The doctor weighs in on make-up and more

“I'm a make-up junkie—I love to shop and try new products,” admits Dr. Wu. But she also recognizes there are many products on store shelves that are completely hit or miss. “I’d like to share what I've learned with my patients—what's safe, what's worth your money, what’s worth tossing. It's like taking me to the makeup counter with you.”

Making eyes. Nude or minimal foundation coverage gets glowing reviews on the beach, but what kind of mascara is best? Unlike the water-soluble type, water-resistant mascara uses ingredients similar to those in glues and hairspray—making it tough to remove. “You can end up rubbing off lashes along with your mascara,” says Dr. Wu. So save the waterproof for the seashore, and save your lashes by switching to water-soluble for daily wear.

Lipstuck? Just one coat and you’re set from dinner to dawn. But some brands of long-lasting lipstick can leave lips feeling dry and flaky long after the night is over. To go from perma-parched to perfectly kissable, follow these steps. Before applying, dab on a basecoat of moisturizer, preferably with minimum SPF 30 protection if you’re going out in daylight. Follow with a coat of long-lasting lipstick with built in moisturizers. Finally, blot and seal with pressed powder. To downshift back to buff, gently pat off the pigment with night cream. Avoid rubbing and splashing water onto lips, since those can aggravate dryness.

Prime primping. Primers leave a smooth, silky coating on the skin that lets foundation glide on more easily and not settle into pores and wrinkles. The active ingredients in primers are either silicone, dimethicone or glycerine. Some moisturizers also contain these substances, so they can serve the same function. Skip the primer if your skin is oily, since excess moisture sends foundation right into the pores, and a primer only contributes to this. And as an alternative to primer consider airbrush makeup, which provides the best coverage possible with a sheer, flawless look.