5 Beauty Tips No One Ever Told You About

As beauty editors, writing and researching about beauty has taught us a thing or two over the years, and we’re always happy to pass that knowledge on. We’ve come up with five beauty tips we’re pretty confident no one has ever told you about, and we’re spilling those secrets right here, right now.

Beauty Tip #1: Apply SPF on Your Feet, Too

No matter how diligent you try to be with sunscreen, sometimes you miss a spot. A patch here or there is one thing, but completely overlooking an area is a big no-no. We’re talking toes and feet. It may not be top of mind to slather your feet with Broad Spectrum sunscreen, but if they’re going to catch any daylight, they’ll need a coat of coverage and reapplications every two hours.

For your feet, reach for a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher when wearing sandals or going barefoot outdoors. A spray sunscreen—like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60 Spray Sunscreen—can make applications in this area easier.

Beauty Tip #2: Keep Strands Off Your Back

When you’re in the shower, the focus may be more on washing your hair than your skin. And while lathering up with shampoo and applying conditioner is a no-brainer, you want to make sure you’re looking out for your skin too. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, when conditioner sits on your skin for too long, it could cause breakouts. (Bacne, anyone?) Thankfully, the fix is a no-brainer. After applying conditioner, pile your tresses atop your head and secure them with a hair tie, then go about your shower until you’re ready to rinse.

Beauty Tip #3: Go Fragrance Free Post-Shave

Sometimes it seems like most of what you’re taught about shaving is a myth. We’ve all been told a time or two that once you start shaving, hair grows back thicker and darker, and in reality that’s nothing but fiction. The stuff that’s really true, no one is telling you. Hopefully you’ve figured out the basics, but what about a post-shave routine? You surely know to smooth on a body cream to hydrate, but it probably hasn’t been stressed that you should opt for one that is free of fragrances. Let’s do that now. While moisturizing is a must, fragrances can irritate freshly-shaved skin. That flowery scent might be delightful, but your skin may not think so. Play it safe and reach for a lotion or cream that’s fragrance-free.

Beauty Tip #4: Make Your Favorites Travel-Friendly

When you’re far from home, it’s a small comfort to have all your favorite products on hand. Of course, that’s easier said than done. You’ve heard to stock up on travel sizes or transfer products to smaller containers, but that isn’t always an option. Finding minis of all your essentials isn’t easy, nor is buying travel containers—especially if you have lengthy skin care routines like us. Here’s a quick and easy tip: Fill clean contact lens cases with all the liquid and cream products you need to take with you, and you’ll have no problem fitting them into a quart sized bag.

Beauty Tip #5: Sport Sunscreen for a Gel Mani

Gel manicures may stay in shape longer than your traditional polish, but they’ll also require an extra step of prep. The UV curing lamps used to make your mani last and last have the potential to damage your skin, which means you can probably see where this is going...sunscreen. If you aren’t ready to part with chip-free nails altogether, you should wear a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a SPF value of 15 or higher as directed, being sure to apply at least 15 minutes prior to your nail appointment. Keep in mind, sunscreen may impact application of gel polishes. To ensure you aren’t wasting money on a manicure that won’t last, the AAD recommends applying sunscreen to your hands, but not your nails.