Tips + Tricks of the Trade

From clothing and closet maintenance, we move into our final chapter of Stylist Secrets – quick fix tips for avoiding "wardrobe malfunctions" when prepping for a chic night out or while on the go. The Sex and the City girls don't go a day without help from their stylists, so why not pick up a few tricks of your own to look red-carpet ready anytime?

Keeping a stash of handy styling tools in your purse, your desk at work, or the glove compartment of your car (my personal favorite) can morph a number of sticky situations into celebrity-worthy looks in mere minutes – read on for all the details.

Fight for your feet. Try as we might to stand tall in our stilettos and pretend blisters afflict only the weak-footed, we all have at least one pair of too-cute-to-resist, blister bearing heels and would pay big bucks for a cure-all remedy to walk in them without pain. While I may not know the million-dollar solution, I do have a few suggestions for preventing sore feet.

For starters, try moleskin. Use a piece of this sticky-back, fuzzy-front miracle maker to add a layer of softness to stiff spots on your shoes before you put them on. Moleskin, a budget-friendly drugstore buy, is sold in square sheets that can be cut down to accommodate the curve and shape of any shoe. (Note: It's also a fantastic way to prevent loose rings from slipping off your fingers and into the abyss!)

Still scared your shoes will win the walking war? Check out Band-Aid's new Blister Blocker, a mini-sized stick that rolls a clear layer of protection right onto your skin to prevent chafing. Foot Petals and Insolia inserts (developed by an MIT rocket scientist and designed to redistribute your weight) are also great ways to add cushion to your most difficult, to-die-for shoes.

Tame your mane. Need to transform your tresses in an instant? Consider keeping a cordless curling iron or travel-sized flat iron on hand. These small but powerful tools will smooth and style away the stress of the day and have you ready for your next event in no time. They are also both ideal for travel – check out the Braun C21 curling iron, which runs on butane gas, and the Solano Sapphire mini straightener, equipped with dual voltage to accommodate your next trip overnight or overseas.

Make it stay while you play. There's no excuse for offering a free 'show' while wearing your most beautiful, body-baring attire. Make sure you're prepared before you pull a Britney and end up in the hall of shame. While you've probably all seen Hollywood Fashion Tape, a product designed to keep your clothing stuck snugly to your skin, did you know this favorite stylist secret actually stems from toupee tape? Consider buying the original standby from Topstick- it lacks the pretty pink packaging, but will cost you a bit less and stay on a bit better. JLo certainly must have been using the strongest tape available while wearing her infamous emerald green gown.

Another key to 'keeping the girls in check' are Fashion Forms' Breast Petals. These disposable nipple covers will make sure nothing shows through even the slinkiest satin top. Braza Strap Mates are an easy way to make your non-convertible bra cooperate – showing your straps is not in style no matter what you've heard. Lastly, Her Look Enterprises' Commando line offers virtually undetectable undergarments boxed to keep at the ready!

Whatever you choose from the many offerings above, there are a few basics no girl's styling stash should be without:

*Tweezers (these are easy to lose, so I stick with the local drugstore's 99¢ version)

*Nail File (check out the travel section at Target for Ms. Manicure's matchbook of files – it's the perfect size to keep tucked away without risking scratches to whatever else shares its space)

*Safety Pins (keep an assortment of sizes in black and silver to hold loose buttons, zippers, etc. in place)

*Quick-Dry Clear Nail Polish (used for more than adding shine to your nails – dab a bit at the end of a run in your stockings to stop it from spreading)

I hope you enjoyed my Stylist Secrets series. Feel free to e-mail me (allison@PolishedAdvising.com) with any questions you might like to have answered in the Stylist Studio!

Stay Stylish,

Ally