BASIC SKIN CARE TIP

1: Cleansing

Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. See the best cleansers for your skin type

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her "soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." We agree. Choose instead a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a cleanser without oil if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. While some skincare experts swear you should cleanse skin with creamy cleansers that you wipe off with a tissue, never letting water touch your skin (some hard waters are especially hard on skin), we prefer the water method. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about over cleansing skin, see signs you are over cleansing your skin

Here's the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.



Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can't afford the price tag for a monthly peel? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare's

Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, "toners are only for copy machines"). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.



Step 3: Moisturize

While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn't need moisturizer, basically everyone else I've read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the "Saran Wrap effect"). So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can cause clogged pores.

See our list of the best moisturizers on the market
Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to 'thicken' this area and keep it sturdy. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

'O' magazine ran an article featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists. Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters.

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains Mexoryl (found in my favorite sunscreen La-Roche Posay) or Helioplex, found in Neutrogena products

HAIR BRUSH TECHNIQUE

Half the problem of getting the right style and preventing damage is the type of hairbrush you use. Most damage happens when the hair is wet, and if you detangle with a steel comb, you are probably making most of the damage yourself. Do you have curly hair and no matter how your straighten it, you always have a wave?

Here are some Hair-Brush Solutions.

* When combing wet hair use a big tooth comb and detangle your hair from end to root. Try not to touch the root at all.
* For short hair use a Paddington brush with soft protective bristles as you shape and blow dry your hair to your sought after look.
* If you need to tease your hair for a little height, use a pick.
* For medium length straight hair, use a Paddle Brush with soft protective bristles to help you comb out and blow dry your hair.
* For medium length wavy bobs use extra large round brush to blow out the kinks and curls.
* For longhair past your shoulders use a thick, loose toothed brushed or a big round ceramic brush to help you blow dry you long hair straight. Flip the ends out if you want to be a little sassy with the same brush, creating two looks.

Look good, feel better!

MAINTAIN BEAUTIFUL SKIN

It's not enough to get a facial to keep your skin clear and beautiful. You need to have a great home skin-care routine.

Here's are the everyday habits you need to keep your skin beautiful:

* Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and leafy green. Good nutrition is the basic building block of healthy skin.

* Drink plenty of water every day. (I fill a carafe to remind myself.)

* Get a professional facial to deep cleanse your skin at least four times a year, as the seasons change. Every four to six weeks is ideal.

* Throw away the soap and use quality products that are right for your skin type. Discuss your home skin-care routine with your esthetician.

* If you can't afford all the skin-care products right away, ask the esthetician which are most important to start, and which can be substituted with less expensive alternatives. Invest in additional products as you can.

* WEAR SUNSCREEN, even on cloudy days and in winter. Use a good-quality, high-SPF sunscreen. Sun damage is the single most important cause of premature aging. On my face, decolette and the back of my hands I use Ti-Silc Sheer SPF 45 Sunblock (compare prices). It's reasonably priced ($20-$24 for four ounces) and doesn't sting sensitive skin.

* Remember to put sunscreen on exposed areas like the back of your hands, neck and chest. They're often the first place to show your age.

* Cut out skin-damaging habits like smoking, excessive drinking and tanning booths.

BEAUTIFUL HANDS

A Quick Hand Treatment

Hands are the most visible parts of you, but they also take a lot of abuse. You use them in everyday activity, and yet, they are the ultimate accessory. You must give them the same attention you give your face.

* Soften your hands even while you do the dishes. Add a little almond oil (about a teaspoon) to dishwater. The water will soften rought skin while the oil seals the moisture.

* Slough off dead skin cells with a solution made of sea salt lemon. Brush it into hands with an old toothbrush. Do this twice a week to soften hands and remove discoloration.

* Wash hands thoroughly with warm water, then, using a coarse washcloth, rub briskly. While skin is slightly damp, apply a mixture of one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon olive oil. Place hands in small plastic bags, then in a pair of cotton gloves for thirty minutes. The heat helps the treatment penetrate.

* Warm a cup of milk in the microwave for thirty seconds (or until warm, but comfortable to the touch). Soak your hands for five minutes to strengthen nails and hydrate skin. Not only is milk loaded with lactic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dead skin, but its high calcium content will strengthen fragile nails.