When asked which nail lacquer I was wearing on my toes today (the fabulous purple hue is pictured above), I simply answered: Dashing Diva I Lilac Nothin’, $8. Though I wish the name were true, it’s still a great spring/summer cream shade that flatters most skin tones.
Now tell me, which nail polish hue are your little piggies wearing at this moment? Share by commenting on this post.
Filed under Nails
My friend Dana asked, “over the summer I want to switch to lotions with a slight bronze or shimmer, but I don’t want to look like a glittery teenager. And I don’t want to use a self-tanner — what are your recommendations?”
This was well timed because I had just found out that celebrity makeup artist Angela Levin used a shimmery body product on Jennifer Aniston for her appearance at the London premiere of Horrible Bosses last week. I, of course, had to see for myself what product she used and compare it to a few others I’ve relied on over the years.
The product she used was the St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in Gold, $22.50. She applied it to Aniston’s arms and legs and claimed, “The iridescent sheen gave Jen’s naturally tanned skin depth and definition while giving her shoulders and cheekbones a subtle touch of radiance for the cameras.” says Levin. After trying it myself, I totally approve. It does, in fact, add a subtle shimmer to skin — so that your body looks simply well moisturized and glowy — not overly sparkly. It absorbs quickly because it’s a very lightweight formula, and it has a subtle perfumy fragrance (though if you don’t like scented body products, this might not be right for you). It really is one of the better ones I’ve tried. Heck, if it works for Aniston, it’s good enough for me.
After trying this, another product popped into my mind — one I’ve been using for years, which is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Gloss, $7.99. This gives skin a similar golden, shimmery glow while being even a touch more subtle than the St. Tropez. It doesn’t absorb as quickly, due to the added cocoa butter and vitamin E, but it’s a great alternative to the above if you’re sticking to a budget, need added moisture or if you prefer a less scented product. This gloss has a barely there cocoa butter scent, but mostly just smells like lotion. Continue reading
The Product: Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin, 6.99
Why: I know I’m late to the party in talking about these now since they’ve been around for quite some time, but I have to say that these little thingamabobs (I’m positive that little Miss under-the-sea had envisioned a tool like this when she sang that tune) truly live up to the hype.
My friend Katie raved about them months ago and claimed she didn’t go anywhere without these metal coils, and even demonstrated how easily they secured her long hair into a bun. I was impressed.
But it wasn’t until this week that I finally used them in my thick, medium-length wavy hair. I was running late for work (as usual) and didn’t want to fuss with opening up my plastic bin of bobby pins, hair elastics and the sort. Rummaging through this container takes time because inevitably the bobby pin I grab for — as I’m holding my hair in the style I’m aiming to secure — is attached to three others and as I pull it out, a pile of hair elastics go flying — causing me to spend even more time cleaning them up. It’s a complicated process. That’s when I remembered that I had opened up my two-pack of Spin Pins the night before. Unsure as to whether I’d be able to maneuver these guys as swiftly as my friend Katie did, I went for it. Continue reading
Filed under Hair, Hairstyles
Beachy hair is no longer the trend it was a handful or more years ago, it’s a summer hairstyle staple thanks mostly to the stunning, yet natural, Gisele Bundchen. So every year when the Havaianas and tank tops come out, I, without fail, start to hear women asking how they can create that classic beachy, tousled look. If you’re one of these women, today is your lucky day because I got scoop on how to create this look on various hair textures from legendary hairstylist Oribe. He has created seriously iconic hairstyles for celebrities like Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford (in their heydays) to Jennifer Lopez — among many, many, many more. And he too agrees that “Gisele really defines where beachy styles came from,” says Oribe, and “That’s the look you should try to achieve: easy-looking waves that move naturally and aren’t too perfect.”
So, here’s how he recommends creating the look on your hair. Now, before you start styling, know that, “The best beach hair has irregularities — it’s natural. Each and every person should have a unique, interesting look. It’s not about achieving perfect ringlets or making yourself look like a celebrity at a Hollywood premiere,” says Oribe. That being said, you need to start by picking the right styling products for your hair type. Continue reading
Filed under Hair, Hairstyles
