are to be educated, involved in her community, fit, stylish and as attractive as possible. This sounds like the mantra of the Miss Universe contestants. Maybe the Miss Universe Contest is more relevant to today's women than ever before.

Since my friends found out that I was picked as a judge of the pageant, they've bombarded me with questions. Are you going to vote for a blonde or a brunette? Will you be looking for someone model thin or a more voluptuous body? Is height important? Does the way she styles her hair make a difference? The fact of the matter is that I look ed for the woman who made the best presentation. The woman who had an edge that separated her from all the others. She would possess an innate intelligence that would be obvious with her every move and her every word.  Contemporary beauty is more than the externals. Beauty is an inside and an outside job. Beauty is no longer the privilege of a select few. Beauty belongs to every woman who is willing to work for it.

Having said true beauty is an inside job, I know what you're thinking: "Fine Louis, but what are some insider's tips to look as beautiful as the contestants?" Here are few of my favorite tips.

More healthy feet tips! These ones, from Dr. Hillary Brenne, are all about how to reduce foot pain… *Do sports activities that aren't as high impact on the feet, such as cycling, swimming, or hiking. *Buy shoes with thick supportive...

When I was in college, I used to LIVE in flipflops (I was particularly keen on a platform pair from J.Crew!). Um, I got a reality check when I sprained my ankle really badly. Turns out flip-flops are really terrible...

Another gorgeous hair look from Cori Bardo of the Sebastian Professional Stylist Design team, for her sister, super stylist Britt Bardo's clothing line (Rose) lookbook. Her tips: "The quickest and easiest way to get a bun is to pull the...

This week it was celebrity news that easily dimmed the daily buzz about the presidential election. Obama and McCain were no longer the subjects of water cooler conversation. They both took a back seat to the doomed relationship of Anne Hathaway, the much speculated Guy Ritchie-Madonna-A-Rod love triangle, and Christie Brinkley's nasty divorce from Peter Cook. There was one happy piece of celebrity news that almost got lost during this most scandalous time: Angelina Jolie entered a hospital in the South of France to begin the birth process of her twins. At last, a breath of fresh air in the middle of this down and dirty week!

Pregnant women always seem content and fulfilled. This is especially obvious when a woman with child serenely touches her swollen belly. Undoubtedly, pregnant women often are at their most beautiful. Even with super-charged pregnancy hormones perking in their bodies, it is essential that they take care of their appearance. They will probably have to modify and adjust their maintenance routine as their body changes.

When you’re pregnant, the key to looking beautiful is accepting and dealing with the changes your body is going through. And everything does change. The amount of estrogen released in your body increases. As your belly grows, your may notice a change in your hair. Some women see that their hair has become limp and lackluster. If this happens to you, don't worry. This change is temporary. In the meantime, use styling products that add volume and shine, making the most of your new hair texture. On the other hand, you may be like most women and experience your dream hair during pregnancy. It grows faster, becomes thicker, and has a more radiant look. Luxuriate in your hair during your pregnancy, because you may well have some hair loss after the birth of your child or shortly after you stop breast feeding. Do not panic if this happens. Almost as soon as you notice you have less hair, you will see new growth around your hairline. It is simply a process of your hormones returning to their normal levels.

Some women feel the need to cut their hair to a more practical length during pregnancy or when they become new mothers. This is not always the best idea. Many women carry baby weight in their face. Hair that has long layers can give the illusion of a thinner face. Hair that is long enough to tie back is also easier for those days when you are too tired to be bothered with your hair.

Pregnancy and hair color has become a major issue for women, especially for women who have grey hair and become pregnant. The thought of a protruding belly and grey roots is more than many woman can handle. Even though there is little scientific evidence suggesting hair color during pregnancy is harmful to the baby, I always tell my clients to follow their doctor's recommendations. Some doctors suggest not coloring hair during the entire pregnancy; others suggest not doing it for the first trimester. Be sure to ask your doctor about highlights. Remind her or him that with this process, the hair color does not touch the scalp. Highlights can camouflage grey hair. Low lights (highlights with tint) can camouflage and cover grey.

The maternal instinct develops during the gestation period. The mother begins to protect her child even before birth. The instinct to take care of herself, however, can wane once the child is born. It is essential to take care of yourself to maintain a healthy mental attitude. This time with your child should be one of the most joyous times of your life. Look beautiful and be happy.

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