Best-Kept Beauty Secrets

Wish you had the inside scoop on getting great hair or makeup? We've got 140 of the best kept beauty secrets just for you!

Best Kept Hair Secrets

Curling hair away from your face gives your waves a beachy, windblown look. –Sent by @jmarteca on Twitter
Apply coconut oil to your scalp and hair once a month for a few hours as a deep-conditioning treatment. Your hair will look healthy and shiny. –Sent by @beautybuffblog on Twitter
If you have curly hair, braid it in single braids all over and leave in overnight. In the morning, unbraid for beautiful curls. –Sent by @cassyviolet on Twitter
To get more volume, spritz roots with Bumble and Bumble thickening spray and insert metal clips in sections of hair at the root to encourage lift while your hair dries. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
The best way to be in control of curly hair is not to fuss with it when wet. Comb your hair in the shower and handle with care afterward to prevent frizz. Get rid of excess water by pressing hair against a towel rather than squeezing or twisting, which will rough up the cuticle. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
Put a cup of mayonnaise in your hair to soften it. Leave it in all night and shampoo it out the next morning for super-soft strands. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Vanessa Bronfman
I love Paul Mitchell The Conditioner. It's great for thick hair, giving it definition without leaving it sticky and hard. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Nina Laing
Time for a haircut? Consult with your stylist, always! Be sure to consider face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle! –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com
Use a silk pillowcase. Certain fabrics can dry out your hair, causing friction and making it more prone to breakage. –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com
Trimming your hair won't make it grow, but it will keep your haircut's shape and prevent damaged, split ends. –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com
When lightening dyed hair, oil treatments work best. Leave the bleaching to the professionals because if used incorrectly, bleach can cause serious damage to your hair. –Sent by Sharon Dorram-Krause, Nexxus color director
Lemon juice is a natural alternative to lighten hair in the summer, but will only work if you apply the juice and then expose your hair to the sun for an extended period of time. -Sent by Sharon Dorram-Krause, Nexxus color director
The best way to fix a dye job that turns your hair more orange than blonde is to treat hair with an ash shade of semi-permanent color. Depending on your hair type you can use dark ash blonde, light ash brown, medium ash brown, or a combination of all three. Leave the color on for five to 10 minutes to help neutralize the brassiness. -Sent by Sharon Dorram-Krause, Nexxus color director
To make an updo last all night, it must have a strong foundation. Use lots of bobby pins, and pin and wrap in a concise and controlled manner to get ultimate hold. If you are looking for a messier updo, leave the ends out and tease. –Sent by James Corbett, James Corbett Studio and Spa
For color gone so wrong you have to go to the stylist to lighten it with highlights, ask for two to three shades lighter than your current color. -Sent by Sharon Dorram-Krause, Nexxus color director
Use braids as a small accent to avoid looking like a Swiss Miss. -Sent by James Corbett, James Corbett Studio and Spa
For soft waves, apply a setting lotion to each section of hair before wrapping it around a curling iron. It makes hair easy to work with and will reinforce the shape. –Sent by Danilo, Pantene celebrity stylist
To get as much texture as you can out of your pixie cut, avoid ingredients like petroleum or castor oil, which can be sticky and weigh hair down. –Sent by James Corbett, James Corbett Studio and Spa
Short cuts need movement. To avoid getting a bowl cut, ask your stylist for a few more angles in the front. -Sent by James Corbett, James Corbett Studio and Spa
Lighter highlights around the frame of your face will make you look instantly younger with a glowing complexion. -Sent by James Corbett, James Corbett Studio and Spa
Short, polished looks can take longer to style than long hair. Opt for long layers instead of a bob if you don't have time to flat-iron every day. –Sent by Mark Townsend, Matrix celebrity stylist
To keep a shorter cut swept up, spray a bit of hair spray onto a clean mascara wand and use it to comb flyaways. –Sent by Mark Townsend, Matrix celebrity stylist
A bob with bangs is classic, chic, and ideal for thin hair. -Sent by Mark Townsend, Matrix celebrity stylist
Ponytails are best to style when your hair is a little dirty. If you're worried your hair will look too greasy, apply some dry shampoo prior to styling. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Lauren Finney
For a flattering cut, add angles only in the back and go for longer bangs, rather than short and blunt, for an anti-aging effect. –Sent by TJ Riggs, international artistic director at large for TIGI
If your hair has a bold color, the cut should be a little more conservative. -Sent by Marie Robinson, Sally Hershberger Salon
Fess up to your stylist if you've gone somewhere else, especially if you had a chemical treatment somewhere that could interfere with what your current stylist is trying to do. –Sent by Luden Henriquez, Rita Hazan Salon
For blondes and redheads touching up roots in between salon appointments, Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch Up is easy to use and will match almost any dye job. –Sent by Marie Robinson, Sally Hershberger Salon
If you are a blonde with noticeable roots, apply dry shampoo or baby powder to cover them up. –Sent by Marie Robinson, Sally Hershberger Salon
It's OK if your at-home highlights aren't straight. You'd never get ruler-straight, evenly spaced streaks naturally from the sun, so don't paint them on that way. At home, keep highlights between 1/8- and 1/4-inch thick, and concentrate them at your hairline, since those pieces will brighten your face. –Sent by Andrea Lavinthal, RealBeauty.com
To hide split ends, apply a shine serum to damp ends and blow-dry using a paddle brush and aiming the nozzle downward. –Sent by Andrea Lavinthal, RealBeauty.com
Try the new Sulfur 8 Fresh line's hair lotion. This wonderful product is formulated with panthenol, jojoba oil, and aloe. It moisturizes and adds sheen to dry, brittle hair and braids, is nongreasy, and has a fresh scent. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
For curly hair, don't rinse out the conditioner completely — this trick allows you to control the frizz from the minute you get out of the shower. Follow with your usual styling product. –Sent by Yesenia Almonte, Seventeen
If you have a round face, choose a hairstyle that has height in the crown area to create the appearance of a longer, slimmer face. Relaxed hair can be shampooed, conditioned, and blow-dried straight. Next, cut in layers and bevel. A rake comb can be used to separate the layers. Use spritz for hold and sheen for shine. –Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
To lighten Asian hair a few shades lighter than your natural color, be sure to choose a cool, ash-based medium brown color (it will have the words "cool," "ash," or "smoky" on the box). Ash tones are usually blue- or green-based to prevent hair from turning too red or orange as it's lifting. –Sent by Marie Robinson, Sally Hershberger Salon
You might be surprised to know that Asian hair actually keeps a curl very well. Asian hair cuticles immediately take to the use of a curling iron — not to mention that a permanent wave can be manipulated easier than one may think. The trick is using a product to help hold the curl. –Sent by Ryoji Imaizumi, creative director of Shu Uemura Art of Hair
Washing natural African American hair with the proper shampoos is essential for keeping it healthy. Use moisturizing shampoos that don't strip the hair of its natural oils. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
It's much easier for natural hair to become brittle and break if it is not properly moisturized and conditioned. Deep-condition weekly for natural hair that thrives! –Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
When natural hair is wet, it's in its most fragile state. When shampooing and conditioning, treat the hair gently. Do not wring it roughly on the top of the head. Instead, use the fingertips to massage shampoo and conditioner into the scalp and then rinse. –Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
Another way to prevent tangles in your hair is to comb conditioner through it before you shampoo. This gets the hair tangle-free before cleansing. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
Always use a wide-tooth comb whenever you comb through natural hair. Wide-tooth combs are best to use on natural hair in order to prevent snagging and breaking. –Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
A heat cap can be used with a conditioner or hot-oil treatment to keep natural hair soft and silky. Liquid oils are very beneficial for natural African American hair. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
Hair normally grows up to 1 inch per month. Many factors, including diet, hair care, and genetics, have an impact on hair growth. Nourishing the roots is important to help increase circulation. Massage the scalp to help promote hair growth, but be gentle. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair
Use a hair-care line that is healthy for your natural hair. A good product line helps you maintain your length by preventing breakage. Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil line has therapeutic properties that contribute to the ongoing nourishment of natural hair. -Sent by Adrienne Moore, Hype Hair

Easy How-to Makeup

Put a dab of foundation in the center of your lips before you apply your lipstick to keep the color and bring out the richness. –Sent by @beautybuffblog on Twitter
Apply makeup and tweeze your eyebrows in natural sunlight. –Sent by @beautybuffblog on Twitter
Your eyebrows are sisters, not twins! They will not look perfectly identical after waxing or tweezing. –Sent by @MischoBeauty on Twitter
Troy Surrat once told me the key to wearing red lipstick is prepping the lip with a matching red liner. It keeps the color from running and gives it a finished, glamorous look. –Sent by Bryn Kenny, Dior Beauty
Stay out of eyebrow rehab: Don't overpluck! When in doubt, leave it instead of tweezing it. You can always go back later. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Abbe Wright
Use your makeup to play up what you have. Your face is the first thing you put forward to the world, so it's great when you can use makeup to show off your personality. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Abbe Wright
Use an old business card to put between your skin and your bottom lashes when applying mascara to prevent any smudges and stray marks on your skin. –Sent by Ashley Mallinson, Robert Verdi Inc.
The Jouer Essential Lip Enhancers are addicting. They are compact enough to fit in your purse but still have everything I need. Since they clip together, I don't lose the lip gloss every time I go out. –Sent by Ashley Mallinson, Robert Verdi Inc.
Apply a dash of pearly white shadow to the inner corners of your eyes for an instant wake-me-up look. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
The best application tool is your fingertips. Brushes can be clunky and expensive. I get more saturated color when applying shadow with my fingers. It also makes blending a cinch. -Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
For sexy lashes that go for miles, curl them with a curler and apply mascara from root to tip. Once mascara is dry, curl lashes again. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
For tired, red eyes, grab a white eyeliner and run it along the inner rim of your eyes. -Sent by Lesley Ellen Mirza, lipstickpowdernpaint.com
For a fresh, almost bitten look and a pop of color, pat lipstick onto your lips with your finger. -Sent by Lesley Ellen Mirza, lipstickpowdernpaint.com
A couple of coats of your favorite mascara on just the top lashes makes your eyes seem much larger. -Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
Dust a little shimmer on top of two to three coats of mascara to look awake and alert. –Sent by Dara Klein, Dara Mascara
The first and foremost important thing to having great eyelashes is having the right curler. Everyone should have a Shu Uemura curler in their bag! –Sent by Marni Giannotti, makeup artist
Hold a compact mirror under your chin and look down into the mirror when you're applying mascara. Go from root to tip and curl from the inside. This gets the bottom lashes too for an even application. This tip comes from a book Brooke Shields wrote in the '80s (On Your Own), and I still use it to this day! -Sent by Marni Giannotti, makeup artist
A lazy trick to applying mascara is to hold the brush up to your lid and blink many times into the brush until your lashes are coated. -Sent by Marni Giannotti, makeup artist
I blow my lashes with a blow-dryer after putting on my mascara to get them to fan out and widen my eyes. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Karla Gonzalez
For olive skin, opt for a blush in petal pinks or deep, peachy corals. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
For darker skin tones, pick a bright plum or deep shade of red to brighten your cheeks. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
If you are wearing a bold lip or eye, play down the rest of your features and don't wear a super-bright blush. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
Shimmer powder can be worn by any skin type! It will make you skin look instantly youthful. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
To make blush last all day, start with a makeup primer, then foundation, then blush. If you have oily skin, apply translucent loose powder on top for extra hold. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
No matter what your face shape is, blush should be applied to the apples of your cheeks and then gently brushed up your cheekbone toward the hairline. -Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
Pair blush with a layer of bronzer for even more pop. -Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
To determine the best blush color for your skin tone, pinch your cheeks to see what color naturally occurs. Some will have more pink undertones and some will have a more peach-based color. –Sent by Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist
When applying shimmer powder, only use it on the apples of your cheeks as it can often accentuate and magnify wrinkles and fine lines. –Sent by Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist
If you have a fairer skin tone, use bold blush sparingly and apply gently so you create a sheer wash of color rather than a streak. –Sent by Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist
If you want to apply shimmer, go for silver-toned colors for lighter skin and gold-based colors for darker skin tones. -Sent by Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist

Quick Skin Fixes

For women with oily skin, use a waterproof mascara. This will help prevent the mascara from running underneath your eyes in the middle of the day and creating dark circles that aren't even there. Make sure you also have a good eye makeup remover to take it off at night. -Sent by Marni Giannotti, makeup artist
To remove nail stains, soak your nails in a solution of water and denture whitening tablets such as Polident. –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com
If you have dry skin, choose a crème blush. This formula has the most moisture. –Sent by Kimara Ahnert, Kimara Ahnert Cosmetics
Use baby oil on damp skin. It will absorb better and be twice as effective to soften your skin while costing a quarter of the price. –Sent by @beautybuffblog on Twitter
Buy organic rice and wash with water. Use the water you just washed the rice in as a toner. Your skin will soak up the vitamins. –Sent by @HeavensFear on Twitter
Drink lime water every other day. It does wonders for your skin. –Sent by @LunaPrat on Twitter
Put lemon juice on your acne scars to reduce redness. –Sent by @cassyviolet on Twitter
The Rejuvi Exfoliating Mask is perfect for all skin types. It brightens your face instantly. –Sent by @NeridaJoy on Twitter
Dab toothpaste on zits that won't quit if you run out of acne cream before bed. The toothpaste will dry out the pimple and make it less noticeable. –Sent by Marianne Mychaskiw, RealBeauty.com
After taking your makeup off for the night, don't forget the moisturizer. Your skin loses moisture at night and needs it to keep skin healthy and hydrated. –Sent by Shannon Nelson, agirlsgottaspa.com
Try using Clarisonic's Opal Sonic Infusion System on your lips. It plumps your pout and minimized cracks. –Sent by Lindsey Tilbor, Behrman Communications
The best bet for fighting wrinkles is a cream with Retinol. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
When fine lines start to sink in, apply a rich moisturizer. This will plump the lines so they look less visible. –Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
Sunblock is a religion. Apply daily. -Sent by Nicole Pearl, thebeautygirl.com
When you apply face lotion in the morning or at night, use a little extra for your hands. Face lotions are formulated for the delicate skin on your face so they work wonders on your hands as well. –Sent by Heather Michell, Unilever
Put Vaseline not only on your lips but also on the skin between your lip and nose and on the outside of your nose every night before bed in the winter. This will create soft, pain-free skin all winter long. -Sent by Heather Michell, Unilever
For a dewy look in the colder months, take a balm like Lancôme Nutrix or Egyptian Magic and press onto skin. Next, apply a primer to matte the surface of your skin. This allows the sheen of the balm to shine through without having it settle on the surface. Blend in a tinted moisturizer and lightly set with powder. –Sent by Dara Klein, Dara Mascara
Before you get out of the shower, turn the water to as cold as you can stand it for a few seconds to help tighten pores. –Sent by Clarins Skin Spa
When applying self-tanner, put a lightweight moisturizer over your knees and elbows as a guard to prevent streaks and overuse. –Sent by Clarins Skin Spa
Makeup is only good if you have nice, prepped skin. A moisturizer like Olay Daily Facial Moisturizer is a perfect primer. -Sent by Marni Giannotti, makeup artist
Use hemorrhoid cream under your eyes to reduce puffiness. –Sent by RealBeauty.com reader Erin Toland
If your esthetician's wax pot is never clean, ask questions! There may be sanitation issues that could cause breakouts. –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com
In yours 50s and above, look for eye creams with retinol and vitamins A and E to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. –Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
People with rosacea or eczema should avoid eye creams with retinoids, preservatives, and fragrance to not cause any additional irritation. -Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
Antioxidants don't treat wrinkles but they can minimize the damage sun causes to your skin, which will prevent wrinkles from popping up. -Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
Sunglasses are just as important as applying sunscreen to protect your eyes and the fragile skin around them from fine lines. -Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
If you are looking for a wrinkle-treating cream, peptides such as Patricia Wexler Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream work wonders. -Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
Dark circles, though often hereditary, can also result from conditions such as allergies, chronically stuffy noses, and itchy eyes. Look for a cream with vitamin K to help reduce their appearance. -Sent by Jeffrey Benabio, M.D., F.A.A.D.
Beauty begins within. Your diet matters and will show in the health of your hair, skin, and nails. –Sent by Kitiya Mischo King, mischobeauty.com

Drop 5 Pounds Fast

Eat every four hours during the day. That's about how much time it takes for hunger to return after a meal. –Sent by Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
To avoid overeating, never drink on an empty stomach. –Sent by Timothy Harlan, M.D.
Breakfast is a must. Otherwise you'll end up wanting to eat everything you see. –Sent by Holly Wyatt, M.D., National Weight Control Registry
A good ab workout doesn't have to take long. Check your form, don't use momentum, and focus on quality rather than quantity. –Sent by Kathy Kaehler, trainer
30 minutes of cardio will get you further than 30 minutes of crunches. To burn off the layer of fat that's hiding your muscles, ab-specific contractions just don't do the trick. –Sent by Len Kravitz, Ph.D., professor of exercise physiology at the University of New Mexico
A toned core will help your body age well in the decades to come, so it's crucial to build a strong one early on. -Sent by Valerie Orsoni, lebootcamp.com
When dealing with low-fat products, look first at the calories per serving, then check the serving size to see if it's really the healthier option. –Sent by Marion Nestle, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University
Be wary of what you drink. Our bodies don't sense calories from liquids well, and this can pack on pounds. –Sent by Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., director of the weight-management center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Accept that cravings are normal, and then deal with them. –Sent by Susan Roberts, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts
Try brushing your teeth when you get the urge for a craving. It might help you pass it. –Sent by Susan Roberts, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts
People have a tendency to keep eating until everyone at the table is finished. If this is you, keep the salad bowl or some veggies in front of you. –Sent by Brian Wansink, Ph.D., a nutrition expert at Cornell University
Listen to your favorite music or go for a walk outside instead of snacking when you're stressed. –Sent by Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., founder of the Stress Institute in Atlanta
H2O, at zero calories, is the best diet drink. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
A recent study showed that restaurant meals have at least 60 percent more calories than dishes prepared at home, most likely due to portion size. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Add one hour of sleep to your schedule, and you could drop up to 14 pounds this year. New data from the University of Michigan shows that you'll likely eat 6 percent less if you replace 60 minutes of awake time (when you may snack) with an hour of shut-eye. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Eat in silence as opposed to music. A study from Georgia State University showed that people munched more when music was playing. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
A study from Vanderbilt University showed that you can burn up to 20 percent more calories by laughing genuinely for 10 to 15 minutes than those who don’t. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
A sugary treat that is good for you is Sunsweet Ones prunes. They are packed with antioxidants, potassium, and fiber, are individually wrapped, and are only 25 calories each. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Give your pooch a kiss for staying fit. Researchers from the University of Victoria in British Columbia found that people with dogs walk almost twice as much as those without. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
To get rid of your tummy, do reverse curls with a lift. Lie on your back, knees pulled up to chest and hands under your butt to support your lower back. Uncurl legs straight out, keeping them 6 inches from the floor. (Don't let them touch the ground!) Lift legs straight up so that they're perpendicular to the floor and add a small lift of your butt. Curl legs back into the start position. Do three sets of 10. –Sent by Ramona Braganza, celebrity trainer
For tighter glutes, stand upright with legs hip-width apart. Lift left leg back and tilt your torso forward, keeping your back flat and eyes to the floor. (Your goal is to make your torso parallel to the floor.) With your left leg straight, extend your right arm directly out front. Hold for two counts, then return to starting position. Repeat with right leg. Do three sets of 10 on each leg. –Sent by Ashley Borden, celebrity trainer
The key to great-looking thighs is lunges, lunges, and more lunges. They are the answer to everything: a tight butt, great legs — and they burn fat because you're working a major muscle group. –Sent by Kim Lyons, celebrity trainer
Calf raises are really the only effective calf exercise. This muscle doesn't respond easily, so the more the better. –Sent by Michael George, celebrity trainer
Do a "Macarena push-up" to pump up cleavage and tone arms. Get in push-up position, then take right hand and touch your left shoulder. Return hand to the ground and do a push-up, keeping elbows close to the body (this will work your triceps). Press up again and touch left hand to right shoulder. Repeat push-up while alternating arms. Do as many as you can on your toes without losing form. Once you feel taxed, drop down to your knees and do a few more in this position. –Sent by Lorelei Ashe MacDonald, celebrity trainer
Do a plank pull-up for a defined back. At the park or gym, grab a bar that's hanging at waist level or slightly higher (with your hands shoulder-width apart). Position your body below the bar, leaning back at a 45-degree angle from the ground, with your arms straight in front of you. Keeping your body in a tight plank with legs straight, pull yourself up toward the bar, then return to starting position. Do three sets of 15. –Sent by Lorelei Ashe MacDonald, celebrity trainer
Instead of salted peanuts, eat Quaker Toasted Oatmeal Squares. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Toss 2 cups Quaker Toasted Oatmeal Squares with one egg white until well coated. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Spray sheet with cooking spray; arrange squares in single layer, with a slight space between each. Bake 20 minutes, turning once, until golden. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Instead of a milk shake, make a fruit smoothie. Blend 1 cup fat-free milk; half a banana, sliced; 6 strawberries; and 4 ice cubes. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Rather than eating a jelly-filled doughnut, make a jelly-filled ladyfinger. Spread 2 teaspoons raspberry jam on a split ladyfinger. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Instead of eating buffalo wings, make buffalo tenders. Heat 1 teaspoon butter in small skillet; add 5 ounces chicken-breast tenders, cut into seven strips. Cook 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon cayenne-pepper sauce. Serve with celery sticks and 1/4 cup low-fat blue-cheese dressing. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Instead of eating Chinese fried rice, make rice with steamed veggies. Combine 1 cup cooked white rice, 1 cup steamed vegetables (frozen stir-fry variety works well), and a splash of soy sauce and Asian sesame oil; toss. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
Instead of eating a slice of apple pie, make a cinnamon apple delight. Core a cooking apple (about 6 ounces), and peel one third of the way. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Cook in the microwave, covered, on medium-high (70% power) for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender. –Sent by Good Housekeeping
To increase your exercise, do it in the most painless way possible. Put an exercise bike in front of the TV, take more short walks daily, or go to the gym an extra day a week. –Sent by Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D.
Just because your friend can down a burger and fries for lunch and stay thin doesn't mean you can. Fair or not, some people are simply born with a faster metabolism than others. –Sent by John M. O'Brien, M.D., associate professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Health System
People think because they've been unsuccessful at dieting in the past, they're going to be unsuccessful in the future. They just haven't succeeded because they haven't learned the right skills. –Sent by Judith Beck, Ph.D., author of The Beck Diet Solution
One mistake isn't going to reverse everything you've worked for. –Sent by Holly Wyatt, M.D., National Weight Control Registry