The Best Beauty Advice Ever

As beauty lovers, there is not an article on a fad, tip, or technique that College Gloss has not read. We gather information on everything from picking zits to beauty diets to makeup tips so that we can become your personal advisors, free of charge, of course. Since we are never reluctant to share, here is a roundup of the best beauty tips we have ever read.

Beautiful Locks

COMBING WET HAIR
“Comb wet hair like the pros: Hold a handful at a time and work from center to ends, then scalp to center.”
-Woman’s Day

DRY SHAMPOO SECRET
“After applying dry shampoo to day old (or for me, three-day old) hair, blow dry the roots using a round brush. The mix of the dry shampoo and the natural oil will have the same benefits as a volumizer, so you’ll get an extra day out of your blow-out and have major volume. I now do this every week!”
-Total Beauty

WHAT TO DO AT NIGHT
“If your fine strands tend to look greasy the minute you open your eyes, ‘use a dry shampoo preventively,’ says N.Y.C. hairstylist Ryan Trygstad. Spray roots until hair feels chalky. ‘The powder will suck up oils as they’re produced,’ he says. ‘Come morning, you won’t have to degrease or worry about seeing powdery residues.’ Then you can style and go!”
-InStyle

BEAT HAIR STATIC
“‘Dryer sheets are a great way to tame [hair] static cling on the go. It’s only a temporary fix though, so if it’s a particularly dry winter day, stash a few in your purse,’ says Fris.”
-Total Beauty

YOU’RE YOUR OWN EXPERT
“I once splurged on a very expensive haircut at a super swanky NYC salon. What did I learn from this $400 trim, besides that it looked no different than a $40 cut? I learned to take my power back. When it came time to style my hair, the master stylist asked me how I would like him to do it. ‘I don't know, you’re the expert,’ I said. He begged to differ and lectured me on how I should never give my power away in the chair. Wagging a pricey comb at me, he cautioned me to stay alert and aware every step of the way and never be afraid to speak up or ask the stylist to show you what they are doing. ‘Never forget, when it comes to your hair, you’re the expert,’ he said. -Janene Mascarella, beauty writer for Bella magazine.”
-Shape

NO MORE FRIZZ
“Unless your hair is extremely fine, use a deep conditioner each time you wash, and be sure to leave it on for at least five minutes. Frizz happens when dry, porous hair sucks up moisture in the air, causing the shaft to swell. This heavy dose of conditioner coats the hair shaft, making it harder for moisture to sink in.”
-Allure

SMOOTH HAIR
“To keep hair smooth, choose a conditioner with a superstar hydrator, like avocado oil. After shampooing, squeeze out as much water as possible so conditioner clings to your hair. Leave on for three minutes.”
-Seventeen

Gorgeous Skin

ON PIMPLES
“Never squeeze a pimple. You may damage tissue and cause a tiny scar or pit.”
-Woman’s Day

PROPER SKIN ROUTINE
“For daytime moisturizing, think layering: Use an antioxidant serum under a face cream, topped off with a sunblock. To stave off flaking, consider light exfoliation once a week. Moisturizing without exfoliating first can result in breakouts and dull skin.”
-Marie Claire

PESKY RED DOTS
“Do you have little red bumps on the backs of your arms? You’re most likely suffering from keratosis pilaris -- a common condition that stems from blocked hair follicles. Abrasive scrubbing can exacerbate symptoms, so try using a lotion with alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids to dissolve the bumps.”
-Real Beauty

SUNSCREEN
“Slather on your sunscreen! This is a time you can cake it on your face.”
-College Gloss

PRODUCT INTERVENTION
“We know you don’t apply hair products to your face, but the residue can end up there anyway. Next time you apply hairspray, cover your face with a clean towel to protect your skin. Also, use a sweatband when you hit the gym to keep the products from dripping down when you begin to sweat.”
-Real Beauty

ACNE

“Identify blemish patterns on your face. Look at the way you hold the telephone, whether you sleep more on one side of your face or if you hold your head up with one hand when sitting. Try to avoid doing these things.”
-Marie Claire

HOW TO APPLY MOISTURIZER
“When I was in college, the sales woman at the counter told me never to rub moisturizer into my face, pat it on. Rubbing actually takes it off your skin and disperses it in different places. Patting it on helps the skin soak it up.”
-Total Beauty

WEAR SUNGLASSES
“Another step in eye care to never forget is wearing sunglasses, even on rainy and windy days.”
-College Gloss

SEASONAL EXFOLIATION
“Change your exfoliating practices with the seasons to guarantee that you don’t strip the skin of essential oils. ‘Take it down to a few times a week in the summer, and once a week during winter so you don’t dry out your skin,’ says Dr. Debra Jailman, M.D., a New York City dermatologist.”
-Real Beauty

Body Care

LOTION APPLICATION
“‘Right after you get out of the shower and towel off -- before you even leave the bathroom -- that’s the perfect time to moisturize, because your pores are still open,’ says Wechsler. The lotion will absorb in one to two minutes, and then you're free to get dressed.”
-Allure

CIRCULATION
“Increase your circulation and give your body some extra exfoliation by using a dry brush once a week for bright and smooth skin. Afterwards, apply a creamy lotion to prevent flakes and seal in moisture.”
-Real Beauty

“Boosting circulation to the thigh area can minimize the look of cellulite,” says Marcia Kilgore, founder of Soap & Glory. So, for your next shower, spend an extra minute rubbing your thighs with a smoothing scrub.”
-Real Beauty

BODY EXFOLIATION
“Exfoliate with a body scrub once a week to slough off dead cells that make skin look dull. When skin is freshly exfoliated, lotion and oil are better absorbed.”
-Woman’s Day

“For skin like satin, try this DIY exfoliator from celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip. ‘Mix one cup of sugar with half a cup of olive oil and scrub from neck to toe in circular motions. Let the mixture soak for at least five minutes before rinsing it off’ says Schlip.” 

-Real Beauty

SPF PLEASE
“If you’re driving a long distance, keep applying SPF 30 on your hands, face and neck,” says Ken Simpson, founder of Skin 2 Skin Care. “Glass doesn’t filter UV rays, even in your home or office.”
-Real Beauty

EXERCISE
“Need yet another reason to work out? Exercise gives your face a healthy glow by increasing blood flow. And when you sweat, it clears the body of toxins and removes dead skins cells so new ones can grow. Without regular exercise you may see an increase in age spots, so grab your running shoes and hit the gym.”
-Real Beauty

STRETCH MARKS
“Stop stretch marks and scars from getting darker with sun exposure by slathering them with a thick layer of sunscreen. Apply a scar-minimizing topical at night to repair damaged tissue while you slumber.”
-Real Beauty

Perfect Makeup

NOT ENOUGH SLEEP
“Trying to look well rested when you aren’t? Avoid piling on the foundation. Use a tinted moisturizer instead, followed by a beige eye pencil -- it counteracts any redness around your eyes.”
-Marie Claire

“Even if you didn’t get enough sleep last night, your skin doesn’t have to give you away. Nothing wakes up a face like bright cheek color. Consider a cream blush with red or pink overtones. Blend into the apples of your cheeks and set with loose powder.”
-Marie Claire

TRICK FOR APPLYING MASCARA
“When you lift and separate lashes, it’s easier to apply mascara evenly. Before you pick up that magic wand, curl lashes in three places: First, gently clamp along the lash line, then move forward to the center of lashes, and finally hit the tips. ‘The effect is like a push-up bra for your lashes,’ says Napoleon Perdis, a celebrity makeup artist in Los Angeles.”
-SELF

“When you put on mascara, don’t lower your chin -- that’s how mascara gets on your lid.”
-Woman’s Day

CONCEALING PIMPLES
“Because zits are raised and throw a slight shadow, makeup artist Joanne Gair creates the illusion of evenness by using a firm brush to apply foundation or concealer slightly darker than the skin tone on the top part of the pimple and a slightly lighter shade below -- reversing the shadow. Then she adds a dusting of translucent powder on top, because shine tends to be accentuated on a raised surface.”
-Allure

USING FAKE EYELASHES
“When applying fake eyelashes, put a little more glue on the edges than the rest of the lash, since they’re more likely to come loose. Blow on the glue for a few seconds for a better hold.”
-Marie Claire

CREATE A RED CARPET SMOKEY EYE
“To copy the bevy of celebs sporting smoldering eyes on the red carpet, stay away from blue hues, which can make you look like you have under-eye circles. Instead, go for black, gray, brown, or -- if you want “color” -- dark green shadows and liners.”
-Marie Claire

HOW TO FIND YOUR FOUNDATION MATCH
“For the best color match, test foundation and powder either on your face or neck (the inside of your wrist is too pale).”
-Woman’s Day

HOW TO FIX MAKEUP MISTAKE
“Erase shadow mistakes without ruining your makeup: Dip a cotton swab in concealer, then skim it over the skin. The concealer will pick up shadow without smudging.” 

-InStyle

Other Tips/Techniques

APPLYING NAIL POLISH
“Apply polish starting at the pinky, working toward the thumb to avoid dragging your hand across wet nails.”
-Woman’s Day

FAST HAIR GROWTH AFTER SHAVING?
“‘Sometimes tiny hairs get trapped under the skin’s surface by dead cells. A light scrub with a loofah before shaving will exfoliate and free hidden hairs so you can remove them in one clean sweep. If you get prickly hairs, use a moisturizer with urea or glycerin ... to soften and help them lay flat,’ says L.A. dermatologist Jessica Wu.”
-InStyle

BRA ON OR OFF?
“If you don’t want the girls to sag, then you’ll have to tuck them up before you tuck yourself in. It’s sad but true: Sleeping sans bra is the major cause of breast droop.” 

-YouBeauty

GOING GREEN
“If you’re going to buy products from eco-friendly companies, think about the everyday items that you use the most: body wash, shampoo, and body lotion. (You can find a list of green companies at here.) The face cream or anti-aging serum that you can't live without? Don't worry if it isn't organic. ‘It’s just fine to keep that one in your routine,’ says Seo.”
-Allure

SLEEP WRINKLES
“‘Sleeping in certain positions may result in sleep lines,’ according to The American Academy of Dermatology. After a while, these lines can turn into deep-set wrinkles, so hit the sheets backside-first.”
-Real Beauty

ZIT REMOVER
You may not want to smother a zit with makeup, but hydrocortisone? “Go for it!” says Dr. Sherber. Before bed, slather on the anti-inflammatory cream, then seal it in with a waterproof bandage. “This intensifies the potency, so the next morning the pimple will be smaller and less red. It's nearly as effective as getting a steroid injection.”
-InStyle

CURE FOR ALL THINGS DRY

“Olive oil is a great cure for all things dry. For soft cuticles, place your fingers in a bowl of warm olive oil. Olive oil is also a great way to remove waterproof mascara. Put a few drops on a cotton ball and smooth over closed eyes.”
-Marie Claire

LONG-LASTING FRAGRANCE
“Fragrance rises, so spritz it on your ankles or behind your knees to help your scent last longer.”
-Total Beauty

GERMY PILLOW PIMPLES
"Prepare to be grossed out: While we’re glad that our skin gets a chance to rest at night and shed its dead cells in order to build new ones, those dead cells build up on your pillowcase over time, leaving behind bacteria and toxins. In order to keep skin healthy, make sure you change your pillowcase at least once every two weeks."
-Real Beauty

These are the best kept secrets from beauty experts all around, all in one place -- you’re welcome. Now, go forth and let your beauty shine!

By: Ivanna Coello | Image: Source