The 10 commandments of beauty

Recently, I was introduced to a really pretty girl. Her hair was nice and shiny with a few caramel highlights; her makeup was light and simple but impeccably done; her skin, fantastic. A pretty picture, you’d think. Then I saw her nails and couldn’t help but gasp out loud. They were long, as in the she-could-type-her-PIN-number-at-an-ATM-machine-using-just-her-nails kind of long, the kind that freaks you out long. To top it off, they were red. To say it was disgusting is an understatement. So you want to achieve an (almost) perfect state in beauty? Read on.

I. Thou shall follow the four-step skincare rule. First, cleanse your skin to rid your face of makeup and other debris accumulated within the day. Follow this with a mild toner (the alcohol-based ones can dry the skin out) to remove other dirt cleansing can’t hack, and to prep the skin for moisturizer. As with moisturizer, opt for one with a light consistency that’s perfect for our weather; thicker ones can clog the pores. And also, make sure it has built-in SPF. Lastly, never, ever skip the eye cream — prevention is better than plastic surgery.

II. Thou shall keep nails short. No matter what. First of all, there’s the hygiene issue. Dirt, bacteria and God-knows-what can breed on the undersides of your nails. If you need to have your color fix, nude, red, pink, wine or whatever you choose will always look classier on short, squared nails. And that goes for toenails as well.

III. Thou shall only use four hair products. Max. That may well include shampoo, conditioner, mousse and wax (or whatever your poison is) for your daily routine. Should you use more than this, it’s about time you see your hairstylist for an update cut.

IV. Thou shall not underestimate the power of a facial. You don’t need to resort to any strong chemical peels (besides, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). Many say you need it twice a month, but a monthly visit to a reputable dermatologist or skin clinic is all you need to have your face cleaned — and this means extraction of whiteheads and blackheads. It makes a world of difference. (I recommend you do this two weeks before you get your period — you’ll have fewer PMS zits.)

V. Thou shall bow down to the power of SPF. For the hair, face, body — everywhere! It’s more than just a trend or a beach routine; it has to become a lifestyle. Among all lotions and potions, this is your best bet to prevent looking 40 when you’re only 30. Not to mention skin cancer, sunspots and the like.

VI. Thou shall be devoted to body lotion. Your skin is the first thing to give away a rough estimation of your age, therefore lotion is imperative to keep the body moisturized. Do this with a bi-weekly exfoliation routine and you’re on your way to baby-soft skin.

VII. Thou shall taper down the makeup routine. Your essentials: powder (to even out skin tone), brow powder (to fill in gaps mishaps), mascara (to open up the eyes), blush (to liven up the face) and lipstick (to avoid looking like a corpse). Anything more than that can add years to your actual age.

VIII. Thou shall be open to change. If you’ve been sporting down-to-the-waist hair, get a bob. If you’ve been seen in a bob for years, grow it out and have fun with layers and curls. If your hair is a dark mass of black, consider getting highlights, or better yet, have a full-colored service done. This you won’t regret, but in case you do, lighten up — it’s just hair, it’s easy to grow out.

IX. Thou shall start using a concealer. If you were born with dark under-eye circles, no amount of eye cream can remedy a genetic trait. You will be forever at the mercy of concealers — in the right shade, of course. A shade lighter than your skin tone is perfect, just enough to create the illusion that you’ve slept for something remotely impossible, like, 10 hours. Without this, you’ll look like a worn-out daisy, and people will start to think you’re on to something.

X. Thou shall get a weekly massage. Nothing beats the power of soft, loving hands kneading your fatigued self. Dim the lights, turn off the TV and play the most relaxing music you can get your hands on (or your masseuse will start babbling non-stop). Request lavender or chamomile massage oils. You’ll wake up refreshed and sane the next day.