The hairbrush — you probably use one every day, but with the wide variety of brushes available, do you ever wonder which is what, and which one you should pick, anyway? Well, you're in luck because all this week, I'll be featuring different types of brushes and how to use them. As a general guideline, pick a brush based on the length of your hair and the style you want to achieve.

Let's start off with the paddle brush, which is great for longer hairstyles. To use, gently lift hair at the roots and sweep down the hair shaft. Since this brush is so flat, it's best for creating smooth, sleek, and shiny styles without lots of volume. It also works wonders as a finisher for curly, frizzy, or wavy hair that's been styled by other means.

Because the paddle brush is so wide, it's also great for penetrating thick hair and providing a gentle, stimulating scalp massage. Try the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush ($18).

As promised last week, here's more of my interview with Leslie Blodgett, the founder of Bare Escentuals. In this installment, she imparts her wisdom about what she sees way too much of, how to update your makeup for Fall, and shares her best beauty advice.

What do people ask the most about on your tours?
Leslie Blodgett: The master class is mostly about eye looks. The smokey eye is the number one thing people are so intimidated by, how to make it smoke out without looking like too much. We just launched The Rocker Eye, it's a fun look, too. Even for day, you can do a soft-rock look. Go over the whole lid with a very dark shade. We like a little metallic in there. Then take the pointy part of the brush and go under the eye, as close to the lash line as possible. You could also do the light shade and the contour, but it's easier to just do the lid and blend it out under the eye.

What's the best beauty advice you've ever heard or given?

To see her response, read more

I'm always a little leery of anti-acne products, because let's face it — some almost do the reverse of quelling the breakout situation. With that said, I realize the effectiveness of any anti-acne product varies so much by individual, and for me, I think I've hit the jackpot with this one (and I hope it works for you, too).

Nature's Cure Anti-Acne Papaya Skin Care System ($19.99) comes as a three-product package. The main acne-fighting ingredients are salicylic acid and papaya enzymes, known for their exfoliating and antibacterial properties. The kit includes:

• Acne-Clearing Papaya Cleanser — It's a little more liquidy and low foamy than I am used to, but it did the trick.
• Pore-Perfecting Papaya Toner — Removed pretty much all the makeup the cleanser may have missed without a stinging, burning, or "mediciney" feel.
• Acne-Repairing Papaya Moisturizer — Super-light feeling, and a little goes a long way. It also wore really well under foundation.

Overall, this skin care system worked wonders to keep my acne problems in check — without producing dry, flaky skin. At first I was a little unsure about the somewhat sweet, musky scent (mostly papaya), but it grew on me with regular usage. And since the results were so stellar, a little stink is acceptable in this case.

Other bonuses? Soft skin, smoothness, no tie-dyed sheets, and reasonably priced — heck, I'll pay anything to put a halt to the breakouts, but when it comes at such a bargain price, woohoo, I say!

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

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