salonAbout three weeks ago, my sister popped an intervention on me. "Your clothes say 'cool'," she explained with an inhale, "but your hair says 'sister wife'."

It was time, I learned, for the absolute loathsome task of going to get a haircut.

More from The Stir: Wearing Less Makeup Makes Me Feel More Beautiful

I'm just one of those laid-back people who doesn't really care too much about my hair. It grows fast, I know that much, and it's curly, unless I straighten it. It's in a top-knot if it's not down. It's usually unwashed (because it's healthier and it saves time) and it doesn't get greasy unless I accidentally scratch an itch with a fork covered in gravy, which has happened exactly never. OK, once. Fine! Twice. God. What's with you and the third degree?

Haircuts aren't a necessity because I never really have a style, it's just, you know, on my head and makes me avoid looking bald. A win if ever there was one.

So it's not that the cutting of the hairs is

woman wearing makeup I have never been the type to spend hours in the bathroom sorting through makeup; putting it on, taking it off, experimenting with new shades. I didn't ever take an active interest in it. As a nurse, my mom rarely wears makeup and none of my grandmothers or aunts are big into vanity. To this day I'm still not totally head over heels for the stuff. I think it looks fake and cake-like.

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I didn't even start wearing makeup until my freshman year of college, and even then, I only wanted to wear a little -- nothing anyone could notice. So I guess you could say I subscribe to the whole less is more theory when it comes to foundation, blush, bronzer, and tinted eye shadow. But the truth, my friends, is bigger than that. I think wearing less makeup makes me feel like more of a woman. Boom. Said it.

I feel more natural (duh) and more like myself without layers and layers of gloss and

Ana Dragovic, Vogue

According to Jennifer MacGregor, M.D., a dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology, it's that slick, greasy feel-the byproduct of a key ingredient called petrolatum-that's essential for treating overly dry skin. "But that's not practical during the day," she admits. MacGregor urges her patients to follow an intense nighttime ritual (like applying a layer of Vaseline and wearing cotton gloves) and to use something lighter for day, preferably with an SPF.

Thankfully, plenty of skin-care brands offer lightweight, nutrient-packed options: Feathery formulas from Chanel and Lancôme are rich but fast-absorbing; vitamin C-spiked potions from Clinique and Dermalogica tackle dark spots and brighten skin tone. And in terms of application, it doesn't get much easier than Rodan+Fields's Age Shield Hand Balm SPF 30, an anhydrous glide-on stick that delivers firming peptides, and UV protection in one smooth stroke.

More from Vogue:

Angelina Jolie Through the Years in

Elizabeth Siegel, Allure magazine

You know that a sleek blowout makes your hair reflect light better. You may even own a really good shine spray. But chances are your hair never gets as amazingly, bafflingly shiny as, say, Lauren Conrad's. (And if it does, please don't brag about it.) You can bet she's not just misting on a shine spray and calling it a day. Quite the contrary: The top hairstylists behind each head of hair that you see on the red carpet or in a shampoo commercial have made a science out of creating youthful, natural-seeming, and oftentimes blinding shine. Here are a few of my favorite tricks top hairstylists really use that you can actually do at home.

See more: Top 21 Drugstore Beauty Bargains

Start building shine in the shower. Nope, that doesn't just mean using a shine-enhancing shampoo. Hairstylist Nathaniel Hawkins suggests rinsing apple cider vinegar through your hair at the very end of your shower. "It's acidic, so it seals the cuticle," he explains. Pour

Kate Sullivan, Allure magazine

Thanks to my time here at Allure, my shower looks like a clean version of a Hoarders house of horrors. It's jammed with products-especially facial exfoliators. I like nothing more than the feeling of complete clean that I get from Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment, Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (this amazing powder that I swear will change your face in one use), and my Clarisonic Mia. But I can-and probably do-have too much of a good thing, says dermatologist Ranella Hirsch.

See more: Top 21 Drugstore Beauty Bargains

Convincing people that they're exfoliating too much "is one of my great challenges," laughs Hirsch, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine. "Over-exfoliating is probably the single most significant cause of breakouts. For some reason, people think exfoliating means 'torture my skin like it has secret government information.'" In

People believe that the simplest way to guess the age of a woman is by looking at her hands. As you get older, your skin tends to become more rough and wrinkled. So your hands will give your secret away.

Also, did you know that dry hands can become easily wrinkled? Plus they never feel good. So how can you stop people from guessing your age? You will be relieved to know that with hard work and care, you can always keep your hands and elbows looking smooth and supple. Continue reading this article for the secret to perfect hands.

More Tips From BETTERHEALTHBLOG:

· What Makes Your Skin Appear Dull and How You Can Get the Glow Back

· Top Food Choices to Help Your Skin Glow

· Top Habits That Promotes Premature Skin Aging

· Beauty Treatments for a refreshing skin

· Precautions to Take Now for Perfect Skin During the Winter

By Jessica Conway, GalTime.com

Party season is in full swing! This year, instead of changing up your outfit for each event, why not change up your 'do? Wearing a new hairstyle is a fun, not to mention free, way to switch up your style. Celeb stylist Sherri Jesse gives us the tutorial!

Feeling festive? Braids are awesome for an elegant fix on second day hair. This style can hide your roots if you don't feel like shampooing a blowout. This French braid circles the head once, so French braid your hair upside-down and continue braiding the ends. Wrap around your head and secure with pins. Even if you have a few flyaways, the texture will add romance to your style. (PS: Envision the style below with a single romantic coil, almost like a crown...less runway and more real way!)

Related: Are You Committing Thes 5 Beauty No-Nos?

Feeling naughty? Pull your hair tightly into a high ponytail. Thread the ponytail through a large hair donut (found at any beauty