Blog Posts by Marie Claire

Whether you have one minute or a month to prepare for a tropical getaway, here's a guide to grinning and baring it in no time. Get that sun-kissed look!

GOLDEN GODDESS

With self-tanners stepping up their technology, you'll never have to worry about looking like you've been mainlining carrots.

The Best Flat Belly Foods To Beat The Bloat

Two Days: New, clear self-tanning gels like L'Oréal's Sublime Bronze allow for fast absorption and tidy application that won't stain your clothes or beloved Frette sheets (the formula turns bronze on contact with your skin's melanin). Just exfoliate a day prior to ensure streak-free results, and allow 24 hours for the shade to develop.

4 Do-It Yourself Hair Remedies

One Day: A few drops of Guerlain's Terracotta Serum in your favorite moisturizer promises a golden, longer-lasting bronze. Its secret: a Tan Booster ingredient derived from the carob tree that safely boosts your skin's melanin (unlike pills such as prescription Psoralen, which make you

Marie ClaireMake Room for Some Color

Q: I recently moved from New York City to the South. All my clothes are black! What kinds of casual tops should I look for this summer? I wear a uniform to work and jeans with flat shoes on my days off, but I want to make things more interesting.

A: I'm glad that you are acknowledging the limitations of black apparel and have a desire for more pizzazz in your wardrobe. Happily, the 2010 spring/summer season is chock-full of interesting options for tops, with embellishment being one of the key factors. There are tops with pleating, ruffles, scalloped petals, sequins, or stones; the styles range from camisoles to wraps; and prints are in abundance. Since there is something out there for everyone, there is no need to betray who you are. Find items that resonate with you and wear them with joy and aplomb!

4 Do-It Yourself Hair Remedies

When to Splurge on Shoes

Q: I'm on a shoe budget and want to make a good fashion investment for the season. I am obsessed with Tory

Marie ClaireLike almost 20 percent of women in the United States, Jen Kirkman won't be having kids. But a funny thing happens when the 38-year-old comedian tells jokes about her choice to be sans children: People think she's kidding, that it's just part of her act. Or they tell her she'll regret it.

But Kirkman, a regular on Chelsea Handler's Chelsea Lately and After Lately, is serious about living life on her terms. MC talked to her about her hilarious new memoir, I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids (Simon & Schuster).

MC: So you never wanted kids? Ever?

JK: No, I never had the urge. I was born this way. Also, I don't want to sacrifice what I'd need to sacrifice to properly raise a child.

MC: Why did you write this book?

JK: I wrote it for other people in my situation so they don't feel so alone. I'm very secure in my decision-and nobody in my family is making me feel bad about it. The book is for those who are made to feel uncomfortable or bad

We at MC have picked our cumulative brains and put together a round-up of the top 10 reasons you should give Downward Dog a bona fide shot.

Suddenly, it seems like your entire post-work subway car is sporting Lululemon and you hear that every pro athlete is hitting the Bikram studio; everyone you meet has appeared to be jumping on the yoga bandwagon. But is it for you? The answer is yes, yoga can be for anyone. We at MC have picked our cumulative brains and put together a round-up of the top 10 reasons you should give Downward Dog a bona fide shot. Now, this doesn't mean you should give up your daily latte for Kombucha tea, but it's worth a try, right?

1. Reduces stress and anxiety: Stressed? Please, who isn't. Even worse: Does it stress you out that you're stressed? Then time to buy a yoga mat, find your local studio, and sweat what's bothering you.

2. Helps you sleep: It's the quintessential catch-22: How do you get a good workout when you're so exhausted? Find a form of yoga labeled beginner, restorative, or basic. After a few sessions, that glass of red wine before bed won't be essential, but it might be

Streamline your routine with new beauty multitaskers that work just as hard as you do. John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair Salon Shape Hot Air Brush $40

Let's face it: We all have the best intentions when it comes to our beauty routines-washing our faces before bed (every night), blowing out our hair, and keeping up with weekly manicures-but life, work, and, well, sheer laziness present some serious roadblocks. With that in mind, we've rounded up the latest and greatest products that help save precious minutes, not to mention tidy up the clutter below your bathroom sink.

HAIR ALL-IN-ONES

Style: If you love the idea of a full-on blowout every morning but end up running out the door with a damp ponytail on most days, it's time to rethink your tools. "This is the ultimate multitasker," says River Lloyd, stylist for the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in NYC, of the John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair Salon Shape Hot Air Brush, $40, a round brush/blowdryer/curling-iron hybrid that can be used on wet hair. "It works for every texture;

Marie ClaireTame the green-eyed monster with these tips from Marie Claire's Living Flirtatiously blogger Maura Kelly.

1. Remember that you don't have the same DNA that someone else has. Some people are just naturally born with fantastic looks, enormous brains, incredibly physical acumen. Some people are natural Marilyn Monroes, like my friend Duval. Some people are naturally Steve Jobs or Conan O'Brien - they naturally operate on a higher intellectual level. And then there are...the rest of us. Who are sexy, attractive, and interesting in our own ways.

2. Remember that you may not have had the kinds of advantages others have had. Even if you've had *some* advantages, that doesn't mean you've had *all* the advantages that your friends, peers, and colleagues have had. For example, a while back, a friend of mine was beating himself up for not being more successful. "I've had every advantage in the world!" he was saying. But I pointed out to him that, okay, sure, he has a degree from an

No matter how hard we try, we all feel a bit less peppy from time to time. But your cure is just a few moments away!

More from Marie Claire:

10 Beauty Products That Will Change Your Life

10 Hot Sex Positions You Need to Try

7 Bedtime Habits That Are Ruining Your Sleep

How to Look Great in Every Photo

Marie ClaireYou already arrive before she does, stay late, and always volunteer for projects big and small. Now knock her socks off with these winning tips guaranteed to impress even the toughest managers.

1: SAVE HER MONEY. "Bosses are under enormous financial pressure, and if you can relieve some of that with money-saving strategies, you'll show your boss that you care about her welfare and the success of the company." - Jessica Eaves Mathews, founder and CEO of Leverage a Lawyer, a virtual law firm, Albuquerque, NM

2: MAKE HER WEAKNESS YOUR STRENGTH. "Study your boss' skill set and excel in the areas she doesn't. Does she hate public speaking? Offer to run the morning meeting. Is she bad with numbers? Manage her spreadsheets. When you ace a task that's not her strong suit, she'll look to you as someone she needs and you'll create a forum where you can easily shine." - Abby Ziff, digital ad director of WebMD, Washington, D.C.

3: DON'T BE AFRAID TO DISAGREE. "Contrary to popular