We just got back from New York Fashion Week where we got major hair and makeup scoop while backstage at fashion shows including: Timo Weiland, Kaelen, Vena Cava, Derek Lam, Peter Som, United Bamboo, Alexander Wang, Rebecca Taylor, Carolina Herrera, Tadashi Shoji, Carmen Marc Valvo and Tracy Reese (to name a few). Phew, what a whirlwind. It's tiring just writing it, but it was even more exhausting living it. Fashion week is truly a fashion and beauty marathon (we have plenty of blisters to prove it).

Learn timesaving hair and makeup tips now.

While backstage, we elbowed our way to the model's hair and makeup chairs to pick the brains of the many talented makeup artists and hairstylists who know (and likely create) all the trends we all end up following. And they also know how to make models look fantastic in a pinch (even at 6:30 am) because they sometimes literally have to get 'em runway-ready in minutes (and no, we're not exaggerating). And since we real women need to be out-the-house-ready in minutes too -- like everyday -- we got makeup artists: Napoleon Perdis, Tom Pecheux, Dick Page, Nadine Luke, Sarah Lucero, Luc Buchard, Mally Roncal and Romero Jennings; hairstylists Leonardo Manetti, Ted Gibson, Mara Roszak, Guido Paulo and Orlando Pita; and nail pros Jin Soon and Theresa Stanley to spill on their hair and makeup shortcuts.

Thanks to them, you'll learn timesaving beauty tips like:

� how to cut down on flat ironing time
� how to fix eyeliner mistakes quickly
� how to create a wavy texture in minutes
� how to make your nails presentable in a snap
� how to easily define your eyes
� how to create a perfect sleek hair style in a jiffy
� how to snaz up your look quick with colored eyeliner
� how to use bronzer to create a total makeup look
� how to create an updo in no time

Phew. See, told ya we were busy backstage.

See the full list of hair and makeup shortcuts now.

"My big philosophy is to do mascara first. If you do it first, even if you're in a hurry, you can add a gloss and you're done," says makeup artist Napoleon Perdis who created the makeup look for the Kaelen show. If more time allows he recommends contouring cheeks with a two-toned blush (try Dior Diorblush, $40) that can also be worn on the eyes, and then "you're done," he says.

If you have straight hair and don't have time to do a full blow dry, skip shampooing and instead spritz dry hair with a texturing or volumizing spray like Davines Defining Texturizing Styling Spray, $14.99. Then, blow out hair in large sections with a round brush to give it a pretty finish, without having to spend a ton of time getting it dry. -- hairstylist Leonardo Manetti, backstage at the Timo Weiland show

Don't have a lot of time to let your nails dry (join the club)? Then go for a shimmery or metallic shade like Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Laquer in Extravagant Pearl, $18. Shimmery hues offer better coverage in one coat, so you can do a base coat, one coat of color and a quick-dry topcoat and your nails will dry in a flash and look perfectly manicured. -- Jin Soon, owner of the Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spas, backstage at the Derek Lam show

If you're short on time, but want a perfectly smooth, sleek hairstyle, take larger sections of hair (normally smaller sections are preferred); apply smoothing lotion to each (try Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion, $15.99) then smooth over the sections with your flat iron. The product will help create flatness in the hair and larger sections will make the process go much faster. -- Ted Gibson, owner of the Ted Gibson Salons, backstage at the Vena Cava show