Stress ages us: Negative emotions, sleep deprivation and living at warp speed wear on our looks, especially our skin. Amy Wechsler, both a dermatologist and a psychiatrist, uses her expertise to untangle the psychological from the physical in her new book "The Mind-Beauty Connection" (Free Press). For example, she discusses how lack of sleep inhibits skin repair while exercise doesn't hurt a bit. Read it for a practical, doable nine-day program for de-stressing skin.

— Paula Rath

STYLE FILE

HOME DECOR FOR TEENS

Immediate and fun ways to perk up a room for teens:

• Bean bag chairs; they're comfortable and encourage kids to lounge around.

• Color, rather than neutrals, on walls. Consult teens on what color they'd prefer.

• An area to post messages to friends, hang photos or art. This can be a simple bulletin board or a rotating art exhibit.

— Washington Post

GOT A QUESTION FOR PAULA?

Flummoxed by a fall trend? Confused by cosmetics counters? Baffled by boots? Perplexed by prints?

Not to worry. Help is on the way. Check out Hawai'i's Fashion Forum blog and ask Paula all your questions. If she doesn't know the answer, she knows how to find out. Questions will be answered at the Fashion Forum site on Honolulu Advertiser.com. To find it, search "Fashion Forum" or "Paula Rath" and click on "People" to find the Fashion Forum user page.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com. Send a photo (black out the face or cut off the head if you prefer to remain anonymous) and Paula will give you her take on how you might tweak or update your look.

FINAL WORD

"What's there when we're home alone with ourselves? The deeper, darker stuff comes out. I'm fine when I'm not working, but I feel happiest working, yes."

Daniel Craig, in Playboy