If you’re anything like me, you’re probably beauty challenged. And by that, I mean that you’re terrible at all things makeup and hair. And that’s totally okay. That’s normal. But there are ways around this.

Especially because it’s now the Christmas season, and it’s time to come up with things more useful than life-sized cutouts of all the members of One Direction, and more reasonably priced than an Apple Watch.

So for anybody who has ever struggled with the tiny three-fingered glove that comes with curling wands, dreaded showering and spending half an hour drying your hair AGAIN, or wondered how anyone, anywhere, does any kind of nail color without smudging it immediately, this list is for you.

And for the record, you can trust me. This isn’t a plug. I actually use all of these products and devices. They’re amazing.

1. TRESemme Fresh Start Basic Care Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is an absolute lifesaver. With many dry shampoos, there’s always the concern that too little won’t work, but too much will give your hair a white/grey tint that you’d rather not have to deal with until at least your late 50’s.

With Fresh Start, it doesn’t really matter how much you spray. When my hair gets truly greasy and I just can’t be bothered to go through the work of actually taking a full shower, I tend to cover my entire head with this spray. It’s cool and refreshing, making it feel like you actually washed your hair, it smells amazing, and any white residue disappears if you simply run a brush through the top of your hair. Amazing.

Bonus points for using it more than one day in a row. Because you can.

2. CHI Helmet Head Extra Firm Hair Spray

A lot like with dry shampoo, it’s hard to find a balance between not enough hairspray and looking like you used Elmer’s Glue to keep your hair in order.

This hairspray not only smells like some kind of fruity cookie from the Gods, it also holds your hair in place without giving you the slicked back gangster look.

3. The Conair Infiniti Pro Curl Secret Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Curler

If you want my opinion, this device is the best thing ever made available to the beauty challenged public.

Not only am I terrible at using curling wands and all kinds of curlers in general, but it’s impossible for me to use them without burning my fingers multiple times and curling each strand of hair in a different direction.

But using this curling system is a life changing experience. After you’ve picked your time for curling, eight, ten, or twelve seconds, you simply separate a section of hair and clamp it in the curler like you would with a straightener. Then the curler eats your hair and beeps three times when it’s done.

When you release the clamp, you have a magically curled perfect piece of hair. It’s incredible.

4. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Whenever I eventually got my eyeshadow to look the way I wanted, it was a nightmare in about two hours. It smudged, ran, and just kind of disappeared.

But once I started using this primer, my eyeshadow stays put, doesn’t smudge or run, and pops even more, no matter what color or shade I use.

It’s simple to use! Just put a tiny dot on your finger, rub it into the area where you want your eyeshadow, and put your eyeshadow on top. You can even get tinted primer to wear without any shadow at all! Easy peasy.

5. Urban Decay Naked Pallets

I know that investing in all four of these pallets is kind of a stretch, but trust me when I say that it’s worth it.

With all four of these pallets, there are colors and shades for every occasion. Personally, I don’t do a lot of the silver/black smokey eye because it’s too dark for my complexion. But the Naked smokey eye pallet has browns that are vital to my collection, especially when I’m trying to fill in my eyebrows. Additionally, all of the shades give me the ability to do gold and pink smokey eyes. It’s amazing. And none of the colors are unreasonable or unusable. They’re all useful. And stunning.

6. Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect

This leave-in-conditioner is amazing.

It won’t make your hair look greasy or weighed down no matter how much you use, and it makes your hair smell glorious and feel super soft. You’ll see a difference immediately the first time you use it. What more could you possibly want?

7. Harry Josh Pro Tools 2000 Pro Dryer

Forget drying your hair for half an hour after you take a shower. With this dryer, it takes all of five minutes.

It also makes your hair lighter and fuller, and it is ridiculously powerful for how small and cute looking it is. It also has an ION generator switch. I have no idea what it does, but I love it.

8. Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Dry & Go Drops

Okay so if you’ve ever struggled with painting your nails and then sitting still for an extended period of time so that your polish won’t smudge or hold fingerprints, you need this product.

Simply put two drops of this miracle serum on top of your painted and top-coated nails and you’re gone. Virtually no dry time.

9. Wet n Wild megaslicks Balm Stain Moisturizing Lip Colour

Get the right shade, and this stuff is a miracle.

Unlike other lip stains that make your lips look unnatural and puffy, getting a shade of this stain that is close to your normal lip color makes your lips look full, shiny, and beautiful. And it’s easy to use! Just put it on your lips and rub them together.