By Amanda Greene

When it comes to beauty routines, the grass is always greener. Japanese women have it made with their long, glossy hair and Greek women's olive-toned complexions are always luminous. But how do they do it? Put down your passport-you won't need to go anywhere to find out. We got insider beauty information from experts on how women across the globe stay gorgeous. Read on to find out their secrets, and learn how you can recreate them at home.

Australia

Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis says yarrow extract is used by Australian Aboriginal women to prevent stretch marks, thanks to its moisturizing and hydrating properties. "Yarrow root is also an anti-inflammatory, which soothes the skin." Calm your complexion with his Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer, which contains the extract as a key ingredient.

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They create a paste

5 Tips for a Flawless Shave

By Melissa Matthews

Get smooth results with this advice from Debra Luftman, MD, a Beverly Hills dermatologist and coauthor of The Beauty Prescription.

1. Wait until the end of your shower to shave. The steam softens hairs for smoother results.

2. Shave upward (from ankle to knee), using shave cream.

3. Prevent irritation: The bikini and underarm areas are delicate, so use shave cream (not soap) to avoid friction between the blade and your skin. Again, be sure to shave upward.

4. Remove your razor from the shower. It's a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate skin.

5. Replenish moisture. When you shave your underarms, you lose 20 percent of the top layer of skin. Soothe the area with a moisturizing deodorant like Dove Ultimate Beauty Care Light Radiance Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant. ($4; at drugstores)

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By Melissa Matthews

Block Party

Before you head out for some fun in the sun, be sure to slather on the sunscreen-and fast. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Whether you're beach-or block party-bound, apply one of these editor-approved picks well in advance (15 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, so your skin has time to absorb the formula), and don't forget to reapply every two hours to ensure all-day coverage.

Sensitive

Sensitive

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Faces Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 provides irritant-free waterproof UVA/ UVB coverage. $8.99; Drugstore.com

Sporty

Sporty

Ocean Potion Suncare Cool Dry Touch Sport SPF 30 Sunblock is water- and sweat-resistant, and contains Parsol 1789 to help block UVA rays. $7.49; Drugstore.com

For Wriggly Kids

For Wriggly Kids

Try Hawaiian Tropic Kids Continuous Spray SPF 30.

The summer brings a lot of good things: Italian ices, 8 p.m. sun sets and more outdoor time. And doesn't the sun feel really good on your skin-and even better once you can get to an air-conditioned area? Thing is, it also brings a slew of beauty problems that are special to the hot-weather season. Check out the top five skin-related summer bummers, then see the other 28 here. Tell us: What's the one beauty issue you can't stand to deal with in the summer?

Your Face Is an Oil Slick
Since humidity boosts oil production, oilier skin will benefit from swiping on a toner twice a day. A weekly clay mask will draw out impurities, but be careful using these as they can also be drying to your skin.
Try The Body Shop Seaweed Iconic Clay Mask, $22; thebodyshop-usa.com

Your Arms and Legs Look Like Chicken Skin
If you're seeing little red bumps on your skin, you're most likely suffering from keratosis pilaris - bumpy chicken skin that normally crops up on the backs of your upper arms. Try using

Let's face it-a sexy, back-baring dress or camisole is nothing without beautiful skin to go with it. You can self-tan, exfoliate and moisturize all you want, but if you're finding that blemishes are forming a colony on your back, keep them at bay with these expert tips

The upper back is full of oil glands, making it a prime spot for breakouts, says California-based dermatologist David Sire, M.D. Since perspiration is a main cause of clogged pores, it's not unusual to see more back acne during the hot summer months. Dr. Sire offers five steps to a better-looking back:

1. Avoid polyester and tight clothing that holds skin-irritating heat and moisture close to your back.
2. The friction from rubbing against vinyl materials can aggravate the problem. Try placing a cotton-covered cushion over your car seat and office chair.
3. Before bed, apply a benzoyl peroxide product directly on the pimples to dry them out and kill bacteria. Try: Clean and Clear Persa-Gel 10.
4. Avoid showering in

Are at-home high-tech beauty products worth giving up your beloved facials and trips to the spa? We investigate.



Air Travel Skincare Tips For A Girls On The Go


Many of us will go to great lengths for beauty, spending our cash on the finest grooming treatments around town. With saving money on the mind, however, our interests have been piqued by the influx of products created to give you a professional and pampered look from home. From vibrating mascaras to oscillating face washes, we're curious to see if these high tech tools really have what it takes to keep us far away from those tempting facials and spa days.

What do you think about the gadgets? Leave a comment below if you've gone tech-savvy for beauty!


Neutrogena's handheld exfoliating system may be the most popular of the vibrating beauty products. The power cleanser's foaming pads deep clean your skin while the vibrations gently massage your face to remove dirt and oil from deep inside your pores. Our favorite part, of course,

When bathing suit season came around, I started the usual rounds at department stores in the active wear department trying on new bikinis. Then one day, while trying one on in a very well lit fitting room I saw the horror that was my butt! I'd always been insecure about my bottom, considering its' what some would call J.Lo size. So I was always opting to wear a cover up or shorts, but cellulite was never the motivation to cover up, until now.

I had just recently started working out again, so I knew some of it would go away, but I thought further steps needed to be taken. I scanned the cellulite lotions and pretty much went for the cheapest that wasn't a no name brand, and the winner was Jergens Skin Firming lotion. The label says full results in six weeks with daily use but I've been using it inconsistently for only two weeks and can see a huge improvement. It's like someone Photoshopped all the bumps and dimples. And now I'm ditching the cover up all together. It's unreal how great

Photo from BellaboobabeDoesn't adult acne bite the big one? Lest adolescents get all of the attention, I'm hijacking this product from the teen market and telling all of you post-teens about its skin and earth benefits.

More from The Stir: Acne Be Gone!

Bellaboo, an Australian skin-care line, uses natural oils instead of benzoyl peroxide to get rid of the zits, preventing peeling and redness and all that fun stuff that sometimes comes with this harsh topical. Bellaboo products are also free of parabens, sulphates, artificial colors or fragrances, petrochemicals (whew!), mineral oils, or animal-derived chemicals.

The New York Times highlighted Bellaboo's EZ Blitz serum, which contains organic sea buckthorn berry oil as its active ingredient. That sounds very Aussie, doesn't it? Bellaboo also uses tea tree oil as an active ingredient in its products, something my pseudo-hippie mom always swore would heal what ails you.

More from The Stir: How to Cover Up Acne With Makeup

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