Quick and Affordable Tips to Look and Smell Radiant

Look your best without breaking the bank.

Polished and Refined

When it comes to grooming, little things can make a big difference. A cleanly plucked brow, clipped nose hairs, neatly filed fingernails, or a close shave can mean the difference between looking good and looking great.

No one wants to spend hours in front of the mirror primping or spend hundreds of dollars at a salon. So here are some grooming tips that will help you look polished, refined, and youthful -- without investing a lot of money or time. Some are for men only, some for women only, and some for both.

1. Track the amount of time you're spending on "grooming," and stop at 45 minutes. That's the most it should ever take to shower, take care of your skin, apply makeup, and style your hair. Any longer, and you need to get an easier haircut, use less makeup, and cut down to one skin-care product.

2. If you're prone to ingrown hairs, lather with shaving cream or gel for five minutes to soften hairs. Then shave in the direction of the hair growth with a new blade, says Andrea Lynn Cambio, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. Follow with a gentle moisturizer.

3. Shave slowly, with short strokes, and rinse the blade often in hot water. Your skin is not flat, so long strokes increase your chances of cuts or scrapes. Try not to press down with the blade, especially around sensitive areas.

4. Apply your shaving cream with a shaving brush for an extra-lustrous shaving session (whether for your legs or your face). It will create tons of lather, which will make the hairs softer and easier to remove.

5. If you have no time for a shower but need to be at your freshest, fill your sink with water and add 4 tablespoons baking soda. Then dip a sponge or washcloth in the sink and rub yourself down, recommends Susie Galvez, owner of Face Works Day Spa in Richmond, Virginia, and author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful.

6. Ward off smelly feet with odor-absorbing insoles. Foot odor is a very common problem. Keep your feet smelling fresh by scrubbing them daily and drying them completely when you get out of the shower. Then insert odor-absorbing insoles, such as Odor-Eaters, into your shoes.

7. Schedule a weekly manicure and a monthly pedicure. This works for men and women. You can do it yourself, but a pro will always do a better job. The simple detail of well-filed nails, clean cuticles, and smooth toenails (if you're wearing open-toed shoes) goes a long way toward telling bosses, coworkers, and clients that you're a person who cares about the little as well as the big things.

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“ Remember that the homes you visit during the holidays may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots. ”

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My friend and I delivered a large refrigerator to the local priest's home. With difficulty we had managed to get the fridge into the porch, but struggled for over 20 minutes to make the 90-degree turn through the narrow door. The priest, seeing our difficulty, asked what we usually did when confronted with such a situation. Rubbing some badly skinned knuckles, I replied, "Well, Father, at this point we usually start cursing." "Well, gentlemen," Father replied, "allow me time to move out of earshot so you can continue your work."   

-- John Gillis