Quick holiday beauty tips

Beauty from the inside out

7. Water wonderful
You can't look your best with lotions and foundations alone -- beauty begins with looking after what is under your skin. Deborah Fisher, an M.D. who also specializes in skin care, is a believer in the rejuvenating powers of water. "This time of year, people tend to drink more alcohol (which dehydrates skin) and stay up late...so water is really important," she says. "Drink up to eight glasses a day." This beauty booster not only flushes away oils from the skin, says Fisher, it helps the skin's surface get rid of toxins and encourages skin-cell renewal.

8. Eat and look sweet
For more beauty boosters, ensure your diet includes antioxidants. According to Fisher, these help rid the body of free radicals, which attack cell membranes, resulting in premature aging. Blueberries, green tea and yummy pomegranate juice are great sources of antioxidants.

Beauty from the outside in

9. Give moisturizer a hand
Hands that are constantly dipping into dishwater need added protection -- look for products containing silicone and/or glycerin like Glysomed Hand Cream or Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve to quickly soothe dry, cracked skin.

10. Beam with a sound skin regime
The weather can dry out skin, leaving it itchy and flaky. Fisher recommends a simple routine that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing -- look for products specifically made for your skin type. Most importantly, when moisturizing skin that will be exposed to winter sun, ensure the products you use contain a minimum SPF of 15.

For those who are prone to breakouts at tinsel time, Fisher offers up this secret: "A good old-fashioned remedy for a zit is diaper cream," she says. "Dab a drop on the zit and it dries it up." Try Penaten Cream, found in most drugstores.

Having a fuss-free beauty routine during the holidays leaves you with more time to socialize and enjoy the fruits of your labour. These time-saving beauty tips require minimal tools and effort to keep you looking fabulous. Take the time to look good and you -- not your sweet potato casserole -- will be the main attraction.

Page 2 of 2