10 Stylist Secrets for Flawless Hair and Skin

By Shelley Levitt

The road to ravishing looks is paved with simple steps.

Try these ten tips for more gorgeous skin, shiny hair and foolproof makeup.

Stylist Secret No. 1: Use your hair dryer nozzle to prevent frizz.

That little attachment does a big job, directing the heat right where you want it. "Without the nozzle you're blowing your hair in every direction and that can lead to frizz," says Giovanni Mele, owner of Philadelphia's Giovanni & Pileggi salon.

Stylist Secret No. 2: Curl your lashes.

Lots of women skip this step, but "curled lashed really open up the eyes," says Kerry Herta, an Emmy-nominated makeup artist. What's more, she adds, many women have lashes that grow in slightly different directions. "A good squeeze of an eyelash curler at the base of that lashes will line them up in one uniform direction," says Herta, "and that will make your lashes look more voluminous once you move on to mascara."

Stylist Secret No. 3: Fix a bad hair day instantly.

You don't always need to reach for a flatiron or blow-dryer to create a polished look. If you have bed head or messy gym hair, work with it. "Add some texturizing balm and turn your hair into beach waves," says Miami stylist Danny Jelaca. To make your look special-occasion ready, gather some waves into a side braid.

Stylist Secret No. 4: Line your lower lashes.

Yes, darker eyeliner under your lower lashes can look harsh and accentuate under-eye darkness. But you don't need to skip the lower liner entirely. Instead, suggests New York makeup artist Kimara Ahnert, line your lower lashes with a powder eye shadow in a lighter shade than you use on your upper lashes. "A little color under the lower lashes makes the whites of your eyes look clearer and the color of your eyes more vivid," says Ahnert.

Stylist Secret No. 5: Apply blush with your face shape in mind.

For the most flattering placement of blush, consider the structure of your face, says Dallas makeup artist Penny Sadler. "If your face is wide, you can make it appear thinner by placing the blush right on the apples of your cheeks and not extending it toward your temples." Do the opposite to make a narrow face look fuller: Apply blush on the outer edges of the apple -- align the starting point with the pupil of your eye -- and sweep what's left on your brush toward your hairline.

Stylist Secret No. 6: Invest in a rotating facial brush.

Power brushes cleanse your skin about six times more effectively than your basic cleansing routine, excavating dirt and grime that's hiding in your pores. Plus, any treatment products you use in your skincare regimen will penetrate your skin more effectively. Dr. Tina Alster, a Washington, D.C., dermatologist keeps her favorite sonic brush and cleanser in the shower. "That way I'm sure to use it every day," she says.

Stylist Secret No. 7: Apply foundation with a sponge.

Your fingers may be convenient, but for streak- and blotch-free application of foundation, reach for a makeup sponge, says Ahnert. "You'll be able to blend your foundation much more evenly," she says, "and prevent it from caking or settling into fine lines." Don't dip the sponge into your foundation. Instead, use a cotton swab to apply a stripe of foundation on both cheeks and across the forehead, and tiny dots on the bride of the nose and chin. Then, blend with the sponge.

Stylist Secret No. 8: Lower the heat.

Even if your hair is thick and coarse, you don't need to fire your styling tools to their highest setting, says Raphael Reboh, owner of Femme Coiffure Hair Spa in Miami Beach. A temperature of 400 F "fries and dries the hair instantly," he says. Instead, start with a 200-degree setting and maintain the lowest temperature you can while still achieving the style you want. And, of course, always use a heat-defensive spray as you blow-dry.

Stylist Secret No. 9: Exfoliate gently.

Sloughing away dead skin cells can lead to a more glowing complexion. Just remember, says Dr. Peggy Fuller, a dermatologist in Charlotte, N.C., that "your skin is not the floor." Wet your skin before you apply any scrub and use a very light motion. Or choose a chemical exfoliator. A lotion, toner or pad that contains glycolic acid will help keep skin smooth and pores clear, says Fuller.

Stylist Secret No. 10: Take sunscreen with you.

"The two most important things you can do to prevent wrinkles is to use sunscreen and not smoke," says Dr. Caroline Piggott, a dermatologist at Scripps Clinic in San Diego. To protect your skin from damaging UV rays, it's essential to reapply that sunscreen (choose one with SPF 30 or higher), especially if you're breaking a sweat. "When I'm at the beach, I reapply sunscreen every two hours," says Piggott.

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