hair tips

SHOP MORE: Cleansers!
The Tip: Depuff Eyes with Preparation-H
The claim: The same active ingredient that shrinks your hemorrhoids can shrink your undereye bags.

The expert says: It works, but only as a once-in-awhile fix. Undereye bags are usually the result of loose blood vessels and weakened skin, says Sobel. "Phenylephrine, the active ingredient in Preparation H, constricts blood vessels, so it can be effective in reducing puffiness." Just keep in mind: The product isn't intended for cosmetic use, so it's not the best idea to make it your daily eye cream.

SHOP MORE: Eye Cream!
The Tip: Add Garlic to your Base Coat
The claim: Due to the veggie's high selenium content, adding minced garlic to a clear nail polish will get you longer, stronger (albeit, stinkier) nails.

The expert says: Hold the garlic. "I would not recommend this," says Dana Stern, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City who specializes in nails. "Garlic can cause an allergic contact dermatitis in the surrounding skin, which causes the fingertips to get red and irritated and even develop fissures," she says. "We see this reaction commonly in people who handle or cut fresh garlic, such as chefs or farmers."

A better idea: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener ($6; drugstore.com), formulated with microdiamonds and titanium.

SHOP MORE: Nail Treatments!
The Tip: Give Yourself a Facial With Pepto Bismol
The claim: The chalky pink stomach remedy is said to clear acne when worn as a facial mask.

The expert says: This is legit. "Pepto Bismol contains bismuth subsalicylate, which could help absorb and suck out oil like a clay mask," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. It's also part of the salicylic acid family, which means it helps speed up cell turnover, preventing dead skin cells from clogging pores. One caveat: It can be too dehydrating on some skin types, so skip it if you're on the dry side.

SHOP MORE: Masks!
The Tip: Wash Your Hair with Coca-Cola
The claim: This tip went mainstream after model Suki Waterhouse admitted to swapping out her shampoo for the sugary soda. She says rinsing with the bubbling beverage gives her hair body and tousled texture.

The expert says: Skip it. "I don't recommend drinking Coca-Cola or pouring it on your hair -- it contains some harsh ingredients," says Devin Toth, a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City. It may work, but by drying your hair out, and really, there are far better, less corrosive ways to achieve body and waves, he says.

A better idea: Toth uses Kerastase Densifique Densimorphose Thickening Treatment Mousse ($42; kerastase-usa.com) to boost limp strands.