Biggest at-home blunder Not watching the clock. The time frames on the box are there for good reason: Hair goes through color changes as it reaches its goal. "Color works the same way at home or in the salon, and if you stop too early, you can catch it midchange and the color is almost always brassy," explains Giselle, celebrity colorist at the Pierre Michel Salon in New York City.

Do it yourself well Style your hair the way you normally wear it before highlighting to make targeting the face-framing pieces easy. Highlighting kits that offer plenty of color choices include Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Multi-Lights ($7.29) and L'Oreal Hi-Light Styliste Hi-Control Brush-On Highlights ($11; both at drugstores). If your highlights seem too bright, tone them down afterward with a dose of semipermanent color in a shade that's one notch deeper, says New York City colorist Rita Hazan. Choose one like Clairol Natural Instincts ($8; at drugstores) that has no ammonia, low peroxide, and won't damage already-colored hair. If your color looks a little orange, try L'Oreal Tone Refiner ($9; at drugstores), to neutralize brassiness. Giselle and Hazan agree: If you want allover highlights, high-tail it to the salon to ensure the perfect shade choice. But for a few fun streaks around your face, go for it on your own!

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MICRODERMABRASION

Biggest at-home blunder The infamous "more is better" mentality. "Don't use the product more often than the directions specify," warns Fredric Brandt, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City and Miami. "Overuse will strip away the skin's outermost protective barrier, and your face will look raw and irritated."

Do it yourself well "Home microdermabrasion products use the same exfoliating particles as the experts use," points out Brandt. Unlike everyday home scrubs, microdermabrasion spheres don't dissolve in water, so skin reaps their full benefits as long as you rub them around in a circular motion, for deeper exfoliation. Apply the product to damp skin, so it glides on easily, use before bed so any redness can calm down as you sleep, and to avoid stinging, save your anti-aging treatments for other nights. Roughly two to three "home sessions" are equal to one in-office visit. Generally one $15-$125 at-home kit provides about 10-12 uses (they range in price because some kits use higher-grade exfoliants than others). Leading home microdermabrasion picks: Brandt's own Microdermabrasion in a Jar ($75; sephora.com), Pond's Purely Polished Microdermabrasion Anti-aging Kit ($14; drugstore.com) and Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System ($38, drugstore.com); all have a creamy base for added softening benefits. Brandt adds: Professional microdermabrasion does penetrate skin deeper to offer longer-lasting glowing results. But considering the cost savings you reap from doing it at home, we say try a do-it-yourself treatment first; if you're not satisfied with the radiance of your skin, opt for the professional route.

MANICURE + PEDICURE

Biggest at-home blunder Most women forget to deep clean the nail, says Jan Arnold, co-founder of Creative Nail Design. This is a problem because any dust or oily residue will prevent the base coat from adhering properly. The fix: Swipe each nail with acetone-based polish remover right before applying the base coat. Try Cutex Essential Care Advanced Nail Polish Remover Pads ($3; at drugstores).

Do it yourself well Master the base coat plus the three-stroke polish application used in salons; it lays down a thin coating that's ideal for lasting results. Also, never shake your polish. Doing so creates air bubbles, which can be painted right onto your nails (a dead giveaway that you've done your nails solo). Instead, mix lacquer by rolling the bottle between your palms. Arnold's at-home advice: With the right tools and a steady hand, you can pull off a top manicure/pedicure yourself. Start with a salon manicure/pedicure, then do the next two or three polish changes at home. Tools that make it easy to maintain a groomed look: Dr. Scholl's Pedicure Essentials Skin Softening Foot Rasp ($3.82; at drugstores), a paddle-style file for use on the soles of your feet after every shower, and Sephora Professional Emery Board ($2; sephora.com) to smooth nail snags.