Dressing up for Halloween can be fun and exciting, especially if you have a special party to attend. I've been invited to a friend's annual party and I'll be dressing up as Raggedy Ann. Whatever your plans entail, here are some Aging Backwards tips for enjoying the holiday:

1. Before you paint your face into a cat or ghoul, use an under-foundation primer or your regular moisturizer to help reduce the tugging needed to blend the colors.

2. When possible, use real cosmetic products meant for your face, rather than the cheap, greasy colors sold at costume shops, to keep your skin from breaking out.

3. If you do choose to use "Halloween makeup," read the label. You wan to check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics" or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application.

When you think of cosmetic surgery, feet aren't usually the first things to come to mind, but more and more people are opting for surgery to make their feet prettier.

"Foot Makeover" and "Toe Tuck" are just two of the terms that have come into vogue in recent years. Cosmetic foot surgery is defined as surgery "done to manipulate or change a foot that has no underlying injury." Some women want to shorten their toes or have their feet made narrower, while others ask for collagen or silicon injections in the pads of their feet to make it more comfortable to wear high heels.

According to WebMD, the majority of foot and ankle surgeons surveyed (82 percent) thought cosmetic foot surgery was inappropriate. The American Academy of Foot and Ankle Surgeons warns that cosmetic foot surgery should "not be considered in any circumstances."

Here are some tips to put your best foot forward and make your feet prettier without surgery:

Pedicure
Even if you don't have it in your budget, you can give yourself a home pedicure or at least polish your toenails so they'll look more "finished." Be sure to keep your toenails trimmed and filed.

Exfoliate
Our feet can take quite a beating from walking around barefoot or even in ill-fitting shoes. Sandals expose your feet to dirt and grime that can embed itself into your heels. To make your own exfoliant, mix Epsom Salt with coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Rub the paste into your heels and calluses then wash off and dry thoroughly. I recommend doing this in the bathtub, sitting down, so you don't slip. It can be messy, too, so doing it in the bath makes for easier clean-up.

Is cosmetic surgery the answer to depression? Well, maybe not, but one study shows that having cosmetic surgery can improve your mood and quality of life. "The effect of cosmetic surgery could be strong enough to help people get off anti-depressant medications," says Bruce Freedman, MD, a plastic surgeon in the Washington , D.C. area, who led the study.

According to Freedman, 31 percent of the study participants had stopped taking anti-depressants after having cosmetic surgery such as facelifts, breast augmentations, breast reductions and tummy tucks. Five percent of the patients who weren't taking anti-depressants before their surgery started taking them within six months after the surgery, but the study found that self-esteem was boosted all around. Ninety nine percent of those who weren't taking anti-depressants before surgery and 98 percent of those who were taking anti-depressants before surgery cited better self-esteem.