POPSUGAR Beauty

Gwyneth Paltrow has a lot to offer: she's talented, she has a great sense of humor, she can sing, she dresses well, and she might have the most flawless skin we've ever seen. She attributes her glowing complexion to celebrity esthetician Sonya Dakar, who regularly prepares Gwyneth for big events with an apple stem cell facial. We ventured to Beverly Hills to meet with Sonya, learn the key components of the facial, and even get tips on how to create a version for ourselves at home. Best of all, the ingredients you need can be found at your local supermarket. Now there's no excuse not to give this a try!

You've heard the hype over the Beautyblender sponge, but are you using it correctly? This egg-shaped sponge isn't your ordinary makeup applicator, after all. You may be missing one crucial step to getting the most flawless, even foundation application out there (besides, of course, using an airbrush).

Stockists: Beautyblender

If you're trying to clear your skin and it just isn't happening, the problem may be that your products are expired. Just like makeup, skin care products have a window of time when they're at their peak and then they start to break down. But we're filling you in on when to keep and when to can your products, so you're always being healthy with your skincare.

You've bought your own gel manicure kit, but now what? With so many bottles and tools contained within, it can be overwhelming figuring out where to start. Here a few pro tricks and tips to ensure your manicure stays long-lasting, featuring the Gelish Basix Kit ($39.95). On Kirbie: Forever 21 necklace and Cameo shirt.

Give your hairstyle a trendy boost this season with a braided topknot, much like the one Nina Dobrev was spotted wearing earlier this year. The style, which starts as a reverse French braid at the nape and flows up to the crown in a voluminous topknot, only looks difficult to re-create. In fact, this easy up 'do is best when you're not striving for total perfection. On Kirbie: Club Monaco top.

Glasses may make a big fashion statement, but they can sometimes stifle your creativity when it comes to eye makeup. The lenses in your glasses actually magnify your eyes, so it's the perfect opportunity to highlight one of your best features. Find out how to modify your favourite makeup looks for frames.

Aside from the hassle rain can cause on your commute, it also puts a, er, damper on doing your hair in the morning. These three styles are guaranteed to look good when you leave your home and even hold up against the rain or humidity. Plus, they all look great on just-out-of-the-shower hair, too. On Kirbie: Greylin top.

Regardless of how big your lips are, you can make them appear larger in a flash with a few simple tricks. In our latest episode of Lazy Girls' Guide to Beauty, host Jackie Perdue walks you through how to fake fuller, bigger lips in under a minute. Watch now — and make sure to catch more Lazy Girl tips on POPSUGAR Girls' Guide.

When you spend the time and money to get your hair done, the last thing you want is it to fade after a few washes. Instead of going in for a touch-up every few weeks, learn how to keep your hair colour from fading by using three at-home products. On Kirbie: dress from Rent the Runway.