25 beauty secrets that can change your life

Ebony, Jan, 1995

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And each woman has personal qualities that contribute to her individual beauty -- enticing eyes, luscious lips, flawless skin, sensuous smile, hour-glass figure, gorgeous legs. Yet, beauty cannot be taken for granted. While it should not be envied, beauty definitely should be maintained and enhanced. Every woman should do what is necessary to make sure she is looking and feeling her very best at all times.

On these pages are 25 beauty secrets that will take you into the new year with renewed self confidence. They were gleaned from interviews with beauty experts, dermatologists, fashion stylists and hair stylists. In addition, several entertainers share some of their personal secrets for looking great in front of the camera and bright lights.

1 Replenish your skin with a good moisturizer. Makeup professionals with Fashion Fair Cosmetics emphasize the importance of good moisturizers to beautiful skin. If your complexion is dry, use a moisturizer that is rich in emollients to lubricate your skin. For oily skin, look for oil-free water-based moisturizers. Those with sensitive skin should use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and preservative-free products. But don't stop with your face. During winter, the skin loses moisture due to colder temperatures and a decrease in humidity, and heating systems only exacerbate the problem. So after bathing, slather on a rich moisturizer to lock in your skin's natural oils. Singer Chante Moore smothers her body in cocoa butter, which she says is great for your skin. "It also feels and smells wonderful," she adds.

2 Exfoliate to radiate. Chante also emphasizes the importance of regularly exfoliating by using a loofah sponge to remove dead skin cells and prevent blocked pores that tend to cause blackheads and other blemishes. "If you have oily and normal skin, like I do, always exfoliate your skin from face to feet," she advises. "To renew my skin I use buff puffs on my face and loofah sponges for my entire body."

3 Use makeup to enhance your natural beauty. Cosmetics should not be used to hide or cover up, but to accent your natural features, say beauty professionals. Select a foundation that complements and evens out your natural skin tone. Blushes should highlight your cheek bones, and eye shadow, liner and mascara should embellish the color and shape of your eyes.

4 Make your lips luscious. Most importantly, keep your lips moisturized to prevent chapping. Use a lip liner to define lips and minimize color bleeding, advise makeup artists with Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Select a liner in a slightly darker shade or a shade that complements lip color. While drawing a thin line around the perimeter, you may maximize or minimize the size of lips. For longer lasting color, coat both lips with the liner and follow with the lip color. A more professional look can be achieved by using a lip brush. For a pouty effect, top the lip color with a lighter shade in the center of each lip.

5 Never sleep in makeup. Doing so gives old makeup and dirt a chance to clog your pores and result in a pimple. Singer CeCe Peniston says: "I wash my makeup off every night with a cleanser, and then follow with a toner and moisturizer. I never sleep with my makeup on."

6 Relieve puffy eyes. Phyllis Hyman says after a performance or a long night in the recording studio, her eyes tend to get red and puffy. "So in the mornings, I place tea bags that have been submerged in hot water over my eyes to relieve the irritation and puffiness," she says. Singer Karyn White says she rubs a little Preparation H under her eyes to get rid of wrinkles and puffiness. "It's great to use the night before a photo session, a video shoot or television appearance," she says, "because it tightens the skin." You can prevent puffiness by drinking plenty of liquids, sleeping with your head slightly elevated and avoiding foods high in sodium.

7 Wash makeup brushes and sponges. At least every other week, wash your makeup brushes and sponges in warm, soapy water. Rinse brushes upside down to keep bristles in shape, and dry with bristles hanging over edge of counter. By keeping your beauty utensils clean, you will ensure that your makeup goes on smoothly. And you will decrease the bacteria you introduce to your face, thus cutting down on pimples.

8 Fight acne. Caused by excessive oil production, blockage of oil glands, and a buildup of skin cells and bacteria, acne usually affects the area around the mouth and chin. Heredity and hormonal fluctuations, as well as sun, pollution and stress, also may cause continuing breakouts in adults. Those with acne-prone skin should look for cosmetic products -- cleansers, moisturizers and foundations -- that are formalized especially for your skin, advises Dr. R. Martin Earles, a dermatologist in Chicago. If you are plagued by acne and over-the-counter remedies don't help, check with your dermatologist. He or she may recommend a topical antibiotic or even an oral antibiotic. And don't scratch or pick at blemishes, for that can lead to scarring.