I've had makeup artists out the wazoo do my makeup, but if I'm heading out for low-key dinner or drinks with girlfriends, I'm doing my face by myself… in my closet. Yep, I'm that kind of girl - holed up and testing out makeup techniques, sometimes when I can't sleep.

I'm letting you in on the best makeup tips that work for me, but you've got to find out what works for you, no matter what a department store or makeup artist tells you. Just do the best you can!

Here are a few easy tips that work really well:

• Sweep SPF 30 onto your face using a makeup brush to spread the sunscreen evenly; use a retractable one if you're on the go. My dermatologist says any SPF over 30 is a scam and will get you the same level of sun protection.

• Don't use sponges for foundation - they just suck up all the product. Brushes are way better. I put a tiny bit in my hand and dip the brush into it that way before applying it to my face, making sure to do the neck.

• A small Sonia Kashuk

Break these 12 beauty rulesRules were made to be broken! Update your routine with these new and improved beauty standards.

Old rule #1: Steer clear of blue shadows.
Blue shadows get a bad rap for looking tacky. Sure they're harder to pull off than neutral shades, but it can be done - and with beautiful effect. For fairer complexions, a sheer wash of pastel blue with hints of gray can help enhance eyes, says Petra Strand, founder of Pixi cosmetics. Olive and medium skin tones can handle bejeweled-laden lids, while darker skin tones can get away with rich, vibrant pops of statement blues. Experiment with a palette, like Yves Saint Laurent Ombres 5 Lumieres 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes in 5 Riviera ($51, amazon.com), that houses a wide range, from dusty blue to navy.

If you've got a stunning pair of baby blue eyes, avoid matching the shadow to your irises. Pair a pastel with dark blue eyes and navy with lighter eyes for contrast.

Related: 6 Rules For Wearing Red Lipstick

Old rule #2: Wear bronzer only in summer.

Forget merely masking odors and disguising greasy roots-in our opinion, the real purpose of dry shampoo is to make hair look freshly washed without any of the the work. Us lazy? Never! We've just got more exciting ways to spend our time than shampooing, conditioning, and styling every day. Wanna trim 30 minutes off your morning beauty routine? Try one of our top five dry shampoos. We've seriously tried them all, and these do not disappoint. By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor

Previous favorites: Top 5 Little White Dresses, Top 5 Body Lotions, Top 5 Stylish Sneakers, Top 5 Denim Dresses, Top 5 Spring Nail Colors, Top 5 Metallic Sandals, Top 5 Mascaras, Top 5 Umbrellas, Top 5 Mirrored Sunglasses, Top 5 Red Lipsticks, Top 5 Spring Clutches, Top 5 Pink Blushes, Top 5 Cap-toe Flats

Fabio Heizenreder By Danielle Gray

Just when you thought you were cleared of the allergy season, here comes a whole new set of allergens in the summer months: higher pollen counts, weeds, mold, and insect bites can bring on a steady string of reactions. Summer is supposed to be all about laying on the beach, dipping in the pool, and showing off your gams in those short-shorts-not doubled over indoors nursing a box of tissue because your eyes and nose won't stop running. So what's a girl to do when all she wants is to work on her tan and stay pretty all summer but summer allergies are throwing a monkey wrench in her game?


Go makeup free

Use this time to show the world that you still look fabulous even without the war paint. Keep your brows groomed though to help frame that gorgeous face of yours. But if you can't do without makeup, try these four other tips.

Related: How to Wear Your Hair and Makeup in the Heat

OK, so going makeup free may be a stretch for some of us (I just

From must-try hairstyles to making green juice work for your complexion, get warm weather-ready with 15 of-the-moment ideas. By Holly Corbett, REDBOOK.

Go for a top knot style
"With inspiration from celebrities like Jessica Alba and Kourtney Kardashian, this hairdo is a go-to this season, perfect for day or night," says Adrianne Johnston, a stylist at Chicago's Maxine Salon. "Pulling up long hair is a must for women during the warmer months, and the top knot is a confident, sexy style." Johnston says the key to achieving the perfect top knot is to not pull it too tightly - if you do, it will look severe and painful rather than fun and effortless. Keeping the knot looser will also add dimension and show off your color. Then, spread it out a bit with your fingers. "Sunlight will hit the knot and look spectacular," says Johnston.

Paint your digits in pastels
"Pastels are the hot trend for spring and summer in fashion and beauty. We're seeing lots of manicure and pedicure looks

by Lindsay Colameo



Courtesy Of Simple Skin Care, Courtesy Of Cecilia Wong, Courtesy Of Jurlique, and Roger Cabello For someone who has access to powerful serums, luxurious cleansers, and rich moisturizers, you'd be surprised by how simple my skin-care routine is: cleanser, moisturizer (and SPF), and the occasional mask or eye cream. It wasn't until recently, when my aesthetician recommended incorporating a toner to balance my slightly oily/slightly dry T-zone, that a new product took a spot in my starting lineup. It turns out toners have come a long way since their association with acne-plagued teenagers and the distinct astringent scent of Sea Breeze. While I love the refreshing aspect of a toner, I was less sure about its other benefits. So I spoke to Erin Gilbert, a New York City dermatologist, and Ruthie Harper, of the Laser and Skincare Clinic in Austin and founder of SkinShift Skin Care, to find out more.

What's the story with toners? They seem misunderstood. "The old story on toners was one of pH balancing and removing the stuff from your face that your cleanser didn't,

Courtesy Photo; Time Inc. Digital Studio; Getty Images for SwarovskiAt first glance, Hailee Steinfeld's lipstick from last night's CFDA Awards may look like a cross between tangerine and coral, but it's actually a closer match to the persimmon fruit. "It's more playful, fun, and less formal than the classic red," Steinfeld's makeup artist Nick Barose told us. "To complement her Suno dress, I used my favorite summer color, persimmon for her lips." Barose picked Chanel's Rouge Allure Lipstick in Excentrique on the star, and by coincidence, Steinfeld's hue also matched the red carpet's color palette. "I swear I didn't get the memo-great minds just think alike!" Barose joked. He applied the color straight from the tube, then cleaned up around the edges using a cotton swab. Pick up a tube for $34 at chanel.com.

MORE:
• Hailee Steinfeld's Lipstick at the CFDA Awards
• Our Favorite Celebrity Lipsticks
• The Perfect Pedicure for Every Summer Sandal
• 20 Most Annoying Beauty Problems Solved
• 2013 CFDA Awards: What Everyone Wore

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By Kristin Booker, Beauty High Summer's finally here and it's time to throw on the bathing suit and soak up some fun in the sun. At the end of the day, we love basking in the glow of a great day in fresh air, slightly sunkissed skin (courtesy of lots of SPF) and, if we're lucky, perfect beach waves.

The best part about beach waves is that you don't have to be anywhere near the beach (or the sun, for that matter) to get them. We've rounded up our favorite surf sprays to help you get the look whether you're landlocked or sitting on the sand. Take a look through our picks for best beach sprays and get inspired to rock your own summer take on the look. Surf's up!

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