# Ladies, what's the best beauty advice you've acquired over the years? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633 "2010-03-07T16:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/21 "2010-03-07T22:07:44Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > **Pyper** , I have very curly hair too, but I’ve always heard don’t ever _brush_ it, not comb. I personally use a wide-toothed comb that I only use when my hair is wet and well conditioned, and that seems to separate the curls nicely. Gah, I knew I was going to get called out on word choice. I tend to use “comb” and “brush” interchangeably, but yes, don’t _brush_ curly hair. I use a comb on my wet hair as well. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/22 "2010-03-07T22:10:20Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > 1. Wear sunscreen every single day of your life. Use more of it than you think you need (don’t skimp). > > 2. Hair care: Seconding **Pyper** ,stop using shampoos that have sulfates in them (which is most of them, even high-end ones). Shampoo your hair less frequently – if you wash your hair every day, make it every other day, and so forth. Don’t use products that have silicones (dimethicone, anything -cone) in them because they build up if you don’t have sulfates to strip them away (which you shouldn’t!). Follow this advice and your hair will bless you. 🙂 Before 4 years ago, I washed my hair every day with sulfate-d shampoo and it was coarse, dull, frizzy, and broke all the time. I thought that was just the way my hair was. Then 3-4 years ago, I switched to sulfate-free shampoo (I use Burt’s Bees, but there are other brands out there), and wash 2-3 times a week. Now, when I get my haircut, my stylist always compliments me on how shiny and healthy my hair is – she’s even had other stylists come over and feel my hair, because it’s so soft and healthy. I also use Burt’s Bees shampoo. Unfortunately, I still have to use a conditioner with dimethicone, because I haven’t found any alternative that is moisturizing enough. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/23 "2010-03-07T23:37:15Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > I also use Burt’s Bees shampoo. Unfortunately, I still have to use a conditioner with dimethicone, because I haven’t found any alternative that is moisturizing enough. Any suggestions? I use 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 pint of water as a rinse. After pouring that over your hair, rinse until you no longer smell vinegar. I should probably mention I have butt-length hair and use the whole pint per shampoo - if your hair is significantly shorter you may not need as much. Granted, that’s not “moisturizing” in the usual sense, but if you have chronic dry hair/dry scalp problems try shampooing less often. If, due to exercising, you need to rid your hair of sweat then rinse thoroughly in water in between shampoos. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/24 "2010-03-07T23:58:28Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I’ll be the lone dissenter, and say that I’ve found washing my hair more is better for me (better for the dandruff and all that). You’re not alone. There’s no way I could stand to go more than a day without shampooing my hair. After I workout I am a sweaty mess. I wouldn’t feel clean if I didn’t scrub my scalp with shampoo. I’d feel like I stunk if I didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/25 "2010-03-08T00:16:16Z")
Don’t use expensive sunscreen or facial moisturizer with SPF. Not because it works any better or worse, but because you’ll be more likely to apply it sparingly, making it less effective. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/26 "2010-03-08T00:25:07Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > I also use Burt’s Bees shampoo. Unfortunately, I still have to use a conditioner with dimethicone, because I haven’t found any alternative that is moisturizing enough. Any suggestions? I use [Giovanni Leave-in conditioner](http://www.vitacost.com/Giovanni-Conditioner-Direct-Leave-In-Conditioner) (you can get it at Target), sometimes as a leave-in, but usually just like regular conditioner that I rinse out because it can be kind of heavy. (Giovanni also has a regular rinse-out conditioner, but I haven’t tried it.) Once in a while (maybe 2x a month), I do a vinegar rinse like **Broomstick** suggests. I live in an area with hard water and it causes buildup on my hair after a while, but the vinegar takes care of that really well. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/27 "2010-03-08T00:43:35Z")
Use crystal nail files instead of emery boards because the crystal file cleanly files, not shreds your nails. The directions say not to but I always wet my hair down and then blot till just moist before I color my hair. I find the color easily spreads all over my roots and the color is more even. Also, I wash my hair 2 times a week with a non-sulphate shampoo and rinse with just water the other days of the week. My hair feels and looks a lot softer. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/28 "2010-03-08T01:21:16Z")
“If it takes too long or too much money to fix, it’s something you should accept.” -SerenataMom While I don’t apply that to _everything_ about my appearance, it’s lead me to acceptance. My hair is curly; I could spend an hour everyday drying and straightening it or I could just accept that it’s curly. It’s saved me time and raised my confidence. And confidence is beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/29 "2010-03-08T01:23:01Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Tweeze, shape, and color in your eyebrows- it really makes a big difference. A thousand times yes. Some of us are blessed with perfect eyebrows but I have none to speak of. Coloring in my eyebrows makes a huge difference. That and under eye concealer/brightener. I went through a year in college where I experimented with makeup. It was a lot of fun, but I eventually discovered that the natural look is best. I save the emerald green eyeshadow for nights I plan to spend in drunken darkness. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/30 "2010-03-08T02:36:26Z")
Off topic, but I can give you the worst advice I got. My Mom used to bug me to wear a bra while I slept so my boobs would not get droopy. Recklessly, I went ahead and risked it. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/31 "2010-03-08T05:10:32Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > Wrinkles aren’t what makes skin look older, it’s discoloration. I’ve got to disagree there, wrinkles make skin look old. Or, at least, my hyperpigmentation doesn’t age me nearly as much as my friends’ & acquantances’ wrinkles age them. As far as tips - there’s no such thing as too much moisturizer. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/32 "2010-03-08T08:28:01Z")
A little baby powder sprinkled on the roots of your hair is a quick way to get rid of the “greasies” and postpone a shampoo if you’re in a hurry; it also improves body. If anybody has any good eye cream suggestions please pass them along; I’m 31 and just now at that point where I think I should start using one…but there’s a billion out there and I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/33 "2010-03-08T08:31:37Z")
I think you just have to try a few out and see. Kiehl’s skin care line is pretty good if you’re just looking for good moisturizing. I’ve used Vichy’s eye cream as well with no complaints. PS - [http://www.emakemeup.com](http://www.emakemeup.com) has good makeup/skincare reviews if you want to look up a specific product. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/34 "2010-03-08T15:39:28Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > With skin stuff I go to a dermatologist, I had pretty bad acne so I use a variety of prescription meds for that, but the best thing I have ever used is Retin-A Micro. That stuff makes your skin fabulous, whether you have acne or wrinkles or whatever. It speeds the regeneration of skin cells and increases collagen production, and helps heal sun damage. It’s great, mix it with a moisturizer and slather it on at night and in the morning your skin feels tight and awesome. Of course prescriptions aren’t always an option for some, but I like it a lot. I hope I remember to try this. I have some Retin-A at home I never use, because it fries my skin to the point I can’t go out in public. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/35 "2010-03-08T16:11:45Z")
Perhaps someone can help me out with this. After 20+ years of being a Sun Bunny (lived in Ohio for the first 21 = no sun), I am beginning to see the lines on my face. Right, so when I put on makeup – and I normally don’t wear makeup every day to work, just when I go out – when I finish with a light translucent powder to set everything, the powder is what really brings out the wrinkles. If I just moisturize and do only my eyes (light foundation all over though), then I don’t see the wrinkles. What’s your advice? Try different powder? Don’t use powdery anything? Don’t tell me to stay out of the sun. This is Florida and I am a gardener. I try to remember to use SPF 15 on my face, but I’m not coming in out of the yard to reapply the sunscreen I just sweated off. I just don’t like how my makeup seems to be drawing attention to the normal signs of aging… so I’m either using the wrong makeup, applying it ineptly, or… something. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/36 "2010-03-08T16:12:08Z")
I use the Retin-A Micro, but it’s like Unobtainium as far as my insurance is concerned. My dermatologist has to fill out three times as many forms and then I have to wait as if for the Second Coming to see if they’re going to approve it. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/37 "2010-03-08T16:55:25Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I hope I remember to try this. I have some Retin-A at home I never use, because it fries my skin to the point I can’t go out in public. Make sure you are mixing one pump with a dime-sized amount of moisturizer. Avoid the apples of the cheeks and other sensitive parts of the skin until you get accustomed to it, you will have to build up a tolerance to it. Don’t just slather it on the skin with nothing mixed in, that will burn up your skin like crazy. That being said, try skipping a few days and titrate yourself up to using it daily. Use it on day 1, skip days 2-3, start again on 4, until you can work up to every other day, then every day. It’s worth it. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/38 "2010-03-08T17:11:26Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > Perhaps someone can help me out with this. After 20+ years of being a Sun Bunny (lived in Ohio for the first 21 = no sun), I am beginning to see the lines on my face. Right, so when I put on makeup – and I normally don’t wear makeup every day to work, just when I go out – when I finish with a light translucent powder to set everything, the powder is what really brings out the wrinkles. If I just moisturize and do only my eyes (light foundation all over though), then I don’t see the wrinkles. > > What’s your advice? Try different powder? Don’t use powdery anything? I only use power in my t-zone for the oil, and just a light dusting over my cheeks if I’m wearing a cream blush that needs to be set. If you do need to set colncealer or anything around the eyes, go over it with a cottoball or “dig” (gently) out any that’s gotten into the wrinkles with a makeup swab that has a pointy end (I get them at Sally Beauty). ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/39 "2010-03-08T18:10:42Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Make sure you are mixing one pump with a dime-sized amount of moisturizer. Avoid the apples of the cheeks and other sensitive parts of the skin until you get accustomed to it, you will have to build up a tolerance to it. Don’t just slather it on the skin with nothing mixed in, that will burn up your skin like crazy. > > That being said, try skipping a few days and titrate yourself up to using it daily. Use it on day 1, skip days 2-3, start again on 4, until you can work up to every other day, then every day. It’s worth it. Good luck! I use Retin-A micro but not so much all over the skin. More for when I have a specific break out. I’ve never mixed it, though. Though I’ve used it for years now. Actually, compared to Tazorac, Retin-A’s a godsend. Taz made me red, itchy, and peely as get out! ETA: Another beauty tip that comes straight from Carmindy (What Not to Wear) and her new book is not to get waxed if you’ve been using Retin-A in that area. Though I’ve been known myself to break that rule. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633/40 "2010-03-08T20:36:14Z")
For Retin A (aka tretinion and Retinol), to start out with you use it every 3 nights for two weeks, then every other night for 2 weeks, then try every night. You have to apply it at night for it to work because sunlight destroys it. Wash your face, then wait _at least_ 20 minutes to dry. You squeeze out a pea-sized amount and then apply that to your fingertips. Apply fingertips to face, then spread it out- that is the most economical way of applying any ointment or cream. And for your insurance to pay for it, your doctor would have to tell them that you’re using it for acne or some other medical diagnosis, and that you’ve tried various covered rxs to no avail. Some dr’s offices will do that for you, but it is cosmetic when used for wrinkles and/or dyspigmentation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-whats-the-best-beauty-advice-youve-acquired-over-the-years/531633.md?page=3)