Standing tall, feeling confident, believing in yourself - these are all important ways to feel your best. But as any woman who's ever stood in front of a mirror can tell you, beauty secrets count too!

While the way we look may be only one part of who we are, it is still a part of us. And feeling that you look your best can be a real confidence booster.

Looking your best doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, either. Experts say most of us really only need to pay attention to a few basic beauty secrets - essentials that can help you look and feel great without spending a lot of time or money.

To help you find the beauty tips that really work, WebMD talked to top skin care and beauty experts, who parted with their personal tips for looking great:

Beauty Tip 1: Never Underestimate the Power of Moisturizer

Whether your skin is dry, normal, or even oily, if you can only afford one skin care product, experts say, your dollars will be well spent on a good moisturizer.

"Sometimes, all you really need is a good moisturizer and a mild cleanser, and you can take years off your face," says New York University professor Rhoda Narins, MD, president of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. When skin is dry, says Narins, every wrinkle is accentuated, making you look older.

If you're in your 20s or 30s, doctors say, moisturizers will give you some of the protection you need to keep skin from prematurely aging.

"In your 20s and early 30s, a good moisturizer can take the place of a lot of products," says Park Avenue plastic surgeon Darrick Antell, MD.

So what exactly is a "good" moisturizer? Dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, describes it this way: "It's a product that will do anything from gently adding moisture, to sealing in the moisture you've achieved, to helping your skin produce more moisture - and which type you choose should be based on your skin's individual needs."

If skin is normal to dry, look for moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids. They can help skin produce more moisture on its own, Crutchfield says. Such products include Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Daily Moisturizerand Anew Advanced All In One Cream by Avon.

Products such as AmLactin XL - the over-the-counter version of the prescription cream Lac-Hydrin - not only contain alpha hydroxy acids, but also a new ceramide technology to seal in moisture.

"You put on when you skin is slightly damp, and it locks in all the water," says Crutchfield, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

If skin is very dry, he also suggests products using a technology called vesicular emulsion.

"This technology uses microscopic spheres that are alternating layers of moisture and water that slowly release throughout the day, so you get continual moisturization," says Crutchfield. Products using this type of technology include Atopalm and Curél.

If skin is oily, look for a light, gentle moisturizer - but don't skip this step, cautions Crutchfield.

"Oil is not moisture, and even if you have excess oil you still need moisture," he says. Recommended products include Aveeno with Colloidal Oatmeal, Vanicream Light, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer, or Cetaphil Moisturizer.

Beauty Tip 2: Sunscreen Is Your Best Antiaging Product.

Before you see the plastic surgeon, before you plunk down half a paycheck on that pricey anti-aging cream, in fact, before you do anything, put on sunscreen.

While most of us know it reduces the risk of skin cancer, did you also know it's an amazing beauty secret that can help keep skin looking young?

The reason, say experts, is that when sunscreen blocks out the sun's damaging rays, it also blocks their aging effects.

"The sun impacts collagen production in the skin, and without collagen, skin won't naturally maintain that plump, moist, youthful, wrinkle-free look," says Antell. Get enough sun exposure, he says, and skin will wrinkle long before its time.

Without the protection of sunscreen, just a few minutes of daily sun exposure over the years can cause noticeable changes in how skin looks and feels, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Not only will you see more wrinkles and fine lines, but also more freckles, age spots, and spider veins. Skin itself can look rough and leathery or loose and slack - all thanks to the sun.

Sunscreen can protect your skin from these damaging rays, so that even if you do spend time outdoors, your face is less likely to give away your age.

Crutchfield advises choosing a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Because sun breaks down its effectiveness over time, if you're going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period, reapply every hour or two.

For longer-lasting results, he recommends Melashade, a sunscreen using new technology that remains in force hours longer than most other products.

Another option: Use your regular sunscreen before putting on makeup (it should go on first, before anything). Then, for touch-ups, use a light, translucent mineral powder to add extra protection throughout the day.

"These powders contain a natural sunscreen, and since they generally don't build up on the skin you can keep adding protection all day long," says Crutchfield. Products include Glo Minerals Powder, Neutrogena Healthy Defense Protective Powder, and BareEscentuals Mineral Veil.

Beauty Tip 3: Choose Your Cleanser Wisely

If you're a "soap and water" girl (or guy), you may want to rethink your cleansing strategy. Dermatologists say that one of the best beauty tips around is to use the gentlest cleanser you can find - and use it sparingly.

"While the temptation may be great to wash your face several times a day (or more if skin is oily), not only will over-cleansing not help you, if you're using a harsh product - particularly soap - you could be harming your skin," says Crutchfield.

Wash your face too often - more than twice a day - and you can damage the natural lipid barrier, the protectivemantle of lubrication that keeps skin looking and feeling healthy.

"Once that protection is lost, and the integrity of the skin barrier disrupted, skin becomes dry - which means it can crack, peel, itch, burn, sting, or any combination," says Crutchfield. It also means you can look older than your years.

The solution: Wash skin no more than twice a day and choose your cleanser wisely. Crutchfield's three top favorites: Dove Unscented Bar, Cetaphil, and Vanicream Cleanser.

Beauty Tip 4: Use the Right Tools for the Right Job

You can have the best eyeshadow money can buy, the world's most luxurious foundation, a bronzer straight from the cosmetic bag of a supermodel. But if you don't have the right tools to apply them, their benefits will be lost. That's the advice of Smashbox Cosmetic's director of global artistry, Holly Mordini.

"Using the right brushes, the right application tools - it's key to making the products go on the way they are intended and to give you the look that you want. For a professional makeup artist, the tools are as important as the products," says Mordini, who has painted and puffed some of Hollywood's most famous faces.

What constitutes the "right" tools? Brushes should be soft and feel gentle on the skin, but also have substance so the product can be moved to the surface of your skin. If you dip a brush in shadow or blush and the color falls off before you make it to your face, that's a bad brush, experts say.

If you don't know what to buy, you can't go wrong if you purchase the tools sold with a high-quality beauty line, Mordini says. Most, she says, are created to give your application a professional touch and to work best with each product in the line.

"It also makes putting on makeup incredibly easy, plus it's often what sets apart women who have the 'professional makeup look' and those that don't," she says.

Beauty Tip 5: Update Hair and Makeup Every 2 Years

If you walk into your high school reunion and hear a chorus of "You haven't changed a bit," run, run, RUN to the nearest beauty salon!

Experts say that if you can't even remember the last time you changed your hair and makeup, it's way overdue.

"Ideally, your image, including hair and makeup, should be updated at least every two years - and sooner if the styles change dramatically," says Beverly Hills hair expert and QVC personality Nick Chavez.

By keeping your look current, says Chavez, you also look younger and more modern. "Nothing dates a woman more than outdated hair and makeup," says Chavez.

If it's been a while since you've had a change, visit the makeup counters at your favorite department or beauty store, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Most of the better lines are sold by makeup artists who can quickly catch you up on what's new.

To find the best new hairstyle without commitment, try wig shopping! It's a fun, fast, and easy way to try on styles and even colors before making a hair appointment.

要站直、要自信、要相信自己－－这些都是让你感觉状态最佳的好方法。但是就像任何照过镜子的女人会对你说的，美容的秘诀也同样重要！

虽然外表的样子只是我们真正自我的一部分，它"依旧"是我们的一部分。因此，感觉到自己外表处于最佳状态真的能鼓舞你的自信。

让你外表处于最佳状态不一定是很复杂的过程，也没必要花费很多金钱。专家说，我们多数人实际上只需要关心一下几个基本的美容秘诀－－这些要领可以帮你看起来漂亮、感觉不错，而又不用花很多时间和金钱。

为了帮助你找到真正有效的美容窍门，WebMD采访了顶尖的皮肤护理和美容专家，他们传授了各自让人看起来漂亮的窍门：

美容秘诀之一：决不要低估润肤霜的作用

无论你的皮肤是干性的、中性的、或是油性的，如果你只买得起一种皮肤护理用品，专家说，你的钱花在品质好的润肤霜上将是最划算的。

"有时候，只需要一种品质好的润肤霜和一种温和的洗面霜，你就能让自己年轻好几岁，"纽约大学教授、美国皮肤外科学会会长、医学博士罗达·内林斯说。如果皮肤是干性的，她说，每个皱纹都会很显眼，让你显得更老。

如果你还是20来岁或30来岁，医生说，润肤霜能给你一些必需的保护，使你的皮肤不致早衰。

公园大街整形外科医生德里克·安泰尔博士说，"对20来岁到30岁出头的人来说，好品质的润肤霜能替代很多美容产品。"

究竟怎么样才是一种"品质好的"润肤霜呢？皮肤科专家查尔斯·E·科兰驰菲尔德三世博士这样说："品质好的润肤霜产品，能够轻微地增加皮肤水分、保持皮肤现有水分、并促进皮肤分泌更多水分－－你选择哪一类润肤霜取决于你个人皮肤的需要。"

如果皮肤是中性到干性的，你要找一找包含AHA果酸的润肤霜。AHA果酸能够帮助皮肤自己产生更多的水分，科兰驰菲尔德说。这样的产品包括露得清（Neutrogena）的高级日常润肤解决方案和雅芳（AVON）的新活高效全能护肤霜。

其它产品，如AmLactin XL（强效保湿露）－－处方药膏LacHydrin的OTC柜台销售型－－不仅包含AHA果酸，还使用了新型的神经酰胺技术来保持皮肤的水分。

明尼苏达大学医学院临床皮肤学副教授科兰驰菲尔德说，"当你皮肤有些湿时涂上润肤霜，它就能锁住皮肤中的水分。"

如果皮肤非常干燥，他建议使用那些采用了被称为泡状乳剂技术的产品。

科兰驰菲尔德说，"这项技术利用微泡来改变皮肤水分层，水在一天中缓慢释放，因此皮肤就能得到持久的湿润。"使用了这类技术的产品包括爱多康（Atopalm）和花王的Curel系列。

如果皮肤是油性的，选用一种轻微、柔和的润肤霜－－但是不要跳过这一步，科兰驰菲尔德警告说。

他说，"油不是水分，即使你的皮肤分泌的油脂过多，也是需要水分的。"推荐的产品包括Aveeno的胶原燕麦，薇霓肌本清新保湿（Vanicream Light），露得清（Neutrogena）去油保湿露，或舒特服（Cetaphil）润肤露。

美容秘诀之二：防晒霜是最好的抗衰老产品

在你去看整形医生之前，在你花掉一半薪水在昂贵的抗衰老霜上之前，事实上，在你采取一切行动之前，先涂上防晒霜。

虽然我们多数人都知道防晒霜能减少患皮肤癌的机率，你知道它也是一种神奇的、能使你皮肤显得年轻的美容秘诀吗？

专家说，其原因是，当防晒霜阻止阳光的破坏性射线时，它也能阻止阳光的衰老影响。

安泰尔说，"阳光影响皮肤中胶原的生成，而没有胶原，皮肤就不能自然地维持其丰满、湿润、年轻、光滑的样子。"在阳光下暴露足够久，皮肤的皱纹就会出现得早得多。

根据美国皮肤学会的说法，没有防晒霜的保护，哪怕每天只有几分钟暴露在阳光下，经过一些年，皮肤的样子和感觉也会发生显著变化。

皮肤不仅会看起来有更多的皱纹和细线，还会出现更多的雀斑、老人斑和蛛网状血管。皮肤本身会显得粗糙，象皮革一样坚韧，或是松驰下垂－－这都是因为阳光。

防晒霜能保护你的皮肤不受这些破坏射线的影响，因此即使你在户外待很久，你的脸也不太可能泄露你的年龄。

科兰驰菲尔德建议选择防日光系数（SPF）在15以上的防晒霜。因为阳光会逐渐减弱防晒霜的效果，如果你打算在直射的阳光下多待一段时间，每一两个小时重新涂一下防晒霜。

想要长时间保持的防晒效果，他建议使用Melashade，一种采用新技术的防晒霜，有效时间比其它产品要长几个小时。

另一种选择：在化妆前使用你常用的防晒霜（化妆前第一步涂防晒霜）。然后，在补妆时，轻轻地用半透明的矿物粉来增加全天的额外保护。

"这些矿物粉包含一种天然的防晒层，因为它们不堆积在皮肤上，你可以在一天中不断地添加保护，"科兰驰菲尔德说。相关产品包括Glo 矿物粉，露得清（Neutrogena）健康防护护肤粉，和BareEscentuals矿物膜。

美容秘诀之三：明智地选用洗面乳

如果你是一位"肥皂加水型"的女孩（或男孩），你可能需要重新想想你的洗脸方法。皮肤学家们说，最好的一个美容窍门就是使用尽可能柔和的洗面乳－－还要尽可能少用。

科兰驰菲尔德说，"虽然你可能会觉得每天洗几次脸不错（如果是油性皮肤，可能次数更多）；过度的清洗不仅对你无益，如果你使用强烈作用的产品－－尤其是肥皂－－你就可能伤害到皮肤。"

洗脸过勤－－一天两次以上－－你就可能损害皮肤天然的液体屏障，一种使皮肤看起来、摸起来健康的液体保护覆盖层。

"一旦保护层丧失，皮肤的整体屏障就受到破坏，皮肤变干－－这意味着皮肤会开裂、起皮、发痒、灼痛、刺痛或各种组合的情况，"科兰驰菲尔德说。这也意味着你比实际年龄看起来要老。

解决办法：每天洗脸不超过两次，明智地选择你的洗面霜。科兰驰菲尔德最喜欢的三种产品：德芙（Dove）无味皂，舒特服，薇霓肌本洗面膏。

美容秘诀之四：使用合适的化妆用具

你能得到用钱买得到的最好的眼影膏，世界上最奢侈的地基，一种直接从超级模特的化妆袋里拿来的铜色化妆品。但是如果你没有使用这些化妆品的合适工具，你就不能得到他们的好处。这是SmashBox的化妆全球艺术总监，霍莉·莫蒂妮的建议。

"使用合适的彩妆刷，合适的化妆工具－－这是让化妆品能正确使用，让你得到想要的化妆效果的关键。对职业化妆师来说，化妆工具同化妆品同等重要。"莫蒂妮说。她为好莱坞一些最著名的大明星化过妆。

什么构成"合适"的工具呢？专家说，彩妆刷应该柔软，让皮肤感觉柔和；同时，它还要有能将化妆品敷到皮肤上去的材质。如果把刷子沾上眼影粉或胭脂，还没敷到脸上粉就掉了。这就不是好刷子。

如果你不知道买什么工具，你买那些与优质美容产品系列一齐销售的工具就不会错，莫蒂妮说，多数是专门设计出来让你获得专业的化妆效果，同该系列美容品最相称的工具。

她说，"（好的工具）也能使化妆变得极其容易，而且，它们也经常是把脸上有'专业化妆效果'的妇女和那些没有这些效果的人区分开的关键。"

美容秘诀之五：每两年改变一下你的发型和妆面

如果你走进高中老校友的聚会，听见一群人说"你一点也没变"，快跑、快跑、快跑去最近的美容沙龙。

专家说，如果你甚至记不得最近一次改变发型和化妆方式是什么时候，它绝对是太过时了。

"理想情况下，你的形象，包括发型和化妆应该至少每两年改变一次－－如果化妆的风格变化剧烈的话，还得变得快一些。"贝弗利山的美发专家和QVC（美国著名电视购物频道）名人尼克·查维斯说。

让你的外貌符合潮流，查维斯说，你也就显得更年轻、更时髦。"没有什么比过时的发型和化妆让一个女人显得更落伍的了。"

如果你已经有一段时间没改变过化妆了，去你喜欢的百货商店或美容商店的化妆柜台看看，别不敢张嘴寻求帮助。多数高档一些的美容系列产品是由化妆师来卖的，她们能很快地让你赶上最新的潮流。

要找最新最好的发型又不想急着拿定主意，到假发商店试试。这很有意思，又好玩、还方便，你能尝试不同的发型，甚至不同的颜色，然后你再去预约做头发。
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