9 Quick Ways to Look Put Together | The Professional Collegiate

I have so many friends in school who always look put together and I was so in awe of them for the longest time.

You know, the girls with the perfect makeup, perfect skin, the long, sleek hair that just falls perfectly over their shoulders, and who are always wearing super cute clothes, even if they’re just at school. I just never can measure up. I’m always doing so many things at once that I forget something, whether it’s my hair, or to put my contacts in, or to iron that shirt I wanted to wear.

Please tell me some of you can relate.

Over the last year or so, however, as I’ve strived to become more professional at school and pretty much everywhere, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to fake it even if I didn’t spend a ton of time getting ready in the morning. Sometimes it’s great, and I have enough time to get all dolled up, but sometimes life happens and I’m up late getting a paper done, or I sleep through my alarm. So, for those times, here are 9 QUICK ways that I always use to still look put together, even if I don’t feel it at the time! 

1. Take a shower

You don’t even need to wash your hair, just rinsing off in the shower with a lovely body wash can make you feel fresh, wakes you up, and only takes 5 minutes in the morning!

2. Take your makeup off every night before bed

Showing up to school with your eyeliner from yesterday still on is just a no. My biggest issue with looking awake in the morning is puffy eyes, and if I don’t take my make up off before I go to bed it’s 10x worse in the morning. Just taking a minute or two to remove all of the mascara and foundation will (a) keep your eyes from getting super puffy and (b) improve your skin so you need less time in the long run to get ready in the morning! It’s a win-win situation. Plus, it helps keep your skin looking young, fresh, and healthy.

3. Fold your laundry immediately

Wrinkled clothes are my nemesis. I hate ironing, and find it such a hassle. So, to counteract that, I fold my clothes as soon as they come out of the wash, and more wrinkle-prone clothes I dry hanging on a rack so that they dry wrinkle-free! This is just one of those little things that makes all the difference in your appearance.

Pro tip: If you don’t have time to fold your laundry for whatever reason, just hang up whatever you want to wear in the bathroom while you’re having a really hot shower in the morning and it will steam it wrinkle-free! That tip has saved me so many times.

4. Put on some jewelry

Similar to having wrinkle-free clothes, putting in a pair of earrings or a simple necklace takes any outfit to the next level, and with only 5 seconds of effort. This is my go-to for making myself look like I put effort into a simple outfit.

5. Invest in a capsule wardrobe

This isn’t exactly a quick fix, but in the long-run it is! If you take the time to invest in fewer items that are extremely versatile and very flattering on you, picking out clothes in the morning is so much easier. Alternatively, if you don’t like the idea of a capsule wardrobe, try picking out your outfit the night before! I did this all year last year and it made getting ready so much easier.

6. Figure out a 2-minute makeup routine

Even though you definitely don’t need makeup to be professional or look good, I prefer to take a bit of time every morning to make myself look a little more put-together and a little less I-woke-up-like-this. I think I’ve perfected this, though. My daily makeup routine legitimately takes two minutes. When I want to get super dressed up, of course I take longer, but every day this is what I do:

Foundation (20 seconds), Blush (5 seconds), Eyeliner (30 seconds), Mascara (45 seconds–I really like my lashes), Eyebrows (10 seconds), and Lipstick (10 seconds)

And that’s it. Find what works for you!

7. Put your hair back

Find a go-to hair style that works even if you’re having a bad hair day! Right now, when my hair is short, that’s pulling back my bangs to the right with a headband (it’s very 60s!) and when my hair is long it’s a low and loose curly ponytail. It takes about 30 seconds and is so much better than my unruly mane is on its own (seriously it’s quite… interesting when I don’t do anything to it).

8. Use a lint brush

Connor and I actually have a lint brush hanging off of our key-holder to remind us to use it before leaving the house! I’m terrible for having little hairs or pieces of yarn or thread all over me from my craft projects, and this has been a little habit that makes a big difference! Besides, they’re super cheap and it makes me feel like I look sharp and put together!

9. Get a good night’s sleep

Honestly the most important thing about looking and feeling like you’re ready to take on the world is to sleep! This can be so hard in college, I know, but I cannot stress enough the importance of getting your 8-10 (or however many it is) hours in! This helps mental functioning, your mood, your motivation, and makes the day much more manageable.

What are things you do every day to take care of yourself? Do you have any great tips to look put together in 5 minutes or less?