Top makeup artists on what not to do if you want younger-looking skin—and the tricks that really work

By RealSimple.com

Best Skin-Care Products for Normal Skin
Your skin is neither too oily nor too dry, and you rarely break out or experience redness. Your pores are small (practically invisible), and though an occasional blemish may surface, it's usually tied to your period.

Best Regimen: Cleanse and moisturize daily with gentle, basic products. Look for those with antioxidants, which fight free-radical damage and stave off the signs of aging. You might also consider adding retinoids or vitamin C to your routine several times a week to boost collagen production, says Ava Shamban, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. Finally, don't forget moisturizer - one with sunscreen for the day and one without SPF at night.

Cleanser
Winner: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $38, www.fresh.com. A hit for its "creamy texture" and soy proteins, which keep skin tones even.Runner-Up: Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash, $30.

Moisturizer with SPF
Winner: Lancôme Aqua Fusion Cream SPF 15, $37, www.lancome-usa.com. Airy in consistency, this lotion offers moisture without greasiness.Runner-Up: Elizabeth Arden Daily Moisture Lotion SPF 15, $37.

Night Treatment
Winner: Origins High Potency Night-a-Mins Moisture Cream, $33, www.origins.com. A "thick but not greasy" blend of the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and A makes normal skin even more supple.Runner-Up: Be Fine Food Skin Care Night Cream with Cocoa, Millet & Rice Bran, $20.

Best Skin-Care Products for Dry Skin
Blame the flakiness — along with redness and itchiness — on your skin’s barrier layer, which doesn’t retain natural oils or water as well as it should.

Best Regimen: To keep your complexion quenched and healthy, use cleansers and creams with emollient ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Skip foaming face washes, since they strip away lipids, and avoid anything containing harsh retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids, says Fran Cook-Bolden, a dermatologist in New York City. If your skin is very flaky or peeling, try a face oil under your moisturizer — it will smooth out your skin in a flash.

Cleanser
Winner: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, $11.50 at drugstores. It “moisturized beautifully,” thanks to hyaluronic acid and ceramides.Runner-Up: YSL Softness Cleansing Silky Balm Radiance Revealer, $37.

Moisturizer with SPF
Winner: Hampton Sun Super Hydrating Face Cream SPF 15, $40, www.hamptonsuncare.com Vitamin-packed protection that left skin “soft and supple.”Runner-Up: Skin Effects Preventing Effects Lightweight Moisturizing Soufflé SPF 30+, $16.

Night Treatment
Winner: Boots No. 7 Moisture Quench Night Cream, $13, http://www.target.com/. So thick and emollient, it cleared up dry patches overnight.Runner-Up: Shiseido Pureness Moisturizing Gel Cream, $31.

Best Skin-Care Products for Oily Skin
Soon after you wash your skin, it looks shiny. You may suffer from blackheads and breakouts that aren't tied to your monthly cycle, and your pores are medium to large.

Best Regimen: Help keep your pores unclogged by sloughing away dead skin cells daily with products that contain salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids. And, logic to the contrary, it's important to moisturize: If your skin's surface gets dehydrated, your sebaceous glands, which produce oil, will kick in to action (brace yourself!). Use oil-free lotions and sunscreens, which won't exacerbate acne, says Leslie Baumann, a professor of dermatology at the University of Miami, in Florida, and the author of The Skin Type Solution (Bantam, $12, www.amazon.com).

Cleanser
Winner: Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Foaming Cleanser, $6 at drugstores. Made with salicylic acid, it sopped up oil without drying - and won kudos.Runner-Up: N.V. Perricone Outpatient Therapy Pore Refining Cleanser, $35.

Moisturizer with SPF
Winner: Estée Lauder DayWear Plus SPF 15 for Oily Skin, $38, www.esteelauder.com. This lightweight mattifying lotion combats the aging process with antioxidant ingredients.Runner-Up: Clean & Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer SPF 15, $6.

Night Treatment
Winner: Lather AHA Facial Therapy with Copper & Borage Extract, $24, www.lather.com. This light moisturizer sloughs off dead skin cells with alpha hydroxy acids.Runner-Up: Zia Treatments Alpha Hydroxy Citrus Night Time Reversal, $30.

Best Skin-Care Products for Sensitive Skin
Almost any new product, especially one that contains fragrance or preservatives, provokes a response - usually in the form of redness or stinging.

Best Regimen: A daily dose of gentle products is the way to go. Avoid anything with an added scent, says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, and pass up eye creams, which can irritate that delicate area. Calm itchiness and redness with products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, like green tea and licorice-root extract. And don't skimp on sun protection: Just choose products with gentle UVA-blocking ingredients, like zinc oxide and Mexoryl.

Cleanser
Winner: Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, $21, www.clinique.com. This cleanser delivers "dramatic improvement" in redness with oat and sea-whip extracts, and it doesn't foam, so it's not drying.Runner-Up: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, $6.

Moisturizer with SPF
Winner: La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen SPF 15, $29, www.laroche-posay.com. A returning champ (readers named it a favorite in last year's "Best Drugstore Beauty Buys"), the lotion contains Mexoryl, a gentle UVA filter.Runner-Up: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, $14.

Night Treatment
Winner: Eucerin Redness-Relief Soothing Night Cream, $15 at drugstores. Fragrance-free, nonclogging, and infused with licorice extract to reduce red blotches. Panelists loved it.Runner-Up: Mario Badescu Control Cream, $26.

Best Skin-Care Products for Mature Skin
As you enter perimenopause and estrogen levels begin to drop, you experience a slowdown in both oil production and skin-cell renewal. The result: skin that lacks elasticity and looks dull. You may also start noticing fine lines, brown spots, and rough patches as past sun damage (oh, misguided youth!) manifests itself.

Best Regimen: Get your youthful glow back with products that contain antioxidants and retinoids. The former fight the free-radical damage that ages skin, and the latter boost collagen production to keep it firm. Since your skin is slow to slough off dead cells, dermatologists recommend using a weekly at-home peel to help it along.

Cleanser
Winner: Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, $35, www.peterthomasroth.com. Said one happy panelist of this gel with glycolic acid: "My complexion was brighter, and my skin felt softer after just one use."Runner-Up: Bliss The Youth as We Know It, $30.

Moisturizer with SPF
Winner: Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion SPF 20, $20 at drugstores. Testers praised the super-light texture and were delighted by how luminous their skin looked.Runner-Up: Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, $20.

Night Treatment
Winner: Olay Definity Night Restorative Sleep Cream, $25 at drugstores. One tester swore that she saw a difference in the dark spots on her face two weeks in.Runner-Up: Aveeno Positively Ageless Lifting & Firming Night Cream, $20.

Ways to revive your relation

We have powerful desires to belong and to connect with a special someone. We demand more intimacy and insist on supporting each other to live our best "individual" life. At the same time, we desire co-creating deeply meaningful relationships that provide:
-Safe havens to be one's most vulnerable self.
-An openness to the most sacred feelings shared with another.
-Connections defined by joy and hope of a future that will be a lasting testament of love and commitment.

Individual Needs vs. Partnership Needs
What you seek in a romantic relationship may not always manifest fully when you transition from being single to being a partner. A big challenge in committing to another person is the potential loss of personal identity and giving up personal hopes and dreams. These losses would have been a virtual certainty in an outdated model of monogamous relationships.
Not so today: Contemporary couples are ready to honor their individual needs and create partnerships that respect their deeper selves; develop skills, rituals, and practices for deepening emotional, physical, and spiritual connection with each other.

The Common Problem for Couples
If you are in the majority of contemporary committed couples, I'll bet that you spend more time each week watching TV or commuting to work than you do alone with your honey.
In your demanding world filled with multiple responsibilities and distractions, everything and everyone else seems to be more important than attending to your most intimate relationship.
I think you'd agree that to keep that spark in your relationship alive, you and your beloved must spend quality, eyeball-to-eyeball time together.

Tips to Reviving Your Relationship
Do you and your sweetheart carve out quality alone-time together every week? Do you both take responsibility for it, or does the task fall to one or the other of you? Do you allow "real" interruptions to get in the way and spoil your planned time together?

Here are a few simple suggestions to prioritize your partner:
1. Meet once a week to look at your schedules and set aside time for each other.
2. At least once a week, plan a date night. Once a month, plan a date day (that's right, a whole day from morning to evening). Once each quarter, plan a weekend get-away. Once each year, plan a week away together.
3. Mark your planned time in your calendar, just like a dentist appointment or an appointment with a client. Write it in ink! Mark yourself out for a block of time.
4. Take turns planning your dates each week.
5. Do the grocery shopping and buy a bouquet of flowers for your partner.
6. Write a love note and leave it for your partner to find.
7. Take a break from watching TV and doing laundry or other chores. Go to bed early and share massages, talk, or cuddle.
8. Turn off the TV, turn on the stereo and have a talk.
9. Kiss your mate Good Morning and Good Night every day. Just say, "I love you."

Think back to when you first started dating. What did you do? What things did you both enjoy that you no longer make time to do? Why did you fall in love?
Let your creative juices flow. Let your imagination go wild. Anything goes.
Celebrate yourself and each other. Embrace the moment, and the gift of your love.
Remember, only you can make it happen!

Date Tips: Flirting Moves That Work (and Ones That Never, Ever Will)

Flirting Move #1: The Longer-Than-Normal Eye Gaze
This works, but don't stare him down. Hold the gaze for no more than five seconds, and make sure to smile. I've reeled 'em in countless times this way. It's like a green light. You're silently expressing interest and inviting him or giving him permission to come over.
This is the easiest and most effective way to signal your interest from across the bar, and it is the only excuse a self-confident guy needs to make a move.

Move #2: The Wink
The wink can be friendly or cutesy, but if you really want to stop him in his tracks, modify it. Try the slow wink. You close your eyelid and then open it slowly, and at the same time roll your shoulder forward and lift your chin, like you're laughing in slow-motion. But just know that this move is lethal, and it sends a message loud and clear. You might as well give him your room key. I've never used it on a stranger.
The wink is good in theory but difficult in practice. I'm not very good at winking, so I've never pulled this move -- and if I saw a girl do it, I'd assume she had a twitch.

Flirting Move #3: The Hair Flip
I don't do this because I'm from Southern California and already get the words "ditz" and "Valley girl" thrown at me quicker than I can say, "Like, omigod." But I've been told that single men get excited when you touch your hair.
So, like, you're totally hitting on me, right? When I think "hair flip," I think ditzy. Sorry.

Flirting Move #4: The Oral Fixation (sucking a lollipop, licking lips, etc.)
Always, always do this at some point in the evening. Men imagine that lollipop or Popsicle is... well, you probably get the gist. Warning: Use this move sparingly -- if you spend the whole night perfecting the move, it looks a little over-the-top.
Do single women actually do this? I mean, outside of movies? If so, I've been missing out big-time.

Flirting Move #5: The Mirror (i.e., if you lean in, she leans in)
I do this in job interviews, and a date is essentially a job interview. If a guy isn't interested, he'll sit back. So why should you sit forward and look all anxious and desperate? Sit back! But if he leans in to hang on your every word, by all means, lean in right back.
This is one of my favorite techniques -- subtle but effective. It works well when paired with a slight smile and eye contact.

Flirting Move #6: The Whisper
Teachers change their volume to get your attention. Often they get quieter instead of raising their voices. It works for them, and it can work for you. When you whisper to a man, he has visions of you whispering in the dark. In bed. Do it.
A while ago I was at a party with a date and she leaned over and whispered, "Let's get out of here" in a really seductive voice. Just thinking about it still gives me shivers -- in a good way.

Flirting Move #7: The "Accidental" Touch
I've been told this is disarming -- in a good way. I'm quite the "unaware toucher," but I always make sure the guy accidentally touches me first. That gives me some idea of his interest. Ninety-five percent of the time, if he likes me, he'll touch my arm or leg, usually as a way to emphasize something he's saying. Look for his first accidental touch about an hour into the date (any sooner and he's probably not the most respectful guy).
I'm too shy to bust this out early in a relationship, but I love when single women do it to me.

Flirting Move #8: The Smile
Always smile. Most men love happy drama-free, toothsome women. It's the best move you can make.
If a gaze followed by a smile doesn't bring him over, trust me, he's not interested.

Flirting Move #9: The Footsie Play
I have never done this. If you want to pull a Mrs. Robinson and seduce some young boy, go for it. But it's pretty brazen and kind of cheesy. I'm never that forward. Also, some people have a foot fear -- it's the anti-foot fetish.
It's very aggressive. If bad '80s comedies are any guide, this move should be saved for large family dinners as a way to antagonize relatives, like when you're sitting across from creepy Uncle Melvin.

Your Style issues, Solved: When Should You Retire Your Shoes?

Reader holly0612 writes, "I bought this pair of Sergio Rossi pumps on major sale about three years ago. I've worn them to death and now they are starting to look like it--the leather is kind of crinkled and the heel is looking ragged. How do I know if they're worth fixing or if I should toss them and get a new pair?"

A good pair of designer shoes can pretty much last a lifetime, provided you take good care of them. Follow a few simple maintenance rules from the minute you buy them: Treat them with either a weather-protector or a leather conditioner before you even wear them for the first time. Keep them in the dust bag whenever you're not wearing them, to protect them from light and heat that can fade and crack the leather over time. And guard your soles from city sidewalks with Grippy Steps or some other kind of sole protector.
Provided you've done all of that, a yearly trip to your local cobbler should keep them looking like new for quite a while. Most shoe catastrophes fall into a few (easily solvable) problem categories: If the nail head of the heel is starting to poke through, take them in to get new heel tips put on, which is a relatively cheap and easy process I recommend for any shoe that's had some wear and tear. If the sole is starting to separate from the shoe, ask for it to be stitched, not glued, back on. It's more intensive and expensive, but well worth it when we're talking Italian shoes. If your shoe upper has scratches and scuffs, try working them out with saddle soap or leather conditioner and a soft rag.
Of course, a good defense is the best offense when it comes to taking care of your shoes. If you've already been treating your Sergio Rossis like an old pair of trainers for years, they might be beyond help. I'd take them to the cobbler and let him have a look and see if the "ragged" heel can, in fact, be fixed. And next time you buy an expensive pair of heels, treat them like the little works of art they are!

by Tracey Lomrantz

How to Make Your Favourite Shoes Last a Little Longer

In addition to being totally-on-top-of-it, hard-working and fun, our intern Lainee has the most phenomenal taste in shoes. Everyday, she comes in with the amazingly chic boots, heels and flats and everyday, I drool over them. When she turned up in the office earlier this week wearing the most perfect tan and black loafers, I had to stop her in the hallway and ask her about her fantastic shoe collection! Turns out that before interning with us at Glamour, Lainee interned at Christian Louboutin. While she spent some serious QT in the Louboutin sample closet organizing all the latest sandals, wedges, boots and more, she also often worked at their sample sales where she was able to score some great deals on some fab finds. (Lucky, lucky girl!)

I asked her if she'd picked up any shoe tips from working at the storied house of Louboutin, and she said yes and started counting off her favorite shoe secrets. I of course had to share them with all of you because Lainee's tricks will help make your fave shoes (whether they're Loubs or fun, $5 mall store finds) last a little longer.


Organize by heel height. Lainee keeps all of her flats within reach, because that's what she wears more often. She stacks her higher heels and bigger platforms up higher since they're only usually worn for nights out. And by having everything so well organized, it prevents shoes from piling up--and denting, scratching or rubbing against each other.
Photograph your shoes. Take a picture of each pair you own and tape it to the outside of the clear shoe box (which, by the way, you can get at the Container Store). This helps you find your shoes easily and if you store them like this, they'll last forever.



Have a reliable shoe repairman. Lainee's favorite is Arty's here in NYC. What's so special about them? They can actually re-sole your shoes in black, tan, brown and even Louboutin red.

Start your look from the shoes up. Lainee always starts her look each day with her shoes, then bases her outfit around them. By swapping out one pair for another each day, it's a good way to make the most of the shoes you own.

For big shoe savings, re-sole your shoes. To extend the life of that extra-special, save-and-dream-about-for-months pair of shoes, try getting them re-soled before you wear them. Yes, it seems silly to shell out a few more bucks on top of a big splurge, but it'll be worth it in the end since it can make your shoes last an extra year--or four! And, before you think of chucking that old faithful pair of heels, check the bottoms; maybe a little heel replacement or re-sole can save your faves.

Flowers that bloom your skin

Rose

Studies have found that rose extract can significantly reduce wrinkling and damage to elastin fibers caused by UVB rays. Look for it in Korres Wild Rose Serum and Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist.

Anemone

Derived from the leaves of anemone flowers, the ingredient kinetin was made popular by the by the anti-aging cream Kinerase and is said to be a gentle alternative to retinoids, which can cause peeling and redness. While I don't know of any impartial studies confirming this claim, many people swear it works. If you don't want to shell out $119 for Kinerase, try the Body Shop's 24-Hour Treatment Lotion with Kinetin ().

Cornflower

These blossoms may have anti-inflammatory and skin clarifying properties and can be found in Sundari Cornflower Hydrator and Caudalie Gentle Cleanser.

Evening Primrose

Oil from this fragrant flower is rich in linoleic acid, which the skin needs to make ceramides, and is a great option for those prone to excessive skin dryness, eczema or psoriasis. You can take oral supplements, but I prefer to use it topically, as in Skin Vitamin Cream by Robin Pharmaceuticals.

Hibiscus

Companies like Kosmea claim hibiscus extract has similar effects to Botox. Though it sounds promising, I haven't heard of any research on hibiscus extract yet. It's also found in Steven Victor MD Intensive Wrinkle Repair Kit.

Fast Meals That Melt Off Fats

BODY-SLIMMING BREAKFASTS

RICOTTA WRAP (350 calories): 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp nonfat ricotta, 2 tbsp slivered almonds, 1/2 cup berries and 2 tsp honey in 1 whole-grain wrap such as Flatout multigrain flatbread

YOGURT CRUNCH (350 calories): 5 oz plain yogurt, 4 walnut halves, 3 tbsp All-Bran, 1/4 cup granola and 3/4 cup cubed melon

BACON, EGG AND CHEESE MUFFIN (500 calories): Scramble 1 large egg in 1 tsp margarine and place on a toasted whole-grain English muffin spread with 1 tsp margarine. Top with 1 slice cooked turkey bacon and 2 tbsp shredded reduced-fat cheddar. Serve with 3/4 cup berries, 1/4 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt and 12 oz skim latte. Try this blogger's tips to cut the cooking time.

LEAN AND LUSCIOUS LUNCHES

SHRIMP SALAD (400 calories): 10 cooked shrimp, 1/3 avocado, sliced, 1 tbsp slivered almonds, 2 tbsp each diced red onion and carrot, 1 tbsp prepared sesame dressing, tossed with 2 cups greens; 3 whole-grain crispbreads

TANGY TURKEY PITA (550 calories): 3 oz turkey breast, 5 olives, 3 tbsp feta, 2 tbsp each diced cucumber and tomato, 6 spinach leaves, 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tsp balsamic vinegar in 1 whole-wheat pita; 1 large orange

PEAR ‘WICH (650 calories): 3 tbsp almond butter, 1/2 large pear, sliced, 1/8 tsp cinnamon on 2 slices whole-wheat bread. Serve with the other half of the pear.

DELICIOUS, TRIM-DOWN DINNERS

FISH AND FRIES (400 calories): 4 oz cod rubbed with 1 tsp olive oil, seared (2 to 3 minutes per side); 12 Alexia Sweet Potato Fries, baked as directed on package; 1 1/2 cups sliced cabbage tossed with 2 tbsp reduced-fat dressing

CHICKPEA PASTA (550 calories): 1/3 cup chopped onion, 2 cups chopped zucchini, 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped, and 1/2 cup chickpeas sautéed in 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix with 1 cup cooked ziti, 2 tbsp Parmesan.

CHICKEN PILAF (600 calories): 3/4 cup cubed, cooked, skinless chicken mixed with 1 1/2 cups cooked Near East Whole Grain Wheat Pilaf drizzled with 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup steamed cauliflower with 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp fresh parsley

SATISFYING SNACKS

Turkey and cheese roll-up (100 calories): 1 oz sliced turkey breast, 1 oz sliced reduced-fat cheddar rolled up

Chocolate milk with nuts (150 calories): 1 cup light chocolate soymilk, 13 pistachios

Orange spritzer and almonds (150 calories): 8 oz orange juice mixed with 4 oz sparkling water; 7 almonds

What to Eat For Gorgeous Skin "Essential For Ladies"

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli

Produce packed with vitamin C is crucial for the production and formation of collagen, skin's support structure. And it's that strong support layer that evens out the top layer and wards off wrinkles. Try to have two 1-cup servings of fruit (Not a fan of strawberries? Try oranges or grapefruit.) and 1 cup of red peppers and/or broccoli each day. Or try applying them directly with this at-home facial recipe.

Sunflower seed and almonds

Edible SPF? Practically. These seeds and nuts are loaded with vitamin E, an antioxidant that, with other antioxidants, works to protect skin from UV-related free radicals. Skin's top layers contain high levels of E that help guard cells' outer membrane, so cells stay healthy. Plus, strong membranes hold water in, keeping skin hydrated. Aim for 2 tablespoons of hulled seeds or 23 almonds daily.

Dark orange, leafy green and red vegetables

Squash, sweet potatoes and spinach are teeming with the antioxidant beta-carotene. Your body converts it to vitamin A, which regulates cell production and turnover so skin's surface is smooth. Carotenoids might also lower your skin's sensitivity to sun. Shoot for three 1-cup servings a day of these polishing picks. Try them in delicious, good-for-you recipes like Butternut Squash Pizza, Cheesy Sweet Potato Crisps, and Oatmeal Meatballs With Spinach.

Fortified cereal, lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters

These protein-rich foods are full of zinc and iron, minerals crucial to healthy skin function. Zinc supports cell production as well as natural cell sloughing, which keeps dullness at bay. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen to skin, helping give you a glow. Pile your plate with 1 serving of cereal (a cup), 1 palm-sized serving of meat or poultry or 3 oysters per day.

Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts

These fish and nuts, plus fortified eggs, are chockablock with omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation in the body caused by sun and stress. Inflammation produces free radicals, and free radicals contribute to aging by attacking collagen. Research still needs to provide solid proof that the anti-inflammatory abilities of omega-3s yield younger-looking skin, but one study found that older people who consumed more fish and veggies over their life had fewer wrinkles than those who ate more meat, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition reports. Aim for two 5-ounce servings of fish per week; on other days, 1 oz of walnuts or 2 omega-3-fortified eggs. Get creative with recipes like a Salmon BLT or a single-serving Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata.

Whole wheat and grains

Clear up your skin with these complex carbs. Australian researchers found that a low-glycemic diet (more whole grains, protein and produce versus refined carbs such as white bread) may reduce acne. One reason why: Low-glycemic foods keep insulin steady, while refined carbs and sugar spike it. The surges may boost production of androgens, hormones that, when boosted, can cause zits. After 12 weeks of a low-glycemic diet, subjects' pimple counts dropped 20 percent, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. More research is needed to support the clear-skin connection, but no M.D. will talk you out of eating whole grains and veggies! Try to have three servings a day (one serving equals a slice of bread or 1/2 cup cooked grains).

Water

OK, so water isn’t a food, but you can sip your way to dewy skin! Skin cells contain mostly H20, and if you're dehydrated, skin looks and feel parched, too. But you needn't chug gallons each day: Research from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found no studies to back up the recommendation of eight glasses a day. Prevent dehydration—and dryness—by drinking when you're thirsty. Aim for 6 cups a day.
Find more foods to keep you glowing, including a suggested meal plan, with the Beauty Diet, or find more complexion-perfecting tips from our experts at the Beyond the Beauty Pages blog.

Are you in emotional affairs? Check it out..

You've Probably Crossed the Line if You...
1. Touch your male friend in "legitimate" ways, like picking lint off his blazer.
2. Pay extra attention to how you look before you see him.
3. Think crush-like thoughts like "He'd love this song!"
4. Tell him more details about your day than you do your partner.
5. No longer feel comfortable telling your mate about this person and begin to cover up your relationship.
6. Experience increasing sensual tension; you admit your attraction to him but also insist to yourself that you would never act on it.

It's About to Get Physical When You...
1. Find yourself feeling vulnerable and turn to the other man for support rather than to your mate or a trusted relative or girlfriend.
2. Accelerate the level of intimacy through sensual or suggestive talk over email or the phone.
3. Put yourself in a situation where the two of you could be alone.

You Can Avoid the Potential Affair if You...
1. Stay honest with your partner. Share with him all your hopes, triumphs, and failures -- as well as your attractions and temptations, which will help keep you from acting on them.
2. Make time for just the two of you on a regular basis -- away from the kids, your friends, and family.
3. Surround yourself with happy couples who don't believe in fooling around. Having positive, emotionally connected role models will help you stay on track.

Steps on shaving your UNDERARMS

Step 1: Soak your underarms in warm to hot water for about 10 minutes. You can do this in the shower of a bathtub.

Step 2: Lather your underarms with shaving cream. Make sure to avoid your eyes or sensitive areas.

Step 3: Shave the underarms going WITH the grain, meaning going along with thehair growth. this prevents you from getting shaving bumps.

Relational advices "Spill the secret words of wisdom that keep their relationship blissful"

By Sara Anderson for Redbook

No 1. Polite Fight
"On my wedding-invitation RSVP cards, I left space for guests to write their favorite wedding wisdom. The tidbit that rings truest after almost nine months of marriage is: 'Attack the issue, not each other.' How it works: If my husband and I disagree about something, we stay focused on the issue and skip the personal put-downs." -- Melissa Gitter Schilowitz, 31, Metuchen, NJ

No 2. Fit to a Tee
"My grandmother insisted that I learn how to play golf. 'If your husband loves to play, you can go along and spend hours together,' she said. So I took lessons, and now my husband and I hit the links once a month. We both love the game and are thrilled to share a hobby, even when we spend half an hour looking for my out-of-bounds balls!" -- Aimee Borders, 27, Houston, TX

No 3. Tabletop Trick
"My aunt told me that if I'm running late when it's my turn to make dinner, just set the table. That way my husband thinks he'll be eating any minute, so he doesn't start complaining, which buys me some time. It's a silly trick that sounds straight out of the 1950s, but I have to admit that I've tried it a few times in the three years I've been married -- and it works!" -- Dawn Clayton, 34, Holdrege, NE

No 4. Boob-Tube Brilliance
"Because my husband is such a remote-control freak, my mom suggested that we have 'my turn' TV nights. That means three nights a week I get to hold the remote and watch whatever I want, and on the other nights it's his turn to hold the remote and watch whatever he wants. Now when he starts flipping through the channels, it doesn't get on my nerves like it used to." -- Angela Clayton, 27, Odenton, MD

No 5. Pop the Question
"My sister-in-law passed this helpful hint on to me, and it has served me well for our five years of wedded bliss: 'Marriage is not mind reading, so ask your spouse what he/she wants and
believe what he/she says.'" -- Clare Graca, 27, Dallas

No 6. Nix the Nit-Picking
"Before I said 'I do,' my mom (who's been married to my dad for 55 years) told me to take out a piece of paper and write down the top three things that bugged me about my husband-to-be. Then she told me to forget the things on that list and forgive him for not being flawless. Once you make a commitment this big, she explained, you can't let petty things get in the way. In our eight years of marriage, my husband and I have had two kids, tackled cross-country moves and started two businesses -- and so far, so great."-- Rebecca Hart Blaudow, 31, Jacksonville, FL

No 7. Space Smarts
"Always have separate closets, my best friend told me. It may seem silly, but I listened to her and made sure to find a one-bedroom apartment with two closets (mine being the larger, of course). Now my husband and I each have our own private space, and we respect that: If he wants to keep his shoes in one huge heap or leave his dirty clothes in a pile on the floor, the mess doesn't bother me a bit!" -- Patricia Bontekoe, 26, Lake Hiawatha, NJ

No 8. Agree to Disagree
"Before we got married, my minister told my husband and me, 'You are two imperfect people making an imperfect union, and that's wonderful.' This advice made me ditch my belief that in a happy marriage, the couple always agrees. My husband and I have learned to appreciate our differences (yes, even differences of opinion!); in fact, we encourage them because we realize now that those differences are what makes each of us unique and special." -- Beth Swanson, 28, Chicago

No 9. Comic Relief
"Before I headed down the aisle, my stepfather told me to always laugh and never take myself too seriously. After four years of marriage, I know that this trick works. My husband and I often play practical jokes on each other and always try to crack each other up, even in the middle of an argument. Hey, if one person laughs, a fight tends to fizzle, doesn't it?" -- Lisa Giassa, 31, Bogota, NJ

Anti-Pop Advice From the Experts
You've probably heard a few of these pieces of marital pop wisdom before. If so, these marriage experts say to promptly forget 'em.

Love means never having to say you're sorry. "Oh, please! In marriage, love sometimes means having to say you're sorry even if you don't know what you did or you didn't mean to do it." -- Trisha Taylor, psychotherapist, Houston, TX

Always be totally honest. "What are you going to do, tell him that he's just too short and you can't stand his mother? Sometimes you need to temper the truth." -- Tara Fields, Ph.D., marriage, family and child therapist, Marin County, CA

Children come first. "This is bad advice if it means your husband always comes second. Of course you should love and care for your kids, but you should never lose sight of your couple-ness. The best thing a child can have is happy, fulfilled parents who are deeply in love." -- Mary Pender Greene, chief of social work services, Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, New York

Always keep the peace. "No, no, no. If you don't face a hot issue head-on, you'll stockpile negative feelings. And before you know it, 20 years go by and you're still fighting over the same thing because you never resolved it in the first place." -- Rebecca S. Ward, M.S.W., psychotherapist, Little Rock, AR

Never go to bed angry. "Forget it. Often a couple needs time to calm down before they can rationally wrap up an argument. And that may take a few days, so in the meantime, get some sleep!" -- Gilda Carle, Ph.D., psychotherapist, New York

These backed-by-science steps reduce wrinkling and restore skin — no scalpel or needles necessary

Step 1: Shun the Sun

Why this works: Repeated sun exposure eventually leads to brown spots, fine wrinkles, deeper creases, and sagging skin. If you need proof, just look at the skin on the underside of your arm where the rays are less likely to reach. Does it look smoother and less blotchy? "What the sun does is fast-forward your aging clock," says Doris Day, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. "Around age 40, you cross that line — your collagen and elastic tissue have experienced enough damage to really start showing a change. You look in the mirror, and uh-oh, you can no longer ignore it or easily cover it up." Protecting your skin year-round will help prevent you from further accelerating your age.
What to try: To start, make sure you always have broad-spectrum protection with an adequate long-wave UVA shield, says Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Those UVA rays give you the wrinkles and the muddy skin tone that ages you," he says. Dr. Glogau recommends UVA filters like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which provide longer-lasting protection. Try Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 90+ ($9.49, drugstores) or Lancôme UV Expert 20 Sunscreen SPF 20 ($35, department stores). Also use a product — like these — with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect against burns. Get even better coverage by including antioxidants like vitamins C and E and pomegranate extract in your protection. "Antioxidants boost the benefits of sunscreen. They help neutralize the damage caused by UV light," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist at Boston University Medical Center. Try C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Day Lotion SPF 25 ($19.50, Bath & Body Works), which contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidant-rich berry extracts, and UV protection. Of course, behavior counts, too: Whenever possible, avoid midday rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses (less squinting). If you want some color, try self-tanner. We like Jergens Natural Glow Health Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($9, drugstores). Or go with your own glow. "It will definitely help you look younger," says Dr. Day.
Years younger: 5. Within six months, your sun-protected skin should appear smoother and more even-toned, says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Youth Equation. The catch: You have to continue protecting skin daily and avoiding the harsh rays, or you'll redo the damage.

Step 2: Smooth Lines with Retinoids
Why this works: In studies dating back over the past 20 years, they have been shown to help soften the look of fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production and normalizing skin-cell activity. "These vitamin A derivatives have a better-established track record than any other wrinkle-reduction creams," says Dr. Glogau. Even the milder, nonprescription-strength retinol may reduce the effects of chronological aging — albeit more gradually. When University of Michigan researchers applied a .4 percent retinol lotion to one of the study participants' upper inner arms as many as three times a week for 24 weeks, skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm.
What to try: The biggest challenge with retinoids is dealing with the potential side effects, such as redness and peeling skin. Your skin will, however, build up a tolerance, usually within six to 12 weeks. Retin-A is still the gold standard in prescription strength, though there are several less-irritating options — costing $100 per tube on average — including Retin-A Micro, Differin, Avage, and Tazorac. Researchers continue to seek ways of making retinoids more tolerable; one theory currently being tested at the University of Michigan is that using an ultra-mild facial cleanser and moisturizer will help calm the irritation. (The study findings are still a few years away.) Dermatologists also suggest you ease into using one: Apply a pea-size amount at night (sun exposure makes retinoids less effective), and try it every second or third night until your skin handles it better. If that's still too irritating, go with an over-the-counter retinol. These formulas are less potent, but are still effective. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Creme ($20, drugstores) or DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol 1.0 ($75, Sephora).
Years younger: 6-7. You should start to see an improvement in a matter of weeks with a prescription formula, but don't stop there. "Keep using it," says Dr. Dover, who claims he can always spot a woman on a prescription retinoid because her skin looks "too good" for her age. Over-the-counter retinol converts to the active form, called retinoic acid, at a lower concentration — but the benefits will start to show up after a few months if you stay with it.

Step 3: Exfoliate Gently and Often
Why this works: At-home peels or even a simple face scrub can make your complexion look much more youthful and radiant and may also boost collagen production, says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. "It's one of the best ways to see a quick difference," she says. As you age, skin tends to be drier and dead cells cling to the surface, giving it a rougher texture. When you shed those dead cells with a scrub or peel, it enhances the functioning of your skin: Water-retaining cells come to the surface, and active ingredients in your skin care — like antioxidants and retinoids — penetrate better. "Regular exfoliating is also therapeutic if you have acne-prone skin," says Dr. Glogau. One caveat: People who have sensitive complexions or rosacea should skip this step — or at least exfoliate less often — since those dead cells actually shield skin from irritation.
What to try: The most effective, least expensive options are grainy scrubs that have small, round particles. Try St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion ($7, drugstores) or SkinEffects Cell2Cell Anti-Aging Exfoliating Cleansing Scrub ($10, CVS). "The particles should be smooth and feel like sugar in your hand," says Dr. Baumann. If they are too big or rough, they can tear skin. At-home chemical exfoliators work more slowly and may cost more, but they too help loosen dead cells. If manual scrubs are too harsh for your skin, choose a chemical wash with glycolic acid, or try a gentler salicylic acid formula (it may also treat acne). Try Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser ($35, aveda.com). And if you're also using a retinoid, try sloughing skin twice instead of three or four times weekly.
Years younger: 2-3. There are two provisos, say experts. First, you've got to stick with it to keep seeing improvement. You'll get even better results by also doing monthly doctor's-office peels (glycolic acid or microdermabrasion), which remove the upper layer of skin and may stimulate collagen production. Second, you'll benefit the most if you combine this step with one (or more) of the others listed here.

Step 4: Add Moisture
Why this works: By menopause, the majority of women need a daily moisturizer. "It's what gives skin that smooth, radiant look," explains Dr. Glogau. In fact, most skin care that promises to improve the look of wrinkles in just a few weeks is probably doing it by moisturizing.
What to try: Effective hydrators include those, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw water into the skin, and others that prevent water from escaping, such as petrolatum and lanolin. Try Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ($7.49, drugstores) with glycerin. Natural moisturizers, like olive, sunflower, and coconut oils, can also hydrate skin; skip them, though, if you're prone to acne. Try: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($21, Whole Foods) with sunflower and grapeseed oils. What won't work: drinking more water. There's little evidence that staying hydrated internally can do anything to reduce wrinkles, though if you're dehydrated, water will definitely give your skin a smoother look.

Years younger: 2-3. Though they have to be reapplied in order to keep up the benefits, moisturizers can help you look a few years younger almost immediately, says Dr. Glogau.

Six Biggest Dating Mistakes That Women Make

1: They go on too many unproductive dates. "If you know how to date, and you're meeting losers, get off the market and go into dating detox. Clean your energy up so those people don't ask you out anymore. The problem is we women are very impatient. We want it now. Instant gratification! Sometimes the best single men are worth waiting for. You might get one good date a year, versus 100 bad ones, but he's worth it."

2: They go out with their girlfriends in the hopes of meeting guys. "When you're with your girlfriends, you're not approachable. They're scared. Single men are very timid. I have this theory: Women who travel in packs do not attract. Men who are quality aren't going to go in there and ask you out while your girlfriends are standing right there -- he could get shot down. So it's a really good idea, at about 4 or 4:30 P.M., to go to the bar: Sit at the bar, have a drink, get an hors d'oeuvre, read a mutual-gender book like "The Da Vinci Code," know the score on TV, and pretend you're busy. You're reading a book, you're eating an hors d'oeuvre, you're meeting a friend -- and then you're more approachable because you're by yourself."

3: They think a guy will always like them if he just gets to know them. "A guy knows right away if he's attracted to you or not. There's no warming up. Men are microwaves, women are Crockpots. Women heat up very slowly. They take in information; they decipher it and download it into their computer. Men know in one second, yes or no."

4: They overshare on the date. "Single women are so trusting that they tell too much information about themselves. They pump and dump -- they baggage dump! They say, "I'm all relaxed, now he's my best friend and I can tell him whatever I want." They're nervous, and they tell their life story -- and sometimes their life story is not a good story to tell."

5: They don't let the guy talk enough. "The way you talk on a date should be like a tennis match, but the guy should talk three times as often. It should be 3:1. He volleys, volleys, volleys, now you talk. You can answer the question every time he volleys, but then you lead him with your question, and it should be topical to the conversation he's having. You don't say, 'Hey, do you want to get married? Hey, what's your ex-girlfriend like?' You don't do that. You lead with what he's talking about."

6: They forget their manners. "The key to a good date is to smile. Engage with eye contact. Let him lead and then you compliment little things along the way. If he orders the dessert and you guys share it, say, 'Oh, this is the best chocolate mousse, I'm so glad you picked this.' Manners are key. Most people do not have manners."