Wax on, wax off

Avoid showering or applying moisturizer for several hours after a wax treatment, suggests Madison Passarelli from Cocktail Wax. Waxing opens up the hair follicles, so it’s best to allow them to close first to prevent ingrown hairs.

Stain, stain, go away

Maybe you shouldn’t have ordered spaghetti while wearing a white blouse. Costume designer Susan Matheson suggests a wet cleaning wipe for quick spot cleaning. It won’t set the stain, and you’ll see immediate results.

Curling iron mishap

If you’ve accidentally burned yourself curling or straightening your hair (hello, morning rush!), treat with cold water, then break open a capsule of vitamin E and dab on top.

Add shine to hair

Try a post-shampoo rinse once a week with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar diluted in a pint of water. The acid in the vinegar will remove buildup from styling products like mousse and hairspray.

Cover the puff

If you wake up with swollen eyelids, avoid pale eye shadow, which will only highlight them. Instead, stroke on eye color that’s at least one shade darker than your normal skin.

Eye-opening mornings

Speed up your morning routine with three beauty boosters: a lash-enhancing product, monthly lash tints and an eyelash curler. A lash tint eliminates the need for mascara, leaving your curler free of gunk.

Shape up

Most eyebrows grow in one of two shapes: an up-and-down arch (Elizabeth Taylor) or a gentle arc (Madonna). For the most organic, natural-looking brows, follow -- don’t fight -- your own shape.

Tweeze easy

The most important eyebrow hairs start at the inside corner of the eye, so avoid over-tweezing. Dramatic brows are elongated, from the inside to the outside corners of the eye, says makeup artist Tonya Crooks.

Salon preparation

Ditch the highlight descriptors (baby blond versus honey blond) and talk to your colorist through pictures. Bring magazine photos of the shade you’re after, says Tom Brophy, owner of Tom Brophy Hair.

When to toss

Quick makeup replacement rules:

• mascara, four to six months
  
• liquid foundation, six to 12 months
  
• powder blush, nine to 12 months
  
• lip gloss and lip liner, 12 to 18 months
  
• lipstick, two years

Blond therapy

Blond highlights? Selectively shampoo your hair, recommends stylist Guy Riggio at the Sally Hershberger salon. Apply shampoo only on the roots, not on the shaft, to avoid drying out already fragile hair.