Watts Up!

1. Shed layers.

In the summer, most women put exfoliating on the back burner for fear of mangling a faux tan (the horror!) or making their skin more prone to burning, says Sherber. But a blanket of dead cells on your face smothers any glow underneath. Skip the grainy scrub, though: "Abrasive granules can irritate the skin. This, combined with UV exposure, may trigger skin to produce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in some women, which is bright skin's enemy," says Sherber. Instead, three times a week, swipe on at-home peel pads with alpha hydroxy acid, a chemical exfoliator that sloughs off dead cells, uncovering a smoother surface that better reflects light (you'll see maximum results in a couple of weeks). A derm favorite: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel ($78, at Sephora).

2. Spot reduce.

Polka dots on tops and dresses: cute. Dark splotches dotting your face: not so much. In fact, research has found that sun spots can make you look older. Tackle them with a combo of ingredients: The lightening classic, hydroquinone, blocks new melanin production. The new kid on the brightening block, melanozyme, breaks down existing pigment on the skin's surface, says cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer. Because hydroquinone can bring on sun sensitivity, dermatologists advise using a cream with 4 percent of it every night after cleansing. And in the a.m., apply a melanozyme lotion such as (1) Elure Advanced Lightening Lotion ($150, at skincarerx.com). Also, use these sunscreens to prevent spots from making a comeback.

3. Dig deep.

If at-home measures aren't getting the job done, consider a doctor's-office treatment. For general dullness, try a light chemical peel, which uses the same acids as the OTC variety but at a higher concentration (it costs roughly $150). "There's no recovery time, and you'll look much brighter after just one session," says Jeannette Graf, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. For bigger, isolated spots, try a pigment-selective laser (like the Q-switched Nd:Yag), which targets and breaks up melanin. "Just one minutes-long treatment can eliminate a spot," says Heidi Waldorf, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. (It costs $200 to $600, depending on the number of lesions being treated.)

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4. Wear lavender.

When your eyes look whiter, the surrounding skin looks brighter. "Lavender is one of my go-to eye-shadow colors for adding sparkle and counteracting red tones in your whites and the skin around your eyes," says Lori Taylor, a global makeup artist for Smashbox cosmetics. Dust opalescent lavender shadow over your lids; pair with deep-black mascara.

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5. Don't. Skip. Blush. Ever!

It's the most important piece of makeup to rev your complexion. A peachy-pink shade is universally flattering. Try (2) Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Mangobeam ($17, at Sephora). Dust it onto cheekbones, where it's most likely to catch the light.

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6. Get slick.

A clever tip from makeup artist Bobbi Brown's new book, Pretty Powerful: Dab a face oil onto fingertips, then tap onto the apples of your cheeks and your cheekbones for dewiness without actual glimmer. Try Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil Rollerball ($22, qvc.com).

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7. See through your shampoo.

"Opaque formulas contain heavier conditioning ingredients, but transparency indicates that a shampoo won't leave any film on the hair," says Tommy Buckett, a hairstylist at the Marie Robinson salon in New York City. It will also help remove hair-dulling buildup from products or chlorine. Try (3) Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Shampoo ($4, at drugstores).

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8. Gloss over it.

A hair gloss, at home or in the salon, has sheen enhancers that coat the hair's cuticle and give the illusion of healthier hair, says colorist Sharon Dorram, owner of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger in New York City. While the gloss sets, blast your head with a blow-dryer for even better results.

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9. Oil well.

Silicone is a synthetic oil that often appears in shine-enhancing serums--but it just masks tattered, lackluster hair. A few drops of natural argan oil will penetrate and moisturize while imparting a lustrous finish. "Rub a few drops between your hands, and then onto towel-dried hair. Apply it from the ends to the midshaft, starting at the back of the head and working toward the front. You'll get just the barest amount on the finer hair near your face, which can easily look greasy," advises Buckett. Try (4) Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment ($6, at drugstores).

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10. Take your vitamin E.

The other big-impact oil? Vitamin E, found in health-food stores. Once a week after shampooing, mix three drops of oil with a dollop of your usual conditioner. "Vitamin E is the one ingredient I've found that makes the biggest difference in hair's elasticity and shine," says Dorram. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse.

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