I swear! String bikinis may seem to be the province only of the Giseles of the world, but their adjustability (and moving parts) makes them forgiving for any body type. (Hey, I'm pear-shaped and they even work for me.) Nonadjustable suits, on the other hand, put the squeeze on curves and don't contour your unique shape.

Not beach-ready yet and tempted to tan? Don't be. After knowing what I do about skin cancer—that it's the most commonly diagnosed type among young women in this country—I want a tan like I want a big bowl of trans fat. As little as 15 unprotected minutes of sun each day can increase your chances of skin cancer. Sun exposure also causes wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and ugly brown spots. Plus, the sun's heat can swell skin cells, trapping blemish-breeding bacteria that lead to acne. To protect myself, I like spray-on sunscreen. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 won SELF readers' votes for the best of its kind in this year's Healthy Beauty Awards.

Now I get my tan from a bottle, and you know, you can't even tell the difference. I think glow lotions like Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer (another HBA winner) are the easiest to use. These daily moisturizers contain a small amount of DHA, the skin-tinting ingredient in tanners, to gradually impart a golden tan. Gone are the drawbacks of traditional self-tanning: the mess, time commitment and streaks!

Want to spread the word about sun safety and raise funds to fight skin cancer? Send friends an e-card.

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