Your Biggest Beauty Questions ... Solved!

Marine botanicals give this serum soothing benefits QUESTION: How do I deal with facial hair? ANSWER: While there are many ways to treat unwanted hair -- from bleaching (painless but high-maintenance) to electrolysis (painful but permanent) -- most dermatologists recommend laser hair removal. "It's safe, effective, and in four to six monthly sessions you won't see hair anymore," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City, who adds that you may need several touch-ups in the two years following treatment for lifelong results. Seek out a dermatologist who uses a CoolGlide laser (go to cutera.com for information), which works on all skin tones. QUESTION: I have makeup everywhere and can never find what I need when I need it. What's the best way to organize my loot?ANSWER: The first thing to do is pare down. "Toss anyhing broken, expired [e.g., mascara that's been around more than three motnhs], or that you haven't used in ages," sys Sarah Lucero, a Los Angeles makeup artist for Stila Cosmetics. Then put your five everyday essentials in a sealed, moistured-proof zip-top plastic bag that you can keep in your bathroom or wherever you get made up. Next, stow your party makeup in a portable cosmetics case like this one by Rebecca Minkoff (from $45; rebeccaminkoff.com), which doubles as a clutch.

QUESTION: What can I do about the dark splotches on my cheeks? ANSWER: Those patches you're referring to are actually signs of a skin condition called melasma, which makes your pigment-generating cells, or melanocytes, overproduce. Though the precise cause of melasma is unknown, it's often triggered by sun exposure (the sun's rays stimulate the release of melanin) and by changing hormone levels, frequently the result of pregnancy or taking birth control pills. Though it's hard to control your hormones, you can minimize your exposure to the sun by always sporting a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as Murad Professional Daily Moisture Charge SPF 30 ($100; murad.com). To reduce splotchiness, see a dermatologist, who may prescribe a lightening lotion like Tri-Luma Cream, which slows melanin production. "Apply it once each night for eight weeks, then smooth on a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide every morning and your complexion will clear up in a few months," says Carolyn Jacob, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in Chicago. In addition, your derm may recommend a trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid peel or microdermabrasion; all of these procedures remove the outermost layer of dead, darkened skin cells. QUESTION: I'm not exactly a teenager anymore, so why am I still breaking out?

ANSWER: You might be surprised to hear that acne affects nearly half of all adult women, says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. If it's flaring up around the time of your period, hormones (which cause your oil glands to shift into overdrive) are likely to blame. To manage hormonal surges, consider going on a birth control pill. Also try cleansing daily with a gentle scrub, like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub ($8; at drugstores), and applying a topical retinoid (a vitamin A derivative), such as Retin-A Micro or Tazorac, at night -- both will keep your pores in the clear and breakouts at bay. This Neutrogena scrub is mild enough to use daily.QUESTION: Even though I use long-wearing makeup, it always seems to fade by the end of the day. Help! ANSWER: When it comes to making your makeup go the distance, what you apply is key -- but how you put it on is even more important. "The trick to longevity is layering so one product sticks to another," says Schoen. That means starting out with a primer; we like Sephora Smoothing-Primer ($18; sephora.com) for face and Benefit Lemon Aid Color Correcting Eyelid Primer ($20; benefitcosmetics.com) for lids Top with foundation (on lids too) and concealer, then proceed to color. If you're using pencil eyeliner, trace over it with matching shadow to keep it in place. To make mascara stay put, apply it in several quick coats. Avoid clumps by jiggling the wand at the base of your lashes first, then hitting the tips.

Bare Escentuals Weather Everything Mascara ($15; sephora.com) is safe for contact wearers QUESTION: I'm incapable of drawing an even line with eyelinerit doesn't matter if I use a pencil or liquid! Any advice? ANSWER: "Even the pros consider eyeliner application an 'advanced' skill,'" says Schoen, who recommends drawing with your pencil or liquid liner angled to the side, rather than using the point, for better control. Still having trouble? Dab a flat-tip makeup brush, such as the MAC 266 Small Angle Brush ($19; maccosmetics.com), onto the tip of the pencil or into liquid. Then simply press the bristles along the base of your lashes for a perfect line every time. This tool makes lining easy.QUESTION: How can I make my manicure last? ANSWER: The secret to prolonging the life of your manicure lies in preparation and technique. "Before applying polish, clean your nails with a cotton ball soaked in non-acetone remover to rid them of all oils from hand lotion, hair products, or even food-otherwise your lacquer won't adhere well," says Ji Baek, owner of Rescue Beauty Lounge in New York City. Next, apply a base coat, which gives your polish something to bond to; we like Nicole by OPI Base Coat Plus ($8; nicolebyopi.com for stores). Then paint on color in two even coats, allowing one to dry completely before moving on to the next. Keep in mind that darker shades, like Revlon Nail Enamel In Bewitching Bordeaux ($5; at drugstores), right, require extra drying time. Finally, brush on a topcoat, such as Rescue Beauty Lounge Top Coat ($18; rescuebeauty.com). Sweep an extra coat of color across ends of nails to prevent chips, then add a topcoat

QUESTION: My hair is stick-straight. I've tried using every product imaginable to get some sort of body, but nothing seems to work. What now?ANSWER: "Your cut could be at the root of the problem," says Ammon Carver, a senior stylist at the Warren Tricomi Salon in New York City. "An all-one-length look will weigh down your locks no matter what stylers you use." For surefire fullness, he recommends adding texture to hair with a few layers (picture Blake Lively's lightly feathered locks). Next, apply a thickening spray or mousse to towel-dried hair. (Try PureOlogy PureVolume ThickeningMist, $21; pureology.com for salons, or Redken Full Frame 07 Protective Volumizing Mousse, $16; redken.com for salons.) Work either product into the places that tend to fall flattest: your crown and along your part. Then blow-dry with a big round brush, lifting hair in sections and aiming air at roots. To set your look-or pump it up midday-mist with a flexible-hold aerosol hair spray, as a spritz can make hair damp and limp. For lots of lift, apply to towel-dried hair.