Set your stopwatch and reap the beauty rewards. Lisa Haynes reveals the best in insta-glam products that promise results in minutes.

If the New Year year is already racing ahead at breakneck speed, adopt a beauty regime to keep up with your whirlwind lifestyle.

The average woman spends just 18 minutes beautifying on a typical day, according to a recent survey by nice'n easy. Those precious minutes are worth it, with 73% saying they feel much more confident after completing their regime.

But for crazy days when even two minutes feels like a stretch, invest in time-conscious beauty. These are products so confident about delivering results against the clock, they're flaunting a time check on their packaging.

Start the egg timer and indulge in a spot of power-pampering.

Spare minutes

:: Olay Regenerist 10 Minute Miracle Primer

Countdown to youthful skin, anyone? Just 10 minutes is the exact time that science boffins at Olay have calculated it takes for this product's optical-blurring particles to kick in and mimick younger, smoother skin, £29.99 (Boots).

:: Crystal Clear 10 Minute Glow

No need to waste time waiting for this peel-off mask to work radiant wonders. Glow on the go by applying a thin layer for 10 minutes. While the active ingredients get to work deep cleansing and targeting problem areas, you can tackle your lengthy to-do list, £25 (Debenhams).

:: Decleor 3 Minute Flash Radiance Mask

Refresh dull skin with this lightweight express mask. Apply an even layer to cleansed skin, put your PJs on, brush your teeth and the quick-fix mask will be ready to rinse off for instant illumination, £29 (www.decleor.co.uk).

Spare seconds

:: Lancome Visionnaire 1 Minute Blur

If your skin isn't fit for foundation coverage, prime first with this instant skin perfecter. Creating a Photoshop effect in 60 seconds flat, the gel texture smoothes skin and blurs the appearance of imperfections and pores, £40 (www.lancome.co.uk).

:: L'Occitane One Minute Hand Scrub

Give glove-neglected hands a speedy makeover with this rich shea butter solution. The organic brown exfoliating sugar gently scrubs while the shea, sweet almond and grapeseed oils softens for double productivity, £13 (uk.loccitane.com).

:: Rimmel 60 Seconds

If the idea of a 30-minute mani sounds implausible, reach for Rimmel 60 Seconds. The nail polish is touch dry within one minute flat, and you can proceed with caution flaunting your pretty talons until they're bone dry within the hour, £3.69 (Boots/Superdrug).

Spare milliseconds

:: L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil

What, no time to double cleanse, tone, serum and moisturise? Melt away the day's grime and make-up with this non-greasy cleansing oil. Apply two to three drops onto dry skin with fingertips and massage over lashes, lids and lips, £7.99 (Boots/Superdrug).

:: Unite 7 Seconds Condition

If a quick shampoo is about all you can squeeze into your shower routine, condition hair with some speedy spritzing. Apply this leave-in detangler to towel dried hair and comb through without rinsing for instant spray 'n' go nourishment, £14.85 (www.urbanretreat.co.uk).

:: Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer

This diminutive tube is like carrying around your own flattering lighting system. In the five seconds it takes to smooth onto pre-moisturised skin, this primer blurs shine, wrinkles, open pores and fine lines for all-day perfection, £12.99 (Boots/Superdrug).

Tried & tested

Hair deserves some extra TLC in the winter months. Our testers spend a little longer in the shower with these intensive conditioners:

:: Charles Worthington Strength & Repair Longer & Stronger Hair Masque, £5.99 (Boots)

My long hair has gone a bit texture two-tone over winter - greasy roots and dry, parched ends. I left this beautifully fragranced masque on for just two minutes and, after drying, my hair felt immediately softer and stronger and it even seemed to smooth split ends.

4/5

:: L'Oreal Paris EverRiche Nourishing Intense Mask (for dry/very dry hair), £6.99 (Boots)

My highlights and chlorine-parched tresses have become very straw-like, especially at the ends. Despite the cheap and cheerful price tag, this mask made a noticeable difference after leaving it on for five minutes. My hair looked shinier and felt lovely and soft, and I didn't need to coat it in serum after drying.

4/5

:: Pureology Precious Oil Softening Hair Masque (for brittle, dull, colour-treated hair), £24.65 (www.feelunique.com)

With a silky and lightweight texture, this luxury masque is more creamy balm than intensive conditioner and scented with a sweet nutty smell. After leaving it on for three minutes, I was hoping it would leave my hair feeling nourished and smooth, but instead it felt soft and frizzy.

2/5

Buy it now

Bring some flair to your beauty haul. Marks & Spencer has collaborated with fashion illustrator Holly Sharpe for a limited edition cosmetics line. The 19-piece range includes make-up, fragrance and a wash bag featuring whimsical Exotic Girl illustration. M&S Limited Collection Holly Sharpe is available in stores and online now, from £5 (www.marksandspencer.com).

Beauty bulletin

:: Supermodel secret

Original Nineties supermodel Christy Turlington Burns has credited beauty supplements as one of her secrets to youthful skin. The iconic model, now 45 years old, has signed up as global brand ambassador for Imedeen and favours two daily doses of Time Perfection supplements. Christy says: "Caring for my skin on the inside is just as important as how I care for the outside, and I can count on Imedeen to deliver deep down nourishment where it matters most."

:: Recessionista alert

Flash a whiter smile with Oral B Professional Care 600 Whitening Toothbrush With Paste. The kit, complete with toothpaste, is on offer at Boots for £28.99 (usual price £60) until January 23. Accessorise your smile with a new lipstick - you'll also receive a £3 Max Factor voucher for use on Lipfinity lipstick, foundation or mascara (www.boots.com).