Downsize your makeup bag

Downsizing. It’s the thing to do now. And makeup bags are the perfect starting point—because even if you use the same three products all the time, your cosmetics case could probably service an entire drag revue, right? So take a deep breath, the toss all the products you haven’t used in the last year (mascara should go after three months). Or—if you’re striving for the ultimate in minimalism—ditch everything but a bright, berry lipstick. This color makes the ideal bridge between today’s reds and next season’s pinks. – Olivia Vale

Update your cut

“If you keep an outdated cut simply because you’re comfortable with it [yes, this is a thinly veiled Friends reference; there are still a few die-hards out there], you’re making a big mistake,” says Debbie Spaar, a hairstylist at the American hairlines Salon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. But updating doesn’t have to involve a drastic change: Spaar’s advice: “Just lose the shaggy bits, so you’re left with a sleek—and ultrahip—bob. “New York City Salon owner Kim Lepine suggests an alternative—though equally happening—look: blunt-cut medium-length hair with slightly “grown-out-looking,” asymmetrical bangs. – Olivia Vale

Find the perfect foundation

Technological advancement can be beautiful. Science is responsible for a whole new crop of foundations that are formulated to look like your own skin (Try Estee Lauder Minute Makeup Crème Stick Foundation or Clarins Ultra-Satin foundation.) “When you get the shade right, these products can make you look incredible,” says New York City makeup artist Martel Thompson. But the converse is true, too: the wrong shade can make flaws look a lot worse than they actually are. So, how are you supposed to find your perfect foundation? The easiest way is to head to your favorite cosmetics counter and make the salesperson do the work for you. Ask her to apply a few prospective shades to a small section of your face. Then, ask for a small mirror, go outside and examine your skin in daylight. If any of the shades seems to disappear, you’ve found your match. If not, keep trying—your diligence will pay off. – Olivia Vale

Don’t ignore your feet

As you may have noticed, sandal-season is steadily turning into a year-round affair. And while many of us embrace the new footwear rules (or lack thereof), others dread the endless pedicuring. But we can all take heart: Marie martin, a nail expert at Tucson, Arizona’s Gad—about Day Spa, shares a simple timesaving weekly routine. First, use a pumice scrub on your soles and toenail beds to remove any dead skin. Then after your dry the nails off, file them straight across and apply a quick-dry, high-shine top coat. (Try Maybelline Two Timer Express Finish Fat Dry Nail Enamel or Chanel Quick Shine.) You’ll be ready to roll in about five minutes. – Olivia Vale

Sneak pampering into your life

You know very well that stress is bad—and that now more than ever, you have to make a point of pampering yourself. Blah, blah, blah. The question is: Where are you supposed to find all this free time? “Easy,” says Victoria Courtney-Chow, spokesperson for Biodroga skin care products. “Since cosmetics companies have started adding aromatherapy to shampoo, foot lotion and everything in between, you can get little bursts of rejuvenation—whenever you want.” One rally quick trick: Spray and uplifting (citrus, mint- or eucalyptus-based) aromatherapy mist around the bathroom immediately before you shower; the steam will enhance the scent—and your mood—in about 30 seconds. – Olivia Vale

Downsize your makeup bag

Downsizing. It’s the thing to do now. And makeup bags are the perfect starting point—because even if you use the same three products all the time, your cosmetics case could probably service an entire drag revue, right? So take a deep breath, the toss all the products you haven’t used in the last year (mascara should go after three months). Or—if you’re striving for the ultimate in minimalism—ditch everything but a bright, berry lipstick. This color makes the ideal bridge between today’s reds and next season’s pinks. – Olivia Vale

Keep skin under control all day

The classic complaint: You apply your makeup meticulously—but by lunchtime, you’re shiny, creased or otherwise a mess. Enter a new breed of products: primers, foundations and powders that stay effective for hours. For oil control, try Clinique Super balance makeup or Cover Girl Fresh Complexion Liquid Makeup. For hydration, try L’Oreal Hydra Perfecte Foundation or Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Hydro Light Foundation. – Olivia Vale

Treat skin consistently

Finally—everyone seems to have sworn off yo-yo dieting in favor of a healthy, consistent eating plan. So why don’t we apply the same standards to skin care? “An on-again, off-again routine can wreak havoc on your face,” says Brenda A. Merritt, M.D.., a Livingston, New Jersey, dermatologist and the Derm Aesthetics Skincare creator. “A lot of complexion problems could be prevented by a consistent skin care regimen.” The message: No matter how hectic you will be, take care of the basics—daily cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. Women who tend to break out can add a nightly dose of over-the-counter pimple medication (try ClearLogix Acne spot Treatment or Origins Spot Remover). – Olivia Vale

Make sunscreen a habit

We’ve all heard the warnings a thousand times over: if we don’t protect ourselves from the sun throughout the year, we risk premature aging and skin cancer. But for some reason, the message still hasn’t sunk in—statistics show that we continue to be lax about our SPFs. One recent American Academy of Dermatology survey found that despite our increased UV-awareness, the number of sunburn-sufferers keeps rising. “The figures are scary—you’ve absolutely got to use an SPF of at least 15 every single day,” says Steven Victor, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. The onslaught on new SPF-enhanced beauty products. Cosmetics companies are adding sunscreens to more and more moisturizers, foundations and other staples. Try Bath & Body Works Face Sheer Day Lotion or Avon Moisture Lift Protective Lotion SPF 15. – Olivia Vale

Cut hair styling time in half

Blow-drying, straightening and defrizzing can take a huge chunk of time out of your morning, but they no longer have to: One of the latest salon services make styling infinitely easier. Kirk Michael, a hair care expert at New York City’s Allure Day Spa & Hair Design, explains: “New treatments use a silicone-based solution to seal the hair’s outermost layer.” The process, which usually costs $100 to $150 and takes half an hour, makes hair smoother, shinier and less likely to frizz—and the results can last for up to three months. “My treatment, called hair Valium, makes the most unruly hair manageable. Clients end up spending a lot less time styling—and stressing—everyday,” says Michael. – Olivia Vale

Stay-pretty Plan

OK, enough bad news! There is a solution: Just like Mom told you, try to eat regular, balanced meals—it’s the single best thing you can do for your looks. At every meal, down foods that pack in a wide variety of nutrients, plus about four ounces of protein. “A lot of women don’t eat breakfast, rush through lunch and then have a wonderful dinner.” But since energy to make hair-follicle cells is lowest in the morning, the two most important meals for hair are breakfast and lunch.

This all makes sense, you may be saying to yourself, but isn’t thin in? well, it’s nowhere near as in as looking and feeling good, and that’[s the big beauty pay-off of maintaining a healthy weight. The truth is, if you’re a chronic dieter, your skin is never going to look as vibrant as that of someone who always ate well. Youth can camouflage poor eating habits for a while, but once you hit your thirties, you’ll age more quickly. - Louise Jarvis

Beauty Blaze

A NATURAL SKIN CALMER Here’s one for the avid outdoorswoman: You can place powder from lycopodium (a moss that grows in forests) on wounds to stop bleeding and on skin to calm irritation. Not traipsoing through the woods? Enessa Lyco-silk mineral powder has packed the potent plant. Sprinkle it on bumps and burn caused by shaving or waxing.

SPA SAFETY Whirlpool baths can be a hotbed for the bacteria that cause the disease known as hot tub lung. The Archives of Internal Medicine reports that the number of cases is rising, even as specialists say it likely remains under diagnosed. If you’re frequent soaker, know the symptoms—persistent cough, shortness of breath, fever—and consider turning off the jets in public spas just to be safe (Bubbles can help bacteria get into the air, where it’s easier for you to inhale them.)

BROW WOW If you use one eyebrow pencil, you might want to start using three, says Randi Mavestrand, a makeup artist in Los Angeles. Short, light strokes of black, dark brown and gray give dimension, which is essential to creating a natural look. Towheads and strawberry blonds, however, should skip the black and stick to lighter browns and grays.

Touch-Up Trick

Cover roots with ColorMark, a dye that hides growing-in gray during that week or two before your next appointment. The handheld tube comes with a sponge tip for easy home use. The dye is temporary, so if you mismatch the shade, you can easily wash out your goof. Of course, it may be prudent to pass up the paint when rain is in the forecast (or at least carry an umbrella)!

DANDRUFF COUBLE CHECK Flake-fighting shampoos don’t have to be harsh on hair. In fact, researchers at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati found that anti-dandruff products with pyrithione zinc actually conditioned strands and stopped itchy scalp. Get the ingredient in Denorex of Head & shoulder.

MAKEUP YOU’LL FLIP FOR Curtail clutter in your cosmetics bag with the Styli-Stye Flat Pencil. The rectangular shape lets you line eyes or lipsk then smooth on shadow or lipstick; switch from narrow to wide side to change its use. As it wears, stay on point with the Flat Sharpener.

WHAT FEET CAN LOOK FORWARD TO Forget messy powders and goopy ointments. You may be able to beautify red, irritated feet with antifungal socks coated with molecules that breakdown and kill germs and fungi (like the kinds that cause athlete’s foot). The souped-up socks could be available in the next few years. – SELF

Beauty tricks use and you should, too!

LIPS Natural-looking lips depend on correct lip-liner use. Outline lips with a neutral pencil, then—and this is key—fill completely with the pencil. top with gloss or lipstick, says Tina Earnshaw, a makeup pro who tends to stars such as Kate Winslet (on whose lower lip the pencil also helps fill in a tiny white scar).

HANDS “Ignore your hands and they’ll be a give-away of aging,” says UCLA derm Joshua Wieder, M.D. (Think brown spots, dull skin, wrinkles) Dr. Wieder cites the youthful, unlined hands of an artist Kate Hudson and suggest treating yours to Renova or whatever anti-aging cream your use on your face.

BROWS Matching your eyebrows to your hair makes you look faded (i.e., older), says Damone Roberts, who has tended the brows of Madonna, J.Lo and Lara Flynn Boyle. His rule of brow; if you’re blonde, brows should be a shade of two darker than your hair; if brunette, opt for a shade or two lighter.

LASHES The secret to luscious eyelashes? Not just mascara—cake eyeliner, says Lisa Casino of Chroma Makeup, a studio Rachel Weisz frequents. With a pointed brush, dot it between the base of lashes, then apply mascara. This adds depth but “won’t read as eyeliner.”

HAIR Nelson Chan of Estetica (client include Heather Graham) finishes hair wil gel, shine drops and, sometimes, a leave-in conditioner, all mixed in a spray bottle for more even application. Try one part get to two parts waterl; add a few drops of a shine product or leave-in conditioner; shake well. – SELF

Hot Baths

I’ve heard that hot baths can dry out my skin, but I love taking them when the weather gets cold. Is there a way to make them more moisturizing? –H.J., Tarrytown, N.Y.

DON’T LET THE BATH GET TOO hot—it should be comfortable to step into. “Hot water removes the oils from your skin,” says Jerome d. Fallon, M.D., instructor of dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

“Add a few drops of an oil-based bath product—such as a bath oil or a soak—that is formulated to penetrate skin under water. Avoid detergent-filled bubble baths and powders, which can dry out your skin,” says Helga Hefner, a trainer in skin and body care at “Aveda. Limit soaking time to 15 to 20 minutes. (Try: Aveeno Bath Treatment, Erbe Chamomile Bath Foam, Aveda soothing Aqua Therapy).