Beauty Tricks to Master by 40

“As you get older your scalp produces less oil, so you don’t need to wash as often,” says Kyle White, a colorist at New York City’s Oscar Blandi Salon. “But if you just can’t get used to the idea of a day without cleaning your hair [or you work out—and sweat—a lot], get in the shower and rinse with just water, or spray a dry shampoo into your roots, then brush it through.” Try Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder ($34; bumbleandbumble.com).

20.  Add a few highlights by your face. “It brightens up your skin and softens the look of fine lines,” says Jason Backe, a colorist at Gibson’s salon.

21.  You’re going gray where? If you want to match the hair down there to what’s on your head, try a color kit safe for sensitive skin (look for some- thing made without ammonia). The creator of Betty Hair Color, Nancy Jarecki, points out that if you’re tired of the natural look, going orange or hot pink might perk things up a bit. (And you thought the Brazilian was your only option.) Betty Color ($15; bettybeauty.com) comes in 10 shades.

22. Try a hair growth inhibitor. A prescription cream like Vaniqa or an over-the-counter option such as Aveeno Positively Smooth Moisturiz-ing Lotion ($8; drugstores) reduces the growth of coarse body hair that can be caused by hormone fluctuations.

23.   Invest in a magnifying mirror.  To zero in on stray hairs—around your eyebrows and elsewhere—skip
the reading glasses and pick up a small magnifying mirror with suction cups. If you stick it on the bathroom cabinet, you may be surprised at what you’ll see in a different light.

Keeping your complexion clear
 The issue: Wrinkles, age spots and breakouts, oh my!

The tricks:

24.    Peptides. We repeat: peptides. Every single dermatologist we interviewed insists it is the most effective ingredient in serums and moisturizers to firm and lift. One peptide-packed product that works on all skin types: Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment ($98; sephora.com).

25.    Add retinol to your regimen. Whereas peptides plump and firm, retinol (or tretinoin, its Rx cousin, in products like Retin-A and Renova) smooths and evens out skin tone. Try ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum ($22; drugstores).

26. Breaking out? Don’t even think about borrowing your teen’s medication. “Their acne products contain benzoyl peroxide, which is too drying for older skin. A product made with salicylic acid, antioxidants and calming ingredients will work just as well without leaving your skin dry and tight,” says Wexler. We like Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion ($8; drugstores) and Pat Wexler Acnescription Overnight Acne Repair Lotion ($20; bathandbodyworks.com).

27.  Hormone surge? Up the ante. “Women can get cystic pimples well into their forties,” says Denver plastic surgeon Christine Rogers, MD.