Hit the beach, baby!: summer is here and we've got the advice, answers and awesome beauty secretes you need to be the hottest babe on he scene

Girls' Life, June-July, 2003

GET SUN SMART

Eek! I wore my SPF, but I still got red from the sun. Now what?

Reach far a skin soother like Neutrogena After-Sun Treatment ($9, at drugstores). The special soy formula helps curb redness and irritation, as well as reduce peeling and flaking. Plus, it's super-moisturizing, and smells light and fresh.

Britney always looks like she has a real dark tan. How does she get that?

Brit is too busy (and too smart) to spend hours Iulling in the sun. Her secret? Fake Bake ($24, www.fakebake4salons.com). Unlike lots of self-tanners that leave you orange-y or too gold, Fake Bake gives you a real-looking, almost-walnut tan. And because the product is tinted, you can see where you're putting it (no more streaks!). It also lasts longer than most self-tanners (you only need it once or twice a week). It even smells good!

Summer glow for everyone!

We just love this mango-scented, super-subtle but still sweet shimmery spray ($10.50, www.ae.com). It makes both tan and pale skin glow. Spritz it on day or night to look and smell totally yummy!

I know I need sun protection on my face, out I am worried about breakouts.

Rule No. 1: Wear SPF 30 on your face every single day--summer, winter, sun, clouds. The sun damages your skin no matter what season or weather. Many girls steer clear of the sunblock they need because they worry about clogging their pores or just don't like the feel of sunblock on their faces. The solution? Peter Thomas Roth Ultra Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 ($8, www.peterthomasroth.com). It's oil-free, you can't even feel it on your face, and it comes in this super-cute tube on a string--so no excuse for not having it anytime you need to reapply.

My skin is still totally dry from winter. Help!

Scrub off scaliness by mixing together two tablespoons of jojoba oil with four drops of lemon oil and four drops of lime oil (all available at health food stores). Combine oils with five tablespoons of sea salt to make a chunky paste (add more salt if needed). Apply the scrub to your body, starting with your feet and working your way up in circular motions. Let it soak in for a few minutes, and then rinse off in the shower without rubbing (be careful, the shower floor can get slippery as the oil washes off). Pat yourself dry, and follow up with a rich, delicious-smelling moisturizer like Body Drench Sun Splashed Mango Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($17, www.beautyofasite.com).

GORGEOUS

Your summer beauty kit!

Ditch the heavy makeup look. All you really need to look this fabulous? A little eye shimmery eye gloss, a dust of bronzing powder and a quick slick of sparkly gloss

Naturistics Bronzing Powder ($4, at drugstores)

Bonne Bell Eye Style Glossies in Angel Eyes ($3, at drugstores)

ae sun kisses lip gloss in light pink ($5.50, www.ae.com)

Show o t at tan!

Give dark polish colors a rest, and treat your toes to a pinky-beige sheer. It's the latest! Try Essie in Mademoiselle ($8, www.essie.com) or Very Vernis by Bourjois Paris in Beige Paris ($9, www.sephora.com). Feeling fun? Decorate your big toe with Nailene Rhinestone Nail Art ($3 a set, at drugstores).

The best summer smell yet!

We're so addicted to the exotic, summery scent of Coconut Oil and Tiare Flower found in Yves Rocher's Monoi de Tahiti Tropical Lagoon Shower Gel ($5.95, www.yrbeauty.com). We can barely stop sniffing ourselves.

My feet are majorly rough. How can I make them soft and cute again?

Give yourself a primo pedicure. Start with a softening 10-minute foot soak Try Montagne Jeunesse Double Pack with Pink Grapefruit & Balm Mint Soothing Foot Soak and Smoothing Foot Lotion ($2 at drugstores) Next work tough spots like sides and heels with a pumice stone and PH Beauty Labs Totally Nutty Shea Nut Foot Scrub ($5; www totallynutty.com). Rinse, and slather on a moisturizer.

In the summer, my pores look bigger. Gross!

Your pores don't actually get bigger. They only look bigger when they are clogged with dirt, oil and dead skin. The solution? Wash twice a day with Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser ($6.50, at drugstores).

GET SMOOTH

Yikes! I get those awful pimple-like ingrown hairs!

Try shaving your bikini line in the direction the hair grows with Bimini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel ($4.50, at drug-stores). Follow up with Bikini Zone Gel ($7, at drugstores). Both products contain special ingredients to shrink bumps and dull redness. And try this trick; Once a week, treat your bikini zone with a mud mask to help curb the problem.

What's the best razor?

Were totally sold on the Gillette for Women Venus Spa Collection ($5, at drugstores) Those triple blades get the job done right, and the new Passion Pink color is extra fun. Just remember to use afresh blade every four or five shaves.

Every day, I shave my underarms and then put on anti-perspirant. Is this bad?

It's not bad, but it can be irritating: Skin is sensitive right after shaving, so use a specially formulated antiperspirant like Ban Beautifully Smooth Soft Solid AntiPerspirant Deodorant ($4, at drugstores) It has skin savers like vitamin E and chamomile.