SUMMER BEAUTY S.O.S.

Got a summer beauty problem? Myjellybean.com has got your back with a solution!

Problem: You Want a Tan, But You're Scared of Skin Cancer & Wrinkles

Myjellybean.com Solution: You're right to be cautious. This year, 56,900 new cases of skin cancer will be reported. Other sun-exposure dangers include getting wrinkled early-age skin and getting icky spot-damage on your face. To get that bronzed beauty look without sacrificing your health or future looks, use a self-tanning spray, cream or mousse. The newest self-tanners are so good that they look exactly like a real tan. Two that Jellybean personally swears by are Coppertone’s Self Tanning Cream and Neutrogena’s Self Tanning Foam. For tips on how to apply it for perfect results, read Myjellybean.com article on Applying Sunless Tanner.

Problem: You Get Pimples on Your Back

Myjellybean.com Solution: Zits on your back are caused by sweat getting trapped under clothing and clogging pores. Make sure to wear only natural-fabric tops (such as cotton or linen) that let air circulate on your skin and avoid wearing rayon, polyester and other man-made fabrics. To treat pimples on your back, use an acne-medicated body wash (such as Neutrogena Clear Body Wash) in the shower and keep the water cool to lukewarm, not hot. Use a loofah brush with a long handle (loofah brushes are available at beauty shops and some drugstores) to softly scrub your back skin and exfoliate the pimples when you shower.

Problem: You Have Blackheads

Myjellybean.com Solution: First, make sure you are using all oil-free, water-based skin-care products. That includes cleansers, moisturizers and any makeup you put on your face. Use Biore facial pads to wipe oil from affected areas of your face. If you change your skincare routine and still get a lot of blackheads, speak to a dermatologist about getting a prescription for Retin-A, which is a strong exfoliant that opens pores, sloughs off dead skin, and cleans out blackheads. Jellybean also recommends trying this homemade recipe to loosen and cleanse blackheads: make a paste of oatmeal, honey and one egg white. Apply to facial skin, massage it in and leave on for 10 minutes. Then rinse it off well with lukewarm water and gently pat face dry.

Problem: Your Skin is Both Dry and Oily

Myjellybean.com Solution: Sensitive skin often reacts to summer's heat by getting oily patches, but some areas stay dry and flaky. If this sounds like you, you need to wash your face every morning with a gentle cleanser made for sensitive skin. Then apply a daily oil-free moisturizing lotion to your face to restore skin's balance and hydration. Good cleanser choices for sensitive skin include Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser and Clean and Clear Continuous Control Daily Cleanser. For a daily moisturizer, try Clean and Clean Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer or Biore Balancing Moisturizer Oil-Free Formula.

Problem: Your Hair Gets Hot and Sticky on Your Neck at Night

Myjellybean.com Solution: If you have long hair and your house isn't air-conditioned, you probably have woken up with strands of hair glued to your neck by sweat... ick. Solve this problem by putting your hair back in a high ponytail on top of your head, twisting it and pinning it up in a top-knot. Don't tie it in a low ponytail, or you could get a sore neck from sleeping on the elastic. A top-knot will keep hair off your face and let you lie in any position without getting tangled or smothered by your own locks.

Problem: Your Perfume Fades Quickly in the Summer Heat

Myjellybean.com Solution: It's easy to make perfume last longer on your skin. Here's how:

• Store your perfumes in the refridgerator. This will go a long way to making them last longer when you put them on.
• Apply perfume to damp skin, i.e. straight after a shower.
• Layering scents is the best way to make perfumes last a long time. That means you buy the scented body lotion or bath gel that goes with the perfume (that has the same smell) and use it before putting on the perfume.
• First dab a little Jojoba oil or cocoa butter onto your skin right where you are going to spray the perfume. This is called using a "carrier oil" and it works quite effectively.
• Apply perfume to your pulse points, where it will last the longest: on neck right under ears, at the base of the throat, on insides of wrists, behind knees, on insides of ankles. (Pick one or two spots at most, not all, or it will be way too strong).

Problem: You've Got Yellow Sweat Stains on Your Shirt

Myjellybean.com Solution: Blame your deodorant. Those yellow stains occur because of a chemical reaction between your deodorant and the shirt’s fabric. If you switch to using natural crystal deodorant (available in just about all drug stores, and also at health food stores), you'll stay sweat-free and stain-free too. As for cleaning up your shirts, soak the stained areas with white vinegar or clear mouthwash, then let sit for 5-10 minutes before putting in the washing machine as usual to launder.