Blog Posts by Beyond the Beauty Pages, SELF Magazine

Courtesy of OlayJoanne Chen, SELF magazine

Reclaim your radiance with these complexion-perfecting tips.

1. Smooth Fine Lines

The at-home fix: Most derms will tell you that retinols such as Retin-A are the fastest way to diminish deep wrinkles. They speed cell turnover, so skin looks smoother, says Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. But retinols have a potential downside: They can cause redness and flaking. If your skin is sensitive, try a serum laced with growth factors, instead. They're powerful yet gentle, helping repair cells and increase collagen, which may slow the formation of wrinkles-to-be.

Cell repair in a tube: DNA EGF Renewal Growth Factor Serum, $145.

Collagen-building peptides in Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex, $25, smooth skin.

Related: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

Skin-tightening polymers in Avon Anew Clinical Lift & Firm Pro Serum, $54, nix sagging.

The pro fix: Botox is the leader of the pack when it comes to ironing out creases, but it's not a

Conde Nast Digital StudioSELF magazine

Our fingernails are always so exposed. They can harbor bacteria, become brittle and just plain unattractive when you don't take care of them. Here are some tips to keep your nails in tip top shape from keeping them clean to primped and pretty.

1. Keep your nails hydrated. Rub a bit of Vaseline or moisturizer with Vitamin E on your cuticles before you go to bed (so it doesn't rub off during your daily activities). It will keep your cuticles from looking dry and rough.

2. Don't file your nails right after you shower. They're weaker and more likely to break. Also, file in one direction instead of back and forth. This can weaken your nails, too. Make sure to clean under your nails daily.

3. Apply a fresh layer of topcoat every 1 to 2 days to prolong the length of your manicure and keep your fingers looking pretty and chip-free.

4. Wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaners. These can be very harsh on your nails and cuticles, causing them to become dry, brittle and

Conde Nast Digital StudioSELF magazine

You slather on the sunscreen to keep your skin safe, but what about your precious locks? Your hair can be affected by the harsh rays of the sun, too. UV rays can weaken your hair, make it more prone to split ends and cut down on the life of your color. It's important to protect your hair from the sun - here's how.

1. Mist a protective spray like Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil over your hair before you head outdoors (It's water-resistant so it's essential for a beach day and lasts up to 16 hours) or try L'Oreal Colorvive UV Spray (protects color if you dye). Sun-proofing sprays provide an invisible screen over your hair and many shield strands from both UVA and UVB rays that can cause color to fade and hair to become dry.

2. Don't be afraid of hats. They can be your most useful accessory in the summertime. Covering up your hair can prevent a sunburned scalp and protect your strands from direct sunlight. Try braiding your hair under your headwrap or hat for easy,

SELF magazine

Ever wake up with raccoon eyes or a makeup twin on your pillow? Not only can this give your roommate a scare, it's a nightmare for your skin. Removing your makeup before bed is super important. Here are a few of our favorite makeup removers to make clean skin simple.

Fairchild ArchiveSELF magazine

Put down your styling tools! It's hot enough out there. Here's how to style your hair without the heat for gorgeous beach waves, a pretty pleat and more from hairstylist, Jet Rhys.

For beach babe waves without touching a styling tool:
Wash your hair at night and distribute a thickening cream our light mousse through your wet hair. Let it air dry to about 80%, and gather your hair into a bun, securing it high on your head.

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In the morning, let your hair down and shake, shake shake! You'll have natural looking waves without the fuss.

Cute during the day and sexy at night:
Divide your hair down the center from your forehead to the nape of your neck. Lightly spritze each side with a tonic spray and braid from the top of your ear through to the ends. Secure with an elastic. You'll have adorable braids all day!

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To vamp it up at night, just remove the braids and rub a dime sized amount of

Want to meet the latest beauty expert? Just look in the mirror.

With our AP (advanced pretty!) course in natural ingredients, you'll whip up at-home treatments for strong, shiny hair and healthy, radiant skin. Simply grab a bowl and open up the fridge to graduate to gorgeous.

SELF magazine

Long summer days and hot summer nights mean plenty of photo ops. Here are some tips on getting a flawless look (with photo-friendly, stay put products to boot!).

Moisturizer: After you apply moisturizer, wait a few minutes for it to absorb into your skin. If you don't, your makeup will mix in with your moisturizer and won't settle as well.

Prime: Use a primer to make sure your makeup holds. Primers prep your skin for smooth makeup application, minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines and come in corrective shades to even out skin to as well.

Related: Beach-Ready Beauty Tips

Foundation: Try a stay-put foundation like Revlon Photoready Foundation. It goes a long way to cover scars and imperfections without looking heavy and will last from one photo to the next. Always finish with a light dust of powder to set your foundation.

Cheeks: Bronzer is great for countouring your cheekbones and making them pop in photos, but don't use it all over your face (you'll look

Giselle Castro, SELF magazine

If you're like me, you experience breakouts from time to time and they somehow always happen before an important event (eek!). When you think of acne, you might have high school flashbacks, but did you know that nearly 51 percent of women ages 20-29 still experience breakouts? June is Acne Awareness Month and we spoke with dermatologist Dr. Linda Stein Gold, who offered some great tips when dealing with acne during your adult years.

Q: What are some ways people with acne prone skin can prevent breakouts?
A: First, it's important to understand that every individual's skin is different, and what sparks a breakout in some people may not trigger a breakout in others. However, there are a few common factors that can contribute to acne and breakouts including genetics, stress, birth control and hormonal changes. So, it's important to see your dermatologist and talk about a skin-care regimen that is tailored to you.

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