With her flawless skin and luminous locks, it’s hard to believe the Courteney Cox is in fact, 48 years old.

Good thing xoJane.com enlisted the star to once again dispense tricks of the trade. “Hair is a tough one,” she admits. “I’m pretty lazy. I don’t even know how to use a blow dryer.”

To achieve trademark on-set loose curls, she refers to her Cougar Town guru, Brant Mayfield, who wraps big sections with a $130 Clipless Enzo Milano curling iron. To prepare for heat, he uses $27 Bumble and bumble Thickening Spray to add texture to just-washed hair.

“When your hair is dry from frequent blow drying, try a $16 Moroccan Oil treatment,” Cox advises. “It’s made of argan oil which is very nourishing and conditioning.” Other faves include $8 one-and-you’re-done lip moisture from Acca Kappa. “It really stays on and also has an SPF. I like the vanilla flavored one,” she gushes.

A self-professed former “sun worshiper,” the star relies on $85 NIA 24 Niacin-Powered Skin Therapy to help with hyperpigmentation and to improve skin’s texture and tone. “I’m actually a fan of all their products,” she says. “Their sunscreen is great!”

–Justine Harman

CHECK OUT THESE TRESS TRANSFORMATIONS: STARS’ WACKIEST WINTER HAIR!

We can’t afford the off-the-runway Prabal, Prada and Pucci our favorite stars wear to red-carpet events, but what if they were available secondhand? Now you’re talking! The Real Real, an online consignment shop, is selling dozens of high-fashion dresses and accessories worn by celebrities, and 85 percent of proceeds from sales will benefit a great cause.

The sale starts Thursday at 10 a.m. ET, and includes Diane von Furstenberg from Jennifer Garner, a Rachel Zoe collection gown, Haute Hippie from Kourtney Kardashian, a Rebecca Taylor dress from 90210‘s Shenae Grimes (above, right) and a Alessandro Dell’Acqua number from Courteney Cox (above, left). “I love the fit and color of this dress,” Cox tells PEOPLE. “I loved wearing it.”

Other goodies include a Dolce & Gabbana clutch donated by Miley Cyrus, a gown Chris Benz designed for Glee‘s Dianna Agron, two Tory Burch handbags and a Monique Lhuillier blouse from Jamie-Lynn Sigler — plus much more.

To get in on the action, sign up for The Real Real and get shopping. And though the items may be on the pricier side, you can feed your guilty conscious with the knowledge that you’ll be helping to fund Chrysalis, a non-profit that helps homeless and low-income individuals gain resources and find employment.

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

True, she has makeup artists at her beck and call, but when she’s at home, Courteney Cox takes care of her own skincare and makeup, thank you very much. And in her latest blog for xojane.com, the Cougar Town star dishes on her “eye care solutions,” the tools she uses to keep her peepers pretty.

Cox “loves” her new Shiseido eyelash curler (bottom left), “less rounded so it’s easier to curl all your lashes evenly,” she explains. Next comes her Paul Scerri eye cream, which she explains is “really rich, but absorbs easily. Also great to use on a plane.”

To cover up any undereye circles, Cox turns to concealers from Laura Mercier (top right) and Edward Bess. “I alternate depending on how dry my skin is,” she shares, adding, “Laura’s is more moisturizing.” And to highlight her eyes, she uses Anastasia eyebrow pencil in medium brown (top left) to draw attention to the area.

For lengthy lashes, Cox is a fan of Latisse (though she’s not a spokeswoman for the brand). “It’s expensive,” she admits, “but really does make your lashes grow thicker and longer.” And to add even more dimension, she swipes YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils mascara (bottom right) on the top and bottom lashes. “I never get black dots under my eyes,” she boasts. Tell us: What products do you use on your eyes?

STUDY UP ON STAR MAKEUP TIPS & TRICKS

She’s been sharing her budget beauty secrets as a style blogger for Jane Pratt’s site xojane.com, but in her most recent post, Courteney Cox dives into some, well, hairier issues.

“Jane asked me about the best nose hair trimmer,” Cox says in her latest column. “Embarrassing, but the Panasonic Swing Head is great for that and for eyebrow trimming.”

When she’s not keeping up on her trimming, Cox is using some other unusual products that she doesn’t leave home without, including moldable earplugs. “I have a really hard time sleeping but one thing that helps, besides my night guard, are these earplugs,” she writes. “You don’t have to stick them in your ear, just mold them around it. I don’t go anywhere without these.”

Her third pick of the week? Oddly enough, a hand grip — because her father used to use one of his own. “I use one … mostly because it reminds me of my dad, but also because it’s a good stress reliever,” she explains. “It tones the muscles in your forearm that are seldom worked out.”

Got a burning question for the actress? Cox is taking reader questions and dishing advice in her upcoming columns. Email her at courteney@janepratt.com.

 –Kim Peiffer

STUDY STAR BEAUTY TIPS AND TRICKS

She may be one of Hollywood’s most glamorous leading ladies, but Courteney Cox still has beauty problems of her own. “I have the dryest skin,” she laments on xoJane.com, where she serves as the site’s new beauty columnist. “I know I need to drink more water.” But until she starts seeing results from H2O, the actress has a few tricks up her sleeve. “[Something] that really helps is to take a loofah or a thistle brush,” she suggests, recommending one made from palm fibers like Earth Therapeutics Purest Palm Body Brush ($7.20). She says to use it on dry skin before taking a shower. “I brush upwards and it hurts,” she warns. “Then I shower.” After the shower and while she’s still wet, Cox puts on Aura Cacia sweet almond oil ($13.65). “Don’t rub it off with your towel, just pat your skin or let it dry naturally,” she advises. If at this point your skin is still very dry, the self-proclaimed “coconut nut” says to apply an oil like “Pure Fiji coconut milk and honey ($24). Yes, you will be pretty oily for a bit, but if you have the time to let it soak in, you’ll feel great,” she says. Just one word of warning: “Watch out when you’re wearing silk shirts!” Tell us: How do you deal with dry skin? –Caroline Slutsky

SHOP OUR EDITORS’ BEAUTY PICKS

Courteney Cox knows that the best hair dye can be picked up at a drugstore for $9 — but some products, like Edward Bess eye shadow, are worth the splurge. In the spirit of sharing her favorite tips and tricks, the actress is writing a new blog for xoJane.com, the latest creation of former Jane and Sassy founding editor Jane Pratt, where she’ll post at least twice a month, her rep confirms to PEOPLE. (Estranged husband David Arquette created a T-shirt for the site earlier this year.) As the designated home editor for the site, her column focuses on her lifestyle essentials, such as Clairol Natural Instincts Brass-Free For Brunette ($8.99), her favorite hair treatment for “dark-haired girls who don’t like red hues coming through.” She also revealed her Edward Bess products-of-choice, Ultra-Luminous Eye Shadow ($30) and Sheer Satin Cream Compact ($60), in her first post. But she’s not the first celeb style icon who’s taken her know-how to the blogosphere. Gwyneth Paltrow updates fans with lifestyle advice, workout plans and recipes on her online newsletter, GOOP.com, and former reality star Lauren Conrad launched thebeautydepartment.com in April, where she dishes out details on the latest in hair and makeup. With three celebrity beauties offering star-worthy beauty advice, tell us: Who’s your go-to? –Alison Schwartz

Like aunt, like niece? The Arquette-Cox clan seemed to make hair a family affair this weekend. Patricia Arquette, formerly of Medium, was spotted out in Beverly Hills Saturday with a full head of purplely-blue hair, pulled back into a ponytail. Then Sunday, Courteney Cox‘s daughter Coco, 7 today, emerged from a Malibu salon with purple and blue streaks in her light brown locks, courtesy of mom. Though Cox is currently estranged from husband David Arquette (though they’re still friendly), it’s possible Coco is still taking style cues from dad’s side of the family. Or maybe her new hairstyle was a birthday treat? Tell us: What do you think of the Arquette ladies’ new hues?

VOTE ON STAR HAIR CHANGES!

It’s been 15 years since the first Scream film hit theaters, delighting audiences with thrills and chills. And while the cast members have come and gone — some in an untimely manner on screen — Scream 4 seems to be the most star-packed of the series yet. Last night, the sure-to-be-frightening film premiered in Los Angeles at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, drawing a whole roster of celebs. But the ladies who really stood out were original stars Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell (in Vivienne Westwood), plus newcomers Kristen Bell (in Vanessa Bruno), Hayden Panettiere (in Zac Posen), Anna Paquin (in Cushnie et Ochs) and Emma Roberts (in Burberry). We loved all of their pretty dresses, but we want to know what you think. Tell us: Who gets your vote for best-dressed Scream 4 star?

Startraks; WireImage; FilmMagic

Tiffany Mortensen

When Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay decided to team up with Los Angeles based T-shirt brand Michael Stars to create a limited-edition tee to benefit women and children who have overcome domestic violence and sexual assault, her famous friends joined forces to celebrate the charitable partnership. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, Debra Messing, and Hilary Swank ditched their glamorous gowns and donned the do-gooding Michael Stars tee to honor Mariska’s cause at a private Beverly Hills bash. The cotton knits feature a silver heart inscribed with inspirational words for abuse victims such as “survive”, “love”, “heart”, “soul” and more. For every purchase, Michael Stars will give a tee to a woman in need and donate $5 to The Joyful Heart Foundation, Mariska’s charitable organization that strives to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Prices range from $62 for short-sleeve styles to $64 for long-sleeve versions. Visit MichaelStars.com to shop.

Jason Kempin/WireImage

Courteney Cox and David Arquette have headed back to the design studio just in time for the holidays. The husband-and-wife design team have been working with Satya Jewelry since 2007 on a collection of butterfly-inspired jewels to benefit the EB Medical Research Foundation, a cause close to the Arquettes’ hearts. “There is a beautiful child named Brendon, the son of one of our dear friends, Andrea Pett Joseph, who was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa or EB [a rare skin disease],” David tells Vogue.com. “We were not aware of the condition until it affected us personally but, of course, once we got to know this incredible child we wanted to do whatever we could to help.” Since the launch of their EB jewelry collection, the Arquettes and Satya Jewelry have raised over $200,000 to benefit EBMRF. For this upcoming holiday season, David and Courteney have added three new pieces to their collection, including a new butterfly pendant, a new “hope” pendant and an onyx, blue topaz and turquoise bracelet with a sterling silver charm. The collection ranges from $38-$68, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the EBMRF. Click here to shop Courteney and David’s EB collection for Satya Jewelry.

Dave Allocca/Startraks

They’re creepy and they’re kooky….at least Reese, Courteney, and McDreamy and their kids will be on Halloween. The famous Avon faces ringing your bell that night won’t be making a sales call, but rather, they’ll be trick or treating with their children. “My son Darby is into skeletons and anything with skull and crossbones,” presenter Patrick Dempsey told PEOPLE at The Avon Foundation for Women Benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York Tuesday. “They’ve been practicing for Halloween for about a month now.” And their daughter is also going for the dark side. “My daughter is going to be the gothic princess skeleton,” added McDreamy’s wife (and Avon’s Global Creative Color Director) Jillian Dempsey. “We’re going as the Addams Family,” chimed in Courteney Cox Arquette, also a presenter. And her little daughter Coco? “She’s going to be Wednesday,” said Cox, while husband David is going to be Gomez. Not everyone is that settled, as the evening’s co-host, Reese Witherspoon, claimed she didn’t know yet what the kids would dress as on Halloween. “But I’m going to be a monster,” said Witherspoon. “I found a great furry costume and I had to buy it.” And even those trick or treating without little ones are getting into the spirit, with Lauren Conrad making her own clown costume. “It just sounded fun,” she said. “And I figured it was the only costume that I could wear with flats. I can wear tennis shoes. You get tired of heels!“ – Jeffrey Slonim

GUESS THE TRICK OR TREATER…BEFORE THEY WERE STARS!

Chris Walter/WireImage; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Today is a big day for celebrity fragrances, as WWD announces new celeb scents for Courteney Cox Arquette and Faith Hill. Beauty brand Avon have chosen Courteney as the face of their latest scent, Spotlight. The fresh, oriental fragrance is slated to launch in limited release in April of 2009 at a budget-friendly cost of $23 a bottle. So why did the star choose to represent Avon? “Once I sat with them and learned more, they really blew me away with all the issues they support and the wonderful earnings opportunities they give women,” Cox says.

Singer Faith Hill also announced today plans to partner with Coty for a signature fragrance that will hit stores in late fall of 2009. While the name and composition of the star’s first scent have yet to be announced, she’s no stranger to the fragrance industry, having lent her nose to help develop McGraw by Tim McGraw, her husband’s cologne with the brand. One thing is certain, the singer has plenty of inspiration for the fragrance: “I am inspired by my travels around the world as well as my home,” she says. “These experiences have made a mark on my style in what I wear, my surroundings and the perfume I choose.” Tell us: Which of the two fragrances are you most excited to try out when they launch next year?

Soul Brother/FilmMagic

He might be known as one of Hollywood’s more eccentric dressers, but David Arquette is about to launch a signature line of clothing that’s showing off a whole new side of himself. PEOPLE caught up with the new designer who dished about his clothing line Propr, produced in partnership with one of the founders of preppy favorite Penguin. As for which side of the preppy/eccentric divide Propr falls on, David says, “It isn’t conservative, but it wouldn’t be like what you’d expect out of me — crazy dresser. But, you know, it’s somewhat conservative clothing but it’s got a sort of vintage twist to it that you can sort of mix and match to sort of represent your own style.” So far Arquette has only shown off his wears during a sneak peek at N.Y.C. fashion week (attended by famous friends Jennifer Aniston and Laura Dern), but he’s planning a blow-out launch event in his native L.A. And what does his famous wife, Courteney Cox Arquette think about the designs? “She’s had tons of input,” he says. “We went into her closet, and [I] asked her about the clothes that she loves.” And then, proving that he’ll never completely abandon his flair for whimsy, he adds, “We found a spider in her closet and took a picture of it and put it on some shirts.”

Courtesy rosiejanecosmetics.com

Rosie Jane Cosmetics compliment lots of skin tones and are easy to apply. Created by a celebrity make-up artist, the line has racked up fans such as Courteney Cox Arquette, America Ferrera and Katherine Heigl. Use the code ROSIEJANE and receive 20% off your next order. Offer expires September 31st, 2007.

What we love at rosiejanecosmetics.com now:

Cheek gloss in poppy, $24. With discount, $20.

Lester Cohen/WireImage

What’s the go-to Hollywood outfit? According to Courteney Cox Arquette, it’s a T-shirt and jeans. In fact, at last night’s OmniPeace event at Kitson Men, it was all about the T-shirt — specifically the Charitable T-shirt line by Signorelli to benefit Millenium Promise, a non-profit dedicated to ending extreme poverty in Africa by 2025. Courteney was host of the event and sported her very own OmniPeace shirt in grey and an EB Butterfly Necklace that her and David designed along with
Satya Jewelry to benefit another charity. She told PEOPLE, “I’m loving this shirt! It’s so soft and cute.” She was joined by OmniPeace founder Mary Fanaro (her friend of 20-years), husband David Arquette, sister-in-law Alexis Arquette and neighbor David Spade who came to support his friend. “Courteney always picks good causes to get behind,” said the comedian. The mom of little Coco Arquette isn’t just getting her celebrity friends to support, she’s also teaching her daughter to give back. “With Coco, we’re teaching her slowly but at this point I’m just trying to get her to share her Barbies!” Maybe an OmniPeace T-shirt for Barbie should be up next. Get your own OmniPeace by Signorelli T-Shirt, $65 at shopkitson.com.

Courteney Cox Arquette totally fooled us with this adorable printed tote! We were positive that the actress was carrying a perfectly chic spring bag to The Tripper premiere last week, but it turns out that is actually a picnic blanket carrier that everyone was given at the screening (the movie’s name is on the other side). Made by Picnic Time, the blanket comes in a variety of cute geometric patterns and is reversible fleece and waterproof nylon. And at $18, it’s a steal. Hope it kept Courteney from getting the chills during the scary movie! Get your own Sunshine Blanket Tote at katalinaklark.com.

Click here to see more photos, news and a full bio of Courteney Cox Arquette, and click here to discuss her style in Off the Rack.

Click here to see our Ultimate Guide to Summer Style. Everything you need to beat the heat — from the hottest shoes to the coolest shades and the sexiest bikinis!

Photo: NCNA

Courteney Cox had a fashionable way to say thank you to her BFF Jennifer Aniston after she appeared on her show Dirt (and its much anticipated kiss scene) in the March 27th finale. Cox gave her fellow-Friend a pair of Robert Marc Snakeskin shades. These are the same shades that Courteney’s character, tabloid editor Lucy Spiller, is seen wearing on the show, but in a slightly different color. Jen’s new pair are a limited-edition frame that retails for $595 at Robert Marc boutiques. Also available: Slightly less expensive Snakeskin frames, about $375, in white, green and black. Visit RobertMarc.com for a boutique near you to purchase the frames.

Photo: Richard Young/startraks

If only we editors here at People got to spend our evenings swanning around Hollywood soirees in red couture evening gowns, engaging in witty, cocktail-fueled repartee with movie execs named Harvey. But, we can still appreciate how great tabloid editor-in-chief Lucy Spiller, as played by Courteney Cox in her first post-Friends TV role, looks in her crimson evening gown in the premiere episode of Dirt. It’s by designer Justo Artigas, and Cox had to be sewn into the garment every time she put it on, according to the FX publicity department. Ah, the sacrifices one must make for beauty. Not that Cox had to sacrifice too much: “She can literally wear a paper sack and make it look great,” gushed the show’s costume designer, LuEllyn Harper. Harper used designers like Prada, Costume National, Stella McCartney and Donna Karan for Lucy’s power wardrobe, and favored sharp silhouettes to mach the editrix’s sharp personality. “Her clothes have a sexiness to them, but she’s still this powerful businesswoman,” says Harper. “We mix business pieces with making her look good.” Can you wardrobe us next?

Test your knowledge of the former friend by taking our quiz here

Photo: FX

I was lucky enough to start my day by having breakfast with Courteney Cox. No, really! This morning, she spoke on behalf of Kinerase, the skincare line that she is the face of, to a group of editors. After hearing all about their new products (if they make me look like Courteney, sign me up! She looks amazing in person), she showed us a film about EB, a skin disease that afflicts kids (victims are often known as “butterfly children”). The actress has become very involved with raising money to fund the EB Medical Research Foundation — she has even gotten Kinerase involved in donating a percentage of their sales to the charity.

And a few hours later, after changing from her beautiful lace blouse and pinstriped skirt into a stunning satin dress, she was joined at a press conference by designer Nicole Miller, to announce a limited edition bag that will contribute 10% of the proceeds to the EB Foundation (in conjuction with Kinerase again). In addition, they will be sending a version of the bags out to celebs to decorate, which will be auctioned off later in the year with a 100% of the proceeds going to the the charity. Wonder if Courteney’s best friend Jennifer Aniston will get out her glue gun?

Courteney continued on to another reception for the brand, but then her hectic day was over! But don’t expect to see her at any fashion shows or parties tonight — it is hubby David Arquette’s birthday, and the night is promised to him! – Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

Photo: Lenny Abbot/INF;Thos Robinson/Getty