Swap your hair hue, change your life
A dye job can alter more than just the shade on your head: According to a recent Clairol survey, a new hair color can also influence how people perceive you. Looking to gain the ear of your mother-in-law? Become a brunet -- the Clairol respondents rated them as more trustworthy. Want to be given that challenging new work assignment? Try red; your boss might see you as more of a risk taker. Aching to make that all-too-perfect new neighbor just a little jealous? Go blond -- they're deemed the wealthiest and most glamorous. If you're not quite ready for a permanent color switch, try out a new tint for a day with a colored mousse, such as Keune Color Styling Mousse, shown here in Flame Red.

Own a fan brush
It's tough to remove that despised line of demarcation on the jawline left by foundation: Fingers can leave smudges, and sponge wedges can remove too much. But the feathery bristles of a fan brush are perfect for blending out edges, says Keri Blair, a senior makeup artist for M.A.C. Cosmetics. (Try Shu Uemura Fan Brush, shown, or M.A.C. 207 Duster.)

Superclean your hair
Styling products can enhance any haircut, but they can also leave behind lots of unwanted goop. Jason Hayes, a hairstylist for the musical Hairspray -- whose actors are unquestionably the most spritzed, moussed and gelled on Broadway -- has been fighting this with an unexpected remedy: dandruff shampoo. Head & Shoulders Refresh, he's discovered, is a great way to remove buildup and soothe related scalp irritation. Plus, since it's gentle enough to use every day, regular sudsing with this shampoo may even prevent buildup from forming in the first place -- not bad for what started out as a flake fighter. (Most traditional clarifying shampoos are designed as weekly or even monthly fixes, because if they're used too often, they can strip away hair's natural oils. However, for a major case of helmet head, you'll still need to supplement H & S with a dose of clarifying shampoo.)

Apply lavender liner
If a dark brown or black eyeliner -- already harsh during daylight hours -- seeps into facial lines, forget about it: immediate aging. But a light lavender can actually have the opposite effect, says makeup artist Nick Barose, visually plumping out lines and creating a soft, youthful glow around your lashes. Plus, there's no quicker way to whiten up a yellowish eye tinge. (Try Stýli-Style Flat Pencil in Paris.)

Shopping details: Badger 7.5 EX Fan Brush, $43, from Shu Uemura; at select department stores; 888-540-8181. 207 Duster, $18, from M.A.C. Cosmetics; at department stores. Flat Pencil in Paris, $8, from Stýli-Style; at mass merchandisers; www.styli-style.com. Refresh shampoo, $4, from Head & Shoulders; at mass merchandisers; www.headandshoulders.com. Color Styling Mousse in Flame Red, $11.90, from Keune; at select salons; 800-330-9302; www.keune.com.