Keratosis pilaris

Looking gorgeous in May is, well, pretty easy. The air isn't sweltering yet, and the excitement we feel when sun and fun is near brings with it a natural glow. And there's a carrot dangling--Memorial Day, the gateway to summer. To help you make the most of the weeks leading up to summer's start, we have expert answers to the most common get-ready-for-the-beach beauty questions. So go ahead--pamper, primp, condition and slough, and get radiant for the sunny season!

1 Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who needs to wear makeup at all times--even at the beach. Are there any cosmetics that are heat- and humidity-proof?

A: The best summer and beach makeup provides a no-makeup look, says Los Angeles hairstylist and makeup artist Eric Barnard. You can easily achieve this--and have it hold up even at the beach--with tints and waterproof color. If you need to even out your complexion, start with a sheer SPF foundation, such as Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15 ($17.50; clinique.com), which is water-resistant and sweatproof. Or opt for the durable CoverGirl Outlast Liquid Makeup ($9; drugstores) or Rimmel Lasting Finish Make Up ($8; at Wal-Mart stores and other retailers).

If you need to cover dark circles, try Lancome's Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer ($23; lancome.com), which is available in four shades. Then apply a sheer tint to cheeks: we like Origins Pinch Your Cheeks ($10; origins.com), which is available in a brand-new shade, Coralberry; and Nars Color Wash ($25; narscosmetics.com), a liquid tint that stays put for hours. Finish by giving lashes a hint of color with Neutrogena's new Clean Lash Tint ($8; at drugstores).

2 What's better for quick bronzing: a powder or liquid bronzer?

A: For the most natural look possible, makeup artist Barnard prefers liquids because they blend flawlessly into the skin. Editor favorites: Ramy Beauty Therapy Sun Smooched! Bronzer ($32; ramybeautytherapy.com), which contains green-tea extract and is available in light, medium and dark, and Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15 ($25; bobbibrown.com). Just dab either one on skin, and then use your fingers or a sponge (whichever you find easier) to blend into your skin, adding more layers until you reach your desired color. "It really becomes part of your skin," says Barnard. "No one will know you're faking it."

Bronzing powders do have their place, though. Use them when speed is essential, he says, but always prep skin first with a light moisturizer to avoid dry-looking skin. Try Scott Barnes Pressed Powder Bronzer ($33; scottbarnes.com) or CoverGirl Cheekers Bronzer ($3.15; at drugstores), both of which offer a matte finish. If you prefer luminosity, try a bronzing powder with slight shimmer, such as Aveda Petal Essence Face Accents in Bronze Glow ($17; aveda.com), Chanel Irreelle Soleil Silky Bronzing Powder ($45; gloss.com) or Clinique True Bronze Shimmering Tones Bronzing Powder ($18; clinique.com).

3 Do I need to switch shampoos with the seasons?

A: This is the time to switch to a gentler shampoo, if you're not using an ultragentle one already, says colorist Rita Hazan, owner of the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. "In winter, you deal with dry air, but in summer, sweat, salt water, chlorine and the sun can have the same damaging effects as chemical treatments, so you have to be more gentle to keep hair shiny and soft." A good choice for gentle cleansing and extra hydration: Finesse BeautiFullVolume shampoo and conditioner ($3 each; at drugstores).

4 I want a light fragrance for summer. What should I look for?

A: As you switch skin- and hair-care products for the season, switch your fragrance too. Body lotions, shower washes and shampoos/conditioners in your favorite scents make great options now--as do body splashes or sprays, which are lighter than typical perfume products. "Heat makes any scent you wear more potent, and perspiration acts like an aerosol spray that carries it away from your body," explains Ann Gottlieb, a New York City fragrance consultant. Good fragrances for the months ahead include The Healing Garden Body Mists ($6.75; at drugstores), offered in aromatherapy-inspired scents like Lavendertherapy Relaxation and Green Teatherapy Enlightening; Estee Lauder Summer Waters Refreshing Fragrance Sprays ($39.50 each for 1 ounce; esteelauder.com), three Estee Lauder classics--Beyond Paradise, Pleasures and Beautiful--each in a lighter scent with added aloe to refresh skin; and Donna Karan Watermist Collection ($35 each; at department stores), a trio of alcohol-free, vitamin- and mineral-rich body sprays.

5 My skin always gets incredibly oily in the warm weather. Is there anything I can do to slow down its oil production?

A: For a fast, relatively cheap fix, smooth on a clay mask or swipe skin with an astringent made for oily skin; both will draw out excess oil and give you about four hours of shine-free skin, says New York City dermatologist Arielle Kauvar, M.D. Try Bath & Body Works Pure Simplicity Neem Pore Refining Face Mask ($16; bathandbodyworks.com for store locations), Clean & Clear Morning Burst Energizing Astringent ($4; at drugstores) or Clearasil Ultra Acne-Fighting Cleansing Wipes ($8; at drugstores).

If you find that these methods don't help and money isn't an issue, a dermatologist-administered, Food and Drug Administration-approved Smoothbeam laser treatment can be used to reduce excessive oil production to normal for about six months, Kauvar says. The laser works by heating, and temporarily damaging, the oil glands so that oil production slows down dramatically. Expect to need four to six treatments at $400-$600 each. But, as with all lasers, if you're planning on being in the sun, be extra diligent about using a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30.

6 How can I erase the tiny red and white bumps all over my arms?

A: Those bumps are a skin condition called keratosis pilaris (KP), and it's common in people with eczema or other persistent dry-skin conditions. It occurs on the upper arms as well as the backs of the upper legs and shows up as tiny rough bumps (the result of chronically blocked hair follicles) and a flushed look (the skin in affected areas is usually extra-sensitive). Daily exfoliation and lubrication with an alpha-hydroxy-acid-based moisturizer, such as Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion ($9; drugstores) will help. You may start to notice a difference a few weeks after use. Avoid scrubs, because rubbing can irritate this skin condition and exacerbate the flushing. The good news, though, is that KP tends to be less obvious in summer when there's more humidity--so a combination of weather change and regular care sometimes can be enough to clear up the condition temporarily.

7 Do I really need sunscreen products for my hair?

A: Yes, they help block the sun's ultraviolet light, which can weaken tresses and fade color, says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. Choose formulas meant to be used all over your hair, such as ThermaSilk Heat-Activated Detangler Leave-In Conditioner ($4; at drugstores), Frederic Fekkai Technician Glaze ($20; sephora.com) or Wella System Professional Sunshine Cream Spray ($24; 800 456-9322 for salon locations). At the beach, protect your hair and body at the same time with Shiseido Suncare Refreshing Sun Protection Spray for Body/Hair SPF 16 ($26; 800-723-2889). Its spray-on dispenser lets you spritz in any direction, even while holding the bottle upside down--just what you need to get the back of your head and your shoulders.

8 Can I use my leftover sunscreen from last year? I only used it once or twice.

A: Yes. "After a year, a sunscreen may lose some of its potency, but the loss is minimal, no more than the equivalent of one SPF," says William P. Coleman, III, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He suggests getting around this drop-off by always purchasing high (SPF 45 or above) products. Do toss the bottle, though, if the lotion has separated, a sign that the lotion itself has gone bad.

If you're looking for a fresh sunscreen for everyday wear, try the new Aveda Dual Nature Face Protection SPF 15 ($25; aveda.com), an oil-free lotion that protects against both the sun's ultraviolet A and B rays and contains an antioxidant complex with sunflower-seed extract and vitamins A, C and E.

9 No matter what I do, I can't seem to get a streak-free self-tan. What am I doing wrong?

A: The most common mistakes people make when attempting a faux glow include applying the tanner to damp or too-dry skin--both of which can cause streaking. Another step often skipped: exfoliating skin first in a cool shower; hot water depletes moisture from skin.

Next, apply a light body lotion (avoid greasy and oily ones) all over skin, and allow several minutes for it to soak in (try Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Cool & Fresh Lotion, $4; at drugstores). Doing so provides an even surface for application, explains Melinda Tennis, an aesthetician with Zano Salon and Spa in Batavia, III. Never apply a self-tanner in a humid bathroom. Swipe on the tanner with with your fingers held together--spread-apart fingers can leave behind streaks.

The type of self-tanner you choose also can help prevent a two-toned appearance; lotions are easier to apply than foams, and tinted formulas can indicate areas where you've already applied. Two to try: Neutrogena's new Build-a-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Face SPF 15 ($10), which allows you to gradually build color with several applications; and Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Tinted Lotion ($8; both at drugstores), an oil-free, quick-drying lotion with aloe vera and vitamin E.

10 My toenails are discolored. How can I get them sandal-ready?

A: First, determine the cause of the discoloration. If your nails have a yellowish hue that's evenly distributed, you're most likely seeing the result of wearing dark polish colors. The stain develops from pigment that remains on the nail, explains Jan Arnold, co-founder of the San Diego-based Creative Nail Design. Going sans polish and using a nail buffer can help smooth away the yellowish tint. (Try Sephora's Professional Buffer Block, $1.75; sephora.com.) Then, always be sure to apply a base coat under your polish to help prevent future staining.

If your nails are discolored and have a thick, brittle texture, chances are you have a common nail fungus (or its cousin, a bacterial infection, which can turn nails green, then bluish). Both can be spread from person to person and from nail to nail--the reason proper hygiene, particularly at gyms and salons, is critical. Another cause of discoloration: trauma to the nail or nail bed that gave fungus an opening to enter and grow. To treat the problem, see a podiatrist or a dermatologist, both of whom can prescribe appropriate medications, such as oral antifungal medications.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger

Mary Rose Almasi is an award-winning health and beauty writer and frequent contributor to Shape who is counting down the days till summer.

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