Blog Posts by Beyond the Beauty Pages, SELF Magazine

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

If you've ever lost a war to a pair of pantyhose, spent the day in four-inch heels or done anything painful in the name of beauty, Robert Rave's new book, Waxed (St. Martins Press), is for you.

Not only does he hilariously poke fun at the wacky things we women go through to look our best, but he really gets down to the core of why we engage in some of these seemingly absurd practices. I had the chance to sneak a peek at Robert Rave's (author of Spin) latest novel, Waxed and ask him a few questions!

Related: Beat the heat with these no-cook meals tonight!

Q: Waxed is based around three very different sisters. It's hard not to identify with or take something away from each one. Can you tell us about them?
Robert: Caroline is complex. She's like many of us who have known what we want in life since childhood. She's often made to be the villain by her employees and others in her social circle and she puts up a huge wall because of it.
Anna represents the

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

The wondrous powers of the acai berry have been the buzz for quite some time now. It's found in everything from smoothies to face creams and touted for its high levels of antioxidants. But there's another secret ingredient being whispered about lately, arnica...

Arnica has been used for centuries to help heal bruises and sprains because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes skin regeneration and stimulates blood circulation which helps white blood cells remove fluid from an injury; making it great for swollen or puffy skin and dark circles. Arnica can be found in products for your head to your toes.

1. Concealer: Tarte Eraser, $21, has arnica flower extract to help soothe skin and reduce dark undereye circles.

2. Hair: Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-in Conditioner, $22, uses arnica to seal off the hair cuticle for a smooth, frizz-free finish.

3. Bronzing Moisturizer: DuWop Revolution SPF 15, $28, gives skin a subtle bronze shimmer and

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

In my tween years, I remember hoarding little butterfly clips (and using way too many at one time), dowsing my hair in glitter hairspray and covering my ear lobes in stick on earrings. While these are all but a distant memory (thankfully!) I have to admit; a few of these fads still have a place in my heart. And they're not as long gone as I thought. Some of your favorite oldies are making a modern day come back:

1. Tinkerbell Cosmetics Brush-On Peel-Off Polishes: I couldn't last through the day without peeling the color off, but it made a polish-change so much fun and it was easier than reaching for the remover. So to satisfy my inner Tinkerbell I found:

Sula Paint & Peel, $8: These come in some really great (and grown up) colors, though my guess is the urge to peel off the paint probably won't subside with age. But if you're a frequent polish changer, these might be a home-run.

2. Bonnebell Lip Smackers Trio: Back in elementary, I wouldn't be caught

Antonio Prieto, founder of Antonio Prieto Salon in New York City, is the stylist responsible for the easy-to-do looks in "Hair Bliss 101: Learn To Style Like A Pro" from the August Issue of SELF. This week, he tells us the five easiest hairstyles for the office.

1. Ponytail: A classic ponytail can be worn anywhere. The perfect pony should be placed below the crown, following the top of the ear line all the way back. Finish off the look by taking a half inch section of hair from underneath the ponytail, wrapping it around the elastic and securing with a pin.

2. Ballerina Bun: A ballerina bun is similar to a pony tail: secure hair into a pony, twist the entire length ponytail and wrap around the elastic, pinning as you go.

3. Loose Braid: Braids should be kept modern by keeping them loose and relaxed - this means not starting from the top of the head like a classic French braid. A loose braid over one shoulder that starts at the base of the neck is perfect for the office.

4. Classic Bob:

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

Scarlett Johansson debuted a flirty, just-rolled-out-of-bed do' at The Avengers panel at Comic-Con this past weekend. We're used to her classic red-carpet ringlets and she's no stranger to playing with color, but we're liking this fresh, back-to-basics look.

Celebrity hair-guru, Oribe, created Scarlett's sexy look. "It's a combination of Brigitte Bardot in the front and '90s-style Christy Turlington at the bottom. The cut was about going lighter for the summer," he said.

How did you do it?
Oribe says: "This haircut has a lot of versatility. It's very modern, a medium-length to longer bob, cut in a really jagged line at the bottom. We kept the good parts of Scarlett's longer hair - the softer ends - and took length off the back. It isn't tapered like crazy in the back, it is softer and more wearable. It doesn't take a certain type of face shape to pull it off.

In terms of length, the style should be closer to the collarbone in front, not at chin

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

For years I watched my grandmother make at-home remedies for bug bites, sunburns and blemishes. One ingredient she swore by was found right in the kitchen: turmeric. While it's pretty handy as a spice, it's also great for treating acne and giving your skin a healthy glow.

Turmeric stimulates blood flow which helps battle dry skin and it has anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great acne fighter. You can make your own turmeric face mask right at home. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Mix a tablespoon of turmeric powder with a tablespoon of milk.
2. Add in three or four drops of lemon juice.
3. Once the mixture becomes a smooth paste, spread it evenly onto clean skin, avoiding your eyes and sensitive under-eye area.
4. Let the mask dry for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off with cool water, scrubbing gently a bit to exfoliate.
5. Your skin will feel fresh and you'll have a subtle, healthy glow.

If you don't have time to

By Pia Bhattacharya, SELF magazine

Sometimes you're most cherished lip color and must-have moisturizer have to take a back seat to your bills. Have no fear, here are five alternatives to your usual splurges so you can stay pretty and save a few bucks.

More from SELF:

• Try these superfoods for flat abs!

• Check out SELF's stop cellulite workout

  
  

• SELF's annual healthy food awards showcases 66 fast fix foods you'll love to eat!

• Find the best swimsuit for your body type now!

Antonio Prieto, founder of Antonio Prieto Salon in New York City, is the stylist responsible for the easy-to-do looks in "Hair Bliss 101: Learn To Style Like A Pro" from the August Issue of SELF. This week, he tells us four things every curly girl should remember.

• You don't have to shampoo your hair with suds! Rinsing your hair and washing your scalp with conditioner or a sulfate free shampoo reduces frizz because you're not taking away the natural oils that protect the hair.

• Avoid creating a lion's mane: Don't brush your hair while it is dry! Instead, comb through it with a large tooth comb or your fingers while it's really wet to get the best curl formation.

• Take advantage of your texture when you create up-do's: Since it's not super slippery like straight hair, you can easily create an elegant (and long-lasting) style by twisting large sections into knots and pinning with extra-large hairpins.

• Gel is your friend! A good gel like Ecru Marine Styling Balm