Spending an hour in the salon a few times a week is actually both time and opportunity cost efficient: Unless you’ve got major skills, all the right products and tools (and a healthy dose of patience), chances are a professional blow dry will look way better than you can do yourself. Plus, you’ll have more time to focus on more important things, like what outfit you’re going to wear, what you’re actually going to say during that big presentation.

First came her high-end line (loved by celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker) and several boutiques, then a wildly successful marriage with Target.  Having sold her company for a reported $50 million in 2007, her newest ‘babies’ are a non-maternity line for HSN called Completely Me, and a shopping newsletter with her sister called Shopafrolic.  “I’ve never written a business plan for anything I’ve done,” Liz says. “For me, it’s very organic—jumping on new opportunities that come my way.” Below, more work and life secrets from the designer and mom of two.

Currently reading: “My friend Alexandra Lebenthal’s fantastic page turner The Recessionistas and Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (the CEO of Zappos.com).”

Must-have make-up item: Laura Mercier bronzing gel. “I mix it with my moisturizer every morning to give my skin that tan, glowy look.”

On trusting yourself: “The first year of my business I was paralyzed. Some days I just lied in bed in a curled-up ball when I could have been getting things done! I was asking for validation instead of actually doing something—instead of just believing in my gut instinct and going forward.”

Can’t live without: Constant blow-outs. “My hair is my obsession and I just can’t do it myself. Embarrassing but true!”

Hiring m.o.: Passion matters more than a fancy resume. “One of my best employees ever was a girl who wrote me a very specific letter when she was still in college, describing her excitement for my brand and her experience working for a competitor. She started as an assistant, and was eventually our marketing director.”

Fave vacation spot(s): Palm Beach and the Mayan Riviera with the kids during the winter, Paris in the Spring, Capri in July

Holiday stay-slim secret: “All year long, I never just eat to eat; I only eat what I love. (Okay, and I work out with a personal trainer 3 times a week so that I can eat what I love!)”

Advice for recent grads: “Spend your twenties allowing yourself to try a lot of different things. If there’s some way you can focus on what you might love—something that doesn’t feel like work (at least not all the time)—chances are you’ll end up being very good at it and making money.”

Wish for the new year: Clarity and contentment

To learn more about Liz, visit her website, or check out her latest venture, Shopafrolic.

Hi Jane!

Few etiquette rules are as awkward as holiday tipping– and the hair stylist is at the top of the list. While some old-school experts still adhere to the “cost of an entire visit,” this measure is very confusing depending on what type of service you get (color vs. cut vs. regular blowdries). In practice, the custom is much more relaxed nowadays, especially given the economy. New rule: up your normal tip on your pre-holiday visit to about 50% from your normal 15 or 20%.  And while cash is king (!), many stylists told me that it’s common practice for clients to go for a more traditional gift such as a bottle of wine or gift card. About not tipping the owner, that’s also seems to be a rule that’s fallen by the wayside. Nowadays, if the owner is your regular stylist, go ahead and tip him or her!

For more info on whom to tip what this holiday season, check out some segments I did for ABC News and Good Day Atlanta on the topic.

Dear GGG, What’s the most appropriate nail color to wear for a “business casual” office environment? Can I do trendy? — Yasmine*, age 24, New York

Hi Yasmine! Business casual can vary widely depending on industry, so it depends where you work. The no-fail, safe strategy is to go with a pale pink or beige, think OPI Bubble Bath, Passion, or Samoan Sand. One coat of these sheer shades always looks elegant and (forgive the pun) polished. In industries like fashion, media, art, and design, you get a lot more leeway with trendy colors—even the dark raisin shades like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark (at left) or black shades (remember Chanel Black Satin?)– though you might toe the line at bright neons/greens/blues.

Remember, bold color only looks chic on very short nails; the nail should not extend beyond the edge of your fingertip. One big disadvantage of going the non-sheer route is that chips show easily—a major office ‘don’t’. As one fashionable GGG executive once said to me, “You can’t walk into a board meeting with chipped nails!”

Photo: OPI

She went on to work for A Different World–becoming its head writer/co-executive producer– followed by 15 years as a television producer and writer. Next, she shifted to prose, writing the critically-acclaimed memoir, Always Wear Joy, about her late mother, actress and performer Josephine Premice. Now, she’s turned to fiction. Her debut novel, out this month, is One Flight Up, a juicy, fun-filled take on the lives of four multi-cultural girlfriends. Think Sex and the City, with an international twist.

Here, Susan shares a few of her secrets in work and in fashion (she’s been named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame).

Inspired by: friendships; textiles; books by Charles Dickens; the painting of her mother in the mezzanine at the New York Public Library (her go-to writing spot).

Style trademark: blouses with dramatic poet sleeves; bias cut gowns for evening

Writing motto: Don’t get it right; get it written.

Work look: “I get dressed to write: slacks, dresses, maybe even a suit.”

On following your bliss: “Don’t think you’ll necessarily become a multi-millionaire by doing what you love. You might just have the gift that you get to do what you’re passionate about. It’s a risk you’re taking.”

Footwear: Flats by Tod’s. “I don’t believe in wearing flip-flops– except at the beach or leaving the nail salon!”

Fitness routine: Reformer pilates, three times a week.

Beauty must: Perfume. “My first love is Amazone by Hermes.”

To learn more about Susan (and peek inside her swoon-worthy “closet”), visit www.susanfales-hill.com.

What elements does an item of clothing need to look expensive even when it’s not?

As a shopper, you should look for good fabric–how it feels when you touch it–and try the piece on to see how it’s constructed. You still might have to get it altered for a little more cost, but tailoring helps the piece look richer right away. Also, check the stitch. If a designer uses a very thin thread, it looks much cheaper than a nice, thick thread. You hear about thread count with sheets, and it’s the same with stitches. If the thread is thicker, I find it makes the garment look richer. Those are little touches I try to give to my [Macy's] collection.

What did you learn back as an intern at Rocawear that prepared you for running your own business?

I learned so much! I think when you work in every department, even departments you don’t like, you learn to appreciate every position.  Working in, for example, the mailroom and in marketing, I learned seemingly little things like how much messengers cost and what time FedEx closes. But those are the things that you actually need to know to run your own company. Also, I’m used to the long hours because I did intern. Now, I don’t mind the hours because I’m working for myself.

You recently told Vogue that you don’t make the gym an utmost priority given your busy schedule as a mom of two daughters.  How do you keep it all together, so to speak?

It’s not easy. I do take it one day at a time, and try to make time for myself, literally just “mind-melting.” Some people call it meditation; I call it mind-melt. Everyday for a few moments (not even 10 minutes if I don’t have it) I either talk to myself or, since I’m a bit spiritual, I talk to God, just trying to put everything into alignment. I also do deep breathing. All of these things sound so corny that I hate kind of listing them, but if you try it when you’re alone–just a deep breath, or sitting up straight–it works. It calms me, and I’m able to be more present for the people that deserve it, like my two little girls.  They deserve a really active, present mom. So, that’s what keeps me going.

To learn more about Rachel, visit www.rachelroy.com.

Photo Credit: Barry Williams

1. Luna Bar “Minis”: only 80 calories, for when you only need two bites of healthy goodness, not a full energy bar. So cute and delish.
2. MedeTate by DERMAdoctor: So far, these pantent-pending, anti-sweat towlettes REALLY DO work, more effective than Secret or Degree Clinical Strength, et al. I almost can’t believe it.
3. Searle Collection dresses. Compliment-getting sheath dresses that are smart/sophisticated/sexy and come in great jewel colors. Found mine for under $200 at Tootsie’s, but seems like they might be more expensive online, not sure why.
4. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: A gentle, non-drying cleanser that gets eye makeup off. Yummy fragrance, too.
5. CVS spray hand sanitizer: Non-slimy and discreet anti-germ solution.
6. Moleskin Ruled Notebooks. I’m a fan of the Moleskin Reporter notebooks, and received these lovely, thin red journals as a gift from Books, Inc. in San Francisco. Can’t wait to use them!

Clever marketers they are, Bobbi Brown has put that “back-to-school” feeling into makeup with its new fall “Ivy League” collection, featuring a range of preppy meets classy meets sexy offerings. Standouts include the creamy eye pencils, available in a range of rich, feathery hues like Dusk and Caviar. The muted-jewel shades blend in almost like an eyeshadow and have just enough color to brighten your eyes (and your day) but still feel daytime appropos.

For nighttime try the pearlized limited edition shadow in Golden Leaf– a goldtone neutral with a hint of smoke– or the Forest Shimmer Gel Eyeliner, a long wearing, glamorous deep green.

You’ll feel first in class (couldn’t resist ).

Photo credit: Bobbi Brown

If your digits are suffering from polish overload, you take a break on your next salon visit and ask that toenails to be buffed only (no clear polish). Or, become extra vigilant about removing the color in between visits, say after two weeks even if the color still looks impeccable. 

But something about brightly-polished toesies just says “summer” to me, and it’s hard to imagine going buff all season… especially when all we’ve got on is a thong (sandal, that is). 

Exhibit A: my toes sometime in May, whose nails have sported a rotating shade of coral/pink ever since.

Below, Lily fills in the blanks with some of her life and style faves.