Has she or hasn’t she? In today’s celebrity- and youth-obsessed society, countless tabloids chronicle the alleged plastic surgery debacles of the rich and famous. It’s alleged that Demi Moore has spent more than $100,000 on cosmetic procedures, and Nicole Kidman continues to draw whispers for her preternaturally smooth brow and strangely puffed lips… yet both deny having ever “gone under the knife.” With these sorts of expectations, how can the average women beat the clock without undergoing expensive plastic surgery?

Let’s start at the top…

Your hair says a lot about who you are—lustrous locks speak to youth, and keeping your hair healthy and shiny should be a top priority in the fight against Father Time. Investing in a good shampoo and conditioner can make all the difference in the world, and a weekly leave-in treatment keeps hair soft, especially during the colder months of the year. Be sure to trim those ends (but not too much—short hair can make a woman look older than she really is), and keep an eagle eye out for those pesky gray hairs. A color wash can do wonders for restoring your hair to its youthful glory.

Less is more!

Women often erroneously believe “the more makeup I wear, the better I look”—this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Caked-on foundation settles into wrinkles and makes them look more pronounced. When in doubt, lighten up. Stick with a moisturizer with foundation mixed in for a sheerer, supple look. Stay away from strong lipstick colors (reds are a notorious offender in prematurely aging a woman)—pink or neutral lip colors highlight the lips without making them look too severe. One final tip that we swear by? Only use mascara on your upper lashes—it brightens and lifts the eye.

Take care of your skin by taking care of you!

A good skin care regime should involve a good moisturizer, bi-weekly exfoliations, as well as a deep hydrating cleanser that removes makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of the moisture it needs. A Retin-A-based night cream is worth its weight in gold! But the best cleansers and moisturizers are useless if you’re undermining their effects by not getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. A good night’s sleep, 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day, and a healthy diet will do more towards making you look—and feel—more youthful than any over-the-counter wonder cream could ever do!

Keep it trendy (but appropriate)

Nothing is worse than a 45-year-old woman trying to pull out an outfit meant for a girl 30 years her junior. Following the latest trends is fun, but it’s more important to wear things that flatter both your figure and your ego. Pick clothes that make you feel good. Your inner confidence will shine through, and the most important weapon a woman has against aging is her attitude. The better you feel about yourself, the more positively (and youthfully) you’ll be perceived!

How to Look As Young as The Celebrities…Without a Scalpel! was created by and is property of American Consumer News.