This gorgeous ball of fire can cause real damage

It’s that time of year … The sun is staying out later, the weather has the first hint of balmy warmness, and winter clothes are officially packed away.

What that means for your skin is something a bit different: longer exposure to more direct sunlight, meaning that unless you take the proper precautions, you’re putting your birthday suit at risk of everything from premature aging to skin cancer.  Just make sure you grab the right product – after all, not all sunscreen is created equal.

But with a suncare aisle packed with competing bottles, confusing marketing messages and a number system that just doesn’t make sense, how do you know what to grab?  Your cheat sheet after the jump.

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The New York Times ran an article on budget beauty in their Thursday Styles section.  It’s a subject we’ve covered before, and one that I’m happy to say that the Skin Deep columnist mainly got right.

(If you’re in beauty, you know that this is a rarity.  This column, and its various writers, rarely present an even-handed view of any subject.)

We differ on a few points, but overall the truth is that quality products CAN be found at mass.  Femme’s original budget-friendly tips, product reccos and ideas after the jump. read more »

The recession’s in full swing, and we’re all looking to cut back wherever possible.  The following tips (after the jump) will help you cut your beauty budget without sacraficing your style.

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