This Just In: Beauty Tips and Tricks

"Don't sleep with your makeup on." "Don't go tanning." "Stop popping those zits!" Do these sound familiar? They're some of the old adages that our moms, sisters, health teachers, doctors and tons of others have tried to impart within us over the years. But do you listen to them -- and, what's more, do you believe them? Here's the skinny on how to take care of your skin, hair and body and feel good about it.

TAKE YOUR MAKEUP OFF!
Do you like clogged pores and persistent acne? How about red eyes and a dull complexion? We're thinking these issues don't sound so good. But there is a way around all of this ... and it's called removing your makeup before bed! The ingredients in makeup can be very damaging to skin over time -- and while you sleep, your skin needs to breathe and regenerate. The best way to do this is to make sure you remove all traces of eyeliner, mascara, foundation, blush and all the rest before climbing into bed each night. You may have a night here and there when this proves too difficult -- we've all stayed up way past our bedtime and just not had the energy once in awhile -- but on the whole, your skin will be clearer and your eyes will be whiter if you just take the few minutes to wash that face.
What to try: The Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash ($22 at blissworld.com), which is formulated with rose hip extract, passion flower, chamomile and milk thistle is gentle on every skin type. The soothing properties of Vitamin B and green leaf extract found in Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Wet Cleansing Towelettes ($6.39 at drugstore.com) will help to scrub off foundation, blush and concealer. And to remove even the stubbornest of eye makeup -- yes, even waterproof mascara! -- Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover ($26 at sephora.com) will do the trick.

STAY AWAY FROM TANNING BEDS!
We know how tempting it is to look bronzed and beautiful. And with the deals that tanning beds are running all the time (six sessions for $1 apiece!), it's tough to stay away. But seriously ... tanning is so bad for you. Whether you're at a tanning salon or sitting out at the beach, the harmful UV rays are doing anything but good for your skin. Your best bet is to slather yourself with sunscreen whether you're planning a day at the beach with your girlfriends or just walking around the city to do some shopping. You can go with the typical Banana Boat and Neutrogena versions available at the drugstore or go high-end with Clinique and Skyn Iceland -- whichever you choose, just make sure it has a high SPF and can be used along with your daily moisturizer.

The absolute best kit we've seen to date? The Sephora Brand Sun Safety Kit ($25 at sephora.com). This set is jam-packed with a whopping eleven travel-sized products guaranteed to keep your skin healthy and happy. You'll get Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30, Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion SPF 20, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15, Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer SPF 15 and so much more!

If you just can't bear the thought of staying white throughout the summer months, there are ways to get some color safely! We love Jergens Natural Glow Express ($6.74 at drugstore.com), which guarantees natural-looking color within three days. The formula is super-creamy and moisturizing and seriously doesn't streak! We started to see a drastic change to our color after only two applications -- it's definitely a great way to build color subtly and safely.

STOP POPPING THOSE ZITS!
We know it's tough. You see that whitehead forming and that little voice in your head starts saying, "Go on, pop it. Just this one won't matter." But guess what -- every one matters. When you pop a pimple, you're not really getting to the root of the problem. Instead, you're pushing sebum and bacteria deeper into your skin and pores, which spreads the icky stuff further around your face and ends up causing even more zits! Trust us -- while you might feel the need to pop, it's seriously better if you don't. They go away so quickly -- usually within 8-12 hours -- and then you won't cause any serious damage or acne scarring. Isn't one or two days of a spot better than a lifetime?

For those blemishes that you're really hoping to get rid of in an instant, try Murad Acne Spot Treatment ($17.50 at sephora.com). The fast-acting formula really helps to minimize breakouts!





DON'T TOUCH THAT HAIR!
So you shampoo and condition your hair every day. What's wrong with that, right? A lot, as it turns out ... shampooing too much can actually damage your strands. While it's good to wash your hair a few times a week -- most stylists recommend every other day or even every three days -- the oils in your tresses can actually be beneficial. They help to hold styles in place better (which is why your stylist always tells you not to wash your hair before coming in for an updo), and they protect your strands and your scalp. But if you just can't stand to have "dirty hair," don't worry -- there are tons of products out there to help you get through those unwashed days!

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo Spray ($11): Simply spray it on your roots and watch it soak up excess grease. This can prolong a blowout for days at a time!





Jonathan Product Pocket Re-Do Freshen Up Wipes ($20): Each pack comes with six single-use towelettes that revive and refresh your strands in between washes. They'll even remove the scent of smoke!





Ted Gibson Hair Styling Sheets ($25): We swear by these. The ten sheets inside the box are formulated with a blend of amino acids that condition the hair and leave it smelling fabulous. Bonus -- your hair will be anything but greasy!

These three products are all available at sephora.com.