Beauty: Seven deadly sins; ARE YOU A NAIL NIBBLER, A LIP CHEWER OR

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Oct 24, 1999 | by ABBY KNIGHT

1 NIBBLING YOUR NAILS According to reformed nail biter and nail salon owner, Deri Benitar, long-term nail biting can affect the way your nails grow, making them weak and more liable to break. Coat them with a nail biting solution, such as Sally Hansen's Nail Biter, pounds 3.45, or try Salon Systems' Nail Nurse, pounds 16.50 for 30ml (freephone 0800 146 298), that incorporates a strengthener in a bitter-tasting formula. Nibble when you're nervous? You could enroll in Deri's Nail Watchers group, a six-week course that'll help you get to the root of the problem, call 0181 959 0512.

2 SQUEEZING BLACKHEADS AND SPOTS

Squeezing spots may cause scars and also makes infection more likely. Liz Livermore, at Cedar Falls Health Farm, says: "Exfoliating skin with a facial scrub once or twice a week will help to keep pores clear and if a spot does appear, use tea tree oil to calm inflammation and treat infection." Dead Sea Magik Spot On Gel zaps spots in hours without drying out surrounding skin, pounds 4.95 for 15ml.

3 SLEEPING IN YOUR MAKE-UP Tempting after a late night but never a good idea, make-up - especially foundation - clogs pores making it more prone to spots. And as skin renews while you sleep, cleansing and moisturising will kick start the process. Save valuable shut-eye time by using a product that does both jobs in one, like No7's Skin Defence 3-in-1 Cleansing Gel, pounds 5.

5 NOT TAKING YOUR FOUNDATION OVER YOUR NECK

Blending your base over your neck evens out skin tone and makes your make-up more believable. Make-up artist, Lisa P says: "Choose a shade that's as close to your natural skin tone as possible, remembering that your neck is usually paler than the rest of your face, then use your fingertips or a sponge to work colour over your skin." Try Supercover Ultimate Foundation, available in more than 40 shades, pounds 10 for 0.25oz. (Stockists: 0181 781 1311.)

6 FILING YOUR NAILS THE WRONG WAY

"Always file in one direction using a fine-grit file", says expert Trudie Durn, of Salon System Training Base. "Using a see-saw movement across the nail generates a heating effect which causes layers of nail to separate. Bevelling the tip of the nail, pulling in a downward direction over the very tip of the free edge, will help to prevent splitting too."

7 CHEWING YOUR LIPS Chewing layers of skin off your lips looks ugly and makes them sore. Buff away dead skin cells once a week using a soft toothbrush or try Irene Gari's Lip Softener & Smoother, pounds 5.95 (0800 146 615.) Lip balms help to keep lips softand supple in winter, try Nivea's Lip Care Rose, pounds 1.25 with rose oil.

4 CUTTING YOUR OWN FRINGE "The problem with a home trim is that it tends to be too short, too blunt and has no texture," says stylist Taylor Ferguson. "A good salon will offer clients the option to return when the fringe gets too long but, if not, it's worth paying the extra to have it done properly."

What's new

Perfect for popping into your handbag on a night out are these mini touch-on perfume sticks from Estee Lauder.

They come in dazzling Silver and Gold and make great scents. Available at all Estee Lauder counters, priced pounds 14.50.

Skincare firm Biore, the people who brought us those anti- blackhead nose strips, have launched a Self-Heating Moisture Mask to cleanse and condition skin leaving it soft and supple in 60 seconds, Available from Boots, Superdrug, chemists and supermarkets, they cost

pounds 7.50 for six.