Blog Posts by Girls in the Beauty Department, Glamour Magazine

Source unknownBeth Shapouri, Glamour magazine

What makes a ponytail perfect? Well here are my thoughts on the matter--then you guys can chime in.

Here's this latest example of ponytail perfection (though will any ever really beat that perky Julianne Hough pony we saw last year this time)?

So here are 3 criteria I think make for a perfect ponytail.

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1. Finished ends
I love how the ends of Charlize's pony flip outward (achieve this with a round brush), but any variation that prevents the ends from just laying flat and boring will work; a curled tail is similarly adorable. Flat ends make a ponytail look blah and everyday, like one you'd wear to the gym (unless you flat-iron them to make them sleek and polished).

2. The presence of a part
You don't have to fully center-part your ponytail like Charlize did--obviously that's not flattering for every face. But even just side-parting some bangs or wisps adds a little

Photo courtesy of saksfifthavenue.comLouise Roe, Glamour magazine

I thought I knew a thing or two about beauty, and taking care of the skin on my face. Turns out, all the fabulous, expensive and scientifically-advanced creams, serums and lotions I apply, may not even be able to penetrate our cells at all.

Why? Because the skin produces oils and sebum that can block the absorption of products, so they basically just sit on the surface, and get washed off again in the shower.

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So, you can either use an exfoliator a couple of times a week, which-a La Prairie facialist told me yesterday-can actually increase the production of sebum if you use too frequently, or, you can try a peel.

The word "peel" freaked me out until now, because I had images of the hardcore, clinical acid peels in my mind, which mean you go into hiding for three weeks because the top layer of your face is pretty much burnt off.

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But phew, there

Beth Shapouri, Glamour magazine

The folks over at The Daily Mail are speculating that getting plastic surgery could actually cause an identity crisis of sorts that could lead to personality changes. Make sense or is this hogwash? Let's go over it.

They start with a quote from psychologist and author Dr Vivian Diller found on BuzzFeed, that suggest that after surgery, patients sometimes find "imperfection is actually part of their identity," and with the thing that made you stand out gone, you may suddenly have to build a whole new self image. This is why, the doctors interviewed for the story argue, plastic surgeons must screen their patients well to find out more about their mental state and exactly why they're seeking surgery in the first place.

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You can read the arguments here. But, I have to say, it all makes sense to me-after change comes adjustment, and for some people that'll be positive and for others, it'll be negative.

India Jewel-Jackson, Glamour magazine

When I was younger, my face was always covered in brush bristles after I did my makeup and I never understood why that happened. (To be honest, I just thought they were cheap or old.) Years later I became a beauty editor and I learned precisely why: It was because after I washed them, I'd stand them straight up to dry, thinking that was the best way to air them out quickly. WRONG.

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As it turns out, standing makeup brushes straight up when wet (even damp) allows excess water to drip down into the base of the brush and loosen the glue that secures the bristles, causing them to shed. SoAnnoying.com.

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To that end, I immediately changed my ways. (Trust me, I've saved hundreds of bucks in constantly buying new brushes for no reason.) While there are tons of makeup brush cleaners on the market today (this assortment here

Photo courtesy of target.comIndia Jewel-Jackson, Glamour magazine

Here's a tip-it's all in the tools! After eight years as a beauty editor, I'm almost ashamed to admit that I still (still!) struggle trying to do the smoky look on myself. Some days I get it just right. Others? Not even close. Thankfully, I recently I had an epiphany. Using the correct assortment of brushes makes all the difference in the world. Behold, my new favorite set:

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Available at your local Target for $14.99, Sonia Kashuk's four-piece Smokey Eyes Brush Set features everything you need to pull off a sultry, smoky stare:

On your lids, use Brush #1: Liberally sweep a dark wash of color all over your eyelids; the dense rounded bristles make it easy for you to cover the entire area with minimal effort.

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Hairstyles to Consider

In your creases, use Brush #2: Intensify your look by dusting a darker shadow into the creases of your

Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour magazine

So now that you're all sticking your mascara in your bras every morning, I have two more quickie beauty tricks to help shake up your usual, ho-hum daily routine.

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask For (but Really Want!)

These two beauty ideas, spotted on celebs over the past couple days, are both easy ways to make your look a bit less blah and boring without expending much effort.

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Hairstyles to Consider

Idea No. 1: Side-part your hair, then braid a small front section and pin it back. Easy peasy, super cute, and more likely to score compliments than your same-old half-up hairdo.

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Idea No. 2: Pop on a perky, vivid pink lipstick shade. No, wearing bright lipstick isn't a revolutionary idea, but I think this pic of Kate's gorgeous lip color gives us all an extra kick in the bum to actually do it.

Which of these two easy beauty ideas would you maybe try this

WWDBeth Shapouri, Glamour magazine

Making a big hair change can turn you into one big ball of nerves. Here are three things you can do to ensure the whole thing goes smoothly.

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask For (but Really Want!)

Photo courtesy of bumbleandbumble.comBy Megan Gustashaw, Glamour magazine

I've been on a mission to get rid of my flat iron for a couple of months now, not only because I think it's hurtin' my hair but also because it just takes too much darn time! I thought about testing out a Keratin blow-out but decided to give Bumble and Bumble's Concen-straight treatment a try first.

Instead of breaking the S-bonds in hair, Bumble & Bumble's treatment bends them, meaning that frizz and overall volume are lessened while your natural waves are left intact. The process, combined with their Concen-straight product line, are said to leave hair smoother and more manageable than before, without giving you that whole pin straight look.

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As someone with only mildly wavy hair, I thought this might be the perfect treatment for me. I blow-dry every morning and only add the flat iron step because my hair tends to get puffy, frizzy and oddly triangular