Cost: $50+ Lasts: 2 to 3 weeks Who should do it: Anyone with a vacation or special event coming up, like a wedding.
Why you should get it: If your nails mysteriously chip one day post-mani, or you work out a lot, gel manicures can be a lifesaver (because, really, who wants to walk around with chipped polish?) Gel manicures can also be great for women with weak, brittle nails. Samira Asemanfar, founder of Bellacures nail salon in Los Angeles, says, "A gel manicure will give the nails a layer of protection from daily wear and tear, which allows the natural nails to grow underneath."
Know before you go: Removing the gel requires soaking your nails in 100 percent acetone, which is very drying, says Asemanfar. Plus, "some people peel the gel off, which is even worse than the acetone since a layer of your nail bed comes off with it." Then there's the fact that you have to cure the manicure under UV light, which some experts say may cause wrinkles and sun damage on your hands. I recommend reserving the gel manicure as a special treat -- and when you do get one, use a hand cream with SPF.
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Double Eyelid Surgery for Wider Eyes
Cost: $1,500 to $4,500 Lasts: 5 to 7 years Who should do it: Someone with monolids who wants bigger-looking eyes with minimal downtime.
Why you should get it: "Double eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) is great for making your eyes more versatile for eye makeup," says Charles S. Lee, MD, FACS, plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. There are a variety of blepharoplasty procedures, but the least invasive and cheapest method is the non-incision stitch-only procedure. A doctor takes a needle and cuts the top layer of skin on the lid, which scabs over, resulting in the crease. Because the incision isn't dramatic, the results look extremely natural, and there's no downtime.
Know before you go: While the fold looks natural, the non-incision method is limited to creating smaller creases, so the crease will fade quickly. And while the procedure takes just 20 minutes, you still need an extremely experienced surgeon. Complications can include puffiness and bleeding.
In order to have a low-maintenance daily beauty routine, sometimes you have to spend a bit of time being that girl. You know, the one who spends seven hours in the salon or spends two hours with her eyelash extension expert. Because treatments like these (we're talking everything from varicose vein treatments to laser hair removal to eyelash tinting to permanent makeup) can be truly life-changing — they can save you money and precious getting ready time in the long run. Here, 13 beauty treatments that are worth the cost.
