The Beauty Fixes that Will Change Your Life

Every so often a friend recommends some little tip or product that, in one swoop, clears up your skin or finally makes sense of your hair. We've collected 15 of the best beauty and makeup tricks, from people who really know what they're talking about. Problems, meet your solutions. By Gina Way, REDBOOK.

"I embraced my natural curls-a mix of coarse waves and tighter ringlets-20 years ago, but couldn't figure out how to keep them frizz-free. Then I found that blotting my wet hair with a T-shirt instead of a towel all but eliminates fuzz, because it doesn't create friction. Now I don't let any towel touch my hair." -TIPPI SHORTER, Aveda global artistic director for textured hair and hairstylist who works with Jennifer Hudson

"Contouring the eyes with light and dark shadows makes such a huge difference. I apply a pale shade on the lid, taupe in the crease, and use the darkest color as eyeliner. This helps the eyelid seem bigger, reduces the appearance of puffiness, and just makes your eyes appear younger. And it works on everyone. Try Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening All-in-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in Peach Opulence ($49)." -SANDY LINTER, Lancôme makeup artist who works with Elizabeth Hurley

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"It's hard to fill in your brows evenly, so I discovered that to get the best perspective, take a selfie on your phone. You'll see exactly where you need to use more pencil or powder. Try this and I promise you'll never have uneven brows again." -REBECCA RESTREPO, Elizabeth Arden global makeup artist who works with Alicia Keys

"I created a great method for making eyes look bigger and wide awake: I curl my lashes, then carefully dust loose face powder on them, which gives the hairs more texture and volume. Then I apply mascara, wait 10 minutes for it to dry, and curl them again to really maximize the eye-opening effect. It's magic!" -BRIGITTE REISS-ANDERSEN, makeup artist who works with Michelle Pfeiffer

"The Beautyblender sponge ($19.95) has changed the way my makeup looks. When it came on the market, I thought it was a gimmick, but its shape allows you to squish and mold it to get your foundation into every crevice of your face-something you can't do with a regular makeup sponge or brush. The texture makes any formula go on smooth and seamless, and you can use it for cream blush, too." -MELANIE INGLESSIS, makeup artist who works with Olivia Wilde and Kate Hudson

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"I started taking fish oil every morning-I have a teaspoon of the liquid, but it also comes in capsule form-and noticed that my dry lizard skin became amazingly soft. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are proven to help relieve dryness, itching, and inflammation." -JESSICA WU, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at USC School of Medicine

"I always have a facial mist with me-usually it's Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($18 for 1 oz). I use it on my clients to set their makeup, and it keeps their skin fresh and dewy all day long. It works so well, I pull it out constantly to spritz my own skin." -MYLAH MORALES, makeup artist who works with Rihanna and Jordin Sparks

"I figured out that I can skip foundation and my skin looks great if I exfoliate a few times a week. I do a two-step process. Before bed, I apply a glycolic-acid serum to reduce fine lines. Then, the next morning, I massage my face with a gommage, a cream that gently dissolves dead skin using enzymes-I like Arcona Cranberry Gommage ($44)." -CHANEL JENAE, co-owner of Arcona Studio spa in Santa Monica, CA

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"I massage my scalp regularly by rubbing it all over with a natural-bristle brush. A ton of my hair fell out after my son was born-which is common-and this really helped it get thick again. People are afraid to rub their scalp because they don't want more hair to fall out. Big mistake! Massage boosts blood flow to the hair follicles, which encourages growth." -MARIE ROBINSON, owner of the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City and colorist to Emma Stone and Anne Hathaway

"Adding a bright blush to my makeup routine perked up my entire complexion. As you age, you lose blood vessels in your face, so less oxygen and nutrients are being delivered to the skin-which can make you look sallow. So while it's important to focus on good skin care, I find that a vibrant pink or coral blush, like Pink Swoon by MAC ($21), is the easiest way to get instant radiance." -RENÉE ROULEAU, founder of Renée Rouleau skin care and spas and aesthetician whose clients include Anna Faris and Demi Lovato

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