Beauty confessions.(Brief Article)

couple conundrum

I'm embarrassed to be naked in front of my new guy because of my lumpy thighs. Do body-firming lotions work?

Yes, skin-toning solutions can reduce the puckered appearance of cellulite, but to see real results, you need to use the lotions every morning and night for six to eight weeks. Clarins Body Lift Advanced Cellulite Control, $49, uses three plant extracts--uncaria tomentosa, geranium, and agrimony--to inhibit the storage of fat in the treated area and help eliminate it from your system. Roc Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Cellulite Treatment, $20, contains retinol, which stimulates cell renewal to help skin appear firmer and more even. These products provide short-term cosmetic results, but once you stop using them, your skin will start to slacken again. Exercise combined with a balanced diet is still the only recipe for a permanently firm body.

cringe-worthy query

My butt is covered with rough bumps that look like pimples. How can I get rid of them?

Blemishes on your butt are a total bummer, but a little tush TLC will get your backside beautiful. "We tend to neglect our behinds during our cleansing routine, which causes dry skin to build up and form bumps," says Anushka, owner of Anushka Day Spa in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. To get your derriere looking exceptional, gently slough off the dead skin cells using a loofah and exfoliating scrub when you shower. We like Anushka's Sea Sluff Energizing Scrub, $29. Finish up with a noncomedogenic moisturizer like Suave Advanced Relief Skin Therapy Cream, $2.49. Your bum should be baby soft in about 10 days. If the bumps are itchy, see a dermatologist for treatment.

no-duh dilemma