Beauty

On our country's birthday, celebrate your patriotism with some standout beauty accents.  It's a great excuse for something blingy and over-the-top.  Whether you're heading to a BBQ, the beach or a fireworks display, add some red, white and blue glitz with these fun and funky products.
Shu Uemura Mini Star Glitz False Eyelashes
Be the standout at any shindig with these gorgeous, outrageous lashes.  They're smaller than a full size lash which makes them easy to apply.  They are a fabulous highlight that won't overwhelm your eyes. $22, shuuemura-usa.com

Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens and Insta-Dri Nail Color
If you've never experimented with a little nail art, now is the time.  Apply a quick drying white polish and draw star or stripe designs using these goof-proof nail pens.  Don't worry if you mess up because you can wipe off the design without ruining the base color and start over.  Seal your finished design with a top coat for long lasting wear.  Insta-Dri - $5.29, Nail Art Pen - $7.99, walgreens.com

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner
Add a hint of sparkle to you eyes with a swipe of red, blue or silver glitter along your lash line. These liners are a festive and simple way to add some fireworks worthy glamour to your peepers. $18, sephora.com

Make Up For Ever Star Glitter
Seriously, how adorable are these stars?  They're large enough that you notice their shape but small enough to not be obnoxious.  Sprinkle some in your hair, place a few at the corner of your eye or create a small constellation on the apple of your cheeks.  $13, sephora.com

Wondering which new products we're completely enamored with?  We've been combing the beauty closet, testing new beauty goodies and like cream, these products rose to the top.  We have new staples in our beauty wardrobe and once you try them, you will too.

Victoria's Secret Pink Nourishing Body Lotion
If you've ever wondered what "pink" smells like, take a whiff of this yummy super hyrdrating lotion.  Its sweet, bakery-esque scent is girly but not cloying though we can't promise it won't leave you craving cupcakes.  $15, victoriassecret.com

Nubar V for Men Matte Finish Top Coat
The latest trend in nails is the matte finish and while there are new matte polishes on the market, we're obsessed with Nubar's V For Men top coat so we can mattify all our favorite shades. $8.99, bynubar.com

Marc Jacobs Splash in Cucumber
At a whopping 10 ounces, this clean summer fragrance is an amazing buy.  We love its sophisticated blend of green and floral scents so much, we'd jump on it at half the size.  And don't let the name "splash" fool you, this baby has staying power.  $68, sephora.com

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo
Washing your hair every day is so drying but during the hot sweaty summer months, it can be torture going a day or more between shampooing.  Then Klorane entered our life.  Spray this dry shampoo on your roots and brush through to instantly refresh your hairstyle, soak up any excess oil and add a fresh scent to your tresses  $18, sephora.com

What's the point of shelling out your hard earned dollars for a spa pedicure if you don't maintain it?  Whether your tootsies are tended to at the salon or you're a DIY pedicurist, without proper care all that hard work goes down the drain in a hurry.  Daily sandal wear exposes your heels, toes and skin to the elements that work against you, turning your fresh pedi into a cracked, scaly nightmare right quick.  Follow our favorite tricks for extending the life of your pedicure and your feet will thank you.  We promise!

Heel Therapy
Titania Double Foot File
Where your heels are concerned, your best defense is a good offense.  A few seconds with a double sided foot file each day will free you from dreaded calluses.  We hang ours in the shower and just before turning off the water, we give our feet a quick scrub.  Waiting until the end ensures that the skin has had adequate time to soak and soften.  $3.49, drugstore.com

Cuticle Care

Sephora Cuticle Care Pen
What's the #1 telltale sign of an aging pedicure?  Parched, crusty cuticles.  Cut that white, hardened skin off at the path with this portable, handy treatment.  We have one just for our toes that we carry in our purse to moisturize on the go.  Twist out the creamy, non-greasy formula for immediate dry skin relief. $12, sephora.com

Overnight Treatment

OPI Feet Callus Therapy and Earth Therapeutics Aloe Socks
Rather than apply a greasy foot cream in the morning and slide in your flip flops all day, treat your tootsies overnight in a pair of moisturizing socks.  These nylon socks are infused with aloe for additional hydration.  Slather on a layer of citrus scented OPI Feet with fruit enzymes to exfoliate and soften skin, slip on the socks and allow the moisture to penetrate as you snooze.  OPI Feet - $14.95, drugstore.com. Aloe Socks - $8.00, drugstore.com

You beach bag is stocked.  Your warm weather wardrobe has taken up permanent residence your closet.  You're set for the official kick-off of summer and long lazy days of relaxation but are you ready to bare (almost) all?  Get your limbs, bikini area and underarms sleek and smooth with our hair removal necessities.

Schick Quattro For Women Trim Style Razor and Bikini Trimmer
We're not afraid to admit that waxing the sensitive bikini area scares us to no end but maintaining with a razor can be such a pain.  Enter the Schick Quattro Trim Style.  This waterproof razor/trimmer combo has a comfortable rubberized grip, adjustable trimmer length and 4 blades to leave you feeling neat, clean and smooth. $10.99, target.com

Gillette Venus Embrace Razor
For everyday leg and underarm shaving, you can't beat the Gillette Venus Embrace's five blades and moisturizer bars to achieve the perfect, close shave.  The handle with its easy to hold gel texture makes maneuvering over awkward to reach places, like behind the knees, a breeze.  The enclosed suction cup ShowerPod makes storage simple and convenient. $12.99, drugstore.com

Alberto VO5 Moisture Milks Moisturizing Conditioner
What does conditioner have to do with shaving?  It's only the best shave cream ever!  Not only is it an inexpensive solution to pricey shave gels but it moisturizes your skin, leaving it touchably soft.  We prefer VO5 Moisture Milks because they don't contain silicones that can leave a residue on your skin.  $2.29, drugstore.com

Tend Skin
Even when you do everything right and gently shave your sensitive regions, ingrowns and razor bumps can still rear their ugly heads.  Treat those painful and unattractive blemishes with the ultimate in irritated skin relief, Tend Skin.  The alcohol may give a slight sting but the fast acting results are worth it.  Bonus: dab Tend Skin on pimples to reduce redness and scaring.  $20, sephora.com

At this week's CFDA Awards (aka the Oscars of Fashion) and CMT Music Awards the biggest beauty trend to hit the red carpet was all about the eyes.  Coco Rocha, Ashley Olsen, Lake Bell and Taylor Swift were just a few celebs spotted sporting some heavily lined lids. 







Whether in the form of a winged cat eye as sported by Lake and Taylor or all around definition like on Coco and Ashley this look is about creating an extreme contrast between the white of the eye and inky black liner to make the peepers pop.

Replicate these styles for a fun night out or special occasion.  Keep the focus on the liner by wearing a shimmering neutral shadow to even out your skin tone and add a hint of sparkle.  Then pile on the liner to bring on the drama.  

For long lasting results we suggest using a budge-proof gel formula with an angled brush.  Gel is the waterproof mascara of liners, once you apply it, it's staying put and how!  Any one of our favorites below will make for an eye catching look.  To really turn heads, create a sexy wing by lightly flicking your brush out and upward at the far corner of your eye.

1. Stila Smudge Pot $20, sephora.com  2. L'oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner $10.19, target.com  3. Shu Uemura Painting Gel Eyeliner $24, nordstrom.com  4. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner $21, nordstrom.com  5. MAC Fluidline $15, macys.com

 

Even short haired girls know, a summer outdoors is a hair disaster waiting to happen.  Cruising in a convertible. Spending a windswept day at the beach.  Biking with friends. Floating your day away in a pool.  They all sound fantastic right about now, don't they?  Well your hair doesn't agree.  Tame those wind ravaged, water logged tresses with these cute, chic and fabulous accessories.

Cute Clips
Throwing your locks into a simple half updo, is a classic, chic solution for limp strands that hang by your face.  Secure with a statement clip to add character and charm. 

This Miniature Bug Hairclip is adorable for summer yet its gold and rhinestone detail make it dressy enough for evening. $16, bananarepublic.com

So you can't go to Hawaii for vacay?  Well bring the island home with this set of Blue Leopard Hibiscus Flower Hair Clips.  The tropical touch is perfect for any beach party. $8, torrid.com






Hip Headbands
From Nicole Richie to Taylor Swift, celebs have embraced the throwback style of the low-rider hippie headband.  Convey your sense of fashion with this effortless look.  A dual banded style will keep every hair in place while a tie style headband allows for maximum adjustability AND it doubles as a bracelet.  We love a multi-tasker!

Double Braided Headwrap (below left) $10, urbanoutfitters.com

Tassel Braid Headband (above right) $38, freepeople.com







Pretty Pins
There is nothing worse than trying to grow out bangs in the middle of the summer.  Even the lightest breeze causes hair to get caught in our face.  Pick up a sweet, adorned pin and keep your hair in check with style!

Flower Bobby Pin $12, urbanoutfitters.com

Summer Garden Bobby Pin $12, bananarepublic.com










Hot Head Wraps
Combat a bad hair day with a multipurpose wrap.  Use it as a headband to tame wispy bangs.  Wear it like a bandanna to hide frizzies. Or go all out, scooping up your whole mess of hair into a neatly tied wrap and call it a day.  Look like a star in St. Tropez while you shield your strands from the sun.

Fab Satin Headwrap $1.50, forever21.com

Linen Floral Printed Hair Scarf $18, urbanoutfitters.com

One of the biggest nail trends to hit the celebrity circuit has nothing at all to do with polish but rather stickers, more specifically Minx Nails.  Megan Fox recently donned a set of mirror-like gold Minx for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premiere and over the past year stars like Beyonce, Pink, Rihanna and Blake Lively have all been spotted wearing these unique nail enhancements.

Unlike traditional lacquer, Minx is a special coating that is heated then adhered to the nail and trimmed to create a custom fit.  What makes Minx special is the various patterns, custom designs and, their most popular product, gold & silver chrome.  You'll find plaids, polka dots, fishnets and even President Obama's face in the Minx lineup of over 150 looks. 




Minx can only be applied by a professional and prices start at $40, depending on your location and design choice.  Services include a partial manicure to prep the nails and with proper care they can last anywhere from 7-14 days.  Head to the Minx website to find a salon near you.

The bonus of a sticker style manicure is the lack of drying time and tip wear which makes this type of nail color ideal for toes, especially in winter.  Though if you don't have access to a Minx technician or you're looking for something more affordable, there's another great solution at Sephora.

The Sephora Nail Patch is very similar to Minx.  The only downside being the lack of patterns and colors Minx offers.  But for an inexpensive manicure that doesn't require dry time, won't chip and lasts more than a few days, it's an excellent option.

Application tip: Use a glass nail file to remove the excess length from the free edge.  It creates a clean, smooth finish. $8, sephora.com

We went gaga over the Black Strass patches (pictured) which look like crushed black diamonds on the nail.  You'd never guess it's not actually polish. $5, sephora.com    

The dog days of summer are quickly approaching and you know what that means; muggy, steamy heat.  Whether you're on the waterfront or completely landlocked, even those of you in the so-called "dry heat" states can't avoid the boil of a mid-July day.  Do your best to stay cool, dry and sweat free with these products that bring on the chill.   

Earth Therapeutics Clean + Cool Foot Wipes
At the end of the day when our dogs are barking, we kick off our sandals and revive our aching feet with these convenient, portable wipes.  Remove the day's dirt and grime while tea tree oil and mint provide a pleasant cooling sensation. $7.00, drugstore.com

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent
On those sweltering days when there's no hope for keeping cool, we pack the travel sized version of Aveda's popular toner in our bag.  This lightweight spray can be applied at any time of day with no smoothing or patting required.  Just a few spritzes of the rose scented elixir freshens makeup and calms heat induced redness. $9, aveda.com
 
Jergens Naturals Refresh Daily Moisturizer
Don't you hate stepping out of the shower on a soggy, humid day only to break out in a sweat that renders the entire process practically useless?  Slather on Refresh Daily Moisturizer and feel the chill from the aloe vera and mint leaf extracts.  It's light, soothing and quickly sinks in to leave your skin silky not sticky.  $6.99, drugstore.com 

Be Kool Soft Gel Sheets for Adults
For immediate relief, when you're so hot you can stand it, pull out one of these adhesive gel patches and place on the nape of your neck.  The cooling gel wicks away moisture and heat from your body and can instantly drop your body temp up to 4 degrees with no refrigeration needed.  They're inexpensive, easy to tote and a sure fire way to combat those scorching summer temps.  $4.49, drugstore.com

I was always a bangs girl. And by always, I mean long after it was socially acceptable to have them. I even remember the monumental day when I finally listened to my stylist and grew those bad boys out. Too bad it was like 3 months before they started showing up in fashion magazines as the new "it" hairstyle.

Now bangs are everywhere and they add so much fierceness that I just have to have them back. And I can do it...all by myself.

Cutting your own bangs seems totally scary, but if you are careful and do it right, you can have a salon look without paying the salon price. So, grab some scissors, get in front of the mirror and get chopping.

Tools:

• Shears (Do not use whatever scissors you have lying around the house - those will most definitely leave you with some seriously botched bangs. Invest in a pair of hair shears for a precise cut.)
• Mirror
• Hair clips
• A good friend for moral support

Snip Snip:

1. Make sure your hair is dry and styled how you normally wear it. If your hair is wet it will be weighed down and you will cut off more than you mean to!

2. Gather the hair in the front that you'd like to cut into bangs. This can be as thick or thin as you want. Pull back the rest of your hair and secure it in hair clips so as not to accidentally cut something you shouldn't.

3. Comb the bangs down in the front so everything is where it should be.

4. Grab the to-be-bangs between your index and middle finger and pull down lightly, holding them away from your face.

5. Take your scissors and, pointing them up, trim in upward snips. (Do not cut straight across! That will leave you with a very unflattering straight line. By snipping upwards, you will have more texture to the bangs and they will look less severe).

6. Make your way across and check your progress. If they are too long, repeat step 5, taking off very little length. Repeat as necessary until your bangs are at the desired length.

Remember to keep those hands steady. You don't want to end up lookin' like this. Also, it's better to snip too little than to hack too much, so take your time. I did and I'm super happy with the chic and fabulous results.

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We've teamed up with our friends at CollegeCandy.com to bring you the latest fashion and style news every Friday. Check back each week for more tips and trends from this chic site.

We're a sucker for gorgeous looking beauty products as much as the next girl but it's when you combine high style with creativity that we line up to buy.  We've selected our must-haves that not only look fab and work well but come in crafty casings too.


Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss
This is one gloss you won't want to put down, the tube is beyond brilliant. It's flat, designed to easily slip in your pocket, and topped with a totally hot guy who strips down to his skivvies as you move it up and down.  Oh yeah and the gloss is great too.  It smells of delicious creme brulee and is super moisturizing on the lips.
$19, beauty.com










DKNY Be Delicious Key Chain
If you're looking for an easy way to tote around your favorite perfume, try this gorgeous key chain on for size.  Inside you'll find a solid version of DKNY's popular Be Delicious apple infused fragrance.  A perfect scent for summer that's convenient and totally chic.
$30, sephora.com











Tweezerman Zip File
Have you ever reached in your purse only to bump into a nail file and essentially wreck your manicure?  Or how about when you purposely dig it out only to find it encrusted in filth from whatever is living in your handbag?  Tweezerman's new Zip File eliminates those problems in a flash.  Housed in a protective plastic sleeve, the file emerges with a simple sliding motion and its case becomes a convenient handle.  Clever, no?
$5.50, drugstore.com








Stila Smokey Eyes Talking Palette
Everyone loves a smokey eye but achieving it isn't an easy task.  Stila has taken the guesswork out of the look with this ingenious talking palette of four perfectly paired eye shadows. Push the button and hear step-by-step instructions that walk you through the process in the comfort of your own vanity.  It's like having your own personal makeup artist to guide you.
$32, apothica.com











Shu Uemura Nail Enamel
When Shu Uemura created this bottle it wasn't just about style but function as well.  The lines are clean with a rounded triangle shape that fits comfortably between your fingers.  Allowing you to quickly polish without causing a catastrophic spill. 
$16, shuuemura-usa.com

















ModelCo Lip Lights Ultra Shine Gloss
Every time we touch up our gloss in a car vanity mirror we curse the poor lighting which is why we love Lip Lights.  Unscrew the cap and a pair of bright LED lights turn on.  Using the convenient attached mirror, you're glossed to perfection in a snap.  $28, folica.com