Regular whole-body bathing is a necessity for successful skin and hair care, but as with most laudable things in life, you can overindulge. We're not talking about the pruny wrinkles you get on your fingers and other sensitive spots when you linger too long in your bath; those are caused by excessive skin hydration (if there is such a thing), and of course they're temporary. Water itself isn't particularly dangerous to the skin; your skin itself tends to be airtight, so you can't really get waterlogged. The real culprit is the you use -- or, more specifically, the detergents in it.
 
Detergents are large molecules whose most important characteristic is their ability to get oil and water to mix. Oddly enough, they make water molecules wetter than normal, so they're less likely to stick to each other and more likely to attach to oils and grime. The detergent molecules themselves are also more likely to stick to oils. See the connection here? Obviously soap is much better at getting you clean than plain water, and it's absolutely necessary for removing dirt, old makeup, excess oils, and dead cells from your skin. On the other hand, overuse of some soaps, especially the commercial kinds made from petrochemicals, can be harsh on your skin, throwing off its natural balance of moisture and protection. The result can be dryer skin than normal. The same thing's true with your hair: excess shampooing or harsh shampoos can strip away too many essential hair oils, leaving your tresses dry and lifeless no matter what hair conditioner you use.
 
Whether you prefer brief, vigorous showers or long, luxurious soaks in a tub, all it takes is a little forethought to conserve your skin. Rather than use harsh commercial brands of soap, bathe with soaps specially formulated to be kind to your skin; a little research will turn up dozens, mostly produced by beauty products manufacturers. Alternately, consider using natural soaps and shampoos, which are usually made from vegetable oils and floral products. These soaps generally smell good enough to eat, and some of them contain bits of ground-up flower or oatmeal to help you gently scrub away the grunge. It wouldn't hurt to use a loofah too, at least occasionally, to strip away old skin cells and give your skin that freshly scrubbed glow.
 
Bubble baths are a great way to relax and unwind, as many of us well know, but even here you need to be aware of what you're doing. You'll find a wide variety of bath oils, bath beads, and bath salts on the market, all of which are formulated to smell marvelous and enhance your bubble bath experience (which, of course, should always be accompanied by a locked bathroom door, candlelight, and quiet music). Alas, while some bubble bath formulas contain oils to help balance your skin, all bubble baths contain more than their share of soap -- as anyone who's unwisely put a tiny bit into a whirlpool bath can attest. (Imagine a six-foot tall, bathtub-shaped tower of foam). Given the soap content, the overuse of any bubble bath mixture can cause the same problems as any other soap, particularly when it comes to drying the skin. Some women and young girls develop rashes after using bubble bath, possibly due to the perfuming agents, and urinary tract infections are not unheard of. These occur because the soap in the mixture is undiscriminating: in addition to removing dirt and grease, it can strip certain delicate mucous membranes of the protection they require.
 
Basically, bubble baths are great, but take it easy with them. Because some ingredients can cause drying, choose a product that includes a moisturizer -- Vitamin E and aloe vera work particularly well. Your reaction can also depend on your skin type: if you've got dry skin, you can still take that tension-draining bubble bath, but warm water's better for you than hot water. The same is true if you're pregnant.
 
Unsurprisingly, you can also find all-natural bubble bath mixtures to sooth any potential problems. These mixtures lack the harsh detergents and other chemicals found in most bubble baths (particularly the ever popular sodium laureate sulfate and DEA), and are often specially formulated for delicate skin. This being the case, you're unlikely to experience any irritation from natural bubble bath mixtures -- but you may not get as clean as you would with the commercial brands, either. This is because natural mixtures often use the same mixtures available in most natural soaps, generally with the addition of herbal extracts like chamomile. Often they're also doped with pleasant-smelling scents for aromatherapy purposes. Because of their lack or near-lack of detergents, you'll probably have to help them along in the foaming department by vigorously attacking the water in the tub. So if someone a
good reason (no matter how fun it is). 
 
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Every woman is a natural beauty, but most of us don't mind one-upping Mother Nature a bit with the occasional potion, elixir, or dab of makeup. In fact, one of the most basic necessities of a woman's life, whatever her age, is shopping for beauty products -- not just to accentuate what's already there, but also to maintain the body's exterior health. It's up to you to decide whether this is a joy or a chore, but it doesn't have to be difficult; in fact, it can be somewhat enjoyable, once you know what you're doing.
 
Your first task, of course, is determining the types of beauty products you need. This means developing an intimate knowledge of you: your skin type and condition, your hair type, your facial structure, your teeth, your eyebrows and lashes, your nails -- anything people can see, and most things they can't. Knowing all these things will help you put together the beauty regimen that's best for you. This might seem a bit narcissistic at first blush, but it's not; you always want to put your best (pedicured) foot forward, and it never hurts to look your best (unless, of course, you're portraying Quasimodo in the Halloween play).
 
Determining exactly which beauty products are right for you is a process of experimentation that may take years; most young ladies spend their teen years and beyond trying to get it right. If you can afford it, a great shortcut is to go to a beauty consultant, who can advise you on everything from shampoo to the best foundation for your coloring. A few consultants, makeup specialty shops, and some beauty schools may do this inexpensively, or even for free -- the consultants and specialty shops because they want you to buy their products, and the beauty schools because their students need the practice. Keep in mind that you generally get what you pay for; you have to decide what it's worth to you, if anything.
 
On With the Shopping
 
Once you've found which beauty products are right for you, it's time to go buy them. At this point, you've probably got a list that includes exfoliants, loofahs, skin cleanser, skin toner, moisturizer, and all manner of skin products specifically for your skin type; shampoo and conditioner formulated for your hair; the appropriate cosmetics, including foundation, lipstick, lip gloss, rouge, mascara, eyeliner; hair removal products; nail care products; perfumes, and the list goes ever on.
 
Obviously, buying all the beauty products you require can be both a daunting and expensive prospect. It can become even more so if you have a preference for the high-end products sold in specialty stores. Before you despair and head for the local Mega-Mart (which in fact can be a good source for basic and even name-brand beauty products), consider taking advantage of the bleeding edge of modern technology, and shop on the Internet. With the Internet all you need is a little web-savvy and a credit card, and you never even have to leave your house. No more maddening crowds, no more surly sales clerks, no more getting ambushed by costumed idiots trying to spritz you with the latest designer scents. Can you say," Hallelujah"?
 
Ideally, the Internet makes shopping for beauty products easy -- all you have to do is open a search engine, type in "beauty products," and hit Search. The problem, as with most things Internet-related, is that end up with so many results that it might be hard to choose among them. Your best bet is to search for specific brands of beauty products -- say, Revlon cosmetics, or Biolage hair products. That will limit the results to a more easily handled number that lets you can get down to some serious shopping. Given the global nature of the Internet, it'll soon become clear that there's some serious competition going on among the vendors. Sometimes, the prices are low enough to be astonishing, even for high-quality brand-name products -- so choose wisely. In the interest of making sure you don't end up purchasing beauty products from fifteen different providers, you might want to take a little time to find a beauty products vendor who can provide all you need for decent prices. You may not get quite the lowest price for everything, but you'll certainly save yourself a lot of hassle.
 
The Outcome
 
Make no mistake: a decent beauty care routine is far from a cakewalk. Not only will it very likely cost you a significant amount of money, you'll spend hours every week lavishing care on your skin, dealing with your nails, shampooing your hair, shaping your eyebrows, removing unwanted body hair, applying and removing makeup, and exercising. But in the end it's worth it: you'll look and feel like dynamite, and everyone who sees you will know it.

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You may be born with beautiful skin, but try holding onto it through the rigors of childhood and adolescence -- good luck! Even so, you shouldn't let your dreams of healthy skin die a horrible death. If you try hard enough, you can recapture that radiant glow that you had when you were a youngster.
 
Naturally, you'll want to focus on your face, since that's what the world sees most often (unless, of course, you're Miss October. But let's assume otherwise.). It all starts out with good health; there are plenty of skin care secrets to be found out there, but most of them boil down to taking care of yourself. Be sure to eat a healthy diet heavy on fresh fruits and veggies, exercise daily, and get plenty of restful beauty sleep. Taking supplements, like Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids, can also help your skin tone. Appropriate hydration is especially important to great skin. By hydration, we're talking about drinking water, and plenty of it: at least two quarts a day are recommended to keep your interior hydrated. Coffee, tea, sodas, and other drinks replete with caffeine don't count; in fact, you should limit their use. Alcohol is similarly a no-no.
 
The next no-no is smoking. Cigarette smoke is a form of pollution, and it does more than rot your lungs, kill your taste-buds, and give you bad breath: it dries the skin of any part of the body it touches, and where does most of the smoke end up? In your face. As difficult as it is to quit smoking, you have to make a choice here: do you want to have a great looking face, or do you want to feed your addiction? On top of that, you'll need to avoid too much sun. Tans look great, for a while, but they'll turn you old before your time. When you do go out into the sun, you should protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat or sun block, especially in these days of the widening hole in the ozone layer. You can be a sun worshiper or a beauty with flawless skin; you can't be both.
 
Your next task is to develop an effective facial cleansing routine. Determine your basic skin type -- oily, dry, or normal -- and use the appropriate cleansers once or twice a day to remove dirt, traces of makeup, excess skin oils, bacteria, and all the other things that can clog your pores and cause unsightly blemishes. Basic soap and water is acceptable occasionally, but at least once a day you should use a commercially prepared skin cleanser; regular soap is too harsh for constant use. Once you've cleansed, rinse your face thoroughly, because you don't want any traces of the cleanser to remain; it can cause redness, itching, and irritation if it dries on your skin. You can help minimize this possibility by splashing on a skin toner or astringent, which both removes traces of cleanser and tightens up your pores. This is especially important if you have the larger pores that usually come with oily skin. One inexpensive, all-natural skin toner is witch hazel extract; however, it's not for everyone, because it can leave your face too dry. If it doesn't work for you, don't hesitate to switch to a toner made in a laboratory. Nothing's too good for your face!
 
The last daily step in your skin care routine should be the addition of moisturizer. Again, how much and what you use depends on your skin type, but you need to be sure that your skin is well hydrated. Hydrating from within by drinking plenty of water is a good start, but it's only a start; hydrating your skin from the outside is equally important.
 
On top of your daily routine, there are certain steps you should add occasionally. You shouldn't hesitate to exfoliate every couple of months to get rid of old skin cells. Then there are those beauty masks guys like to make fun of; most beauty consultants recommend that you subject yourself to one weekly. Whether it's a homemade peach mask or an expensive mud mask from Paris, the idea is to deeply cleanse your face, removing the gunk that everyday cleaning doesn't always get. The cucumber slices over the eyes are optional.
 
A word here about chemical peels: they may be all the rage among some segments of society, but they're not generally recommended. Since you're literally peeling off the upper layers of your skin -- hence the name -- every chemical peel carries a risk. They can have seriously bad effects on your skin, varying from reddening and extreme irritation to severe pain and tissue damage. That said, chemical peels can be used to effectively treat some skin problems, like acne scars and some environmental damage, that don't respond to other treatments. If you feel you must have a chemical peel, be sure that it's performed by a trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

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Basic nail care is a necessary evil: you've go to break out the nail file, emery board, orangewood sticks, and the like once every week or so, or your beautiful nails just might end up going the way of the dodo. Ditto with the visit to your favorite professional manicurist every four to six weeks: if she's any good (and she'd better be), she'll be able to keep you on the straight-and-narrow as far as nail care goes. Of course, just because you've got to keep your nails in constant good shape doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with them too, if that's your style. Now, we're not talking about something as pedestrian as crafting a cool color for the latest office party, or painting your nails orange and black for Halloween. Those things are fun, but conservative; we're talking about going a tad wild here. Of course, all these ideas should be attempted only after you've gotten into the habit of handling your nail care essentials on a weekly basis. As the saying goes, you've got to crawl before you walk.
 
If you're feeling only a tiny bit daring and want to adopt a glamorous, Hollywood look, sweet-talk your manicurist into adding acrylic nail tips to your fingernails. They may not be as cheap as those press-on nails you see on TV, but for an extra $20-40 you can have shiny, long nails within an hour or so of stepping into the nail shop. They look great, but of course there are a few caveats to be aware of: tips like these require frequent fills (and thus trips to the manicurist) as the nails grow out, and they can both weaken and soften your nails. If this happens to you, you might want to consider taking biotin, a nail-strengthening vitamin found in health stores.
 
Speaking of cheap press-on nails, for temporary party-time fun you can take advantage of inexpensive decorative press-ons emblazoned with everything from glitter to polka dots to elaborate patterns. These are by no means intended to replace your nails or to enhance them -- they're only to look at. They're quick, too: if you want to radically change your look without spending an hour doing so, just press on these babies and off you go. Think of them as the fingernail equivalent of wearing those weird patterned contact lenses that have recently become popular. They're easy to remove at the end of the day, too, so no worries about hurting your real nails -- unless, of course, you were unwise enough to enhance their stickiness with superglue.
 
Then again, you can go with long-term patterns and decorations, if you've got the time and the artistic inclination. For example, you can paint your nails with a base-coat of a specific color, and then paint colorful little flowers on them. All you need is a No. 1 paintbrush (a very, very thin one) from the art supply store, the right colors of nail polish for your project, and a little patience. You needn't do this all at once, however, unless you have the patience of a saint; consider doing one hand a day, or even just a couple of nails at a time until you're done. Alternately, if time presses, just do your thumbnails or index nails. For many of us, flowers are the limit of our artistic abilities, but if you're talented enough you can add anything you like to your nails. You're sure to get plenty of compliments for your creativity, one way or another. You don't need to be a little girl to enjoy decorative nail art -- just a little girl at heart.
 
If that sounds like too much work, consider the possibility of fingernail stickers. There are commercial fun fingernail kits available for less than ten bucks that include fingernail decorations you can easily stick on. They can be as conventional as you like, or as groovy as you dare. These include decorative fingernail "tattoos" that can come in all kinds of cheerful designs. They'll come off easily at the end of the week when it's time to strip your nails and go through the whole nail care routine. In a similar vein, you can try applying metal film to your fingernails; you can bet most people have never seen anything like that before. Self-adhesive metal film (adapted from sign lettering, believe it or not) is just now becoming available for do-it-yourselfers, but otherwise you'll very likely need your professional manicurist to take care of this for you.
 
If you really want to go wild, try 3-D fingernail decorations. These decorative items stick onto your fingernails too, but they're not flat -- they're three-dimensional, in that they actually protrude from your fingernails a bit. You can even go for glittery rhinestones, if you like. Fair warning, though -- like nail tips, these items of nail art can soften and weaken your natural nails if improperly used.

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There's this thing about getting rid of a bad habit that grade school teachers (and doubtless a few high school guidance counselors) like to point out. You have to get rid of a habit a little at a time -- and as a visual tool, they write the word "habit" on the blackboard. A little work and a swipe of the eraser, and there's "abit" of it left. More work, another swipe, and there's still a "bit" left. A little further in time and it's certainly diminished -- but you still have "it." Redouble your efforts, erase the board, and it's gone.
 
That's just a little sophistry based on a coincidence of spelling, but it makes a good point. Bad habits, no matter how destructive or self-sabotaging they are, can be gradually erased if you're willing to work at them. It won't happen all at once, but it'll happen.
 
Many habits we develop are self-destructive, and when it comes to skin and nails, the damage can be literal. With both, your worst habit can be a failure to properly take care of what can be your most valuable assets, in terms of looking youthful and presentable. Your best way to deal with both bad habits? Invest the time, effort, and money in a good daily skin cleansing routine, and in a weekly program of nail care. In the long run, both will be worth the effort. If you want the best-looking skin and nails, you should also make a conscious effort to keep yourself healthy: exercise, eat a diet rich in lean meats, fruit and vegetables, and avoid too much caffeine, sugar, and fried foods. Even more importantly, you'll have to avoid smoking: cigarette smoke can dry out skin tremendously and discolor your fingernails, not to mention all the nasty things it does to the interior of your body.
 
Your hands and fingernails are, sadly enough, especially likely to get abused. One bad habit you should avoid is changing your nail color more than once a week, at least until they invent that handy gadget that lets you change the color with the touch of a button, like that receptionist in the movie Total Recall. Stripping and reapplying your nail polish is bad simply because it involves the use of fingernail polish remover, which is made from harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin. For some of us, this habit's going to require a little discipline; try keeping a notation on an organizer or calendar of the day you've set aside for nail care, and stick to that schedule, not allowing yourself to change nail polish on any other days.
 
Some of us also have the bad habit of using our lovely, long nails as tools. Shame on you! A thumbnail is neither an eggshell cracker nor a letter opener, no matter how well it might seem to work. Do it once too often and you'll end up with chips, cracks, or worse, a break -- which will take a long time to repair, unless you're willing to hide your break with nail enhancements.
 
Of course, the very worst thing you can do to your nails is to bite them. We all get nervous or worried, and biting your nails can be normal in such situations -- but it can also be habit-forming. At some point, you might find yourself biting a nail just because you've noticed that it's gotten long. Let's enumerate all the bad things that fingernail biting does:
 
- It's ugly and hard to fix.
- No matter how much you try to spit the nail fragments out, some will end up in your digestive system, eventually lodging in the body's junk drawer -- the appendix. This could lead to appendicitis.
- It weakens the affected nail.
- No matter how evenly you do it, it can cause splitting and cracking.
- It can cause pain, bleeding, and nail bed infection if done overenthusiastically.
 
Of course, these things apply to all your nails -- so no nibbling on those toenails, even if you are that flexible.
 
If you make a conscious effort to get rid of your nail-biting habit and it doesn't work, you can experiment with homegrown remedies like dusting your nails with cayenne pepper or painting them with Tabasco sauce. The problem there is, if you touch a sensitive part of your body with said fingers, you may just find yourself in exquisite pain. Therefore, you may want to try the various commercial nail-biting prevention products meant to deter you by flavor. The idea is that you put the product on your nails, and if you try to bite your nails the result is a taste so unbelievable foul that you'll be broken of the habit in no time. Those who have tried these products report that some don't taste all that bad, but others apparently taste like an unholy mixture of gym socks, old underwear, bad Limburger, and intestinal products too nasty to name. This should help you break the habit right away -- if you can bring yourself to use such a noxious product.

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Okay, so you've finally been asked to that classy soiree you've been dying to attend all year. What next?
 
Well, of course you've got to pick out the right dress, get your hair styled in an impeccable and daring fashion, select the perfect Cinderella shoes (in hopes you'll be noticed by some Prince Charming), and then there are all the fun and necessary accessories, from that cute little purse to the barrettes in your hair. But wait -- have you considered the package you're gussying up? We're talking about you, and all the bits of you that all those other lucky guests are going to see. Specifically, how do you plan to prepare your skin and nails for your big debut? We are, of course, your humble servants in this regard, and we've got a few hints we can offer.
 
First of all, let's take a look at your skin. If you've been following a decent skin care routine, then it's easy -- your skin's probably in great shape. If you haven't, then shall we suggest pancake makeup for the evening? Seriously, once you've instituted a daily routine of skin cleansing, skin toning, and moisturizing, your skin should already have a healthy glow that doesn't take much extra work to enhance for the party. But of course you want flawless skin at least for the night, just in case Mr. Right does make an appearance. This would be an excellent excuse to pamper yourself with a deep facial cleansing. Consider a facial exfoliation, or at least scrub your face with a mildly exfoliating cleanser. This would also be a great time to apply a beauty mask, to give your skin its very best look. If you've recently treated yourself to an exfoliation or beauty mask, this step might not be necessary. Be sure, however, not to skip your twice-daily facial wash -- and of course moisturizing is an absolute must. One warning: take it easy with the plain soap and water, because most soap (yes, even Dove and Ivory) contains harsh detergents that can dry out your skin.
 
If you're absolutely desperate -- say, if you've had a sudden breakout that's glaringly visible -- you can book a rush appointment with your dermatologist. They'll be able to do something that can at least improve your complexion. Don't go overboard with some of their treatments, however -- rather than a risk a chemical peel, for example, you should try to tough it out with bad skin; it's less dangerous in the long term, and peels take a while to heal. Steroid shots (such as cortisone) are very effective for skin outbreaks, but they can also put your system out of whack for up to several weeks.
 
Your nails are likely to be much easier to handle. In most cases, fingernails and toenails respond very well to a weekly nail treatment consisting of little more than a self-manicure or pedicure, combined with the proper removal and reapplication of fingernail polish. Remember, your polish isn't just there to look good, it's there to help strengthen your nails and protect them from dings, scratches and chips. Of course, if you'd like your nails to look their very best, then you should schedule a visit with your favorite professional manicurist. The basic treatment for your hands and feet (assuming you plan to wear open-toed shoes) shouldn't be too expensive. You should already have a manicurist, since it's best to get your nails done professionally on occasion; but if you don't, now's the time to start interviewing. And it is an interview: you'll need to examine both her shop and her practices to make sure she's clean, hygienic, and careful, because you don't want to end up with nail fungus. Make sure, too, that she's professionally licensed by your state.
 
A note about your cuticles, those little strips of skin that grow down onto your fingernails and toenails. You probably don't even notice them unless you've got a hangnail, but you can be sure that your friendly neighborhood manicurist will. In fact, she may attempt to descend on your cuticles with scissors in hand and snip them away. Don't let her do it, not if you need your nails at their finest for the party! Your cuticles exist to protect the nail beds of your fingers from harmful microbes. If your cuticles are cut away, torn, or otherwise damaged, that might leave your nails open to infection, and nail bed infections look and feel awful.
 
One way your manicurist can improve the look of your nails is to attach some glamorous nail tips, a service that generally runs $20-40. As with any process in which three-dimensional nail enhancements are glued to your nails, there's the chance that nail tips could soften and weaken your nails. If you've got a week or so before the party, however, you might want to try biotin to strengthen your nails. This vitamin, which has proven effective in strengthening animal claws (if not human ones), can be found at most health food stores.

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Just about everyone is going to notice your fingernails, since they're going to look at your hands at one time or another. How your nails look will depend on how healthy and well cared-for they are, so let's start there. We'll assume that if you care about your nails at all, you know to avoid the Number One No-No of Nail Care -- nail-biting -- and go from there.
 
Otherwise, health nails start with your nail care routine. If you want to have split, cracked nails, go ahead and ignore them, and they'll gladly oblige. If, on the other hand, you want healthy nails, you need to spend about 15-20 minutes a week on them. Not so bad, right? Your nail care program doesn't need to consist of much more than the following steps:
 
- Stripping off the old nail polish,
- Soaking your nails in warm, soapy water,
- Cleaning the cuticles and nail edges with a piece of orangewood,
- Shaping your nails with an emery board or nail file, and
- Applying your new polish.
 
Remember to completely remove the old polish, and to use a clear base-coat before you paint on your new color. Also -- and this is very important -- wash your hands thoroughly to remove all traces of the fingernail polish remover, which can dry your hands and nails both, causing your nails to crack or split. Supplement your once-weekly self-manicures with the attentions of a professional manicurist every 4-6 weeks, and your nails should remain perfectly healthy. If they're not, check with a health store for a supply of biotin. This vitamin has been proven to strengthen the keratin in animal claws, though the evidence for its doing the same in human claws is spotty at best. In any case, biotin is harmless, and it never hurts to try.
 
As far as the actual color you choose for you fabulous fingers, that's entirely up to you. It's a sad fact that not every color looks good on a particular person, so something as minimal (but highly visible) as the color of your fingernails can sabotage your whole look. Now, this may not be a major disaster, but every little bit helps. It's always a good idea to know and understand what looks best on you, from clothing to hair to nail color. Unless you're one of those hardheaded, pragmatic people, you might need a beauty consultant to help you decide whether you're a Summer or an Autumn -- or at least a straight-shooting friend with your best interests in mind.
 
If you're going for a particular look, where everything either matches or complements everything else, you may have to experiment for a while until you get everything just right. Then too, if you work in an office or some similar conservative environment, you might want a color that doesn't stand out, so bright yellow or purple may not be the right colors, even if they go well with your personal coloring. On the other hand, there may situations in which you want your fingernails to be especially obvious and fetching -- on a romantic date, for instance. On Halloween, of course, orange and black is not merely acceptable, it's practically mandatory. You could alternate fingers, or even have one black-nailed hand, and one orange-nailed hand. Naturally, red and green are perfectly acceptable during the Christmas season.
 
As with most beauty related items, it may take you quite a while to find a nail lacquer that's both likeable and flattering on you. It's all about experimentation, and if you want to be truly unique -- without going to the trouble of painting little flowers on your nails -- you're going to have to experiment with what's available. For example, have you ever tried layering one color over another? Sometimes the results can be fantastic, if you do it right. Here's another situation in which your professional manicurist can come in handy. It never hurts to ask their advice, since they look at hands all day, and may be familiar with hundreds of different nail polish shades and types. Not only that, if they're doing your hands, they're at least familiar with your general coloring.
 
Sometimes the right nail color is no color at all. If your hands are otherwise healthy, why not consider occasionally going without colored nail polish? This doesn't mean your fingernails should go naked, since after all, one of the purposes of fingernail polish is to help protect and strengthen your nails. Instead of brushing on purple or orange or pink, you instead simply use a transparent fingernail polish, so that your nails can go au naturel without the risk of physical damage. Most fingernails look rather attractive in their natural colors, and hey -- that leaves you with one less decision to make in your busy week, doesn't it?

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Very few of us are born looking like supermodels, but the fact is that they aren't, either. Supermodels are made, not born; and the way they go from being chubby-cheeked youngsters to the very definition of beauty is by taking obsessively good care of themselves. One characteristic that women like Heidi Klum, Carol Alt, and Kate Moss all share is excellent skin -- and don't kid yourself into thinking that it's just because of good genes. That can help, but it's hardly all there is.
 
Your skin is your largest bodily organ: depending upon how voluptuous you are, it can cover up to 30 square feet and weigh close to ten pounds. It's a remarkable organ, renewing itself completely every seven to ten weeks, and keeping the rest of the body safe from infection. It's sad, then, that so many of us take our skin for granted. When it's not properly cared for, the skin can become dry, flaky, and wrinkly -- and no one wants to look like a lizard. So what do you do?
 
We're here to help you improve your skin by revealing the kinds of skin care secrets that the movie stars and models use. You're not going to go from ordinary to radiant, healthy skin overnight; in fact, it'll probably take a good bit of work. But if you're not afraid to put your back into it and apply the secrets you see here, it won't be long before your friends and co-workers will be exclaiming over how incredibly youthful you look, and how wonderful your skin is.
 
The Basics
 
You can help your skin the most by respecting your health. Your skin reflects your general well being, and just like the rest of you, it likes to be pampered. That doesn't mean you should lie around and eat bonbons all day, unless of course you're interested in growing as much skin as possible. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, which means regular exercise, a healthy diet, and no more sun than necessary.
 
Speaking of sun, tans look great, don't they? But the truth is, every time you go outside to darken your dermis, you're killing skin cells. Too much sun, and your skin will become tough and leathery, and you'll end up looking like an old cowboy who's been out on the range too long. You'll also need to keep your skin moisturized: besides the sun, many environmental factors can cause your skin to dry, including air conditioning, central heating, smoking, and pollution. Avoid those when you can, and be sure your skin is constantly moisturized. You can moisturize it from the inside by drinking at least two quarts of water a day, if not more. A few extra trips to the bathroom aren't too high a price to pay for great skin, right? Hydrate the exterior by applying a moisturizer, to retain your skin's natural moisture.
 
If you want great skin, you've got to maintain a decent skin care regimen. This may be a pain, because doing it well takes a while, but it's worth it in the long run: blackheads and clogged pores do not a beautiful skin make. Not only should you bathe daily, you should wash your face, neck, and shoulders twice a day: once when you get up, and again before you hit the sack. You don't need to use anything fancy; in most cases, soap and water will do for your quick wash-ups. However, you need to perform deep cleaning, with a skin cleanser, at least once a day. This is especially important if you have oily skin. Be sure to remove all traces of your makeup, and follow up the cleanser with a thorough rinsing in clean water. A good skin toner should come next, to tone and tighten the pores, and a moisturizer should complete your daily routine. It's also a good idea to apply a beauty mask weekly and exfoliate on occasion, to get rid of build-ups of old skin cells.
 
Other Good Ideas
 
Besides the skin care basics we've outlined above, here are some other tips that you'd be well advised to consider:
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits 
- Eat your veggies (yes, even broccoli)
- Get enough restful, comfortable "beauty sleep"
- Take vitamins and supplements, especially those known to be good for the skin; we recommend Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids
- Know your skin type, so you can better plan your skin care regimen
- Exercise vigorously at least 30 minutes a day (rollerblading is not recommended)
- Don't drink too much alcohol or caffeinated drinks
- Avoid temperature extremes
- Eliminate stress from your life
 
Of course, you know you best; so it's up to you to develop the details, in order to find what works well for you. Just get serious about a skin care plan, starting with the basics outlined here, and within a few weeks your skin will exhibit a healthy glow you've never before experienced -- guaranteed!

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When it comes to your skin, is there a nastier word than "pimple"? Sure, "zit" comes close, and "sebaceous gland" is no beauty, but there's something about the P-word that sends a shudder through anyone who values her skin. As we all know, pimples are raised, reddened swellings on your skin, and they're usually caused when bacteria and dead skin cells get under skin surface and cause it to become infected. They're often filled with pus, and are a form of acne, an inflammation of the sebaceous (oil) glands in your skin. Pimples that form on clogged pores and fill with pus are usually called whiteheads, and there are other common forms of acne too: blackheads (dirty, clogged pores) and cysts. Although pimples can occur almost anywhere on your body, they're most common on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back.
 
You don't have to be a teenager to get zits, though the hormones raging in your body during adolescence certainly contribute to their formation. Later in life, they're generally an indication that your skin is too oily, and that you're not cleaning it well enough. In some of us, acne can be come a chronic skin disease if not immediately nipped in the bud. The number one, most important thing to know about pimples is this: if you notice a pimple or similar acne-related infection, don't pick, rub, or pop it; this can lead to both infection and permanent scarring, which can be pretty hideous. If you've ever gotten a good look at a picture of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, you can see the full effects of poor acne management. They don't call him Old Pineapple Face for nothing.
 
Basically, you shouldn't mess with the pimple directly, except maybe to put some acne medication on it. Of the available zit-zapping meds (which are of course aimed at teens), all most of them do is dry out the layer of skin above the pimple. Of these, benzol peroxide works best. There may come an occasion when there's an emergency, however, and neither time nor over-the-counter medication is sufficient. If that's the case, try using an oil-free antibacterial concealer to cover the blemish. If, however, you're really desperate -- for example, you're about to open on Broadway and you need to get that glaring zit off your forehead right away -- then check with a dermatologist to see if you can get a cortisone shot. But take care, because this is not a choice made lightly. While the shot may save your stage career, cortisone is a steroid, and one shot can throw off your menstrual period for months.
 
Pimples should be a clarion call that you're not doing something right with your daily skin cleansing routine. Either you're skimping, or something isn't working effectively. You should always wash your face at least twice daily; soap and water is fine for a casual washing, but deep cleansing requires a special skin cleanser formulated for your skin type (oily, dry, or normal), followed by a toner and a moisturizer, in that order. A weekly beauty mask and an occasional exfoliation are also recommended, in order to remove dead skin cells, oils, and other grime that isn't immediately obvious to the eyes. If you're doing all these things, yet you still suffer regular breakouts, you may be doing something wrong; for example, you may have oilier skin than you thought. Try using a mildly exfoliating cleanser, if you aren't already, and experiment with various cleansing products.
 
If all else fails, try washing your face more often. You may need to try twice-daily deep cleansings, morning and night, to get the best response from your skin, and it wouldn't hurt to splash a little water on your face in between. Of course, you can always overdo this if you're not careful. If your skin starts to feel too dry, try using a good, non-oily moisturizer to hydrate your skin properly. You should also be sure to drink at least two quarts of water a day, to ensure proper hydration from the inside. As far as junk food goes, there's never been any real link established between bad skin and stuff like chocolate, fried foods, milk, and too much sugar. However, one of the most important factors in maintaining good skin is to keep yourself healthy, and it goes without saying that too much rich food will negatively impact your health. It would be a good idea to maintain a healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean meats if you want to avoid skin problems.
 
Whatever you do to get rid of pimples and their ilk, you'll need to be patient. It can take as long as a month for a pimple to disappear -- longer it you mess with it. If you absolutely can't leave it alone, make sure you wash your hands first, squeeze the pimple with a cotton swab or a piece of tissue, and clean the area very thoroughly when you're done. If it doesn't pop, leave it for another day.

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One of the most important factors in looking young and healthy is the condition of your skin, so it's a good idea to take the best care of it you can. You may already know that the secret to truly beautiful skin is to maintain your health, and to carry out a rigorous skin care regimen on a regular basis -- but one of the keys to proper skin care is knowing and making allowances for your skin type. Being aware of your skin type allows you to plan which types of cleansers, moisturizers, and other tools you need to use in order to get the best skin possible.
 
There are several recognized skin types (the number differs according to which expert you ask), but they tend to fall into three main categories: oily, dry, and combination skin. Add to that environmentally damaged skin, and you've got 99% of the human population covered. Most skin types are genetically determined, but can be worsened by the environment, diet, harsh soaps, and overuse of the wrong skin care products -- so be careful! Your skin care plan may also need to be modified for geography and season; if it's hotter than normal, for example, you may want to use skin products for oilier skin types, and if it's cooler, more moisturizer may be required.
 
It's easy to determine which skin type you have. When you get up in the morning, before you take a shower, wipe your face with a dry tissue, top to bottom. If it comes up greasy, you have oily skin. If it's dry, you have dry or combination skin; a little grease on the center of the tissue also suggests combination skin. You can also catch a clue from how your skin feels. If it seems parched and stretched too tight, it's dry; if it's slick, it's oily; but if it feels smooth and supple, it's almost certainly normal.
 
Combination skin is the most common skin type, and as such it's sometimes known by the moniker "normal skin." It ends to be oily in the "T-zone" -- across the eyebrows and down the nose -- and dry elsewhere. As such, it's easier to keep in balance than oily or dry skin, though as with any oily skin area, the T-zone may occasionally experience breakouts if not cared for properly. Your best bet for combination skin is to consistently deliver the moisturizers and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. You'll need to wash your face once or twice a day with a mild cleanser, though you might occasionally want to wash with a mild exfoliating cleaner to keep your pores unclogged. Be sure to rinse the cleanser off thoroughly with fresh, clean water. Follow that up with a skin toner to tighten and tone your pores, and finally, add the moisturizer that all skin types require.
 
Oily skin lives up to its name: it's shinier than normal skin, with larger pores, and may seem thicker to the casual eye. The oiliness is caused by the overproduction of skin oil (sebum), which makes oily skin prone to clogged pores of all types. It can be a major battle to keep oily skin balanced and healthy-looking, but it responds well to regular exfoliation, deep-cleansing beauty masks, lightweight moisturizers, and the appropriate balancing ingredients to increase the skin's natural elasticity. Be careful not to overdo it, however: too many harsh cleaners can dehydrate your skin -- or worse, cause your pores to release more sebum, making your skin even oilier. In fact, in order not to damage your skin, you should hydrate it with natural products that are non-oily. Be sure to wash your face with a mildly exfoliating skin cleanser at least twice a day, and use an astringent or toner to tighten your pores and make them look smaller. Believer it or not, witch hazel extract works well, and it's cheap.
 
Dry skin is basically skin that's parched and thirsty. It's tight, sensitive, and sometimes even flaky. It's all caused by pores that don't produce enough sebum, and can be worsened by hormones, aging, harsh detergents, and environmental factors. In order to return dry skin to a normal, healthy glow, you'll need to make sure that it's properly cleansed and hydrated. Use an exfoliating cleaner with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) on a daily basis. You can also use products with ceramides and lipids (types of fat molecules) to help dry skin remain supple and well-hydrated.
 
Environmentally Damaged Skin is skin that has lost some of its natural suppleness and elasticity due to environmental damage -- usually wind, sun, smoking, and pollution, but stress can also contribute. Uneven skin tone, roughening, dryness, and premature aging are all part of the package. While treatment can vary according to the type of damage, it's a good idea to start with professional skin exfoliation and Vitamin C treatments, and to use supplements that promote the production of skin collagen to improve the skin elasticity.

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Every woman deserves to be pampered occasionally, and that's what throwing a spa party is all about: you and your friends relaxing together, enjoying good company, juicy gossip, and close attention to your nails, skin, and hair. There's a variety of ways you can do it, and it makes for a party experience that's light years beyond the standard Jell-O shots and Tupperware.
 
First off, you'll need to plan your little soiree carefully, and the first question that should come up is, "Where?" Many day spas will be happy to host your spa party, as long as you can guarantee them a certain minimum number of guests, and as long as you book the treatments in advance. They'll need to know who wants pedicures, who needs a mud bath, and who's going to request a massage, if only so they can know how many spa specialists they'll need on hand. This type of spa party can be the most difficult to arrange, since you'll probably have to send out the invitations, complete with RSVP requests detailing preferred spa treatments, well before you firm up your plans with the day spa itself. It'll also be the most expensive, since in most cases you'll have to cover treatments for everyone. If everyone pays their own way, it's not really a party, is it?
 
A more realistic option for those of us who aren't independently wealthy is to have your spa party at home. Now, this option offers several sub-options for you to enjoy, and is especially applicable to the larger spa party. You can either hire individual spa professionals for on-the-spot treatments (great for those impulsive decisions by your guests), or you can hire a mobile spa to come to you. Mobile spa services are available in many areas -- especially on the East Coast -- and offer all the spa essentials, from aromatherapy candles to spa linens. If you like, you can have a massage in your own living room, or a body scrub in your own bathroom. Now how's that for luxury? It may be difficult to find a mobile spa, so ask around, or look in the Yellow Pages under "Party Planners." If you decide to make use of a mobile spa or spa professionals, be sure to book them at least three weeks in advance -- and at least a few days before the party, confirm with them to make sure they're coming.
 
Your most basic and least expensive style of spa party is the one where you and your guests do everything yourselves. Of course, you'll provide everything from the candles, music, and scents to homemade or commercial spa kits, towels (your best ones), and a schedule of activities. This is much more like the traditional party atmosphere than the other spa party types -- a sort of grown-up slumber party, if you will. You and your girlfriends can trade treatments; you could do a facial for one, while she does your pedicure later (Pillow fights are optional). Admittedly, this isn't quite as luxurious as having the professionals do everything for you, but you'll still have a great time, and you're more likely to come out of it with your bank account in the black.
 
Once you've got the basic outline of your party planned, it's time to send out your spa party invitations. Considering that this is a rare event, an extra-special sort of party unlikely to be repeated soon, your invitations should be special too. The question is, how extravagant do you want 'em? You could use specially-printed engraved invitations, handwritten calligraphy, or just about anything that strikes your fancy; whatever it is, let your creativity flow. A plain e-mail just isn't going to cut it. Some companies make ready-printed spa invitations, which you can use if you must, but that lacks somewhat in personality. With the advent of computer greeting card programs, you've got all kinds of avenues available for your invitation, vis-a-vis design, content, layout, and the like. The paper should also be special, and some gurus even suggest adding something eye-catching, like sprigs of grass and raffia. If that's too extreme for you, try a nice vellum or parchment-style paper with fancy lettering.
 
Whatever you choose, there are certain things every spa party invitation needs. An RSVP should be required, especially if the party is taking place at a day spa; if that's the case, you should also include a list allowing the guest to check off which treatments she'd like to receive, so you can set all that up in advance. For a day spa party, you should definitely send the invitations about at least a month in advance, so you can schedule everything with the space 2-3 weeks ahead of time. The same thing is true if you're scheduling a mobile spa or spa professionals to come by. A lengthy lead-time is less necessary for the purely homespun spa party, but these invitations should go out at least two weeks in advance, so you have plenty of time to prepare.

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If you want to maintain healthy skin, the kind that simply glows with well being, you've got to subject yourself to a rigorous skin care regimen on a daily basis. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but don't fool yourself into thinking that your favorite actresses -- and those models in those fashion magazines -- have the radiant skin they do just because they're lucky. Aside from the fact that they benefit from technological touch-ups, they have to work at it, just like you do. Beautiful skin without effort is mostly limited to babies.
 
The first and most basic step to any skin care routine is to wash your skin regularly and thoroughly. It's by no means all you need to know about taking care of your skin, since skin care secrets are many and varied, but proper cleansing will be the foundation of any skin care routine the ends with great skin. It all begins, humbly enough, in the bathtub.
 
You should bathe or shower daily, of course. Regular soap (like good old Ivory) is usually sufficient, but if you want your entire body to reflect the suppleness, elasticity, and glow of your face, consider a soap especially crafted for skin care purposes. Natural soaps come highly recommended. Made from vegetable oils and plant additives, these soaps tend to be much gentler on your skin than most commercial brands, though sometimes they contain ground flowers, herbs, or oatmeal for exfoliant purposes and that "scrubby" feel. These soaps generally contain few detergents, which tend to be harsh to the skin but are necessary for soap to work properly. This being the case, when you use natural soaps -- which might have colorful names such as Lavender Goat's Milk, Hemp Harmony, or Fruit Burst -- keep in mind the fact that you may be trading the deep cleansing that commercial soap can provide for peace of mind and a sensual scent and feel. However, in almost every case they do a more than sufficient job, and your skin will thank you for it.
 
All of the above assumes that your water is like most residential water supplies -- more or less balanced when it comes to PH and mineral content. Water with too much mineral content (what we know as "hard water") interferes with soap's ability to lather, and thus with its ability to do its job. The result? Your skin might not end up quite as nice-looking as it could be, no matter which beauty products you use. If you have to deal with hard water, you might want to consider adding a water softener to your home's water supply. Not only will it help your skin, it'll make your drinking water better and tastier, and will benefit everything from laundry to dishwashing.
 
Those portions of your body that are most often seen, particularly your hands and face, require a bit more care. The idea is to remove less-than-desirable stuff like old makeup, dead skin cells, dust and dirt, and (shudder) bacteria -- which love to feast on skin oils and dead cells, and can be potentially harmful to your skin. Soap and water suffices for a quick daily cleaning, but don't over do it; the detergents in the soap tend too be too harsh for repeated facial use. Besides your quick soap-and-water cleansing, at least once a day you should also scrub your face with a special skin cleanser made for that purpose. This will remove the potentially harmful grunge (invisible though it might be to a casual inspection) that might clog your pores. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your face afterward to remove all traces of the cleanser; if it dries on your face, it can irritate the skin.
 
The type of skin cleanser you'll need for your face will, unsurprisingly, depend on your skin type. If you have oily skin, you should use a mildly exfoliating cleanser, since oily skin is more prone to breakouts. If you've got normal combination skin, which tends to be oily in the "T-zone" across the eyebrows and down the nose, you should use a mildly exfoliating cleanser on occasion, while sticking with an ordinary cleanser most of the time. For dryer skin you should also use an exfoliating cleanser, but one that contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which will help to hydrate and soften your skin. Needless to say, whichever skin type you have, you should follow up your cleansing with an astringent skin toner, which serves two purposes: 1) it removes any lingering traces of the cleanser, and 2) it tightens and tones your pores, which is especially important for those of us with oily skin.
 
You probably won't hit on the ideal skin-cleaning process overnight, but once you've studied your skin type and done a little experimenting, you should make it a habit. All else being equal, your skin will respond very quickly with more elasticity and suppleness. Your cleansing regimen won't be the be-all and end-all of your skin care routine, but it'll definitely serve as the foundation upon which a lovely skin care structure can be built.

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Care to know the best way to have flawless skin, a secret even more important than maintaining your health and instituting a daily skin cleansing routine? Here it is: hide from the sun, and never, ever immerse yourself in salt water. (So much for your dreams of being a pirate, eh?) Before all you sun worshippers and surfer girls break down and cry, let us hasten to say that your cases aren't entirely hopeless. As with everything else, the key is moderation; so at least to some extent, you can have your skin and heat it, too.
 
Here's the lowdown on sun and surf. Both of them can have severe and nasty effects on your skin, mostly because they can dry you out terribly; but that's not all they can do. Both sunlight and saltwater can cause environmental damage as well, the sun through solar radiation damage (sunburns and tans) and the sea through chemical damage, caused by excess salt. Both can impact your skin deeply, which can ruin your youthful appearance; and given enough time, both can cause skin cancers.
 
Let's start with sunlight first, since its effects are the more obvious. Very few of us are unaware of its dangers -- after all, who among us (with the possible exception of some of the more darkly pigmented) hasn't suffered a sunburn? A sunburn is a radiation burn; after all, the sun is little more than a massive, self-contained nuclear reactor. Burning is generally a response to the invisible ultraviolet radiation the sun emits. When your skin reddens and later peels, you're witnessing skin damage first hand. The same thing is true even if your skin simply darkens in response to the sun: a layer of skin cells has given up the ghost. Believe it or not, there's a biological reason for this, and one that may explain why the people who originate at or near the Equator tend to be darkly pigmented. Too much solar radiation is bad for your health, causing everything from genetic mutations to skin cancer, and darker pigmentation keeps it out. That's why many of us tan: a layer of skin is darkening and hardening, sacrificing itself to protect the lower layers of your epidermis -- not to mention the rest of you -- from damage.
 
Seawater, on the other hand, is a stew of water and chemicals (not to mention fish and whale poop), and most of those chemicals are various kinds of salts -- from the basic sodium chloride we call table salt to various nitrates, aluminum salts, and more. Salts are great if you want to dry something out, as the ancients discovered thousands of years ago, when they started using sea salt to preserve fish and other meats. Some of you might have heard the story about the well-preserved nine-year-old hot dog found in a landfill a few years back. It was preserved because the nitrate salts used in its manufacture dried it out. Now, consider the fact that your body is made out of meat, and you might see why seawater could do horrible things to your skin.
 
Short of avoiding sea and sun, an option not terribly reasonable or realistic, it's hard to entirely avoid the damage they can do to you. However, there are measures you can take to diminish their nastier effects. We know a good tan looks stunning, but please -- do you really want to look like a saddlebag when you're fifty? We think not. Limit your tanning, even the artificial kind, because when you tan you're deeply damaging your skin and inviting not just wrinkles and blemishes, but cancer too. If you do go out in the sun, wear a decent sun block of SPF 5 or higher, especially on your face. You'd also do well to wear a hat. A sun block with a moisturizing agent, like aloe vera or Vitamin E, is recommended, since the sun can also dry your skin as well as damage it. If you plan to swim, either reapply your sun block after being in the water, or wear waterproof sun block.
 
As for seawater damage, your best option is to rehydrate yourself after swimming in the sea. If you can, immediately wash off the seawater after you leave the ocean, because if the salt dries on you, it's likely to cause itching and irritation, which may lead to more damage. Otherwise, be sure to add an extra hydration step to your daily cleansing routine, especially if you have naturally dry skin. You'll definitely want to hydrate yourself on the interior as well, since both sun and sea salt are drying elements. Be sure to drink plenty of water (not just sodas, tea, or coffee) while you're at the beach, and make sure you drink more after you get home. If you overdo it, so what? It's better to tinkle than wrinkle.

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When it comes to looking young and healthy, you don't necessarily need a Fountain of Youth (though if you find one, let us know): what you need to do is take care of two of your greatest assets, your skin and nails. Both are delicate parts of your personal inventory that can be easily damaged, especially if ignored, but they can also be of enormous benefit in your battle against aging. There are many, many secrets to skin and nail care, with which we could happily fill a book, but the basics we can cover in one article. Just as important as the "do's" are the "don'ts," and that's what this article is all about. Let's start with nail care, shall we?
 
Nail Care Don'ts to avoid, if you want your nails to stay young, strong, and healthy.
 
Don't bite your nails. This is an obvious one, but it's easy to fall into bad habits when you're nervous or worried. Not only is biting your nails bad on the nails themselves, you could cause cuticle damage, which could result in nail bed infections.
 
Don't cut off your cuticles, for the same reason listed above.
 
Don't use your nails to crack eggs, open letters, or thump your boyfriend on the head. Your nails are there to be looked at and admired, not used as tools.
 
Don't change your nail polish more than about once a week. Nail polish remover is made of harsh chemicals, and can dry out your nails and hands both.
 
Don't overuse three-dimensional nail enhancements, because they can weaken and soften your nails.
 
Don't use a professional manicurist who isn't licensed and doesn't maintain an obvious level of hygiene and cleanliness.
 
On to the Do's:
 
Do maintain a weekly nail care routine in which you change out your nail polish, reshape your nails, and otherwise lavish care on your nails and hands.
 
Do see a licensed, professional manicurist occasionally.
 
Do try biotin to strengthen your nails, if necessary; this vitamin can be found in health food stores.
 
Do treat your toenails the same as your fingernails.
 
Your skin is a more complex subject than your nails, if only because they're so much of it in comparison. Skin Care Don'ts could easily stretch a mile or more, but we'll just scratch the surface here. If you want your skin to retain that healthy glow you love, then:
 
Don't smoke. If you smoke, not only will your lungs shrivel up into little black balls, the smoke will damage your skin (especially your face), making it rough and dry. Worse, it can make the skin around your mouth yellowish.
 
Don't use commercial soaps too often. Most soaps contain harsh detergents which, while very effective again grime, also dry out your skin.
 
Don't be a sun worshipper. Both suntans and sunburns result in dead layers of skin, which can go deeper than you might believe. Overdo it, and you'll end up being one of those leathery old ladies who looks eighty when she's fifty. Not only that, there could be skin cancer to deal with.
 
Don't swim in saltwater too often. The natural salts in seawater are very drying and irritating to the skin. When you get out of the ocean, wash off the salt immediately if you can.
 
Don't eat unhealthy foods, especially ones that are too greasy. These can endanger your complexion by clogging skin pores.
 
Don't get a chemical peel if you can avoid one. Although a chemical peel might be a last resort for skin that's environmentally damaged, it can ultimately cause more damage than it's worth if not done properly.
 
If you do want healthy, radiant skin that you can be proud of, we've got a few suggestions:
 
Do know your skin type. How you treat your skin will depend upon whether it's dry, normal, or oily.
 
Do bathe or shower every day. The skin of your entire body needs to be maintained, not just your face, and this is the best way to do it.
 
Do use a natural non-commercial soap to keep from drying out your skin.
 
Do wash your face regularly with soap and water. It's recommended that you do this once a day at least, but don't overdo it; again, the detergents in soap can be drying.
 
Do maintain a daily program of skin care, involving the use of a cleansing scrub, skin toner, and moisturizer. Adjust all these ingredients to account for your skin type and the season.
 
Do use an exfoliating cleanser occasionally, and a beauty mask weekly to remove old skin cells, deep-down grime, and excess oils.

As you can see, the "do's" for nail and skin care can require a lot of work -- but the truth is, it'll be easier than reclaiming your beauty after overindulging in the "don'ts." We won't say you'll look like Carol Alt if you do follow all the "do's," but you surely won't if you keep the "don'ts" on your agenda.

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For people who pay close attention to hands -- and make no mistake, there are plenty of them out there -- your nails can say quite a lot about you. In fact, if you don't take care of your fingernails properly, they can say quite a lot. Some people make a hobby of guessing a person's occupation from looking at their nails; a lot of grime, for example, may suggest a that you're a laborer, maybe a mechanic -- that, or you just don't take care of yourself. Of course, you can have perfectly healthy nails, and they may still indicate your profession. If, for example, you have short and well-kept nails, it may be that you work in an office, typing a lot -- a situation where long nails would just get in the way. On the other hand (so to speak), if you have those really long, twisty nails, it may simply be that you work in a sideshow.
 
Like your hair, your nails (finger and toe) are made of modified skin, in this case a material called keratin -- one of the many wonderful and complicated proteins that make up the human body. It's easy to see that nails are analogous to the claws that many animals have, though it's equally obvious that they're nowhere near as functional as, say, your dog's or cat's. As humans exist now, nails are much more decorative than they are functional; it's rare that they're put to much use at all, except as ornamentation. For this reason, throughout history most men and women have kept them cut (or bitten) short. Growing nails long and painting them bright red is a relatively recent phenomenon.
 
In the modern world, where appearances can be more important than reality, it's a good idea to keep your fingernails, at least, in good shape. This may sound like a lot of work, but really it isn't -- you don't need to spend more than half an hour a week to maintain good nails. An excellent time to start your nail care routine is just after you've bathed or washed dishes by hand; either process should have removed most of the dirt that might have been on your nails. Then take a cotton ball, moisten it with nail polish remover, and remove the old polish on each nail. The best way to do this is to press the moistened cotton down on the nail, let it sit for a few seconds to soak in, and then wipe the nail clean, from base of the nail to the tip. Your initial swipe probably won't get rid of all the polish, so be sure to keep doing this til it's all gone. We recommend that you don't change your mail color more than once a week, because nail polish remover can be drying and damaging to your skin, and it can also cause cracked and split nails.
 
Once the polish is gone, wash your hands to remove traces of the remover, dry them thoroughly, and use an emery board or nail file to shape your nails. Generally, weekly self-manicures are sufficient to keep your nails a specific desired length, but if you find you must cut your fingernails, use a fingernail clipper and do it very carefully. Naturally, this will require a little extra effort in the reshaping of your nails. Then soak your fingers in warm, soapy water, and clean under the cuticles and nail edges, preferably with an orangewood stick. Most experts recommend that you otherwise leave your cuticles alone; in order to avoid nail-bed infection, don't push them back.
 
Once everything's clean, shiny, and well-shaped, paint on a coat of clear polish, let it dry, and then add whatever color polish you prefer, if any. If you like the natural look, the clear polish is sufficient; it'll protect your fingernails from incidental and environmental damage. If you do choose to add a colored polish, it's a good idea to add a clear top coat over it in order to make it last longer and strengthen the underlying nail. Finally, it's a good idea to apply a moisturizing cream or hand lotion to your hands and cuticles. This will offset any dryness the fingernail polish remover caused, and help prevent your nails from splitting. If you do find that your nails are splitting or seem weaker than they should be, rest assured that there are ways to repair them. One method that seems to be effective is the use of a vitamin called biotin, which has been proven to strength the nails in some animals. It seems to work in humans as well, and can be purchased at health-food stores.
 
Every 4-6 weeks, it's a good idea to have a professional manicure done. Nails are a manicurist's stock in trade, and they'll know how to keep your nails both healthy and looking their best. A good manicure rarely costs more than $20.

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Dermatologists, those doctors who specialize in the treatment of the skin and skin conditions, are very much in demand these days. If you're like most people, you've considered going to one at some point because you were concerned about a skin condition you suffered from. However, like all medical specialists, dermatologists don't come cheap; and the fact is, most skin conditions don't really need dermatological treatment. The intention of this guide is to help you save your money and time by helping you decide when a dermatologist is really necessary for your skin problems.
 
It goes without saying that there are times when it's obvious that you need to go to a dermatologist. If it's a couple of day before your wedding and you've got a nasty breakout, go see the dermatologist. If you've had a nasty skin reaction to something you ate and it won't go away, go to the dermatologist. If your skin has been severely environmentally damaged, go to the dermatologist. If theatrical agents are knocking at your door asking you to become the Alligator Skinned Lady at the local sideshow, run -- don't walk -- to the dermatologist's office.
 
All kidding aside, there are certain situations in which you shouldn't bother with a dermatologist, unless you've got money to burn. With few exceptions (like the wedding example above), the occasional breakout is not something you should waste your money and your dermatologist's time on. Breakouts and the occasional zit can be handled with adequate skin care, based on a rigorous process of daily cleansing using a good cleansing scrub, a skin toner, and moisturizer. If you'd rather go the dermatologist than take care of your skin, you can -- but the dermatologist is just going to tell you to take care of yourself anyway. If that happens, hey, at least you can tell yourself it's doctor's orders -- expensive doctor's orders.
 
Choosing a dermatologist to visit can be a difficult decision. First, you need to find a good one. While you can pick one at random from your PPO directory, it's a better idea to chat with your friends and coworkers in an effort to narrow down the possibilities. (If you really don't want people to know about your fanny fungus, then by all means, go with the directory). You will need a dermatologist at one point, because even if your skin is absolutely flawless (you lucky thing), you'll still need to schedule a visit at least once a year to get a skin cancer check. Needless to say, if you see anything change radically on your face or elsewhere, schedule a visit immediately. Skin cancers (and other cancers too) often cause moles to change size and become irregular in shape. The rule of thumb is, if anything grows larger than the size of a pencil eraser, something's wrong, and you should have it looked at right away.
 
Of course, there are other skin conditions, generally less dangerous than cancer, in which a dermatologist visit is reasonable. Many of these conditions, like chronic acne, acne scarring, and psoriasis, can have severe negative impacts on emotional health, self-esteem, and quality of life, and should be treated if at all possible. Seeking dermatological help can jump-start the process of feeling better about yourself and bringing your skin back to optimal health. Contact and occupation dermatitis, blistering diseases, autoimmune illness, and infectious diseases can also damage the skin, and should be treated by dermatologists.
 
This isn't to say that you shouldn't go to a dermatologist for cosmetic reasons (and we're not talking Mary Kay here). Dermatologists can (and should) help you with problems like stretch marks, which can be particularly damaging, and they can also assist with the normal products of aging, like wrinkles and baggy skin. These days, dermatologists have access to new, minimally invasive techniques for a number of other problems, many of which involve very little recovery time. In fact, some of the procedures can be taken care of on an in-patient basis, right there in the dermatologist's office. With modern technology, the canny dermatologist has a whole arsenal of tools they can use to fight the ravages of aging and the environment. Lasers are becoming especially useful in dealing with items like scars, birthmarks, and tattoos that would otherwise mark your skin forever. Even biological agents, like Botox (botulism toxin) can be used for skin problems -- in this case, wrinkles. Chemicals, especially when used in chemical peels, can remove the surface layers of damaged skin, exposing healthy skin that, after a brief recovery period, can improve your appearance. Because of the dangers involved, of course, you should leave the chemical peels for the very worst damage that won't respond to other treatment.
 
Scarring, sun damage, environmental damage, excess hair, unwanted tattoos, dilated blood vessels, and skin pigmentation issues -- all are fair game for the dermatologist's skill. A dermatologist can also help you with irregularities in facial and bodily contours, though be forewarned that your dermatologist may not agree that some differences are necessarily irregularities -- when it comes to your body, you're usually your harshest critic, after all.

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Basic nail care is an important part of maintaining your general appearance, and fortunately it's not an overly difficult task. Fifteen or twenty minutes a week with nail file, emery board, and fingernail polish should be enough to keep your fingernails healthy, but it's also recommended that you see a professional manicurist every four to six weeks to keep you on track. The problem is, you can't afford to trust your nails to just anyone -- so how do you pick the right nail shop for you? After all, you don't want to end up with sore cuticles, badly-shaped nails, or worse -- a nasty infection from someone who doesn't take proper care of their tools.
 
While such a decision can derive partly from your personal tastes, there are other factors that should inform your selection. For example, selecting a nail shop to try out in the first place can be a hassle. If you're in a hurry, you can pick someone nearby out of the telephone book, then go and check them out. Otherwise, ask around among your friends and co-workers; they might be able to point you in the direction you're interested in. If the shop they suggest seems acceptable, then you need to start doing your homework. Yes, homework -- it's either that or risk the ends of your fingers rotting off. Your choice.
 
First of all, examine the shop itself. A business that deals with anything related to nail health should be well-lit and gleaming with cleanliness. Hygiene is overwhelmingly important in this business: that can't be stressed too often. Now, your chosen manicurist may work in a full-service beauty shop or in a one-purpose nail salon, but just be sure that the shop and her tools are nice and shiny. Don't be afraid to watch the manicurist work for a while; after all, you're basically interviewing her for a job. (We'll use the feminine pronoun, since 98% of all manicurists are women). Watch how she handles her tools. If you have to, ask how her tools are cleaned. All metal tools should be immersed in disinfectant immediately after use, and tools like emery boards and buffing blocks should be brand new for each and every client. Pedicure foot baths should be cleaned for each client. Also, be sure that each client gets a clear, new towel, whether for a pedicure or manicure. The reason for all this cleanliness to-do is because you want to avoid infection of any kind. Basic nail bed infections are bad enough, but fungal infections can be worse. Fungal infections of the nails are damnably difficult to get rid of, and they tend to come back even when you think you've beaten them. A shop that spreads infections like these will soon go out of business, and for good reason. Nail fungus (a.k.a. onychomycosis) is a nasty business that can lead to discolored and deformed nails, and it can even cause you to lose your nails.
 
Most good nail salons will also have a wide variety of nail colorings available, from basic lacquer to opalescent coatings. Check out their selection with a critical eye. This criterion is less important than most; in all fairness, you shouldn't dismiss a particular nail shop just because they don't have enough different nail polishes, at least if they're superior in all other ways. After all, you can bring in your own polishes if you need to.
 
As for the manicurist herself, she has to be legal, and that means she needs a license. A license not only indicates that she's been through serious training and knows how to handle your nails professionally, but that your state has recognized her competence at the trade. Her license should be posted prominently near her nail station. As she's preparing to get to work, be sure she knows how long you want your nails, and how you want them shaped; she needs to ask you whether you like them rounded, oval, or squared off. Watch closely as she works, and make sure she doesn't file your nails down one the sides -- that's just asking for splits or breaks, because you're weakening the nail.
 
A word, now, about cuticles, those bits of skin that grow down onto your nails. Some manicurists prefer to remove them altogether, but that's not a good idea; your cuticles, like most parts of your body, have a purpose, even if you can't immediately discern it. Cuticles help protect the nail bed (the "quick") from infection. It's not even a good idea to trim them, since they can grow back raggedly and tear in the process -- another invitation to infection. At most, your manicurist should soak them in cuticle softening oil and them push them gently back with an orangewood stick. Make sure she knows that cuticle removal is strictly a no-no, or you may find yourself suddenly cuticleless.

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If you're looking for a rewarding and physically challenging job, personal training might be a good match for you. And with the increased interest in fitness and health, a personal trainer can also be a financially successful position to hold. But while many people think that personal trainers simply order their clients around, there is much more to the story than that. If you're considering becoming a personal trainer, you may consider the following information and how you might fit into the fitness world.
 
The first thing you will want to look at in terms of becoming a personal trainer is your own physical fitness. You need to be in shape: plain and simple. As a personal trainer, you will be an example to your clients and you want to be a positive one that inspires your clients and makes them want to achieve what you have achieved. To accomplish this, you will need to get in shape yourself, lose any additional unhealthy weight that you might be carrying, and really learn what you love about fitness. Chances are good that if you aren't in shape right now, you might not consider yourself a fitness enthusiast and that needs to change. How can you teach fitness to clients if you're not also interested in your own health.
 
Another skill that you need to have is accountability. When you're a personal trainer, you need to be able to be responsible for another person. But when you're the kind of person that makes excuses for things that go wrong and the one that tries to pass the blame on someone else, what kind of help are you going to be for a client? You need to be able to be with your client as promised, create the plans that you promised to complete and be on time and not cancel. Not only is this good form with your clients, it will also establish your personal training business as credible and trustworthy.
 
You will also want to consider the way that you communicate with people. If this is difficult for you, you might want to think about taking communication or leadership classes prior to heading into personal training. A personal trainer needs to be able to effectively communicate with their clients as well as establish a long-running dialogue that is clear and open. In short, you need to be able to tell a client what they need to do so that they understand what they have to do as well as why they have to do it. Teaching is much different than just sitting with a friend and telling them how to do something; you need to be clear as someone's health is in your hands.
 
A personal trainer is also an adaptable kind of person, one that can think on their feet and make changes as necessary. Just because you have a certain workout routine planned for a client doesn't mean that it will work for the client. What if the client is sick or has an injury that you didn't know about? You will need to create a new personal training routine instantly, but when you're a person that is up for the challenge and can think quickly, this isn't a problem.
 
Much of personal training can be likened to being a therapist. You are listening to problems that the client wants to address and you need to come up with a course of action that they will follow. This entails having good listening skills as well as a lot of knowledge. While you might pick up the knowledge that you need in your personal training courses, you will want to also think about the way that you listen to others. If you're a good listener, you will understand exactly what your client wants, as well as be able to address these specific concerns.
 
As a personal trainer, you will also want to create a safe place for your client to exercise. This means that you will need to be able to observe your client and recognize when something isn't working. When you can notice these subtle changes in their form or their breathing, you will be able to adjust the workout to fit their needs.
 
Here are some other skills that you will want to have as a personal trainer:

• Be positive
• Be professional
• Be good company

In the end, personal training is a journey that you will take with a client, so as a personal trainer, you need to have more than just knowledge of how to exercise you need to know how to exercise your mind. You will be taking someone's goals into your hands, and they trust you to make the right decisions for them. If you want to be a personal trainer, you will want to consider these various abilities and how you can cultivate them.
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Personal training is the latest rage for those that want to increase their health. Whether someone is interested in getting into the best shape of their life or trying to increase their performance in a particular sport, a personal trainer can be a great investment. However, what a personal trainer actually does might be unclear if you've never had the opportunity to train with one before. Here are the basics for those interested in becoming a personal trainer or looking for personal training for themselves.
 
Personal trainers are certified fitness consultants that are licensed in providing fitness advice. Depending on where they are located, they might need state as well as city licensing and training. With this background, they are educated in anatomy and physiology, exercise instruction, exercise form, preventing sports injuries, and creating fitness plans. But this is just the beginning of what personal training can do for the avid exerciser.
 
Personal training begins with an overall fitness evaluation. The client would go into the gym or the personal trainer might visit them at another location : home, an office gym, etc. During this evaluation, the client might be asked to perform certain physical fitness tests or just sit and talk with the trainer about their fitness goals. The personal trainer would then consider these goals as well as the time that the client wants to spend exercising and any time frame that they also may have allotted for their goals. The personal trainer will write up a plan of action for these fitness goals and discuss them with the client. Together, the client and the trainer would decide if the plan was workable as well as challenging enough for the client.
 
After this initial session, there are several things that can occur. If a client sees a personal trainer in person, they might workout with the trainer on a regular basis : daily, or a few times a week. Some clients like to receive a training plan from a personal trainer and then complete the work on their own time, meeting with the personal trainer as their goals and fitness levels change. And in other cases, personal training can occur over the