The 9 Best Beauty Tricks I’ve Learned After 10 Years As A Beauty Editor

Since I began working in the beauty industry in 2007, things have changed dramatically. Since 2007, when the iPhone was first introduced, beauty has changed a lot since then. After a decade of working with products and testing tools and interviewing many makeup artists, hairstylists and nail artists, as well as dermatologists and estheticians I have seen many beauty trends change. However, I have accumulated a wealth of tips and tricks that have changed the way I look after my hair and skin. These are the 19 most valuable pieces of beauty advice I have accumulated over my many years in the business.

1. Keep your nail polish and eye cream in the fridge.

Tubes with metal tips are used to sell eye creams. The metal cools the skin and helps reduce puffiness. You can also store any old eye cream in your refrigerator to achieve the same effect. During the summer, I do this with my can’t-live-without-it Yes To Coconuts Ultra Hydrating Overnight Eye Balm ($16, ulta.com), but it works with any formula. It is also a good place to keep nail polish as it doesn’t thicken over time.

2. Layer your skin-care products in layers, from the smallest to the most complex.

Think of your skin as a sponge. It should absorb all the products you apply to it. It’s essential to layer properly. Start with the lighter, less oily products and then add the heavier creams or oils. Oils seal in products that have been applied before. If you start with oil, and then add a lighter Hyaluronic Acid serum to it, you won’t see the amazing HA benefits.

3. In less than two minutes, you can curl your whole head with an iron.

This one trick has been my best friend over the years. My hair used to be cut into sections of one inch and then rolled with the curling iron. This hack from Pinterest has reduced styling time by only two minutes. You can either blow dry your hair straight or let it air dry. Then, put it in a ponytail on top of your head and divide it into four equal sections. After you’ve finished your morning commute, roll the wand around and spray some texturizing oil on each section. An easy-to-use curler is the Eva NYC 25mm Tourmaline Clipless Curling Wax ($60, Target.com).

4. Bold lipsticks are powerful.

I don’t know how many times makeup artists told me lipstick was their “desert islands” beauty product choice. Before I started my career, I was a huge fan of mascara. I’m not as obsessed with mascara now. It turns out that a lipstick, particularly one bold (I love a hot magenta and coral in summer; a classic roe in winter), can be applied to the apples of the cheeks and the lids. This creates a monochromatic look that you can put together in a matter of seconds. This is a common look that I do with any lipstick I have. You can also use a different lipstick to achieve a neutral look if you aren’t keen on the idea of one-color-fits all. Tom Ford Lips & Boys, Thomas (USD36, Sephora.com) is my go-to.

5. Do not touch your face unless absolutely necessary. Your hands are GRUBBY.

Hand sanitizer doesn’t count at all. This tip may be too serious for me, as I am a little scared of having others touch my face. Your hands can get really dirty. If you just hold your chin in thought or place your hand on your cheek, you are actually spreading germs and creating a potential hazard.

6. Setting spray is a way to live.

Makeup primer is your best friend to prepare your skin for makeup application. Setting spray is even better. Setting spray is a great way to keep your makeup in place after you have finished. You can also try one that has additional benefits like Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray (31 USD, ) which cools and hydrates the skin or CoverFX Illuminating Setting Spray (31 USD, , sephora.com), giving dull complexions an ethereal glow.

7. Do not double- or triple-process your hair as I did.

In my nearly 33 years of hair experience, I have made many hair mistakes. My hair was naturally light blonde. It turned green every summer when I started swimming. It had become darker and curlier by the time I was a teenager. This was especially distressing in the 1990s, when hair was straightened and my hair had a Jewish frizz pattern that was difficult to manage. I began getting highlights at a young age (15, okay, I’ll tell ya). The Japanese straightening process was already in place by the time I turned 17. That was also what I did. What happened? My hair almost fell off. I had hair in a variety of lengths and textures. I didn’t learn my lessons and I probably won’t ever learn again. Today, I have keratin treatments and highlight my naturally dark hair. It’s not because I can’t fix it. Treat your hair well. Take care of your hair.

8. Apply a gel-like topcoat to every manicure.

Manicurists have looked at me oddly because I carry a gel-like topcoat everywhere. You can use regular nail polish or one of these topcoats for gel-like results. This gives regular nail polish a hard, clear, lacquered coat. If you keep it topped off every other day, it will last twice as long.

9. An offense of facial oils is the best defense against oily skin.

You can’t fix oily skin. It’s something you must manage. Face oil is the best way to moisturize oily skin. It is important to choose the right oil for your skin. Grapeseed oil, for example, is light and rich in antioxidants. This makes it an ideal oil to use before applying sunscreen. Tea tree oil, for example, is able to fight inflammation, bacteria and sebum buildup. Oils such as Sunday Riley U.F.O. have anti-inflammatory properties. Ultra-Clarifying Facial Oil ($80, sephora.com) has been a staple in my medicine cabinet.