>
Think you don’t have enough time for a beauty treatment? Think again. The latest products promise to give you everything from manicures and facials to fake brown and deeply conditioned hair – in 60 seconds or less.
But can you really achieve the kind of results you would get after hours at a spa or salon? CLAIRE COLEMAN put the wonders of one minute or less to the test. . .
THE EIGHT-SECOND SALON SMOOTH
L’Oréal Elvive Color Protect 8 Second Wonder Water, £9.99, Boots
They say: Transform your heights in just eight seconds. Powered by lamellar water technology, the lightweight formula helps nourish hair instantly.
We say: the original version of this, Dream Lengths, became an instant cult product when it launched in the UK last year. This is a new version for colored hair. It’s a thin, rinse-out liquid that you apply to lengths and ends, post-shampoo and pre-conditioner. (It’s a little tricky to apply evenly because it’s so watery, and you might get better results if you decant it in a mister.) It heats up on contact and uses a technology that forms thin layers on the hair to smoothing it out, leaving a glossy glass-like finish that enthusiasts love.
Time Control: You should use the product liberally, but there is no doubt that it detangles and smoothes wet hair almost instantly. You get the best results with straight hair, or if you blow-dry the hair afterwards.
FAST FACE DOES THE WORK
Kaplan MD Diamond Contour 1 Minute Facial, £30, qvcuk.com
They say: a revolutionary new 4-in-1 facial that is clinically proven to improve texture, firmness, radiance and rejuvenation.
We say: Designed to be massaged into skin for 30 seconds and then left to rest for another 30 seconds before rinsing off. This fine, gritty gel has all the ingredients to give the skin an exfoliating glow, thanks to pineapple and papaya enzymes, in addition to diamond and bamboo powders. It definitely made my skin feel smoother and younger, although it was hard to tell whether the resulting tingling was due to the enzymes or the peppermint extract.
Time check: as a one minute morning kick start can’t be faulted. It left my skin feeling softer and smoother. I didn’t notice it was noticeably plumper, but over time I can imagine it would improve the look. Daily use may be too much for sensitive skin.
SUPER FAST SELF TAN
10-second self-tanning mousse, £18.95, bperfectcosmetics.com
They say: Lightweight, quick-drying tanning mousse. Easy to apply with an instant color guide and super quick drying. Available in medium, dark and ultra dark.
We say: I applied the dark shade with the brand’s tanning glove (£11.95), one of the best I’ve used – velvety soft and in the shape of a real mitten with room for the thumb. The incredibly lightweight mousse was easy to spread and absorbed almost immediately. On my olive skin, the color of the guide was subtle, so it was hard to see where it was applied. Eight hours later, it was still subtle, but, impressively, completely streak-free.
Time Check: Less than 60 seconds may be optimistic for a full-body tan, but I covered both legs in under a minute. Next time I might try the Ultra Dark shade.
. . . AND FAKE TAN REMOVER
Rose & Caramel Purity 60 Second Self Tan Removal Scrub, £29.99, roseandcaramel.co.uk
They say: remove your fake tan in 60 seconds with ‘viral worthy’ results (many videos online show it works).
We say this scrub, which works best on dry skin, is applied, left for a minute, then buffed off with an exfoliating mitt or damp flannel. Despite rave reviews online, I approached this with skepticism, as I’ve never found a fake tan remover that works effectively without feeling like a scrubbing brush. But this was staggering. It dissolves the fake tan – without harming my skin.
Time Control: Darker shades might make the scrub last longer, but 60 seconds was enough to remove my subtle glow. Yes, it takes a little over a minute to apply and then remove, but it’s a good result.
SOFT AND SILK HANDS IN A JIFFY
L’Occitane One Minute Hand Scrub, £17, uk.loccitane.com
They say: Reveal soft hands in one minute. Formulated with crushed walnut shells and shea butter.
We say: scrubbing your hands seems like one of those beauty tasks you never really have time for. But maybe it’s worth a minute’s work. Apply this scrub to dry hands and massage in and feel the rich cream being absorbed as the minute ticks away. After 60 seconds, all the shea butter and apricot oil is gone and you only have the scrubby pieces left. After a rinse, hands felt soft, hydrated and silky.
Time Control: Even if you scrubbed for only 50 seconds and rinsed for ten seconds, you would get a great result. It can be used just as effectively on dry heels, knees and elbows and just might become my go-to pre-shower scrub.
IN-A-HAS HAIR DETANGLER
Tresemmé Keratin Smooth 1 Minute Wow Treatment, £2.49, superdrug.com
They say: Intensive conditioning treatment, with hydrolyzed keratin and pro-bond complex for easier detangling and smoother hair.
We say: This can be used in place of a conditioner or as an extra step. To give it the best chance of success, I used it after my usual shampoo and conditioner. My hair was easier to comb and smoother after rinsing, but I’m not sure if my hair was smoother after it dried.
Time Control: Aside from the name, it’s hard to see how this differs from other conditioning treatments or masks. If I had blow-dried my hair afterwards instead of letting it dry naturally, I might have seen more lasting results.
FRESH MANICURE IN 60 SECONDS
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish, £3.99, superdrug.com
They say: glide on one stroke of this quick-drying nail polish for precise application and striking color in 60 seconds.
We say: Available in 46 colours, there is something for everyone here. I tried Coralicious, a deep rosy red. This is brilliant – the quick drying formula really only needs one coat. The key to quick application is the wide, flat brush, which helps to apply the color all over the nail in one stroke and minimizes the chance of accidentally painting the skin.
Time Control: It took me 40 seconds to do the nails on my left hand, which took about 75 seconds to dry enough not to smudge. This won’t replace a good manicure, but in no time you can have both hands polished, shiny and dry in less than three minutes.
SMART CRME TO RESTORE CROSS — FAST
Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream, from £9, uk.colorwowhair.com
They say: This anti-frizz treatment can be used on dry hair in one minute. Dissolves frizz on the spot – or for a more polished look, wrap sections around a brush and press with a hot hairdryer for 15 seconds.
We say, most smoothing serums and oils should be used on wet hair, so finding an emergency repair product that can be used on dry hair is a boon. However, a balance has to be struck – too little and it is ineffective; too much and the hair may feel greasy. It worked better when used with a brush to distribute the product. It was most effective when used with the dryer.
Time Control: Even if you use a hairdryer, you can smooth a large section of hair in less than a minute. Depending on how thick and unruly your hair is, you may need a few minutes to do your entire head. While this can take you from disheveled to tamed, it can’t take you from rough to mirror shine, so control your expectations.