Do-it-yourself makeovers: forget about shelling out big bucks to change your looks. These simple tips start at $5

Shape, May, 2005 by Kathy Miller Kramer

In the past two years we've been inundated with dramatic makeover shows featuring life-altering cosmetic surgeries. On episode after episode, we're shown that plunking down thousands of dollars for liposuction, tummy tucks and facelifts is the sure-fire solution to a more rewarding and satisfying life. Not true! Turn off The Swan and Extreme Makeover and instead invest your time in learning simple and practical techniques that maximize your looks--without wrecking your self-esteem. We went straight to the pros for insider advice on how to easily (and affordably) transform yourself from head to toe in a way that makes you feel good.

Become more makeup-savvy

Perfect your skin. When it comes to makeup, keep in mind that "less is more." "Many women make the mistake of trying to cover up fine lines with layers of makeup; in effect, this actually makes them look older," notes New York City makeup ace Mel Rau. Instead, look for a new breed of skin-perfecting products with photo-optic technology, which brightens, resurfaces and improves your skin's clarity. One favorite: Estee Lauder Prime FX Color Neutralizing Primer ($25; esteelauder.com).

Get your brows professionally shaped. A skilled eyebrow shaping can totally transform your face. (Prices range from about $30-$60; call your local salon.) "The entire eye area can appear 'lifted' and more open, helping women look younger and much more polished," explains New York City-based celebrity makeup artist Ramy Gafni. Maintenance simply involves "cleaning up" brows underneath and removing only the strays on top.

Keep your brow color close to your hair color (one shade darker than your locks). Since dyeing your brows at home can easily go wrong (you don't want to take any chances working that close to your eyes), experiment with makeup pencils and powders. Women with very dark hair can try brown, while a taupe color works for blondes or most brunettes, according to Giselle, a colorist at Pierre Michel Salon in New York City, who suggests lightly feathering it into brows. (We like Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde, Brunette and Dark Brown, $7.50; at drugstores.)

Make thin brows thicker. Unfortunately, many of us know all too well what it's like to have thin brows. To the rescue: Talika Eyebrow Extender ($30; sephora.com). Unlike tinted brow gels, this is a transparent fixative with hairlike fibers that cling to your own eyebrows, adding depth and thickness and filling in over-plucked spots.

Brighten your eyes. Any professional makeup artist will tell you that their most important tool is an eyelash curler, which instantly makes the eye "pop." After curling, apply mascara only to top lashes, being sure to remove any clumps with a lash comb (try the Folding ILash Comb from Tweezerman, $5.50; tweezerman.com). You can bring out your natural color with Almay's Intense i-Color Collection ($7-$7.49; at drug-stores), a shadow, liner and mascara collection that uses complementary and contrasting shades to intensify your iris color. Other shadows to try: Estee Lauder Graphic Color EyeShadow Quad ($37; esteelauder.com), eight new compacts, each featuring three complementary shades and a surprising pop shade for a dramatic effect; and Shiseido The Makeup Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow ($21; www.sca.shiseido.com), five creamy shadows with pearl particles for added oomph.

Perfect your pout. Why go to painful extremes (e.g., doctor's office injections like collagen or Restylane) to get lush lips? Temporary, painless lip-plumping products are the latest rage. Try Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF 30 ($27.50; elizabetharden.com), the peppermint-infused Pout Plump ($24; sephora.com), which temporarily increases blood flow to the lips, or Lip-Fusion Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plumper ($36; sephora.com), which penetrates lip tissue with dehydrated marine collagen microspheres.

Brighten your smile. Whitening discolored teeth is a simple, affordable way to look younger and healthier within weeks. We like Crest Night Effects Premium for Sensitive Teeth, which contains a hydrogen-peroxide gel that helps remove stains after 18 nights of use ($18; at drugstores). Or try Supersmile Quikee ($16; supersmile.com) for on-the-go brightening. Just squeeze a drop from the pocket-sized tube and smooth over your teeth.

Revamp your hair

Lose the length. Women tend to believe long hair is more youthful-looking, so they hold on to styles that worked for them years ago. "Collarbone-length and shorter hair accentuates features like your eyes and smile, actually making you look younger," explains New York City stylist Mark Garrison. "It's also important to have some layering, which provides movement and shape." A cut--even a trim--also eliminates all of the older, damaged ends, improving your whole look.

Try a phony pony. If you've dreamed of a movie-star mane but don't want to grow one, hair extensions might be just your thing. Natural hair extensions can stay attached for up to six months and are maintained just like real hair (the downside: prices start at $500). An easier, less expensive option: temporary hairpieces that instantly transform your look. Our favorites: Jacquelyn Wigs Pocket Ponytail ($275; 800-272-2424), made of 100 percent human hair, has a built-in pocket to be pulled up over your own hair or can be rolled up into a simple, elegant chignon; and Flawless by Hair U Wear (from $24; bellahair.com), designed by celebrity stylist Danilo, comes in 20 shades and 10 styles.