Thanks to the miracles of modern science, there are countless ways to erase wrinkles and other signs of aging. Too bad even the best of them—from creams to cosmetic surgery—take time: time to work and often time to recover from.

So is there anything you can you do to look younger while you’re waiting for that new miracle cream to kick in? Yep—plenty. We uncovered the experts’ secrets for instantly knocking off years without spending a ton of money or wasting any more time.

Smell Yourself Younger

A study conducted at the Smell and Taste Institute in Chicago found that if you smell like pink grapefruit, men might think you look younger—six years younger, to be exact. Researchers spritzed middle-aged women with different aromas then asked men to guess how old each woman was. The men consistently thought the women who wore pink grapefruit were at least a half decade younger than their actual age.

“We often associate crisp, pungent aromas like citrus with cleanliness and vitality,” says Luke Vorstermans of the aromatherapy company Sense of Smell Lab, which may explain why the men in this study perceived women wearing grapefruit to look younger. Try it for yourself by spraying on Demeter Pink Grapefruit ($20, demeterfragrance.com) or Harvey Prince & Co. Ageless Anti-Age ($21, harveyprince.com), both of which offer a healthy dose of the fruity scent.

Vorstermans does point out, though that “ultimately, the scent that makes you feel and look younger is the one that makes you feel good about yourself, the one that gives you a psychological boost,” he claims. So if pink grapefruit doesn’t do it for you, find a fragrance that does and wear it with confidence.

Get a More Youthful ‘Do

Women often think that longer hair makes them look younger. Not true: Longer hair, when it’s unhealthy, limp, and fine, can actually age you. “The ‘magic’ hair length that flatters all face shapes as you age is one where the longest layers graze the top of your shoulders,” according to stylist Umberto Savone, creator of the Umberto Beverly Hills haircare line. This length, when cut with long, subtle layers, works because it brings a softness to severe, aging faces. Long, sweeping bangs can also help cover crows feet.

To instantly hide greys, try moving your part. Greys tend to sprout right where you typically part your hair, so a simple change and grays are gone. As for coloring, you want to go for a shade that’s lighter than the one you favored in your 20s. Our complexions tend to lighten with age, so the hair color that worked when you were younger will actually make you look older in your 30s and 40s.

Finally, full, thick and shiny hair is a sure sign of youth. There are tons of products that can help restore lackluster locks. Two favorites: Umberto Beverly Hills Collagen Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($9.99, target.com), which contains collagen and protein to plump up fine strands, and Morrocanoil Shimmer Shine Spray ($25.80, moroccanoil.com) to add a healthy sheen.

Dress for Anti-Aging Success

Many women forget to flaunt their shape as they age, which can leave them looking dowdy and drab. “They tend to wear things that are shapeless, to either hide perceived figure flaws or because they think it’s cheeky or inappropriate to wear things that show off their figure,” says Amanda Sanders, a celebrity stylist with New York Image Consultant. We know it can be tough to jump into form-fitting fashions when it’s been years since you tried them, so it can help to work with a stylist or in-store salesperson to help you flaunt your assets.

But you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe to look younger. A tailor can help give older but well-made clothing a more flattering fit, as well as bring dated looks into the future, by doing things like removing shoulder pads and adjusting out-of-fashion hemlines. Adding stylish accessories is another instant fix that makes you look younger, as pairing a modern bag, belt or necklace with classic clothing can keep your look current.

One last word on color: “You need to wear shades that have a lightness and vibrancy to them,” says Sanders. While black isn’t banned, it can look too severe and it certainly lacks that lightness. Instead, look for today’s trendiest jewel tones in hues that are most flattering on you.

Megan O'Neill is Beauty Editor at EndlessBeauty.com