Sometimes it’s too cold to get out of bed. Sometimes you had a late night and physically can’t get up until it’s absolutely necessary. Sometimes it’s just too early to get through all the steps.

But sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Get up, and put your best face forward.

Hitting snooze again might sound tempting, but trust: there’s nothing worse than rushing through your morning routine and feeling less than 100 percent to face the world. Haste makes waste, as the saying goes, and when you’re down to 10 minutes before you have to be out the door, something is bound to get sacrificed. Which will it be this time? Your hair or your outfit? Your breath (hopefully not!) or your face?

I’ll tell you this much from personal experience: there have been a few times where I’d given up my skincare regimen in favor of getting somewhere (classes) on time and I always regretted it. Few things are worse than feeling icky and self-conscious: is my face shiny? Can people see these dry spots on face? Will I have aged myself by x amount of years for not wearing my Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 30 this morning?!

There’s a reason why I carry a travel-sized bottle of cleanser in my handbag with me at all times.

I’ve since learned to prioritize. I’m not a morning person by any means, but here’s how I make things easier:

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1. Turn off all electronics by 9 p.m. the night before.

Eight, if I’m feeling virtuous. I’ll be honest: going prehistoric (okay, sans electronics) is pretty difficult, but it makes a world of difference in (1) how fast you fall asleep (2) how well you sleep. There’s a science to it all, but I’ll keep it simple: light stimulates the brain and messes with your natural clock. Put your laptop to sleep, turn your tablets and gadgets off, and put your phone face down. Better yet – try the “Do Not Disturb” (the moon icon, for us Apple lovers) function. It’ll ensure you get through the night without interference.

After all, a morning can’t quite get off to a good start without proper rest.

What to do for the rest of the night you ask? Sleep – duh! But if you’re a night owl (like me), get out a book or magazine. Let’s do things the old-fashioned way.

2. Put your alarm (your phone, presumably) somewhere else not by your bed. We’re trying to break free of the ol’ hit-snooze-and-sleep routine.

You snooze, you lose.

How about keeping your phone across the room? It’s cruel (I know), but it works. Come morning, your alarm will be going off – seemingly louder and more annoying by the second – and you’ll be forced to get crawl out of bed and turn it off. And by the time you’re up and walking (or on all fours), you’ll be up. The worst is over. You’re up. Go get ready.

3. Plan the night before.

If you can’t tell, half the trick to becoming a morning person (or making mornings less chaotic) is getting stuff done the night before. Some things (like brushing your teeth, washing your face, doing hair/makeup if desired) just have to be done the day of; others don’t have to be. Get the latter done and you won’t be forced to prioritize or sacrifice anything. (Bad breath but presentable; polished makeup but paired with bedhead… we’ve all done it at some point.)

Lay out your outfit. Keep a clean mug for coffee or tea on the counter (alongside any necessities: French press, Keurig, tea bag, etc.). Pack your lunch. Double-check all necessary paperwork and other essentials are tucked into your bag.

4. Get rid of those blackout curtains.

Non-natural light when it’s dark out isn’t the best for your circadian rhythm. So, in that same note, man-made darkness isn’t good for your natural body clock, either.

Natural light is what tells the body when to sleep and when to wake up. You’ll find that it’s easier to rise when there’s natural light flooding the room… which makes shutting off that alarm that much easier.

5. Focus on refreshing your complexion.

In a rush? Keep your beauty regimen simple (but your hygiene routine intact: priorities!). When it comes to skincare, pick and choose what your skin needs most. A clean complexion is a must, but if you’re running out of time, just cleanse, moisturize, and go. Skip toner if you must.

No time for pulling your hair back or getting your face wet? We don’t suggest this for every morning, but when push comes to shove, dampen a cotton pad and cleanse using your toner before applying moisturizer. Toner can help give you the refreshing boost you need while getting rid of last night’s excess sebum.

6. Think about products that are double-duty.

Broad spectrum moisturizers mean you don’t have to apply moisturizer and sunscreen separately.

A dewy complexion is your go-to look, but if you’re running out of time, skip the extra steps where you apply a luminous primer and/or highlighter. Instead, give your complexion a few spritzes of our rosewater facial spray to help set makeup and impart a refreshed, radiant glow.

Bedhead looking a little more just-rolled-out-of-bed than je-ne-sais-quoi? Our Nucleic Hair Rinse not only helps condition locks, but also gives hair a smooth, sleek shine so that it looks a little more pretty and polished.

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Are you a morning person or a night owl?

What time-saving tricks do you rely on to help you look your best in no time at all?