Lip Service

No matter how you feel about Brad, babies, and the UN, you can't deny that you've wished for Angelina Jolie's lips. (Don't lie!) But no matter what kind of pout nature has blessed you with, here are some tips for making the most of it.

1. Lip Scrub-
A good exfoliation will remove all the dried, chapped skin, and expose the soft new skin,

 making lips appear soft and smooth.

2. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!

When your lips are dry and chapped, they tend to wrinkle and shrink. So lay it on thick! I absolutely love Neosporin Lip Health, it's a miracle worker. 

3. Use A Dark Lip Liner-

Please don't think I'm advocating the dark liner, pale lip look. (shudder!) The idea is to apple something a BIT darker to the corners and bottom of the lips and blend! Use your normal shade all over your lips, and then apply a touch of light shimmery gloss to the very middle of both top and bottom lips. Voila! Angie-worthy lips.

4. Lip Plumper-

For truly giant lips, especially if yours are thin, it's time to call in the big guns. A lip plumper can puff up those lips even more. But beware, the reactions to these can range from a mild tingle, to an irritating burn. However, for a special occasion this is the product you need. 

DuWop Pink Shimmer Lip Venom .12 fl oz (3.5 ml)

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Advanced Lip Plumping Serum .2 oz (6 g)

Foundation Finds!

One of the things I hate most in life is when I can see foundation (or concealer) The purpose of it is to blend in with your skin, while still camouflaging your imperfections. I've been looking at HD foundations for a while now, and finally decided to give Smashbox's High Definition Healthy FX Foundation a try. The idea behind HD makeup is that it's specially formulated for use with HD cameras (which show EVERY pore). My thought is, if they work in HD, they should work in RL too (real life, that is).

I love the foundation and concealer. They do exactly what they're supposed to do! When I put the concealer under my eyes, it was like a mini-miracle. As i blended it became my own skin, minus the dark circles. Same thing with blemishes. Then I topped it off with foundation (using my MAC 187, of course) The result? Flawless skin. And it doesn't show either. Even I have a hard time telling if it's my skin, or makeup.

Overall, I'm addicted to Smashbox and I'd recommend you run out to Sephora or Ulta and give some a try!

Sorry

Hey Everyone.

Sorry I fell behind on my blogging. It's been a busy summer, and I just lacked inspiration (as well as time) to write every day. So, starting Monday, I'm going to be back, but I'm gonna start out with once a week, and see how things go. Hopefully I won't let you down again.

Tune in Monday for my new foundation finds!!!

My Favorite Flat Iron

A few months back I finally threw in the towel with my cheap drugstore flat iron. My hair was always frizzy, and it took about 5 passes to get it somewhat straight. And so the search began for the perfect flat iron. I still didn't want to spend too much on it, but I was willing to, if need be. So I ended up at folica.com.

After searching their inventory, and reading hundreds of reviews, I settled on a Solia. From the reviews, it looked like it was just as good as more expensive irons (like the CHI), but it ran about $40-$50 cheaper. I think I actually ended up paying about $80, and got a nice little salon-style holster for it too.

I absolutely love this thing and wouldn't be without it! It has an adjustable heat setting, so you can go cooler to avoid damage, or hotter for really unruly hair. The blue tourmaline plates just glide through your hair and create a smooth finish. I used to have to blow my hair out straight, then flat iron it, and I'd still end up with kinks, and a ton of fly-aways. This gets my hair stick-straight (even if I let it air-dry) and tames all those little frizzies that I hate so much. I use the Solia in conjunction with my CHI Silk Infusion, and the result is super-soft, super straight, super shiney hair. What girl wouldn't want that?

Look of the Day

Harem pants are a huge trend right now, and let's face it, they don't really look great on anyone. And yes, I know that the pants above are not harem pants, but they fit the general feel of the trend. And here they look absolutely adorable! I seriously want this outfit to wear to work! I came across this on Lookbook. My new fashion inspiration is a user named Zina. Check out her pics: http://lookbook.nu/zina

Clear Skin

Hey Everybody! Hope you all had a great 4th of July! I know I had lots of fun.

I recently purchased a bottle of acneadvance from my local health food store. I'm always on the lookout for things that will reduce breakouts, and this caught my eye. Now, it says on the box that it helps balance hormones, and I know that most of my acne is hormone related (which means it's really hard to get rid of with topical treatments). Since I'm all for natural remedies, I bought a bottle. I'm about a month in, and I'm amazed. I've been able to cut back on my harsh topical treatments, plus it's helped clear up some of my scarring too.

That being said, I've seen mixed reviews about it online. My thoughts are that this will help if your acne is due to a vitamin deficiency, or a hormone imbalance. If it's more an issue of oily skin, or clogged pores, there may be a topical treatment that gives better results. But for under $20 it's always worth a try, the only way to find what works for you is to experiment.

One Makeup Look Guys LOVE!

Cosmopolitan Magazine recently reported that a study done at MIT showed that men are most attracted to a woman when her eyes are the darkest area on her face. So much for natural beauty, huh? Actually this look works best when the rest of your face is nude and glowing. So, in the spirit of attracting as many guys as possible, I'm posting Sephora's How-To video on getting a perfect smokey eye.

Coming for Fall- Hippie

Designers are loosening up for this fall. The trend tends toward the undone and easy. It's just the slightest infusion of hippie-style, updated for 2009. Some things to look for are long skirts, vests, loose and drapey dresses, and even a touch of lace.

How to Fake Airbrushed Makeup

Ok. Since yesterday I wished for an airbrush to apply my foundation, I thought today I'd blog about how to fake it.

-Use a stipple brush (like MAC 187) and use it one of two ways:

Dab the tip into some liquid foundation, and use a stippling effect over the whole face. Stippling is simply a tapping motion (rather than brushing or rubbing) lightly do this across the entire face until the foundation has blended in, and the desired coverage is achieved.

or:

Use your finger to dot liquid foundation onto the face in key areas, the forehead, cheeks, chin; then use the stippling brush in a swirling motion across the face to blend in the foundation.

Finish off by using a very large powder brush and sweeping your powder across the face in small circular motions.

Wish List Item

The secret to Hollywood's flawless faces is the Temptu Airbrush. It's been a must have on the set of pretty much every major movie or TV show since I was born. And later this month the mecca of makeup, Sephora, will begin selling these applicators. Talk about want! It's a total splurge item, and I probably won't end up with one, but it's still super exciting news! A girl can dream!

Farrah Fawcett

I thought it only fitting today that I pay homage to a great lady, Farrah Fawcett. She was the Rachel Greene of her time. Every girl had her hair style. In fact, Cosmopolitan Magazine's cover hair is still strongly based on this look. So today, a few tips on 'the Farrah' modernized.

First, you really need some layers in your hair. You don't have to go layer crazy, but a few, especially around the face will help. Work in a bit of mousse, and/ or spray with a curl activating spray (like Tresseme's). Using a 1 to 1 1/2 inch curling iron, start by the face. Keep the curling iron vertical, curl hair away from the face. Do this for all the sections around the face. Use the same vertical iron, but alternate directions throughout the rest of the hair. Spray with hairspray, and gently loosen curls with your fingers. To avoid looking too much like a 70s throwback, go for loose, sexy waves rather than big hair.

Farrah, your glorious hair and bright smile will truly be missed. Thank you.

Yoga

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm not much of an exerciser. Just the thought of running leaves me worn out. But in yoga I've found more than a way to stay fit. I've found relief for sore muscles, and for a tired mind. It only burns about 200 calories an hour, but the level of muscle control required for some of the poses builds great tone. Plus I've improved my posture, and become more graceful.
Here are a couple of internet resources I've found useful.

YOGAmazing- Free 20-min sessions via podcast every week, that are both practical and accessible. Plus, having your lesson on your iPod means you can take it with you everywhere.

Yoga Journal- This is the online encyclopedia of yoga. Step-by-step instructions on doing poses correctly, plus what areas of the body each pose helps. Build a sequence, and links to instructional videos. If you're even thinking about trying yoga, you need to look at this site.

On The Bathroom Counter

It's that time again, where I just randomly rave about things that I currently have in my bathroom. Enjoy!

St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer-
I know, I know. It sounds too good to be true. Just moisturize your body like you always have and your cellulite will just melt away. But, being the beauty junkie that I am, I had to try it. I'm not claiming that it's the miracle product, but it does work. It firms and smooths, plus it actually does a pretty decent job of moisturizing. I may have to go back and try their targeted treatment as well, St. Ives Cellulite Shield Gel Creme.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub-
While I'm on a St. Ives tangent, I can't neglect to mention the Apricot Scrub. Some people think this is too harsh, but it really depends on how hard you scrub. I use this every morning to remove the dead skin cells before I put on my makeup. I'm pretty sure this would make it into the list of things I'd need with me on a remote island.

Neutrogena Light Night Cream-
I love everything by Neutrogena. Their products are gentle and don't clog pores. This night cream is light, and not greasy or heavy at all. Plus it's non-comedogenic. It also does the job of an intense moisturizer, so I wake up in the morning with soft, smooth skin.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer-
I'm pretty sure this is the greatest invention ever. It evens out skin tone, and adds a bit of color, without the hassle (or the streaking) of other self-tanners. It's so easy to use, and keeps me glowing even in the dead of winter.

Nioxin-
My hair is pretty weak to begin with (my brother got the lovely think hair), and then I go and abuse it practically every day. Needless to say, more hair ends up in my brush, and all over the bathroom than is actually on my head. I started using the whole Nioxin system a few weeks back, and I've already noticed fewer hairs are falling out. And every hair saved means my hair is just that much thicker. I'm excited to see how my hair improves in the next few months.

Sleepless Beauty

Whether you have to wake up ridiculously early to catch a flight, or you simply had too much fun the night before, losing sleep can take it's toll on your looks. Here are a few ways to maximize the few precious hours of beauty sleep you do get.

When the Alarm Clock Goes Off Too Early:

- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare the night before. Pick out an outfit, lay out any beauty items you might need, set out a healthy breakfast.

- Fixing your hair the night before will cut down on your morning routine. Wash your hair, and scrunch it a bit before sleeping on it. In the morning add some texturizing spray and leave it down in beach waves, or put it up in a messy bun. If you absolutely need straight, shiny locks, invest in a satin pillow which will minimize mussed hair as you sleep.

- Focus on a simple makeup look with glowing skin. Moisturize well (the night before and in the morning) and use a firming serum. Add some shimmery white to the inside corners of your eyes, and curl your lashes to seem more awake.

- If you have time, do a Sun Salutation (yoga) or a few jumping jacks. Even 5 minutes of exercise will get your blood flowing, helping you both look, and feel more awake.

For When You're Out Until The Wee Hours of the Morning:

- Drink tons of water. Staying hydrated all through the night will keep your skin hydrated, which will help you look rested in the morning.

- Slather on that moisturizer. If you do nothing else before you fall into bed (hopefully you wash off your makeup too), do this. Dry, tired skin (and eyes) are the biggest give away of the night before.

- Don't cake on makeup trying to hide the dark circles. It will simply collect in any fine lines, and make you look even more tired (not to mention older). Go with light, shimmery colors to brighten your face.

- If you have time in the morning put on a moisturizing or firming mask for as long as possible.

- If your hair still looks somewhat decent from the night before, work with that, rather than starting all over.

- And if all else fails, do what the celebrities do, and reach for a giant pair of dark glasses.

I've Got The Summer Blues

In the heat of summer what could be cooler than blue. Bright colors and crisp cotton channel the glamor of the Mediterranean. Here are a few pieces to help you make a splash this summer.


Pins and Needles Pleat Front Tunic- $28






Silence & Noise Hi-Waisted Tulip Skirt -$58









Silence & Noise Knit Necklace Applique Dress- $58
















Maris USA Prince Wedge- $88

Geek Chic

Adorable guys like Colin on "Make Me A Supermodel", and Josh Groban have proved that there is always a special place in our hearts for the slightly nerdy. Here are some ways to wear the trend, without looking like you still live in your parent's basement.

Think Slim: Both in body type and in fit. This trend tends to favor the tall and lanky, but other body types can still wear elements of the trend. Slim is also the key word of fit in this trend. Think slim pants, skinny ties, thin lapels.

Embrace The Vest: Whether it be a sweater vest, or a button-up. Make it casual and trendy by leaving the shirt untucked, and/or popping the collar.

Try A Jacket Or Cardigan: Enough said. Just Remember to keep it slim.

Hair: Should be either neat or just slightly messy. You don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed.

Keep It Simple: It's very easy to go overboard in this trend, so pick one fun and quirky element and have fun with it.

Tips for the Perfect Blow Out

I know most of us wish we could have super shiny, sleek locks like Jennifer Aniston is famous for sporting. Here are some pro tips that can help you get a red carpet blow out at home.

You Should Know: That even professional stylists feel they get a better blow out when someone else does their hair. This is partially because there are better angles when your standing over someone, rather than holding your own arms above your head. Also, stylists blow out several styles a day, and they've often been styling for years. Of course that's going to produce better results than you may be capable of at home. Don't let it get you down, use these tips and do your best!

Wring It Out: Trying to dry dripping wet hair will not only be time consuming, but your results will be less than perfect. Towel dry hair first, and if you have time, let it air dry for a few minutes as well. (I usually moisturize my face, and pick out an outfit during this time)

A Downward Flow: For the shiniest of tresses the air should flow down the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle. This means holding the hair dryer high above your head and keeping it aimed down. Some stylists recommend bending over and blowing upside-down, but this tends to ruffle the hair. If you truly want the smoothest hair, stay upright and use a brush to get volume.

Speaking Of Brushes: Depending on the style you want, you'll need to choose the proper brush. A paddle brush is the standard for straight styles, while a round brush will give you volume and texture. If your hair is prone to frizz, don't use your fingers. (However, this is a great technique for a little natural texture)

Divide And Conquer: Clip your hair into separate sections. The more unruly your hair is (or the straighter you want it), the smaller those sections should be. Be careful when clipping already dried hair though, you don't want to create kinks in your smooth 'do. You will want to start drying at the back of your head and work forward (unless you have a particularly difficult area, then start there). Dry your roots first, and then move on to the ends. In fact, the ends may be almost dry by the time your done with your roots.

Perfect Product Placement: When prepping your locks for a blow out, you should take into consideration your hair's texture. Thin or fine hair does best with a light mousse that won't weigh hair down, while thick or curly hair needs a stronger gel or wax that will tame the unruly locks. Also consider using a finishing product, like a smoothing serum or straightening balm. The amount of product you use will again depend on your hair's texture.

Stila Cosmetics

I've always loved Stila Cosmetics. Maybe I'm a little biased because I used to have a friend who worked at the Stila counter. Still I always felt the colors were great, the application was smooth, and it was makeup that could be used for both day and night. So, I thought I'd share with you a couple Stila products that I'm just in love with.

Smudge Pots: These are a gel eyeliner that come in a little jar. You use a small pointed brush to apply it. I love these. It's very similar to liquid eyeliner (which I'm obsessed with) but easier to apply, and not quite as harsh. It's versatile enough to make either a crisp line, or a sexy smudge. Plus it has great staying power, which is wonderful for those of us who don't have the time or inlination to keep applying makeup throughout the day. Right now I'm using it in Copper, to get a soft glow for summer, but Black is always a classic.




Lip Glaze: I love this lip gloss. The applicator ( a click-up brush) is so easy to use. It's a little bit sticky as far as lip gloss goes, but it stays on for several hours. Again, it comes in many wonderful colors, and has the perfect hint of shimmer.

Celebrity Makeup

Stylist to the stars Valerie Sarnelle dishes on how she makes up the stars for a night on the town. Looking like a celebrity has never been this simple!

Jimmy Choo for H&M!!

Extra!Extra! Read all about it! Today's hot fashion news just about made me fall out of my chair! H&M will be teaming up with one of the hottest shoe companies ever, Jimmy Choo! Starting November 14th, a line of clothing, hangbags, and of course, shoes, will be available at the popular store. Now, I just need to build a time machine and go forward in time!

Diet Like a Model

I hate the checkout at the grocery store. There I am with my cart full of food, waiting to checkout, I look up, and I'm confronted by dozens of magazines sport uber-slim models and actresses. Suddenly I'm regretting picking up my Ben & Jerry's. I always wonder, "What would they have in their grocery cart?" So, I finally decided to do some research to find out.

Eggs: Heidi Klum supposedly munches on hard-boiled egg whites to keep her hunger at bay. I also find this makes a good breakfast. I just scramble up a few egg-whites with a little salt and pepper. If you can't stand just plain egg whites, add just a touch of the yolk for some flavor.

Jellybeans: Ok, this one sounds weird, but it's true. Jellybeans have no fat and only about 50 or so calories for every 10. So when you need something sweet to eat, reach for a few jellybeans instead of a cupcake.

Apples and Cheese: Marissa Miller says she snacks on apples and a couple slices of cheese. Delicious and satisfying!

Water, Water, Water: It flushes out your system, keeps you hydrated... and it's much better for you than sugary drinks.

Sushi: It's lean protein, and high in omega-3's. Plus eating several small rolls seems more satisfying to your body than eating just one small steak.

Nuts: Karolina Kurkova has a small handful of nuts (about 10) to help keep her full. They're full of good fats, and they're very satisfying.

Carrots: Ah, the good old rabbit food. But it's filling, and chock-full of vitamin A.

I know all of these sound like small snacks, rather than meals. But if possible, it's better for your metabolism to eat small portions throughout the day, rather than eating big meals. Just make sure you're controlling what you munch.

The Sundress

Vanessa Hudgens was positively glowing in her tangerine dress at the MTV Movie Awards. While the fabric says elegance, the style says beach. The sundress, and the maxi dress are both huge summer trends. Try it in a cotton fabric, with a bold solid color, or a slight ombre. I love this teal dress by BCBG.

Quick Beauty Tips

Let's be honest. Who really has the time to dedicate to all the beauty duties we really should do every day? Part of the reason models and movie stars look so gorgeous all the time, (besides access to premiere stylists) is that it's part of their job description to set aside time to care for themselves. So where does that leave the rest of us? Here are a few quick tips for the fashionistas on the go.

Moisturize: Ideally you should have a morning and an evening moisturizer. The AM moisturizer should be light, have a bit of shimmer, and an SPF to protect you through the day. Put it on after you wash your face, and let it absorb a few minutes before applying makeup. Moisturized skin will not only look better, but it helps your foundation spread evenly and not look cakey. If you're really in a rush, try a tinted moisturizer to combine 2 steps in one. The PM moisturizer should be a bit heavier, and this is where you can add an extra benefit (such as anti-aging, or deep moisturizing)

Brighten: Use light shimmery colors on the face. Dust the cheeks with an illuminating powder, or at least a soft, shimmery pink. Use very light, sheer colors on the lids. Line the insides of the eyes with a white pencil. However you can add illumination to your face will help you look younger and more awake. A word of advice though, I said shimmer, not glitter. Big glitter flakes on your face can either make you look like a teeny-bopper, or a club-bunny. Not a good idea for a day at the office.

Brows: Make sure you've plucked any stray hairs. Put a little hairspray on your finger, and run it over the brow. This will insure that your brows will stay in place all day. Lightly fill in any bare spots. Brows frame the face, and can often make or break a look.

Lashes: Curl your lashes. It may seem like a superfluous step, but it can really open up the eye. Also take a little extra time and add a second coat. Even if you don't do anything else to your face, a set of glamorous lashes can be very sexy.

Lips: Buy a colored Chapstick. That's right, go back to Jr. High, and buy the cute bubblegum LipSmackers. It will help moisturize your lips, and add just a tiny hint of color. (I really like the Dr. Pepper one!) Plus they taste good!

Get a Great Summer Manicure

Our hands take so much abuse throughout the day. They are constantly bombarded with harsh chemicals, and we use them pretty much all day long. And yet, our hands are often one of the first things people notice about us. So it makes sense that we should spend some time taking care of our hands.

- Keep your hands moisturized. Use hand cream, which is thicker and more creamy.

- Don't forget your hands when putting on sunscreen.

- Treat your hands like you do your face, use an exfoliator occasionally, and if you feel your hands are looking old, use the same anti-aging serum you do on your face.

- Keep your nails clean and filed, nothing looks worse than uncared for nails.

- Use a basecoat when using dark or bright colored polish. Not only does this help your polish last longer, but it will prevent your nails from becoming discolored.

- If you have weak or brittle nails, use a strengthening formula occasionally to keep them looking nice. I like Sally Hansen's Complete Care 4-in-1 Treatment, but there are plenty of other great options out there.

And finally, here's a great little video on how to get cute square nails, from one of my favorite sites Pursebuzz.

Square Nails in 4 Weeks

Clearing up Acne

There is nothing that ruins my day more than waking up to find a giant pimple on my chin. It seems like nothing I do can clear it up, and I feel so much worse about myself all day long. A few months back I was reading on the internet and found some people that said Hydrogen Peroxide worked for them. It's a main ingredient in many popular acne treatments, and it's less than $1 per bottle, so I decided to give it a try.

I use a cotton ball, and rub a bit on my face like an astringent, then hold the cotton ball over any larger blemishes I have. It's not a miracle cure, but it helps quite a bit, and it's cheap. It also helped fade some of the older red marks too. Let me just say that I also have very tough skin, so it doesn't bother me, or dry my skin out. However, I've read that some people do have some trouble with this, so just be careful in using it. Also be careful when combining it with other treatments or medications. I use mine with some benzoyl peroxide and a bit of salicylic acid (in my makeup) and, like I said, I haven't had trouble with drying, but I added them back in one at a time, just to make sure there were no problems.

Overall, I'd recommend at least giving it a try, it's less than a dollar, and it might just work for you.

Ford Model Makeup

Who doesn't look at a beautiful, fresh-faced model and think "I wish I Looked like her."? Ford Models, a New York modeling agency, posts tons of information, both on their website, and on their MySpace page. Here's a video tutorial they did on how to get a great day-to-day glow.

Makeup for Castings

Look of the Day

Another great look from Lookbook. A military jacket over a frilly feminine dress, paired with tights and ankle boots. This is perfect for cooler spring days, or air-conditioned indoor events. It'll take you stylishly into fall, so start putting together this trendy outfit!

Men's Hair Trends 2009

Zac Efron, sporting the very popular messy/ shaggy 'do. It's kind of emo, it's kind of metro, and it's very Hollywood right now.



What guy doesn't wish he was David Beckham, or at least looked like him. David changes his hairstyle almost as often as Victoria does, and currently he's been spotted with a slightly longer faux hawk. Will his style influence trends as much as his wife's do? Only time will tell.


Oh Justin Timberlake, he brought sexy back, and with it he brought a close cropped cut that has the girls swooning. Bet he doesn't have to do much to style his hair each morning.

Finding Your Perfect Pair of Jeans

With the possible exception of bathing suit shopping, I can think of nothing a woman hates more than trying to find a pair of jeans. Dozens of stores, and hundreds of pairs later she has achieved nothing more than lowering her self-esteem. I used to sell denim, and helped many women find their perfect pair of jeans. Here are my hints and secrets for buying jeans.

-Know your size before you go: Measure your waist and inseam. This helps provide a great starting point, and helps the sales people find some options for you. Plus there's nothing worse than thinking you're a certain size, and not being able to squeeze into that pair at all. There's plenty of variation between brands, but at least you'll be starting in the right area.

-Find the best cut for your body type: This will further narrow the selection of jeans you try.

Bootcut: Probably one of the most universally flattering cuts. The slight flare helps to balance out hips and thighs.

Flare: Similar to bootcut, but beware of really large bell-bottoms, as these can add weight and width to your legs.

Wide Leg: Loosely cut through the whole leg. Tend to have a "trouser" feel. Again avoid very wide cuts, as these can add weight, rather than hiding it.

Boyfriend: A really trendy cut right now, slightly looser fitting. This cut can be very forgiving, but avoid getting a really baggy pair, as these can make you look "frumpy".

Straight Leg: Avoid if you have larger hips or thighs. This can be a good option for someone who's a little narrower, but can't quite pull off the tapered skinny jean. Look for a pair that's a little looser in the knee area.

Skinny Jeans: Probably the most dangerous of all jeans. These will make your hips and thighs look larger, so you need to have practically none to begin with. As the name suggests, these are for skinny people. That being said, if you're tall and skinny these look fabulous and can make your legs look even smaller.

High Waist: This has come more and more into style in the last few years. Pairs well with a wider leg. Avoid tapered high waisted jeans (these are the infamous "mom jeans"). A higher rise can hit you at the narrowest part of the waist, making you look slimmer. And they can cinch in a "pooch", no "muffin tops" here.

Mid-Rise: The most popular rise in jeans. This is what you'll often find on a pair of bootcuts. It's the best of both worlds because it offers a little tummy-tucking, while still looking younger and more modern than the high waist.

Low-Rise: Better for the younger and more slim of the jean buyers. Try sitting in these when trying them on to make sure nothing will hang out. Also make sure the waist isn't too tight, or you will end up with a "muffin top". You also need to make sure to have low-rise underwear, so that nothing will show.

-Wash: Knowing what wash is most flattering is almost as important as the cut.

Dark Wash: The nicest of the washes, if you are planning to wear jeans to the office or in the evening, select a darker wash. Also, like black, darker tends to be more slimming.

Medium Wash: The most popular wash, probably will find the largest selection in this category. More casual than a dark wash, but still dark enough to be slimming.

Light Wash: Tends to go in and out of vogue more than patent leather. Still, there always seems to be a selection available in stores. Watch out for "mom jeans" in this wash. A very casual jean, like a boyfriend cut, can be very cute in a lighter wash.

Trendy Washes: These have fading, whiskering, splatters, you name it. Beware of faded jeans that have a significantly lighter center of the leg, and darker on the outsides. These create a visual effect that can make your leg (especially the thigh) look much larger. Whiskers can draw unwanted attention to the crotch area. Still, that being said, don't be afraid to try on a trendy wash. Tastefully, and carefully done, they can look young and fresh.

If you happen to find that perfect pair of jeans in a wash you don't care for, remember you can always dye them. It's very simple to find an easy-to-use denim dye.

-Other Random Tips:

Buy your jeans how you want them to fit. Jeans tend to stretch rather than shrink, especially if they have any elastene in them at all. If you're not sure, take them home and wear them around the house, with the tags on, for 30-45 minutes. If they still haven't stretched as well as you'd like them too, return them.

If you're not sure if a jean will fit, but don't want to try it on (only to find out you weren't even close), make a fist and put your elbow in one hip of the jeans, and your fist into the other, so that your arm spans the waistband. This is approximately how wide your hips are. If you can't fit your arm in, they're too tight, and if it's loose, they'll be to big. Remember, this is how it will fit your hips, your waist (if they're higher waisted jeans) is smaller.

If a jean fits perfectly everywhere, but is small in one area (say, the hips) you can wash the jeans, and before drying them pull on the area you want stretched out.

Remember, denim tailoring (especially hemming) is fairly inexpensive, and easy to find.

Wash your jeans inside-out to preserve the color, especially in darker washs. If your really concerned about the color, wash them by themselves in cold water with about a cup of vinigar the first time. (Wash them again in regular water to get rid of the smell.)

Denim is made to be worn, and it's very sturdy. It can go quite a little while without washing. If you're really in love with the way your denim has stretched, and don't want to shrink it back up, let it air dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

Salespeople can be your biggest asset. At stores that specialize in denim, they go through quite a bit of training about how thier jeans fit. Don't be afriad to ask for help, often they'll know exactly which pairs to recommend.

Philosophy Skincare

I adore the philosophy skincare line, I'm pretty sure I'd buy just about anything they offered, and love it. It started a couple years back when I was searching for an eye cream. I tried Hope in a Tube, and I haven't looked back since. I ended up buying the Makeup Optional kit, which also includes the famous Hope in a Jar moisturizer, Purity Made Simple cleanser, and The Microdelivery Peel. Skin isn't really something people notice (unless it's bad), but after a couple weeks people started telling me my skin looked great and asked me what I was using! I have since switched to Hope in a Bottle, which is for congested skin, and like that just as well. The Microdelivery Peel is such a great at-home microdermabrasion. It's 2-steps, the first is the scrub, and the second turns the crystals into a nourishing mask. I always have a great glow afterwards! I also recently recieved a sample of The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash and have been impressed so far, not too rough as scrubs go, but gets the job done.

Today only philosophy is offering free shipping on all orders. Just enter code june2009 at the checkout. Try them, you may just fall in love. www.philosophy.com

Big Hair

I was wandering the aisles of Ulta, (coupon in hand) as I often do, when I suddenly came across these little Hair Poufs. Now I'm a fan of the big, teased hair trend, but it takes so much work to fluff my limp hair into a ponytail worthy of Bridgette Bardot. And at $9.99 before my coupon, I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Basically they are little pillows, covered in hair, with a snap/ comb attached. I really like the fake hair, it looks very nice, and the colors seem to match well. Plus they are very discreet once you put them in.

There is still quite a bit of teasing involved with these. You take a few sections of hair at the crown, tease them and pull them forward (towards your face). Then you put The Hair Pouf in at the base and flip the hair back over. It takes a bit of practice to get the comb/ snap part in right. Actually it takes some practice to get them right, period. They're not quite as easy as I thought they'd be. Like I said, I still need to tease quite a bit, and the first couple times my hair looked really lumpy.

On the plus side, they stay in well and are very discreet. It's nice to have a supportive base for your pouf, so you know it's not going to go limp throughout the day. And as I practiced with them, they became easier to use and the results got better. Hopefully soon these will be a quick hair option. Until then I remain on the fence. The price is right though, so if you want a Hollywood bump, and are willing to spend some time playing around, give these a try.

Statement Jewelry

This trend is loud, flashy and in your face. Statement jewelry is worn to be noticed. Unlike previous seasons, when statement necklaces were paired with more neutral clothing, Summer '09 is all about pair big jewelry with loud clothing. The statement necklace is by and large the most popular way to wear this trend, but large bangles, and even rings have been sighted on the fashion forward. Grab your keys, head to the nearest mall, buy the biggest, gaudiest piece of jewelry that makes you happy, and start wearing this trend proudly!

Celebrity Hair- The Pixie Cut

It seems like everybody, from Katie Homes to Victoria Beckham, has chopped off their locks lately. It's the fashion forward trend. It's easy to care for, and it can look gamine a la Audrey Hepburn, or convey a rebellious rocker edge. However, once you've taken the plunge it becomes difficult to keep the look fresh. Here are some easy ways to keep short hair fun and fabulous.

Just Dye Already: If you're bored and can't change the style, change the color. Take it to a deep, rich brown, or add some highlights for texture.

Apply Some Heat: Play around with products. Tousle with texturizing paste, or smooth it out. If your hair's long enough play with adding curls, or use a straightening iron to smooth or spike. The blowdryer is your styling best friend. Use it to sleek your hair in a certain direction, or create texture and volume.

Accessories Are A Girl's Best Friend: Cute bobby pins can add some life without drastically changing your style. Try a few around your face. Put a flower behind your ear, or add a headband.

Look To The Stars: Find your favorite trendsetters and steal their style! They have expensive stylists telling them what to do with their hair, so let a little of that Hollywood glitter rub off onto your own style.

Casual Denim

Right now the trends in denim tend toward the casual and undone. There are two major looks that celebrities are sporting.


The first is the ripped jean. The ripped skinny jean is so hot right now. Everyone has been spotted in them. But this trend also translates over into other cuts as well, the ripped bootcut is also very popular.

The other big trend in denim is the boyfriend jean. Ripped, baggy, cuffed, whatever way you choose to wear this trend, the key to not looking frumpy is to pair it with a tighter, more feminine top. And of course, a fabulous pair of shoes.

Men's Shoes

Oh shoes. It seems like women are obsessed with them, and men just can't understand it. So today is shoe day for men. First, the basic styles every man should own.

The Loafer: This doesn't have to mean the preppy "penny loafer". It's simply a slip on leather shoe, comfortable and casual. Goes with jeans and khakis.

The Oxford: Timeless dress shoe (this one is pictured above). Goes business or formal. If you only buy one dress shoe, this is it.

The Cap-Toe Oxford (brogues): Similar to oxfords, but have a seam with tiny perforations "capping" the toe. Slightly more casual and "dandy".

The Wing Tip: Another popular dress shoe. This classic swings from business, to slightly casual, and can be worn with a suit or sportcoat.

Casual Shoes: Whether canvas or leather these are where you can most reflect your style, and the current trends. They should be comfortable, and go well with your jeans, whether you're wearing a t-shirt or a jacket. A nice pair of leather sandals is also essential for summer months.


On Shoe Shopping:
Guys, it's ok to splurge a little on your shoes, especially work shoes. Men's shoes styles don't change as frequently as women's, and chances are you wouldn't buy more even if they did. So invest in a quality pair of nice leather shoes that can last you a long time. Look for leather soles, which will last the longest, and check the leather to make sure it's firm, yet supple. Look for even stitching and a rich color. And most importantly, make sure they fit well and are comfortable.

On Shoe Care:
Don't wear the same shoe every day. Not only will people notice and think you only own one pair of shoes, it can wear out the shoe faster. It also helps your feet recover if you give them a 24-hr "break".
Don't just smash your heel into the shoe in your rush to get them on. This will wear out the heel of the shoe in a hurry. Take an extra minute, if you have to, use a shoe horn.
Loosen up the shoe before taking it off, and use your hands. If you use your toe to force the shoe off the other foot you're just wearing out your shoes that much faster.
Leave your shoes untied to put them away, this will let the shoe relax, and keep the laces intact longer.
Use a shoe tree, or at the very least a shelf.

Closet Staple- The Jacket

I have stayed up many a night watching What Not to Wear marathons, and one theme has become apparent in the made-over wardrobes. The Jacket. And no wonder, one little piece can take you so many different places. There are endless variations, and you're sure to find one that reflects your personal style. From cute feminine boleros, to leather bombers, there's a jacket for every occasion.

Jacket with a Dress: This is so versatile. Throw a blazer over your little black dress to take you straight from the office to a dinner date. Or like in the picture above, just a casual jacket over a cute dress is a stylish everyday option.

Jacket with Jeans: Almost any jacket can be paired with jeans for a polished, yet casual look. The more structured the jacket, the more polished the look. A blazer and nice jeans could take you to a casual business lunch. A softer, feminine jacket is great for a movie date. This look is also great for traveling, because the jacket can be put on or taken off as needed, and you won't look like you've been traveling all day.

Jacket with Shorts: I have a whole blog about this look, so check it out. Suffice to say, this is another cute way to wear the jacket.

I recommend having at least 3 jackets. A blazer, preferably a part of a black suit, this is a closet staple, and it should be bought as a set to ensure the blacks match. You can use this blazer separately from the rest of the suit. A "fun" jacket, something that reflects your personality and matches several different things in your wardrobe. And finally, a leather jacket. It's 3 season outerwear, it can be worn as a jacket with most of the looks above, and if you take care of it, it will last a very long time.

Kristen Stewart- Unfussy Straight Hair

Hair trends are leaning toward the slightly unfussy, and who better to flaunt this look than Twilight star Kristen Stewart. The look is polished, but not perfect. There's a slight edge of bedhead or rocker chick to it. Here's how to get the look:

Start by blowing your hair out straight using a large brush. Get some volume into the roots using a combination of a round brush on the roots, and drying your hair upside-down. When the hair is dry rub in some smoothing serum like CHI Silk Infusion. Pull back the top half of your hair, so you can focus on your underneath layers. Use a straightening iron to straighten your hair, but don't be too perfect. Leave a tiny bit of wave to your hair, you just want it mostly smooth. Then do the same to the top section of hair. After the hair is straight, tease a bit at the crown. Then use a bit of texturizing paste, like Jonathan Product Dirt, and run hands through hair, creating volume and movement. You can make it a bit "messy" but make sure the overall look stays smooth and unfrizzy. That's what will keep it looking polished, and not like you just rolled out of bed.

Summer Look- The Tunic Dress

What could be more chic than an effortless comfy dress and a big bag? This look just looks like a model off-duty, ready for a day of shopping, and lounging in cafes. I came across this look while wasting time at Lookbook. I've reconstructed the look with some great finds from Urban Outfitters.

-Dress: Silence & Noise Boatneck Tunic $42






-Bag: Kimchi Blue April Tote $49.99

-Shoes: Leather Ballet $38

A Little Something for the Redheads

To be a redhead is to have a rare beauty. However, being so rare, redhead beauty is not exactly an article that shows up in your monthly Cosmopolitan magazine. Now, I'm a brunette, but I have always wished I was born with flowing chestnut locks. I have been blessed with an extraordinary amount of redheaded friends, and I thought I'd show them a little love today.

Hair- Please, whatever you do, don't dye your hair to that fake red color. It's so pretty the way it is. You can, however, enhance the color. I recommend using John Frieda's Radiant Red line. It's a really subtle enhancement. If you really feel like your hair has faded, go to a nice salon to get your color. Cheaper red haircolors often look more maroon, and fake. Red hair also looks really nice with some subtle blonde highlights to brighten it up.

Makeup- Try a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. It will even out your skin tone, without looking cakey, and your natural freckles can come through. Use a light concealer under your eyes, and wherever you need it. Again, go for something not too heavy. Heavy makeup is not the friend of the fair-skinned.

As far colors go, go for the most sheer, light shades you can find. You will benefit from layering on more of a light shade, rather than just dumping on a bright color. Steer clear of red undertones.

For eyeshadow, go for the colors named things like sand or bisque or warm. Go for neutrals and golds. Gold shimmers will play up the golden highlights in your hair. I have also seen a sheer pastel lavender eyeshadow look pretty. Again, the secret is starting with a light dusting and building up.

Stick with warm browns for your eyeliner and mascara, anything else will look too heavy. You may choose to go with a brown-black for special occasions, but if you're fair-skinned don't go darker than that. While most people look better with eyebrows a shade or so lighter than their hair, redheads tend to benefit from the opposite, taking the brows half a shade to a shade darker to avoid looking too washed out.

Peaches and beiges are great choices as far as blush and lip color goes (peach is a great eyeshadow too), you can even push the oranginess to a terra-cotta color. Thankfully, orange and peach tones seem to be in vouge for everyone, so it's a bit easier to find. Steer clear of blue-red lipstick tones. Redheads can pull off a bit of bronzer too, just keep it in the golden shades, and use a light hand with a big fluffy brush.

Sites I Love

There are a few sites I regularly visit to stay up on the latest trends, and to infuse my daily style with something fresh and fun. These are the top 3 that I recommend you check out:

WhoWhatWear

Takes runway trends and translates them into everyday wearable fashion. Also a few beauty tips. Just all over a fun site to browse.

Pursebuzz

This is my go to site for hair and makeup ideas. She also has a YouTube channel. Great step-by-step instructions and product reviews.

FabSugar

Celebrity style, top designer trends, and great LookBook finds! It's all your favorite things about reading a magazine on the internet. Also check out all the other Sugar sites, including BellaSugar which dishes out on beauty.

Keira Knightly- Hair and Makeup

I adore Keira Knightly's style. She always looks so glamorous on the red carpet. So I decided to steal this look for an everyday hair and makeup idea.

Makeup- Keira always has fresh glowing skin, so use just enough concealer and/ or foundation to even out your skin tone, and keep powder to a minimum.

Dust a bit of shimmer bronzer on your cheekbones, temples, and eyelids. Next, take a medium beige eyeshadow and cover your lid from lashes to brows, and take some underneath your eye as well. Then take a darker brown around the outer corners and your crease. Use a shimmery medium brown just on the center of the lid, below the crease, and finish off with a shimmery white under the brow and on the inner corners of your eyes.

Now use a black eyeliner to rim the eyes in black, going along the waterline and smudging outward. Then use a brush to smudge it even more. Curl the lashes and coat with a black mascara.

Fluff a soft pink blush high on the cheekbones. And finish off the look with a pink lip gloss.

When I wear this look in the daytime I use softer browns, and go a bit lighter on the eyeliner. For night I go every bit as heavy as Ms. Knightly's look above.

Hair- Add a bit of smoothing serum to dry hair. Tease hair at the crown (just a little). Use a large curling iron (1 1/4- 1 1/2 in) and take large sections of your hair and curl the ends. Pull your hair into a low ponytail, slightly to the side (you can leave the top a bit messy) Touch up the ends with the curling iron as needed, and curl your front layers. Spray with some hairspray.