After a long winter, you’re ready to toss the extra layers. But while the spring brings longer days, you won’t get any color from the five-minute walk from your car to office. Besides, you know that spending too much time in the sun can expose you to harmful UV rays.

The solution? Self-tanners are a safer option, and you can apply them at home. Whether you’re a self-tanning pro or novice, our guide will help you achieve an even golden glow without the streaks. Get ready to transform your complexion from ghostly white to a sun-kissed glow.

Step 1: Get prepped.

For the self-tanner to set in evenly, your skin should be as fresh as possible. Shave your legs and exfoliate any area that you’re self-tanning, with a liquid exfoliating scrub.

Step 2: Apply self-tanner from bottom to top.
Wearing latex gloves, gently apply self-tanner onto your skin. Start at your feet and slowly move up your body to avoid awkward positions, and make sure everything goes on smoothly and evenly. Keep a box of facial tissues on hand to wipe away any excess.

Step 3: Smooth out streaks.
Areas with thinner skin -- your feet, knees, elbows, wrists and ankles -- are susceptible to streaking. Go over these areas carefully to ensure the tan doesn’t look patchy. To avoid streaks on your palms, wipe them down with a tissue after you’re finished.

Step 4: Wait and see.
You need to give the self-tanner the chance to seep in and do its thing, so avoid showering or sleeping (unless you want streaked sheets) for at least six hours afterward. To avoid getting the product on your clothes, wear a loose, old T-shirt. Once your tanner has set, be sure to moisturize each day. Keeping your skin hydrated will extend the length of that gorgeous glow. 

You may have been up all night running tissues and cold compresses to your child, but you’ve still got to show up to that staff meeting this morning looking a little more human. In between dispensing doses of cough syrup and medical advice to the babysitter, you can pull off a sophisticated, office-appropriate look in five minutes. Bonus: You may even have time to brew yourself a cup a tea. 

Step 1: Get Glowing

Tinted moisturizer camouflages a red nose and dark circles. With your fingers, smooth an illuminating formula over any inconsistencies, patting a little extra at the under-eye area. Do the same on any stress blemishes that may have popped up overnight.

Step 2: Wake up Tired Eyes

First, line the upper lash line; use a deep brown shade for a more natural finish. Then curl lashes and apply two or three coats of volumizing mascara to the upper lashes. (Tip: To avoid clumps, circle the wand as you take it out of the tube, which removes excess formula.) Dab a light-reflecting concealer at the inner corners of your eyes for a wide-awake look.

Step 3: Add a Rosy Flush

Trust me when I say this: A peachy blush stick is every woman’s best friend. The color adds a bit of glow to any skin tone. Choose a formula with a hint of shimmer for extra radiance. Apply it to the middle of the cheekbones and at the brow bone; blend in with fingers.

Step 4: Consider Bold Lips

Deep red lips scream confidence. Slick on a lip stain for serious stay-put power. Plus, a true red with blue undertones will also brighten a dull smile.

Step 5: Get Slick

No time to fuss with your blow-dryer or curling iron? Sweep your hair in a chic chignon for instant sophistication. Part your hair down the middle, gather it at the nape of the neck and fasten with a non-slip holder. Divide the ponytail in two sections. Coil the first around the base and fasten with a bobby pin. Repeat with the second section, tucking the ends underneath the elastic. Spritz with a stronghold hairspray.

Step 6: Accessorize

Nothing says pulled-together like a well-cut jacket. Place a black or navy blazer over any top for instant polish, and add a scarf for a pop of color.

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Taking a vacation should be relaxing. But it’s all too easy to get stressed out about what to pack -- especially when it comes to your cosmetics. We asked makeup artist Elisa Tallerico, celebrity makeup artist and MTV hairstylist, for her tips for packing a beauty bag. Read on to find out what to bring to look flawless without weighing down your luggage.

 

Makeup Tip No. 1: Pack makeup palettes.  
Instead of hauling around every blush, bronzer and eye shadow that you might want to use on your trip, find your favorite shades in a quad or duo compact. "Many makeup brands offer palettes that you can build yourself," says Tallerico. "This allows you to swap out which shades you want to bring with you, and which you want to leave at home."

Makeup Tip No. 2: Simplify your brush set.  
“When traveling, pack one powder brush, one blush brush and a flat concealer brush," says Tallerico. Your blush brush can be used for contouring, and a concealer brush easily doubles as an eye shadow brush. Some makeup brands also offer travel-sized brushes, which are smaller and easier to pack. Instead of bringing sponges, you can use Puffs facial tissues to blend in your make-up.

Makeup Tip No. 3: Use multitaskers.
"Makeup doesn't have to be used for only one thing," says Tallerico. A pink, shimmery lipstick can double as a cream blush: Dab a small amount onto the apples of your cheeks and blend. To use a light, shimmery eye shadow as a highlighter, sweep it onto your cheekbones to brighten your look. Bronzer can also be used as a contouring powder for your face.

Makeup Tip No. 4: Avoid unnecessary tools.
Instead of toting your eyeliner and a sharpener, Tallerico recommends seeking out self-sharpening eyeliner, which has a sharpener built right into the cap of the liner. The right mascara will lift and curl your lashes, allowing you to leave your eyelash curler at home.

Makeup Tip No. 5: Bring travel-sized items.
One of the best ways to lighten your makeup bag is to bring your beauty products down to size. "Most brands make a travel-sized version of their products," says Tallerico. For example, instead of toting along a whole box of tissues for makeup touchups, just tuck a pack of Puffs to Go in your bag. Can’t find your favorite product in miniature? Invest in small reusable containers to fill up.

When everyone in your family is down for the count with colds and the flu, you're often the one who continues to be the family cheerleader. But keeping a positive perspective can be tough under some circumstances. 

“Being upbeat during stressful times is difficult," says Dr. Eva Ritvo, vice chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "To stay positive, you've got to work it."

What's the best way to maintain an upbeat attitude? Ritvo offers these useful suggestions for rising to the challenge, no matter what you're up against.

1. Sleep on it.
Busy moms know from experience -- observing their own children -- that getting enough shut-eye helps banish blue moods. So why not apply the same principles to yourself? "As adults, we forget about these things," says Ritvo. "It's difficult to stay upbeat when you're working with a sleep deficit. For a positive outlook, getting a good night's sleep of at least eight hours as many nights as you can is really important."

2. Fuel up.
The right diet is as crucial to keeping a positive perspective as getting enough sleep. If you're not eating properly, you're stressing your body, and when your body is doing all it can just to function, a happy-go-lucky attitude is hard to obtain, says Ritvo. "Avoid things that send your blood sugar rising, like alcohol, diet soda or candy. You're not going to have a positive outlook if your basic nutrition is not attended to."

3. Get moving.
Experts agree that regular exercise can boost mood thanks to the feel-good endorphins it releases. "Our bodies were designed for a lot of movement," says Ritvo. "Exercise makes you feel good, helps circulate your blood, gets rid of toxins, maintains your weight and stimulates your brain." It does so many things that are essential to everyday happy functioning. Try to work in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, whether it's a power walk, a bike ride or Pilates.

4. Try something new.
To keep a positive perspective, introduce variety into your daily routine. A study conducted at the National Institute on Aging found that the novelty of performing new activities has wide-ranging positive effects, including extending your life.

“Do something you haven't done before, which is very stimulating for the brain," says Ritvo. Make a new friend who doesn't fit the mold of your old friends. Take a language class if you've never spoken a language. Take an art class if you've never done art. Give yourself the opportunity to grow in different ways. That's very energizing.

5. Pair up.
Looking to change your perspective? Surround yourself with positive people. "Everybody knows someone who is the life of the party and looks at things in fun ways, so put yourself near them," suggests Ritvo. "Ask them out to dinner. I like going to a book signing where everyone is excited to be there, or a sporting event where people are excited to be. Be around positive energy."

6. Set aside time for yourself.
“It's very easy to attend to people all day or attend to work and neglect ourselves, but that doesn't work for creating a positive outlook," says Ritvo. "It doesn't matter what you do, but be sure to honor yourself and allow yourself to be in a space that works for you." Ritvo suggests setting aside time for a bath, reading for half an hour or meditating to pump up your attitude.

7. Talk about it.
Sometimes, using positive language is all you need to shift your perspective. Ritvo suggests talking with a friend and making a pact to share with each other the things that you're grateful for each day. "Tell each other two things, such as "I'm grateful for my health,'" she says. "Or 'I'm grateful that I could walk up the nine flights of stairs today without being out of breath.'"

8. Put your best face forward.
As the old saying goes, when you look good, you feel good. You don't have to compete with a fashion model, but do try to look your best whenever you can, says Ritvo. To be sure you do this even on your busiest days, set up a quick beauty station by your front door. Just place a basket with a mirror, mascara, eyeliner, blush and lipstick near the door so you can stop and quickly primp before you exit. Don’t forget to tuck a pack of Puffs facial tissues into your bag for touchups later. "Beauty can be an instant boost, and it matters," says Ritvo.

9. Have faith.
Having confidence in yourself and your ability to tackle any challenge is key to keeping a positive perspective. "I like to call it a "faith lift,'" says Ritvo. "Tell yourself that you can survive these things, and it will come true. Having faith is very important. For some people, it might be a religion, for others it might be spirituality or just an inner confidence. Tell yourself you're valuable, and the world will see it too."

10. Practice being positive.
To make a positive mood a part of your permanent psyche, try this experiment: Ritvo suggests challenging yourself to pinpoint one appealing thing about everyone you encounter in a day. "One person might have a beautiful smile, and another a kind word to say," she says. "Train yourself to zero in on positive things (even if it's just one day a week), and (in time) you'll see a change in your overall perspective."

After a long winter, it’s time to come out of hibernation. Summer is the perfect excuse for a date night. Whether you’re planning on outdoor cocktails or a backyard barbecue, you can look fresh-faced, sun-kissed and on-trend in a breeze. Celebrity makeup artist Amanda Shackleton shares her favorite beauty looks for an evening on the town in this easy-to-follow guide.

1. Go (nearly) bare.
Ditch the heavy, dark colors along with your thick sweaters, and think light. To get an instant healthy glow, Shackleton suggests applying a shimmer powder to the raised areas of your face, such as your cheekbones, brows and temples. (Steer clear of your T-zone, which can create an oily appearance.) Finish off with a swipe of waterproof mascara, and you’re ready to wow.

2. Get cheeky.
If there’s one feature you should focus on this summer, it’s your cheeks. To achieve a pretty pop of color without baking in the sun, use a Puffs facial tissue to blend in cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. Bonus: You can use a dab of this multitasking product on your lips too.

3. Celebrate your skin.
Summer is for eating lobster, not looking like one. To steer clear of a ruddy complexion, be vigilant about wearing sunscreen every time you step out. Shackleton suggests trying a sunscreen powder, which goes on like a face powder and feels lighter than greasy lotions. For a gorgeous glimmer without baking in the sun, try rubbing coconut oil on your legs, chest and arms. You’ll get a healthy shine while smelling like a tropical vacation.

 
4. Don’t sweat it.
Don’t want to bother meticulously applying makeup if you’re just going to “glisten” it all away? Shackleton swears by waterproof, silicone-based foundations, which stay perfectly intact beneath your facial powder. For eyes? In addition to waterproof mascara, try a gel eyeliner. “Unlike pencils, they won’t smudge at all -- even if you go swimming!” says Shackleton.

5. Say bye-bye to black.
Chances are, dark colors will be pushed to the back of your closet for the next few months, so why shouldn’t the same go for your makeup? One of Shackleton’s favorite trends from the ’80s, colorful mascara, is back. “Thankfully, it’s a little more muted this time around,” she says. Trade in your usual black lashes for a subtle pop of dark blue or purple.