Getting ready should be a quick process. Around the age of 55, things change. There’s a move towards function instead of fuss. No more time wasting tutorials or bathroom lighting battles.
The nine picks below are small, sensible upgrades that make getting ready quicker. BB balms that double as blush, useful magnifying mirrors, and brow pencils are some of my favs
1. A Cream Drawer Organizer That Holds Every Lipstick, Brush, and Serum
KQJS Makeup Organizer with Drawers
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
So, um, my makeup situation used to be a shoebox. A literal shoebox. This countertop tower is the upgrade I should have made years ago, with clear drawers that let you actually see your concealers instead of excavating for them every morning. The vertical design means it takes up roughly the footprint of a tissue box while holding what feels like an alarming amount of stuff. Separate slots for lipsticks. A taller open section for brushes. Drawers for palettes and skincare bottles. The cream colorway looks softer than the usual stark white plastic, sort of warm and unassuming. Cute. Functional. The kind of thing you put on a dresser and forget you needed.
2. A Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set for Depuffing Tired Mornings
BAIMEI IcyMe Gua Sha & Jade RollerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I understand why jade rollers are trending now. You can put the entire set in the freezer (yes, the freezer), and after 20 minutes, it feels like you took a nap. It feels amazing. The coldness feels incredible on the under eyes. The gua sha tool has smooth and nice edges that hug the jawline without dragging. It was nice not having to deal with those cheap plastic ones. Just make sure to apply a facial oil, because you don’t want to get any tugging. The roller is really nice, because it’s quiet so no one has to listen to the squeaking hinge on it. It also comes in a really nice box, so you can easily give it to someone, even to that one weird coworker.
3. Double-Layer Polish Case That Fits 42 Bottles and a Lamp
FCQQYWZ Nail Polish Organizer CaseSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I have 42 polish bottles, one UV lamp, an army of files, buffers, and cuticle nippers I’ve been hoarding since lockdown. This fits all of it? Honestly, shocked. But the double-layer design is the trick: removable sponge dividers for polishes, an open top for the lamp, and the rest of the pokey stuff. The PU leather cross-weave looks fairly sturdy, like maybe a more structured camera bag, and it should wipe clean when you spill base coat (not if). The SBS zipper glides. Two top handles means you can carry it to your friend’s apartment without doing that weird arm cradle thing. Cute gift for the nail person in your life, or, ya know, yourself.
4. Four-Shade Contour Palette with Vitamin E for Sculpting and Brightening
e.l.f. Contour PaletteSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Four different shades in one compact, meaning no excuses to skip contouring this Tuesday morning. The bronzer goes on the sides of the nose and under the cheekbones, the highlight goes down the bridge and across the tops of the cheeks, and for some reason, your face looks like you slept eight hours. You didn’t. The powders are silky, not chalky, which is, uh, not always a given at this price range. They’ve even added Vitamin E, which is great for your skin not being punished for all the sculpting. It even fits in your standard-sized purse. It travels well and stays put through a full workday, a meeting, and probably even a birthday party in the conference room.
5. Velour Triangle Puff That Lays Foundation On Skin, Not In Pores
BLEND & SNAP Large Velour Triangle MakeupSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I mean, regular sponges basically betray you. They drink your foundation before it even touches your skin. But, this fancy Velour Triangle Sponge? It does the complete opposite. Instead of soaking up your $52 Armani Luminous Silk, It just makes your foundation actually last an entire month! The fabric feels like that really smooth soft material that lines jewelry boxes. It is really satisfying to hold and use, and don’t worry about getting it wet. There’s a wide base for the cheeks and forehead and a sharp tip for the under-eye concealer and nose. Also, it’s hand-stitched and latex-free so it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin or after any skin procedures. When you’re done, just wash it and air dry to use it again.
6. Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper That Tackles Morning Breath at the Source
MasterMedi Tongue Scraper for AdultsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Tooth brushing gets rid of three quarters of your morning breath. Twenty five percent of your morning breath is caused by the gunk that builds up on your tongue that no toothbrush reaches. The solution is our stainless steel tongue scraper. It will allow you to scrape the back of your tongue without that uncomfortable feeling that comes with cheap tongue scrapers. Each scraper has two silicone grips on the end which helps you get the gunk off your tongue in one quick scrape. The scraper is fully dishwasher safe because no one wants to hand wash a tongue scraper while they’re making coffee. Each scraper also comes with a travel case which means you can take one with you wherever you go. It’s not the prettiest thing, but it’s truly useful and your dentist would most likely approve.
7. Nine-Pan Warm Matte Palette for Soft Daytime to Smoky Night Looks
Morphe 9B Matte Essentials Artistry PaletteSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
There are nine mattes that are warm toned. There is no shimmer to distract, and there is no fallout situation happening across your cheekbones at hour four. There is a lineup of browns, terracottas, and soft neutrals. These blend and do not go patchy halfway through. There are some palettes that feel chalky when you swipe a finger across them, but that is not the case here. The powders are pressed down velvety, and almost buttery. They build from a wash to something more dramatic without having that muddy middle stage. This is good for people (hi, me) who are still learning what a transition shade even is, and it is good for people who already know and want their nine ride-or-die mattes in one place. Keep in mind that these are warm-leaning.
8. 55-Piece Spa Set with Sheet Masks, Eye Patches, and Lip Gels
55 Pcs Mothers Day Gift for Mom (55 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I will admit, 55 pieces is a lot, but that is part of the set’s appeal as a gift. There is something for every occasion, whether it’s a skin care mood, a strange Tuesday night, or a can’t even deal with today moment. The set includes sheet masks, gel masks, under-eye patches, lip masks, a clay cleanser, a rose serum, and a hyaluronic acid serum. The under-eye patches contain ceramide and hyaluronic acid, which is the combination dermatologists recommend for the under-eye area due to the fragile thin skin. The patches are cold and stay put while you scroll. The set is even packaged nicely so you don’t have to do any Mother’s Day gift wrapping.
9. Vented Curved Brush That Cuts Blow-Dry Time in Half
Bsisme Hair Brush, Vented Curved Styling BrushSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The vented bristles let heat escape, so you spend less time getting blasted in the face by a 1800-watt machine. The bristles are designed to hug your head as you brush, and the brush even has a nice, non-slip rubber grip and is light enough not to injure your wrist. A little magnet at the end, along with a hole for hangers, lets you stick the brush to other magnetic things and then hang it. It works on all hair types, and other than that it does a good job.
