Carrie Underwood Goes From Girl-Next-Door to Glamorous

Carrie Underwood won the hearts of "American Idol 4" viewers across the country thanks to her powerful voice and sweet demeanor. Now she's a Grammy award winner who wows photographers on the red carpet. How did the charming Oklahoman go from being a country girl to a Hollywood star? Carrie shares her secrets with In Style below.

[ See Pics From Carrie's In Style Photo Shoot ]

1. Always look the part
"Most of the time I slap on some makeup in the morning so I don't look bad if somebody snaps a picture. Somebody, somewhere, will catch you, even if it's a fan at the grocery store. Very rarely do I go out without makeup."

2. Keep a food diary
"I'm OCD like that. I count calories, fat, and fiber--which is important in making you feel fuller faster--and protein, especially when I'm working out."

3. Don't be a dairy queen
"Cheese is ruining my life! I'm trying to talk myself into being lactose intolerant. I mean, it's basically moldy milk, and it doesn't smell that great, but it's so good! Oh, jeez, I'm thinking about it now..."

[ Watch Carrie Transform From Country Girl to Country Star ]

4. Exercise your options
"Always take an hour for yourself to go do something positive. I like the elliptical machine or swimming if I'm in a hotel with a decent pool and there aren't too many people there. I also do the treadmill, free weights, exercise ball. If it's a nice day, outdoor activity is nice. I get a bike and ride around. Plus, I get a decent cardio workout every night onstage."

5. Don't break the bank
"I don't buy expensive jewelry and fur coats and Escalades. I've never bought a car in my life. The car I have, a Ford Mustang convertible, is the one I won on 'Idol'--I guess I need to go buy a new car after all!"

6. Smell yummy
"I don't do smelly soaps or wear perfume, so lotion is kind of my perfume. My favorite body lotion is Benefit's Maybe Baby. It's got a little shimmer in it. If I'm dressing up I might use perfume. I have a couple by Anna Sui. And Gwen Stefani's perfume [L] is good, too."

[ Check Out Other "American Idol" Makeovers ]

7. Be a girlie girl
"With makeup I think it's important for girls to play. I mix a lot. I'll put on lip gloss and go, 'That needs to shimmer.' So I'll put something shimmery on top. Then I want it a little pinker, so I put pink on top. But it all comes together. I'm trying to lay off the black eyeliner though--I love it a little too much."

8. Go with the flow
"I tend to go after bigger, flowy tops or dresses. I know I'm doing myself a disservice, but I'd rather put on a muumuu and have people at least think there might be a skinny person underneath than put on something tight and have them think, 'Look at that gut!'"

9. Laugh at yourself
"Usually I come up through the floor to get to the stage. I can't stand up on the little platform or the audience will see me, so I'm squatting down with my rear end pressed up against the back of it. I just laugh because the audience thinks this is so glamorous--and here I am under the stage with these ropes and equipment, my butt pressed against plastic!"

To read Carrie's complete interview, pick up the May issue of In Style, available on newsstands now.