What's one of the quickest, easiest ways you can think of to take your daily look from fair to festive? If you ask me, all you need is a little glitz!

Seriously, how many other times throughout the year do you get to wear anything sparkly? You know, once you pass the age of 14? While I might have a few eyeshadows with a bit of pearly shimmer, I don't reach for the sparkle too often, which makes it just that much more special when I do.

I understand some people's aversion to sparkle -- could anything seem less natural than glitter? But the thing is, most grown-up beauty products these days don't have actual pieces of glitter (and if they do, put it back on the shelf and slowly back away), and a little bit of shimmer can go a long way toward enhancing your natural beauty. Especially when those products are nature-based to begin with.

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If your make-up routine consists of little more than a little powder for shine and a swipe or two of mascara, you're probably not too concerned about fall make-up trends. However, by adding just a product or two, you can really update your look for the season.

I've always been of the opinion that a new lipgloss is far cheaper than a new pair of trendy boots. And, most likely, that lipgloss will be of use the following season, and possibly even the following year, while trendy boots can look dated within months.

The problem is that so many people get flustered when it comes to cosmetics -- how do they know what'll work for them? I'm giving you my best tips in the gallery, so whether you are a makeup maven or just want to freshen up your face for fall, there's something for you!

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As summer begins to come to wind down in many areas, you might be wondering how to keep up that sun-kissed glow you had in July. While you could, of course, use a sunless tanner, many people shy away from it for fear they'll end up orange and splotchy. If you land in that group, you should definitely add a powder bronzer to your make-up arsenal.

Bronzer isn't only for giving your face a little color, though -- it can be used on other parts of your body to add definition. But, regardless of where you use it, there are some important "hows" to address:

• Use a light touch. If you're using a loose powder bronzer, be sure to tap most of the powder off your brush before applying. You can always go back through and add more, but it can be tricky to lighten it once it's on without starting over completely.
• Find the right color for you. You don't want to get a bronzer that's several shades darker than your skin -- at best, it'll look unnatural, and at worst, it will make your face look dirty. Aim for a shade that's near your natural color, maybe a shade darker, for the most natural-looking results.
• Spread it out. Even though bronzer can be used for definition, you don't want to swipe it on in streaks. Use a fluffy brush and keep the lines soft -- the idea behind bronzer is that you don't see the bronzer.
• Beware the shimmer. Most bronzers have a hint of shimmer, and most of the time, that's fine -- it'll give your skin a little added glow. However, some of them have more than others, and unless you want to look like you're going to Prom, you might want to avoid the super-sparkly types.

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How often have you seen an ad or read about a new makeup trend in a magazine, only to think, "That looks great on her, but I'd never pull that off with my skin tone?" While it's true that some trends look best on women of particular ages or with certain skin tones, if there's a trend that intrigues you, there's probably a way to make it work for you.

Click through the gallery to see how Fitnessmagazine.com tailored five current makeup trends for specific skin tones -- you might find your new favorite look!

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Depending on what you do for a living, if you're a woman chances are you wear makeup to work. Very few of us look good or normal with absolutely no makeup on at all, so it becomes a huge part of how we present ourselves to the world. What if that big part of how you present yourself, of how you work to make yourself look better, was actually making you look worse? What if it was adding years to how you look instead of taking them off? What a shame to work so hard to stay a healthy weight and keep in shape only to sabotage yourself with your makeup!

Now of course no amount of bad makeup can equal the negative impact of being overweight or unhealthy, but there is something to be said for the magnifying power of how you do your face. You can either magnify the good things or you can magnify the bad things: anybody up for some painfully obvious wrinkles?

Here are 6 beauty blunders to avoid, unless of course you're going for an "antiqued" appearance:

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If you've got a glam girl on your Christmas list, figuring out what to get for her can be stressful. Afterall, she's probably kind of picky about the shades and scents she wears. Courtesy of The Beauty Brains, here are some DIY gift ideas for the glamour queen in your life:

• Creative Cosmetics. With this kit, you mix your own foundations and cosmetics, and you'll learn how to properly care for your hair, nails and skin too.
  
• Perfume Science Kit. With this gift, you can learn the history and science of perfume making, and you'll be able to make your own perfumes for future gifts too!
• Ultimate Spa and Perfumery Kit. In addition to creating your own perfumes, you can make your own bath oils and spa products with this kit.
  
• Spa Therapies Kit. Perfect for a ladies night, this kit brings the spa to your house.
  
• Sugar Body Polish Make It Yourself Kit. Make your own sparkling, sweet-smelling body polish with this hip kit.
  

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It's the largest organ on your body, and certainly the most visible one, but how much do you know about your skin? Most importantly, how much do you know about what's good for your skin and what's not? The Beauty Brains have recently exposed the tops skin myths. Each of the following is not true:

1. Tanning beds are safe
2. SPF 50 is better than SPF 15
3. Scrubbing helps get rid of Acne
4. Lip balm and chap stick are addictive (well, if they are, it's purely psychological)
   
5. Mineral oil causes cancer
6. Make-up can make your eyelashes grow
7. Natural products are better than man-made ones

Do any of these surprise you?

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Are you the kind of person who always wears a full face of make-up everyday without fail because you'd feel naked without it? Or are you somone who just applies a little here or there to enhance certain features and cover little spots and shadows? Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who has fantastic skin and only ever applies lip balm with an occasional bit of mascara and blush for special occasion?

Whatever your particular make-up style is, it's important to have an idea of what it is you're putting on your face. But for those not in the know, it may be tough to tell what all of the big, technical words mean, or which stories you hear about make-up are fact and which are fiction.

If you've ever wondered what exactly it means for a product to be perfume-free or been puzzled about the difference between cosmetic and cosmeceutical, take a look at this piece which offers information from dermatologists on some basic cosmetic-related queries.

For example, did you know that natural and non-allergenic are not the same thing? According to the article, products that contain all natural ingredients may still irritate your skin. Watch out for anything containing chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea-tree oil as these may trigger a reaction. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to do a spot test on a small patch of skin before applying a new product all over your face. For even more info -- as well as the answers to the perfume-free and cosmetic vs cosmeceutical questions, take a look at the full piece here.

Has anyone else ever heard the rumor about the woman who died after rubbing too many perfume samples onto her skin? Turns out it is, unsurprisingly, just one of those persistent Internet hoaxes. Apparently there are a number of other cosmetic-related rumors going around, and this article sets out to debunk, or at least explain them.

To be honest, I haven't actually heard of many of the other myths listed but I can imagine they'd all be pretty troubling for those who were unsure if they were true. For instance, according to the piece, there is a rumor going around that sunscreen can cause blindness in children. I know if I were about to apply a new sunscreen to my kid's face I'd probably think twice before getting it anywhere near their eyes without getting more information first. The piece explains that, while there is no truth to this rumor, it is important to use caution when applying sunscreen to your child's face. As far as sprays or foams are concerned, it's best to put them to your hands first so you can better control how they are applied.

The piece also discusses whether there is really lead in lipstick and if there's any evidence that hair dye causes Alzheimer's, plus it offers a number of make-up tips and tricks to ensure that the products you're using aren't going to cause you any harm. Make-up can definitely be a great way to enhance your look or give you a confidence boost, but it's also important to know what to use, when to throw products out, how to keep things bacteria-free and more.

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Recently, I wrote a post about "What Not to Wear's" resident make-up artist, Carmindy, and her tips on how to get great, glowing skin. The Californian beauty always looks fantastic without being overly made-up, so I thought it would be cool to check out her advice on how to get that naturally beautiful look.

Those of you out there who are also Carmindy fans, especially New York City-area residents and fashionistas who'll be in town for NYC Fashion Week, are in for a treat as the artist will appear at Byrant Park on Monday September 10th, as a part of the Word for Word Author Series.

Carmindy, who has penned a book called The 5-Minute Face: The Quick and Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman, will appear at 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., and give away some of her best secrets and tricks of the trade including tips on how to enhance your best features and how to look great without spending hours primping. The author will also be available to sign copies of the book. If you love to look great and have fun with makeup, mark the event in your calendar.

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It's easy to feel jealous when you see magazine spreads of beautiful and seemingly flawless female celebrities, but it's also easy to forget that most of these women spend hours in the hair and make-up chair before those photos are taken.

With a little time and effort, and some help from top celeb stylists, you can look as fantastic as your favorite star. This spread in Glamour Magazine gives you the lowdown on how to copy hairstyles like Natalie Portman's thick and wavy look, Anne Hathaway's stylish updo, Julia Styles' sleek and straight mane and Mary J. Blige's loose curls, as well as Jennifer Hudson's perfectly manicured nails and Reese Witherspoon's fresh and natural make-up.

For step-by-step instructions on how to get these styles, take a look here.

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I'm not a big makeup person but I readily admit that I love expensive face and eye creams. I'm not proud to say that I don't even know if the pricey products do their job any better than cheaper brands available at local drug stores. I just like to think that they do.

Like a lot of you out there, while I enjoy trying out the fancy beauty counter creams and elixirs, I can only afford them once in a while as a treat. According to this though, there are ways to get the most out of your visit to the department store beauty section, and sometimes you can even get stuff cheap or even for free.

The complimentary gift with purchase is a personal favorite because you usually only have to spend $30 or $40 and get to try a number of high-end beauty goods. Also, as the article points out, a number of makeup companies like MAC offer cheap or free skin care evaluations and makeup applications, while others will allow you to try a free sample of a specific product you're interested in (my weakness is eye cream) before you commit to an entire bottle or jar.

For more information, as well as some beauty counter do's and don'ts, read the entire piece here.

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Since organic foods are all the rage, it's only natural that organic cosmetics would follow suit. But is it really worth spending the extra money on something you don't actually ingest? According to Bethany's earlier post, up to 5 lbs a year of cosmetics can be absorbed in to the skin, so maybe organic cosmetics would have a positive influence on health.

But there's a problem: Unlike food, which must follow strict guidelines to wear the label 'organic', cosmetics are under no such guidelines. Organic cosmetics follow basically the same rules that natural cosmetics do, whether it is made from organic materials or not. As far as food goes, to be labelled organic, it must be made from 95% organic material and 5% non-agricultural material that is approved by the National Organic Program. So basically, it's up to the cosmetics manufacturer whether they want to follow these guidelines or not.

What do you think? Are you going organic, or is regular make-up just fine for you?

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Although mineral make-up has been around since the seventies it's going stronger than ever today, riding the wave of all things natural and chemical free. Mineral make-up is generally made up of finely ground and all natural minerals from the earth, and some who use it swear by the smooth finish, light reflecting properties, and lack of dyes and preservatives. But others aren't convinced, complaining that mineral make-ups irritate skin, make wrinkles more pronounced, and often have ugly ashy undertones.

It's a complicated debate, and one that isn't likely to be resolved anytime soon as both sides have support for their arguments. What it really boils down to is reading labels (not all mineral make-ups are truly 'all natural') and finding what works for you.

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