I’m a Beauty Editor, and These Are the 5 Hacks I Swear By for a 5-Minute Morning Routine

Photo Credit:Jessica Johnson

If you’ve been following my column for a while, you know I have zero patience for a 20-step beauty regimen. Between early morning deadlines and trying to actually eat breakfast, my morning routine has to be efficient, effective, and most importantly polished.

That’s why I always circle March 6th on my calendar. It’s the start of the Ulta 21+ Days of Beauty Event, and while everyone else is just looking for a discount, I’m looking for the specific tools that power my favorite beauty hacks.

This year, the stars have aligned. The products going on sale for 50% off on day one aren't just random favorites; they are the exact solutions for the "low-maintenance" look that is dominating 2026. From repairing the damage of heavy lash extensions to achieving a "post-gym" glow in thirty seconds, these are the five results-driven hacks I’m prioritizing this Friday.

Hack 1: The Lash Extension Break (How to Grow Lashes Naturally)

Babe Original

 Essential Lash Serum

$49

The Problem: Your natural lashes are brittle or thinning after weeks of wearing falsies, making your eyes look "tired" even with makeup. 

The Hack: Take a "lash vacation" by swapping your extensions for a nightly growth cycle. Applying a strengthening serum at the base of your lashes every night allows them to repair and lengthen naturally. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to repair damaged lashes or looking for an effective lash extension damage recovery plan without the salon price tag.

Hack 2: The Under-Foundation Glow Trick (The No-Makeup Makeup Look 2026)

DIBS Beauty

 Status Stick Face-And-Body Highlighter

$38

The Problem: Heavy highlighters often look "stripy" or unnatural in daylight, but you still want your skin to look luminous for your 9-to-5.

 The Hack: Apply a face-and-body highlighter underneath your sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer. This makeup under foundation hack is one of the easiest ways to achieve the no-makeup makeup look trending in 2026. It creates a "glass skin" effect that looks like healthy, hydrated skin rather than glittery makeup.

Hack 3: The Three-Dot Blush Lift (Blush Placement for Lifting the Face)

MAC 

Glow Play Cushiony Blush

$34

The Problem: Traditional powder blush can settle into fine lines or look patchy by mid-afternoon.

 The Hack: Place three small dots of a dewy cream blush high on your cheekbones (closer to your temples than your nose) and blend upward with your ring finger. This blush placement technique is especially popular for anyone wanting to know how to lift the face with makeup or if you are simply looking for the best blush for mature skin that won't settle into pores.d gives you a fresh, dewy finish that takes ten seconds during a busy morning routine. 

Hack 4: The Night-Shift Skin Sculpt (Red Light Therapy for the Face)

LuminaNRG 

Numiere TimeKeeper LED Face Mask

$249

The Problem: Waking up with "sleep creases" or a dull complexion that requires heavy color-correcting makeup to fix. 

The Hack: Red light therapy for the face has become one of the most searched anti-aging skincare treatments in 2026. By using specific wavelengths of light for just 10 minutes before bed, you can stimulate collagen and calm inflammation. This collagen boosting skincare hack ensures you wake up with firmer skin, so your 5-minute morning routine can focus on a light tint rather than heavy foundation.

Hack 5: The "Barrier-First" Makeup Prep (How to Fix a Damaged Skin Barrier)

Hypothesis

 Complete Eczema Care Set

$102.99

The Problem: Eczema flare-ups or extreme dry patches make your foundation look "cakey" and textured.

 The Hack: This barrier-first approach is ideal if you’re trying to fix a damaged skin barrier before applying makeup. Instead of covering texture, use a targeted eczema friendly skincare kit to "slug" or deeply hydrate your most sensitive areas overnight. When your skin barrier is healthy, your makeup stays polished all day without clinging to dry spots.

Read This Next: 8 Foundations for Textured Skin That Actually Smooth, Not Mask

Hack 6: The "Overnight Braid" Wave (Heatless Waves Overnight)

OUAI 

Texturizing Wave Spray

$30

The Problem: You want beachy hair for your morning routine, but you don't want to spend 20 minutes with a curling iron. 

The Hack: This is the ultimate lazy girl hair routine. Before bed, damp your hair slightly and apply a texturizing spray. Put your hair in two loose braids and sleep on them. In the morning, you’ll have instant heatless waves overnight with zero effort. It’s the perfect no heat curls solution for 2026. 

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