The Fail: Usually the sunscreen application routine goes something like this: Remember at the last minute, squeeze an arbitrary amount in the palm of your hand, slather it on your exposed areas and the back of your neck if you're lucky. If this sounds familiar, you're getting burned. The type, amount, age of your sunscreen, not to mention where it gets applied, all play an important role in protecting your skin from getting baked and cancer-ized.

The Fix: Be sure to check your bottle of sunscreen for two things: 1) The expiration date. If you can't find one, toss it out if you've had it for more than three years. 2) The SPF. If it's not a 30 SPF and broad spectrum, you're not getting the kind of coverage every dermatologist on earth recommends. Now let's talk quantity: chances are you're not using enough. A good application is one ounce (the amount in a shot glass), but everyone comes in different sizes. A good rule of thumb: whatever you think is a bit too much is probably right on the money. Even if you're fully, completely and thoroughly slathered, you're not 100 percent safe from those UV rays in the shade or even under your clothes (your clothing is only about SPF 4 to 9!), so apply sunscreen before you get dressed, and reapply at least every two hours throughout the day (more often if you're swimming).

The Fail: Unless your shampoo and conditioner bottles are Herbal Essences and speaking to you in the first person, you're probably not reading the tiny print on each of the bottles. And why would you? You know the rules by heart: lather, rinse, and repeat. And when you condition, you probably apply from roots to tips and think the longer you leave it in, the better the conditioning power. But as damaged as your hair is, the hair closest to your roots is new growth, and thus healthier than the length of your hair. Which means your roots don't need that heavy shot of conditioner.

The Fix: Instead of coating your whole head in conditioner, start at ear-level and apply your conditioner all the way to the ends of your hair. You'll be wasting a lot less product and end up with lighter, less-greasy roots after your shower.

The Fail: If you haven't jumped on the BB cream train just yet, you're probably still in the classic makeup routine: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, foundation. But the timing of the final step in this routine could make or break your entire look for the rest of the day. We tend to apply foundation too soon, before the moisturizer has enough time to seep into the skin. The end result? Blotchy, spotty coverage. Why even bother?

The Fix: Wait at least 60 seconds after moisturizing to ensure that the product is fully dried before applying your foundation. Can't spare that extra minute? Blot your face with a tissue post-moisturizing and proceed.

The Fail: Your hair, nails, makeup and everything else is done. Before you head out the door, you spritz that signature fragrance on your wrists, rub them together, take one last look to be sure you don't have lipstick on your teeth, and you're ready to take on the world. Sadly, saving your spritzing until the end of your routine means your perfume probably won't last through lunch.

The Fix: The key to giving your scent some staying power is applying it before you get dressed. It may seem strange at first, but there is a right way to spritz: spray or dab your fragrance directly onto the skin at one or two pulse points, such as your knees, wrists, base of the throat, or behind your earlobes. Resist the urge to rub your wrists together. This breaks down the molecular structure of the fragrance and keeps it from sticking to you throughout the day.