7 Steps To Younger-Looking Skin

1. Suds up at night

Clear away the day's debris

"The most important time to wash your face is before you hit the sack," says Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. Dirt, bacteria, and makeup left on overnight can irritate skin, clog pores, and trigger breakouts. Remove this top layer of grime with a gentle face wash (skin should feel pleasantly tight for 10 to 15 minutes post-cleansing), which also allows anti-aging skin care to penetrate deeper for better results. Because oil production dips with hormonal changes in your 40s, cleansing twice daily can dry out your complexion and make wrinkles look more pronounced. To refresh skin in the morning, splash with lukewarm water.

2. Be UV-obsessed

Skin damage can happen at any time of year

Nothing is more important than wearing sunscreen (ideally, SPF 30) every day if you want younger-looking skin. Even 10 minutes of daily exposure to UVA "aging" rays can cause changes that lead to wrinkles and sunspots in as few as 12 weeks. If your moisturizer isn't formulated with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, be sure to apply one daily to block both UVA and UVB rays.

3. Manage stress

They're called frown lines for a reason!

Emotional upheavals can make your skin look 5 years older than your chronological age, says New York City dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, MD, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Constant anxiety increases the stress hormone cortisol, which causes inflammation that breaks down collagen. It also triggers a chain of responses that can lead to facial redness and acne flare-ups.

To quell inflammation, eat antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, oranges, and asparagus. When you're feeling tense, Wechsler recommends a few minutes of deep breathing (inhale through your nose, hold for 3 counts, and release through your mouth).

4. Use a retinoid

If you apply just one topical anti-ager, make it this

Research shows that these vitamin-A derivatives speed cell turnover and collagen growth to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and fade brown spots. Prescription-strength retinoids such as Renova provide the fastest results—you'll start to see changes in about a month. To help skin acclimate to any redness and peeling, apply just a pea-size drop to your face every third night, building up to nightly usage. Milder OTC versions (look for retinol) are gentler, although it can take up to 3 months to see noticeable results.

5. Update your routine

Refresh the products you use—and your complexion

Altering even one thing in your regimen every 6 to 12 months jump-starts more impressive improvements in tone and texture. "When you apply products consistently, your skin slides into maintenance mode after about a year," says New Orleans dermatologist Mary P. Lupo, MD. To keep it primed for rejuvenation, substitute a cream that contains alpha hydroxy acids for your prescription retinoid twice a week to boost the benefits. Or bump up your OTC retinoid to an Rx formula.

6. Eat omega-3s

They make you smart, they make you beautiful—what's not to like?

These "good fats" in foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and almonds boost hydration, which keeps skin supple and firm. The same isn't true of the saturated fat in dairy products and meats, which increase free-radical damage that makes skin more susceptible to aging. Limit saturated fat intake to about 17 g daily.

7. Exercise regularly

Here's a little extra motivation to burn calories

Studies find that women who work out regularly have firmer skin than similar non-exercisers. The reason: Exercise infuses skin with oxygen and nutrients needed for collagen production. To keep your skin toned, make time for at least three 30-minute heart-pumping workouts per week.

5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Nails' Condition

Nail polish and shaping can be a double-edged sword. On one side, pretty polish and sexy shaping make for beautiful nails. But on the other, frequent polishing, removing, and filing can tear up your nails. Now that the new season's here, it's time to give your nails a fresh start. See five straightforward ways to get them back in shape without much heartache (or money) when you keep reading.

Related: Get All Your Summer Manicure Tips Here

• Switch to acetone-free polish remover. Yes, acetone makes removing polish superlatively easy, but it also strips your nails, removing protective oils, and leaving them dry and brittle. Removing polish less often in general is also a good idea.
• Keep your nails trimmed. Long nails are elegant, but they also break more easily. So sacrificing a little bit of length, especially when your nails are already weak, can save you lots of chips and cracks.
• Keep your nails out of the water. Soaking for long periods of time in hot water is just as bad for your nails as it is for your skin. Both get dried out and become more vulnerable to cracking. 

Related: How to Change Your Makeup for Summer 

• Take a biotin supplement. This can be especially helpful if you're on a restricted diet that cuts out egg yolks, yeast, or wheat, since that's where most of us get our natural biotin.
• Get rid of stains and whiten nails with lemon juice. Either use a cotton ball to rub juice on top of your nails, or halve a lemon and stick your nails directly into it for a couple of minutes. 

7 Makeup Mistakes You’re Making

With makeup getting smarter by the day, it’s no surprise that the tips and tricks for the best ways to apply it are, too. We asked Chicago makeup artist Krystyn Johnson what mistakes she sees women making and exactly how to remedy them. Whether it involves bronzer, brows, or brushes, no need to worry—we’ve got your back.

Mistake: Using a Warm-Toned Bronzer to Contour
When it comes to bronzer, you may think it’s all about the golden glow—but that warm glow actually looks unnatural. Shadows, even those on the face, are naturally cool in tone, says Johnson. She says that for contouring, it’s key to use a matte bronzer in a cool undertone for believable definition. Johnson likes the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer ($28, Sephora).

Mistake: Applying Foundation with a Flat Brush
Just image search the words “foundation brush,” and you’ll see that people have no clue what it is. Typically, the brushes marketed for foundation are flat—but Johnson says that using a flat brush causes streaks in your foundation. Instead, use a large duo fibre brush, such as M.A.C. 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush ($42, maccosmetics.com). Use it to gently tap your foundation into the skin in circular motions for a flawless, airbrushed finish.

Mistake: Blending Your Shadow with the Same Brush
It’s common knowledge that blend-blend-blending is the key to a flawless smoky eye, but if you’re blending with a dirty brush, you’re not going to like the end result. The purpose of blending is to achieve a gradient effect with soft, sexy edges—but using a brush with residual shadow on it will only add more color in places you don’t want it. Johnson recommends using a clean, fluffy brush and blending in a windshield wiping motion. With the same brush, swirl in small motions until all harsh edges are gone.

MORE: How to Get Rihanna's Smoky Eye

Mistake: Matching Eyebrows to Your Hair Color
Johnson says this is a surefire way to look like a mannequin. Naturally, eyebrows are a completely different shade than your hair (they're generally one or two shades lighter or darker). Follow this rule of thumb when picking out your brow pencil: If you have light hair, choose a color one or two shades darker; and if you have dark hair, choose a color one or two shades lighter.

MORE: 6 Brow Mistakes You're Probably Making

Mistake: Applying Mascara in One Upward Stroke
When it comes to lashes, a little bit of added effort goes a long way—literally. Johnson says one of the biggest mistakes clients make is applying a coat of mascara in one upward stroke, which doesn't maximize the lengthening and volumizing capabilities of the product. Instead, she recommends applying two to three coats, wiggling the wand back and forth from the base of the lashes to the tips as you go.

Mistake: Piling on Powder to Set Makeup
Not only does this make your skin look dry, unnatural, and cakey, but it also clogs your pores, says Johnson. While this is a traditional way to make makeup last, there is another, better way: setting spray. Johnson swears bySkindinavia Oil Control Makeup Finishing Spray ($29,skindinavia.com), which controls shine by absorbing excess oil and keeps your makeup in place all day.

Mistake: Using White Liner to Make Eyes Look Bigger
A few years back, white liner was big in the beauty community because it supposedly made eyes look larger by extending the whites of your eyes. Johnson warns that the starkness of the white now looks dated and unnatural. Brands from Make Up For Ever to Rimmel are formulating light, peachy pencils that look much more natural and make your eyes look just as wide awake. Sub in your white liner for one in this color, like Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Inner Rim Liner ($19, Sephora).

8 Habits that Cause Belly Fat and Solutions

1. Consuming too many low fat foods

Many dieters know that one of the best secrets to losing weight it to eat small meals very often. This stokes the fire of your metabolism. Eat more avocados, seeds, and olive oil, which are all rich in those monounsaturated fats. These are good fats that can help to slim your waist. Low fat foods often contain lots of extra sugar and salt in order to make up for what they lack in flavor. Read more

The solution: Eat often and check the fat content of the food you are eating. Avoid those overly processed low fat foods.

2. Lack of sleep

Your body increases its stress hormone, cortisol, when you don’t get enough sleep. Cortisol will cause you to crave sugar, which means you will end up eating too many empty calories. Getting enough sleep helps to control belly fat and increase your leptin level, which helps to control your appetite.

The solution: Keep those cortisol levels in check by getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every single night.

3. Lack of protein

If you want to balance your blood sugar levels and reduce your insulin levels while increasing the body’s metabolism, then eat more protein. It’s protein that helps to control your appetite inducing hormones so you don’t overeat. Protein also makes you feel full for longer periods of time, so you shouldn’t reach for snacks as often. Protein is what will slim you down naturally.

The solution: Eat about 20 to 25 grams of protein every meal. Men, if you are working out intensely, then consume about 10 more grams of protein to keep those muscles in shape.

4. Drinking sodas

Tons of research shows that people who drink even just one can of soda per day gain weight five times faster than those who drink only one can per week. Even drinking diet soda won’t get you off the hook as these things contain tons of artificial sweeteners that trigger sugar and food cravings and you will end up eating more or eating more junk.

The solution: Try drinking a smoothie or a glass of fresh juice if water doesn’t satisfy your taste buds. This will help keep that jelly belly at bay.

5. Eating from big plates

It’s been shown in several studies that eating off smaller plates help people to eat less. Large plates allow you to pile on the food and no one likes to waste food, so chances are really good you are going to eat it all.

The solution: Either don’t go back for seconds and be aware of portion sizes, or use smaller plates.

6. Eating late

When we sleep, our bodies tend to shut down many of our biological systems for rest. Our digestive system is one of these. When you eat late, your body won’t burn all those calories you just consumed. Also, lying down with food in your stomach can lead to indigestion and acid reflux disease.

The solution: Stop eating at least 3 hours before bedtime. If you wake up in the night hungry, try eating a small piece of fruit instead of sugar or salty snacks like potato chips.

7. Emotional eating

Some people tend to vent their anger, sadness, or frustration through eating. Eating ice cream mindlessly in front of the TV when your love life goes awry is sure to bring you only one thing: Santa Belly. Although it might make you feel better for a short while, in time you will come to hate and regret all that food you ate out of frustration, anger, pain, or boredom.

The solution: Next time you find yourself wanting to plop down in front of the fridge with that Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, call a friend, go for a walk, or just do something, anything, instead of mindless eating.

8. Fried foods

Yes, they taste great, no they are not good for those looking to lessen belly fat. Fast food, especially, is just dripping in GMO grease and has almost no nutritional content or fiber. Fried foods are loaded with trans-fats which clog up your arteries, as well as pile on pounds in the belly area.

The solution: If you must hit up fast food joints, opt for salads and drink water with a lemon twist. A better solution would be to pack your own lunch full of healthy goodness.

56 Ways to Start Losing Weight

This article was republished with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

Losing weight isn't easy, and whoever tells you differently is lying. It takes commitment, hard work, and for many, a complete lifestyle makeover. But these 56 techniques will make losing weight much easier:

Limit Your Calorie Intake
Losing weight boils down to simple math. To lose one pound weekly, burn or cut out 3,500 calories in the course of seven days. That breaks down to 500 calories per day. It's difficult to cut out that many by dieting alone, especially for someone who loves to eat. The most effective approach is this combo: each day, cut out 250 calories from your diet and burn 250 through exercise. Choose to either cut out one 250-calorie item such as a serving of ice cream, or omit a few small things that add up to 250 calories a day. 

Check out this calorie calculator  to figure out how many calories to consume each day, based on your current weight and your weight-loss goal. Don't dip below 1,200 calories to prevent going into starvation mode, which makes your body hold on to weight. 

Get Up and Out—No Matter What
Even when you're swamped, stay active with a 10-minute break to rev up your body. Taking a walk at lunchtime is a proactive way to promote weight loss. Bonus: You'll also get some sunshine. 

Stop Skipping Evening Workouts
At the end of a hard day, it's easy to find an excuse to skip the gym or your run. To stay committed, tell yourself that an evening workout is not optional. And honestly, who couldn't use an extra boost of endorphins after a tough meeting? If it's too dark to head outside to exercise, these at-home workouts  will do the trick.

Focus on Intense Cardio
Doing difficult 45-minute cardio sessions a few times a week can boost your metabolism. Better yet, a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise showed that each intense cardio sessions can elevate your metabolism even after you stop sweating, burning additional calories post-workout. Some intense cardio workouts to try: running, indoor cycling, or interval training (like this pyramid treadmill workout).

Travel Smart 
Just because you're going on vacation doesn't mean you have to halt your exercise routine. Travel smart by packing a few workout-related items that don't take up too much space, like these five fitness accessories.

Stop With the Scale 
It may be tempting to step on a scale whenever you see one, but if it's making you feel bad, then give it a break. Keep in mind that the number is not going to change overnight. Allow yourself weekly weigh-ins, but remember that your weight isn't always the most accurate measure of success. You could be building fat-burning muscle, which could push the number up.

Drink Water 
Aside from keeping you hydrated, regular water consumption may aid with weight loss, according to recent studies. Drinking water before a meal ensures you're hydrated (and being dehydrated can make you think you're hungry, causing you to eat more). What's more, eating foods that contain a lot of water (like fruits and veggies) will fill you up faster so you end up eating less. A small study found that drinking cool water might even speed up metabolism and discourage cravings for sugary drinks like soda and juice. Now that's a reason to stay hydrated!

Eat Your Veggies 
Eating five to seven servings of fruits and veggies a day is important for everyone, but dieters who go heavy on the produce are more likely to lose and keep the weight off. Fruits and veggies are low-calorie and often loaded with filling fiber. So make one of these 51 vegetable-focused recipes  for your next meal.

Eat Breakfast 
Eating early in the day can help your body burn more calories. Read on for more tips on how to boost your metabolism.

Shorten Your Workouts—But Make Them Count 
Short, intense cardio workouts can be just as effective  as longer ones, which means you reap the calorie-burning rewards. Start with one of these10-minute workout videos.

Enjoy the Food You Eat 
One of the worst things you can do when you're trying to lose weight is eat too little. Instead of depriving yourself, enjoy small indulgences or schedule a cheat day—and don't obsess over it. After all, eating high-calorie foods every once in a while won't wreck a healthy diet. In fact, allowing yourself to indulge on occasion can help you develop a healthy relationship with food that may help you from bingeing later.

Play the Calorie Game Correctly 
Losing weight is about simple math; don't fool yourself into thinking that a workout is a free pass to splurge. This mindset could lead you to eat more calories than you burn, which will result in weight gain instead of weight loss.

Stop Eating Junk Food 
It may seem obvious, but junk food is your weight-loss enemy. Worse yet, eating foods full of sugar and fat will make you feel irritable and sluggish. To get all the junk out of your system, consider doing a two-week elimination diet by cutting out gluten, refined sugars, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol. From high energy levels to glowing skin, here are five reasons why an elimination diet can work for you.

Eat Tons of Blueberries 
Blueberries aren't just full of antioxidants. They may play a role in reducing belly fat , too. Blueberries are loaded with anthocyanin, which alters the activity of genes found in human fat cells and makes it more difficult to put on weight. So go ahead and try one of these healthful blueberry recipes.

Get Stoned 
With your fruit, that is! Stone fruits like nectarines, plums, peaches, and cherries contain natural substances that ward off obesity. Pretty cool, right? Added bonus: They also protect against diabetes and act as an anti-inflammatory. Dietician Cynthia Sass recommends eating the fruit on its own in a raw, natural state.

Keep It Fresh
Maybe you don't eat a ton of junk food, but there are still some seemingly healthy —but highly processed—foods out there. Get as close to nature as you can and eat a diet filled with all-natural whole foods. They'll help you maintain energy levels, promote healthy sleeping habits, and provide ample fuel for all of your workouts.

Stick to Your New Habits Even After You Lose Weight 
You used to devour a big bag of potato chips with your lunch, but when you decided to lose weight, you replaced it with a side salad. Now that the weight is off, don't go back to your chips habit. Losing weight is a lifestyle change, not something you do until you reach your goal. Once you go back to old eating habits, the weight will creep back on. Give yourself room for indulgences, but make sure it's all in moderation.

Push Your Body
If you don't feel like trying something new in your exercise regimen, there are still ways to step up your current routine. Adding an extra few minutes to a workout, sprinting at the end of a run, or choosing heavier weights may make all the difference. 

Eat Fiber in the Morning
One key to losing weight is eating foods that keep you full. The strategy can help you ward off hunger pains and temptation. To start your day off right, make sure your breakfast includes at least eight grams of fiber. Try these 10 high-fiber cereals  or these breakfast meals that contain at least 10 grams of fiber.

Live an Overall Active Life
Physical activity, be it training for a half marathon or hitting the gym, is important for losing weight—but scheduled sweat sessions aren't enough. Take the stairs, walk your dog, vacuum vigorously, bike to dinner, and garden. All these things will help burn calories and keep you in an active frame of mind. 

Pack a Lunch 
Packing a healthful lunch  is one of the best ways to stay committed to a healthy meal plan. When you order in or take out, it's hard to assess how many calories your meal contains. Prep your own meals, and you'll know exactly which ingredients you're eating. 

Eat Chickpeas and Grapefruit
These foods might as well be a dieter's best friends. Chickpeas have been found to help dieters break bad snacking habits, and eating half a grapefruit before every meal has been shown to help dieters drop more pounds than forgoing the citrus fruit.

Tune in to Your Workouts 
It seems like everyone is attached to cell phones these days. Even if you're use yours to stream your workout playlist, you shouldn't be texting or chatting while you're at the gym. Giving each workout your full attention allows you to maximize results for an even greater payoff. 

Monitor Your Progress
If weighing yourself gives you anxiety, then monitor your progress by looking in the mirror or noting how your clothes fit. 

Exercise in the Morning 
Studies have found that people who exercise in the morning work out harder  than those who exercise at other times in the day.

Switch to Blue Plates 
The color blue is considered a natural appetite suppressant. You don't need to don a pair of blue-lens shades  before you eat; just use blue plates. 

Always Pay for Food in Cash
The next time you head to the grocery store, stop at the ATM first. A study showed that individuals buy fewer indulgent foods when paying in cash.

Build Muscle 
Muscle burns calories at a higher rate than fat. (Depending on which study you read, a pound of muscle burns anywhere from 15 to 50 calories per day, compared to fat, which averages about two calories per day.) Even if you consider yourself active, it's important to make strength training a part of your fitness routine. Here are some beginner strength-training moves to get you started.