Beat-the-Clock Beauty: 21 Shortcuts from the Pros

Expert Hairstyling Shortcuts

Slow way: Blow-drying each morning and again post-exercise
Speedy switch: Work texturizing spray through your hair and use a round brush to blow-dry only the sections around your face for a polished look.
--Tracey Cunningham, Redken creative consultant for color, Los Angeles

Slow way: Styling hair in the gym locker room before going out
Speedy switch: Create volume by applying a little mousse lengthwise through damp hair before your workout, then gather strands into a topknot secured with large pins. Release afterward for a full-bodied style.
--Jeanie Syfu, Tresemme celebrity stylist, New York City

Slow way: Repairing your hair with a 20-minute treatment every week
Speedy switch: Once a week before bed, run a dime-size dollop of mask through the bottom half of strands and let it absorb overnight. No need to rinse the next morning, because it acts as a smoothing cream when you style your hair.
--Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper Skincare, Whiting, Vermont

Slow way: Curling hair before work
Speedy switch: Weave strands into a single loose braid at night and let it out when you wake up for soft waves.
--Ron King, owner of Ron King Salon, Austin, Texas

Slow way: Applying antifrizz and shine products to hair before styling
Speedy switch: Use a boar-bristle brush to blow-dry: The bristles help move natural oils from scalp to ends, smoothing flyaways.
--Charles Baker Strahan, celebrity stylist for Herbal Essences, Los Angeles