Codd
le your skin from within.
- Radiant, recharged skin and hair starts with circulation boosting exercises, says Diane Berson, a dermatologist at New York University Medical Center. hence, natural-beauty rule no. 1: head for the gym. And keep stress in check to avoid hormone surges that trigger breakouts. Complexion still blah? Stand on your head, run in place or splash warm water o your face.
- Purify your pores. Natural beauties are often just women who know the value of a clean face. The basics: Two to three times a week, get rid of skin's dull, dry outer layer with alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids or an over the counter retinoid for an immediate glow. Or give your epidermis a two-minute indulgence by applying an exfoliating mask at least once or twice a week.
- Become a blush minimalist. Yes, a fresh-faced make up routine begins with blush. But resist dusting all-over--it belongs on the apples of your cheeks (where you blush naturally), not o your forehead, nose and chin. Choose a hue that mimics the rosiness you have after a workout. (Hint: You don't blush purple or orange!) Soft pink or rose shades are always safe even for the darkest-skinned women.
- Find your perfect foundation. If your foundation looks right, everything will look right," says makeup pro Bobbi Brown. The key is having a dead-on color match, so the make up disappears into ( rather than sits on) your skin. Brown's advice: Narrow your choices to three shades, swipe them on the side of your face, then head outside with a mirror or a friend. Choose the one that blends invisibly.
- Respect your hair's natural impulses. What's most appealing, a casually curly cowlick or a helmet head of untouchably perfect sprayed locks? "You don't want to look like a store mannequin," says Steve Berg, a style director for a foreign magazine, whose credo for imperfection is perfection. "Allow hair to o what it wants to do--there's nothing wrong with a little frizz. Let natural waves loose or try lots of braids--there are so many unstructured styles right now."
- Try a little tress TLC. With the right tools and a lot of hot air, anyone can go from curly to straight (or the reverse) and get born-with-it results. But do it too often and you'll sacrifice your hair's healthy sheen for locks that look dry and brittle. To buffer damage and restore shine, Ronald Brasco of Frederick Fekkai Beaute de Provence Salon in New York City recommend using a reparative protein based conditioner to build strength, alternating it every other day with a deep conditioner. Another trick: Rub a teaspoon of Vitamin E or wheat germ oil into your scalp at bedtime (then sleep on an old pillowcase). "It's a wonderful overnight treatment," says Brasco.
- Curb your extreme dye desires. In other words, don't tint your tresses too far out of your natural color "zone", advises Stuart Gavert of Beverly Hills. A good rule of thumb: No more than two shades lighter than your base color. If you can't curb your blonde ambition, you risk damaging your hair follicles, resulting in dryness, split ends and snapped-off flyaways. Think twice about highlighting the top and underlayers of your hair which can look flat and artificial. Instead, add a few highlights on top for that sun-kissed look.
- Give your hair a day of rest. "People over wash their hair," says Edward Tricomi, co-owner of Warren- Tricomi Salon in New York City. Shampoo isn't the only culprit, he explains; it's the daily ordeal of shampooing, blow-drying and brushing that strips hair of its natural oils and leaves it lackluster. Tricomi's tip for naturally gorgeous hair: Wash it every other day to let it's own shine enhancing oils replenish lost moisture. If you can't skip suds during the week, try a lather-free weekend--your hair will look shinier all week long.
- Respect the power of the brow. " A clean neatly shaped eyebrow wakes up your face instantly," says Sonia Kashuk, creator of the Sonia Kashuk makeup line. Resist over-plucking and stick to your own shape: Clean up stragglers, or better yet have a pro do it (At least for the first time). Use brow gels for a neat fix ( a little hairspray works in a pinch).
- Don't overconceal (it backfires!) The sad truth about eye circles: The more you work at hiding them, the more you risk spotlighting them. "Pile on concealer looks creepy and highlights even the tiniest fine lines," says make up artist Eugenia Weston, creator/ founder of Senna Cosmetics. Her tip: Begin with a thin layer of undereye cream; choose a concealer color one shade lighter than your foundation, then dot it on and blend it with a brush or tap it on lightly with your finger. Set it with a dusting powder for staying power.
Look Great not 
Fake. 5 beauty blunders that will leave you looking artificial.
Fake. 5 beauty blunders that will leave you looking artificial. - Scorching your hair. A common hair sin is using a blow-dryer that gets too hot and leaves locks looking dessert-dry. "Look inside. If the coils turn red when you use it, it will burn your hair," says Edward Tricomi.
- Becoming Chemical-dependent. Combine colors with perms or straighteners and your damaged hair will absorb light, not reflect it. An easy way to tell that your tresses need a detox: "If you have to condition your hair in order to get a comb through it, chances are your hair is abused," says Ronald Brasco.
- Over powdering. " A little shine is natural and looks younger than too-matte face," says Bobbi Brown. If oil is a concern, use powder or a shine absorbing serum just on the T-zone, she advices.
- Obsessive plucking. No matter what your favorite star's eyebrow looks like, stay away from razor thin. It's a hard look for us regular folk to pull off.
- Sculpting yourself new cheekbones. Sit down for this news flash: "You can't change your features with makeup," says Bobbi Brown. "If you shade your nose (to make it look slimmer), it'll just look like you have dirt on your nose."
Source: Woman's Home Companion
