Tip of the Day
Wrap a long, lightweight, solid-color scarf around your waist and knot it loosely just in front of one hip bone. The dangling ends will make you look longer and leaner. More Tips >
Tip of the Day Archive
Add some pop
Dye and accessories from your local fabric store are an inexpensive way to add zing to your wardrobe. Make a cardigan sparkle with crystal buttons, or dye a plain white oxford a bright hue.
Rule of thumb
Ridges in your nails? Buff each nail gently for five to 10 seconds with a fine-grade emery board. If you feel heat or friction, back off, says Julie Serquinia, owner of The Paint Shop.
Protect your skin
Makeup that contains sunscreen is no substitute for the real deal. If you'll be outside for any length of time, prep the skin with a high-potency sunscreen, then apply makeup.
Moisturize
Hot oil treatments are ideal for adding moisture to coarse hair but will drag down fine or color-treated hair. Instead, choose a deep-conditioning cream enriched with a protein like keratin.
Beautiful color
Extend the life of your hair color by asking your colorist about pigment-containing shampoos and conditioners, says hair guru Tom Brophy.
Scalp scoop
For an oily scalp, condition only the lower two-thirds of the hair. Massaging conditioner into the roots could make your scalp oilier, says Tom Brophy of Tom Brophy Hair.
Color care
Let your colorist know how you spend your time so you can prevent such color mishaps as a golden-blond tone that gives off a green hue under fluorescent office lighting.
Something sweet
Honey is a natural humectant and can do wonders for the skin. Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons whole milk, warm slightly in microwave, apply to face and rinse off after 10 minutes.
Oil check
Smooth on safflower oil after a shower to relieve dry, itchy skin. It's rich in a good fat called linoleic acid, which our body makes naturally, and acts as a super-moisturizer.
A good clean
Once you're 21 years old, stay away from gritty, abrasive skin cleansers, which can lead to redness and mild acne. Instead, use a gentle, fragrance-free cleansing lotion, says Dr. Richard Glogau, a San Francisco dermatologist.
Thin is not in
To prevent thinning eyebrows caused by aging, try a growth enhancer designed for eyelashes. Just brush it on and expect thicker brows in about six weeks.
Quiz
True or False: Cutting your hair makes it grow back thicker and darker.
Poll
If you had to stick to one drink this whole summer, what would it be?
