Blog Posts by RealBeauty.com

Before you know it, Memorial Day Weekend (MDW, as some of us fondly call it) will be upon us, and your bathing suit will become part of your weekend wardrobe.

You've worked out, changed your diet to some healthier options and are ready to face the sand and waves. But what about a beach beauty blunder that happens after all your hard summer prep work? Fix your skin woes with these lifesavers to keep your flawless, glowing skin all summer long.




Related: See yourself a size smaller with our Virtual Weight Loss Simulator!



Beach Blunder #1 - Beach Feet

The sand feels great under your feet, but after a weekend walking around on top of it, it doesn't always leave them looking great. Calluses, blisters from the hot sand, polish chips, you name it your poor feet will go through it this summer. Treat them to a little tootsie TLC with The Body Shop's Peppermint Purifying Foot Mask. The mint-infused treatment refreshes them after a weekend of abuse and restores them to their sqeaky clean

If you're trying to keep your waistline in check this summer, fill your fridge with snacks that satisfy and slim. Here, nutritionist Robyn Flipse, M.S., R.D., shares her suggestions for the best foods to help you lose weight and get bikini-ready.

Melons
Throughout the summer, stock up on an array of seedless watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew to cube and have on hand when you feel the urge to "pick." Their high moisture content dilutes the calories per serving and provides you with more water - a great way to hydrate and feel fuller sooner.
Summer Suggestion: Which Should You Choose: An Orange or Glass of O.J.? Find Out!


Fat-Free Yogurt
Protein-rich dairy foods have been shown to aid in weight loss, so try starting your day with a yogurt parfait. Layer your favorite fat-free yogurt (try f-- e 0%, which is thick and super-creamy) with berries and crushed nuts or granola. Bonus tip: This makes a great dessert, too!
Summer Suggestion: Want Slimmer Abs or Killer Legs? Try These 12

Hold that tanning lotion, especially if you're under 18. New York City is moving and shaking to pass a bill that would replace a state law that currently requires parental permission for anyone between the ages of 14-18 to tan in a tanning bed. The new law would ban minors from tanning completely.

Related: Summer Skin Tips

The New York Teen Tan Ban is an additional step that would join other states like California, North Carolina and New Jersey that already ban teens under 14 years old from tanning, period.

If passed, the ban would be the first statewide under 18 ban in the nation. Seems like an easy decision, right? Not so much.

Related: Top 7 Ways to Fake a Summer Tan

According to the Times Union the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) is rallying the bill, claiming it will hurt the tanning industry commercially and also will take away a basic right for parents. "We're opposed to it for the commercial reasons, but we're also opposed to it philosophically," said John Overstreet,

Even if you've been less than diligent about diet and exercise, you can still step out looking slimmer this summer. Here, best-selling author Charla Krupp reveals brilliant fashion and beauty tricks from her book How to Never Look Fat Again. Get a jump start on your diet and fitness goals with our Virtual Weight Loss Simulator.

Buy a New Bra
The one thing every woman can do right now to look thinner in her clothes is to buy a new bra, says Krupp. "Eight-five percent of women are walking around in the wrong bra, and it makes their breasts look lower than they should be." The goal is to create as much space as possible between your waist and chest so your torso appears longer and leaner, advises Krupp. The trick is to have an expert measure you instead of automatically buying the same size you always do. Head to the lingerie department at a fine department store or a specialty shop like the Intimacy boutique to get hooked up (no pun intended). Click here for more tips on how to get the

If you have any plans to wear a bathing suit this summer, one thing is for sure-you'll be looking to maintain your bikini line. Here are the two best methods to keeping your hair down there properly groomed-and the need-to-know tips.

Best Option: Wax
"The hair in the bikini area tends to be coarse and thick, which is ideal for waxing. Plus, since the hair is pulled out from the root, it grows back thinner over time," says Katherine Goldman, owner of Strip Bar Wax in San Francisco. Related: 8 Do's and Don'ts of At-Home Waxing

Bikini Line: Expert Waxing Tips
• Whether you have an appointment with a professional or you're going the DIY route, make sure that the hair is at least 1/4 inch long, says Goldman.
• Avoid extreme heat or exercise for 24 hours postwax to prevent irritation. This includes sunbathing (a no-no regardless!), saunas, and hot tubs.
• Do not shave between waxes, warns Goldman. Find out the trick to staying smooth between waxes.

Bikini Line Runner-Up: Shaving
Shaving

Bronzing yourself comes with a fine line. On one hand, you could look like a sun-kissed goddess but on the other, apply t0o much and you look like Jersey Shore's Snooki's twin sister.

Try these basic tips for every skin type and age from Marcus Monson, Guerlain National Makeup Artist this summer. You'll look like you just stepped off the sand, instead of looking like you just stepped off the dance floor from a fist pumping contest. Related: 10 Best Beauty Products for Summer

Tip #1: Highlight Darker Skin

Bronzers aren't just meant for those with fair skin. If you have darker skin, pick a shade two tones darker than your skin tone and use it to highlight your cheekbones. Pick a brown-based bronzer to look the most natural. Ones that are more orange-based will look cakey by the end of the day. Related: Splurge vs. Steal Bronzers




Tip #2: Make It Look Natural

Your bronzer should be a believable shade on your face, especially as you get older. That orange, faux tan look won't fool

Sure, we all want sexy abs à la Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Aniston's great gams, but few of us have the money to shell out for a high-powered celebrity trainer, and with life's fast pace we're lucky to even make it to the gym. Next time you're feeling more motivated to inhale a tub of ice cream while watching the latest episode of Glee, put down the spoon and pick up the dumbbells. Celeb fitness trainer Kit Rich, showed us how to squeeze in a full workout during the commercial breaks of your favorite prime-time shows.

Couch Dips: Sitting on the edge of your couch, place your hands next to your sides with your fingertips facing forward. Roll your shoulders back and open your chest. Slide your body off the couch, keeping it close. On an inhale, bend your elbows so that your butt is trying to touch the floor. On an exhale, lift back up to starting position.

What it does: Strengthens and tones triceps.

Reps: Do as many reps as you can do in a commercial. Rest for another commercial, and

You can run and you can hide, but bathing suit season is here whether you like it or not. Don't hide under your tunic this summer, instead use these tips from New-York based wardrobe stylist Shatonia Amee to find out which suit style will be the most flattering for your body type. Related: TV Trainer Jillian Michaels Talks Fitness

If You're Pear-Shaped...

Pick a suit with some lift, to give you a little more oomph and curve to your shape. Your best bet on top is a push-up bra to give your breasts maximum support.


Since most pear shapes have a slightly larger bottom than top, buy your bikini bottom one size larger than you would your top. The beauty of separates is that you can mix and match, changing up your options. Related: Find the Perfect Pair of Jeans for Your Body Type

If You're Rectangle-Shape...

If you find you have larger breasts than the average beach bunny, splurge and buy a supportive top with full coverage. This will give you control over your top and a healthy shape.