Nothing is sure to pick up your day and turn around your mood like an instant, mini-makeover. Have you ever noticed how when you leave the hair salon, you always seem to be in a good mood? Well, not everyone can go wash and style their hair in the middle of the day, but one thing you usually can step away to do, is touch up your make up. Somehow, taking on the world with a fresh face gives you the boost in confidence you need to turn your attitude around and feel much better immediately.

Here are 5 Quick Makeup Go-To’s to Boost your Mood:

First, never underestimate the power of a great set of lashes. Whether it’s dealing with a frustrating boss, a difficult peer, or just a rude man at the post office, people are sure to respond to you differently when you look at them with a set of big, doe-eyes. Never forget your favorite mascara. One of my personal favorites is Young Blood’s Mineral Lengthening Mascara

Next, for a little extra charm, be sure to curl your lashes! This step can make all the difference in the world – a curled set of lashes frames your eye perfectly and makes it impossible to look away. Try Paula Dorf’s CURL-UP Eyelash Curler

If mascara and an eyelash curler are too much trouble to keep in your purse, you can always try out a curling mascara, such as Size Queen by Too Faced

Third, never neglect your lips. Lip gloss only takes a second to apply, and it gives your make-up a polished look that makes you look put-together, even if you feel frazzled. My personal favorites are in natural, nude shades, and always add a lip-plumping boost. While I would usually opt for a product like Too Faced Lip Injection to use on a regular basis, something like Joey New York Collagen Boosting Duo, that comes with two colors on either end – I love the Sheer Pink/Natural Nude combo – gives you options in the moment, even if you’re on the go!

Fourth, make sure to have your favorite blush or bronzer with you, and a brush to apply it with. Knowing you have a beautiful glow will make you feel as refreshed as you’ll look. Something like Youngblood Natural Radiance (Sunshine) will do the trick perfectly and is subtle enough to look natural. Sometimes, just taking the brush you normally use with your bronzer gives you the subtle enough boost to your color that you’re looking for, without even applying more of the product.

Last, but definitely not least, check to see if you need to grab a Facial Blotting Paper. This will help take away any shine on your face and will make your make-up look brand new. If you have it on you, you can always add on a bit of light foundation powder. Try Jane Iredale – Facial Blotting Papers.

After whatever has been bothering you, taking the time to follow these five, quick steps, is sure to give you the mental space needed to take on your day with a fresh outlook. Sometimes it helps to keep a little cosmetics case in your purse, with these go-to items and any others you think might help you take back your day. Including sample sizes of any of your favorite products – especially fragrances – is a great way to keep cosmetics on you, even if you prefer to leave your bag at home.

Sometimes, a bad day is exactly the excuse we need to take a few minutes to pamper ourselves!