By Shannon R., SELF magazine

Valentine's Day is approaching which means candy, chocolate, flowers and....acne? It has long been believed that sweets (particularly chocolate) can lead to acne breakouts. Is this really true? Should you pass on the chocolate hearts to save your skin?

Before I answer I should first talk about what causes acne:

Causes of Acne

• Overproduction of oil

• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells

• Bacteria buildup

See more: Foods That Fight Cellulite

Acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Once the follicle becomes clogged it creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. Other factors that can worsen acne are:

• Hormones - Hormonal changes can result in acne, which is why teens and even pregnant women often experience breakouts.

• Medication - Certain medications are known to cause acne.

• Stress - Too much stress can also wreck havoc on your skin.
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Judy Kirkwood

Almost everyone in entertainment rocks some kind of fake hair, and popular culture follows red-carpet looks. If 2011 was the year when our eyes were opened to long, lush hair extensions on Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, the female "Dancing with the Stars" pros - 2012 may be the year of the wig.

And I'm ready.

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I bought mine last week when my friend was in town. I had no intention of doing so, but I looked so good in different styles compared to my weather-reactive natural hair that is either plastered to my head with sweat under the hot sun of South Florida or frizzed around my face like a halo in high humidity. We had a fun and fantastic afternoon of trying on different styles and colors at several different shops. We settled on a flippy blonde circa-2004 Meg Ryan for Gretchen. I got a modified short flirty brown with gold and copper highlights (think Florence Henderson in "The

Be seductive from your head to your toes with these fab hairstyles.

-Janine Jarman, BettyConfidential.com

janine braid

Ah, love is in the air, and the best Valentine's Day hair styles should be just like a great relationship--romantic, effortless and long-lasting! So keep it simple and swept away with these three easy looks!

Sealed with a Twist

sealed with a twist

Ideal for for medium-length to long hair, this look is naturally sexy enough for an afternoon or outdoor date! A few hours before your V-Day plans, run Sebastian Taming Elixir through slightly damp hair and braid hair in two braids. About one hour before your date, take hair out of braids and shake loose. Apply Sebastian Molding Mud to the front section of your hair (about a two-inch section, from ear to ear), then twist across the hairline and pin behind the ear. Finish with Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity hair spray. If you have long hair, you can sweep hair to the side in a loose ponytail to finish the look.

Beauty and the Braid

By Megan Gustashaw, Glamour magazine

Want to beat the winter beauty blahs without investing a ton or time or money in a total transformation? Come check out these 5 easy upgrades for instant pretty.

New York Fashion Week kicks off today so I'll be using all 5 of these tricks over the next 8 days. Want to see pics? I'll be sure to report back after the shows are over.

Real Beauty editors reveal the styles they are dying to hijack, and these starlets are at the top of their hot hair hit list. This is much more than a childish crush - it's true love.

Blake Lively

"Total hair crush! When I think of bombshell hair, there is no other than the voluminous, lengthy-locked Blake Lively. I mean, her hair even looks good messy! It's just not fair."

Jessica Biel

"I love how Jessica Biel's hair is ombre'ed, but not exactly. The juxtaposition of blonde-on-brown is startling and unique, but not crazy fake-looking. In a world where most Hollywood starlets seem to think the blonder the better, her rich, deep brunette hue really stands out to me."

Alicia Keys

"From pompadours to bouncy waves, Keys is secretly trendy with her red-carpet hairstyles. I love how she isn't afraid to try out new looks in a very translatable way, and this messy updo from last year's Keep a Child Alive Ball is one of

By Elizabeth Siegel, Allure magazine

The year is starting off with a bang ... er, lots of bangs. More and more celebs are taking a page from Zooey Deschanel's book, and stepping out in long, statement-making fringe. There's Jessica Biel's ultra-trendy thick bangs; Taylor Swift's wispy style; and Olivia Wilde's side-swept ones. If you want to get in on the trend, there's more to consider than just the inevitability of growing them out. Each style of bangs works best with a certain face shape-so before you head to the salon with a picture of your favorite actress, find your most flattering fringe using these guidelines:

Related: The 11 Hottest Haircuts Right Now

Straight-across bangs, like Jessica Biel's and Taylor Swift's, are best for shortening a long face or a large forehead, says hairstylist Mark Townsend of the Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City. The most flattering ones hit between your eyebrows and lashes, and are cut with scissors (not a razor). Go for Biel's heavy

We're a nation who likes instant gratification. For a quick energy fix, we reach for a sugar-loaded latte; for a mood boost, we click "buy" on a gorgeous jacket we can't afford; and even when it comes to our health, we down supplements and diet pills to cut corners for fast results. Unfortunately, most of these quick fixes end up working against us in the long run.

Related: Best (and Worst) Beauty Supplements

Even so, that desire for right-now results isn't going away anytime soon. Which is why we decided to find out if there are any instant health boosts that are actually good for us. Turns out these 7 miracle workers will rev up your metabolism, trim fat, and help your digestion -- instantly.

Cook with Coconut Oil

The latest "it" ingredient for healthy eating: coconut oil. Almost every nutritionist I spoke to says one of the best things you can do to maintain good health is consume 1 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil every day. Michelle L. Butler, a holistic

Snooki may have started a trend when she tweeted a makeup free look a few weeks back. Ke$ha, too, has gone natural by ditching the rainbow tresses and layers of eyeliner for an editorial shoot in this month's Glamour. The singer went simple with wispy waves and light makeup.

Related: Snooki's Amazing Make-Under

Photo: Glamour

Aside from revealing her natural beauty underneath all that glitter, Ke$ha shared a little of her softer side as well as her usual badass talk.

On what turns her off: "I was dating a guy once who spoke rudely to a taxi driver. I got out of the cab and walked home. Treat people with respect. I've waited tables, and that's why I just exceedingly overtip. It's exhausting work."

On women succeeding in pop: I definitely think women are running it right now. We are not afraid to speak our minds. It's exciting because that's what I stand for, for people to be irreverent and to be themselves.

And old Ke$ha is back.

Sh*t Karl Lagerfeld Says: His