What Are the Top 5 Beauty Tips for Women?

On a recent outing with about 15 women we started talking about the most important beauty secrets we should all know about.

I asked Grace Anne Blake what would be on her list and we came up some pretty good tips. But you'll find her number 1 piece of advice at the end of our list.

Tip 1: Moisturize 

You should moisturize every day and spend the extra money on a good moisturizer. If your skin is dry, every wrinkle will be visible and this will make you look older. If you start using moisturizer in your 20s or 30s, doctors say, moisturizers will give you some of the protection you need to keep skin from prematurely aging. If your skin is normal to dry, look for moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids. They can help skin produce more moisture on its own.

Tip 2: Always Use Sunscreen 

This is the best anti-aging advice anyone can give you. It reduces the risk of skin cancer, but can also help keep your skin looking young. Not only does sunscreen block out the sun's damaging rays, it also blocks their aging effects. And just a few minutes of daily sun exposure over the years can cause noticeable changes in how skin looks and feels, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. You should use your regular sunscreen before putting on makeup (it should go on first, before anything).

Tip 3: Use a Good Cleanser

Dermatologists say you should use the gentlest cleanser you can find - and use it sparingly. If you use a harsh soap, it can harm your skin. Also don't overdo washing your face. If you wash it more than twice a day you can damage the natural lipid barrier, the lubrication that keeps skin looking and feeling healthy.

Tip 4: Get the Right Tools for the Right Job

If you've spent a pile of money on great eyeshadows and foundations, you are wasting that money if you don't go the extra mile and get great tools to apply the makeup. Brushes should be soft and feel gentle on the skin. If you dip a brush in shadow or blush and the color falls off before you make it to your face, that's a bad brush.

Tip 5: Change Your Hair and Makeup Every 2 Years

Don't keep that same old hairdo just because you're comfortable with it. If you bump into an old friend from college who says "You haven't changed a bit," you need to get to the beauty salon!

Grace Anne Blake, the Owner of Avalon Hair Salon on Youree Drive says if she could give women only one beauty tip, it would be this: "take care of your eyebrows". You should shape your brows every 2-3 weeks. It's something you can do at home or at a salon. But it's critical to opening up your face and making sure your makeup looks fresh.