There is no better motivation to get through a busy day than looking forward to an evening out. But it can be hard to leave the day behind when you have to go straight from the office to the restaurant.

It's one thing to trade in your sweater and slacks for a dazzling dress on the fly. Changing your makeup to match? That can get more involved. Dont get caught up in rushing around. Going from simple to stunning in a time crunch requires nothing more than a well-planned makeup bag and five minutes with a mirror.

You should always have a small tube of concealer with you. It's an especially important element for these quick turnarounds. Use it on spots that need a little boost &ndash dark circles, breakouts, etc. Don't go overboard, just enough to refresh what you applied in the morning. Then set your handiwork with a light dusting of translucent powder to absorb any oil that may have shown up during the day. A small screw-top container works best (make sure it seals tightly!).

Blush should take almost no time. A deeper, contrasting tone will add a touch of sophistication. (I love MAC's Breath of Plum for this.) Just suck in your cheeks and swipe the color in the hollow that appears. Continue the brush stroke along the edge of your face up to your temples to create sharp, sexy high cheekbones.

Once a month, Makeup Junkie obsesses over the latest beauty trends and tips.   E-mail Break Room