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chanel_khakicollection002.jpgFresh off of the greige trend, with Fall comes a new hot neutral for your nails: khaki.

In celebration of Vogue's Fashion's Night Out, CHANEL Makeup's Global Creative Director Peter Phillips has created LES KHAKIS DE CHANEL. The three color nail lacquer collection includes Khaki Rose, Khaki Brun and Khaki Vert, which can be worn alone, or combined for a camouflage effect.

Chanel is always at the forefront of polish trends, and if the past success is any indication (do the names Jade, Vamp, or Nouvelle Vague ring a bell?), these will sell out before you can whip out your credit card. Get them while you can!

The collection will be available on September 10th and will retail for $25.00.


The Teen Choice Awards are always fun for celebs; being the teen sister of those big awards shows, they're way more relaxed and stars are free to be a bit more playful with their looks. A funky pony or bright blue lip go a long way here,  much to the delight of many fashion trendsetters watching along.

Tonight was no exception. Some of young Hollywood's finest were out in full force, and here are some of our favorite looks:
 

ashleygreen.jpgAshley Greene kept it fresh with natural eyes, full lashes, and rosy cheeks and lips. Her loose waves complimented the natural look.

katarina.jpgKatarina Graham took a chance with bold pink lips and jewels accenting her eyes. She accented her fun, funky look with an edgy side swept hair style.

kristenbell.jpgEverybody's favorite Cali-girl Kristen Bell kept it fresh faced and low key, down to her windblown ponytail. She added a hint of glam with a subtle cat eye and loads of gorgeous lashes.

lucyhale.jpg
 Lucy Hale is a natural beauty, and played that up with gorgeous waves, tawny skin, and rosy cheeks, offset by heavily lined eyes.

selenagomez.jpgSelena Gomez tried an edgier, grown-up look than we're used to, and it totally worked! We love her errant curls and smoky shadow.

Do you agree with our picks? Who was your fave?


Stars everywhere have been embracing a new trend in haircolor: Ombre highlights...darker haircolor and roots offset by painted on, sunkissed ends. Ombre is not a new technique, but the abundance of stars sporting them lately had brought new focus to the trend.

Most recently, fashion and beauty insiders went gaga when Jessica Biel debuted perfectly placed ombre streaks at the A-Team premiere in Madrid this week. Lauren Conrad, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, and Rachel Bilson have all embraced the trend, and Sarah Jessica Parker famously wore it as her alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw on Sex & The City.

ddfd7c4352981a06_Untitled-1.jpgThe highlights are easier on your wallet, since they are supereasy to maintain (roots are encouraged), and depending on the variation of colors you choose the effect can be either subtle or intense...it's totally up to you!

Super chic, and less upkeep? Sign us up. We officially love this look!


We don't know about you, but in this weather it's hard to get motivated to put clothes on, nevermind style your hair. And what's the point, anyway? In the battle of cute hair vs. humidity, your strands don't stand a chance.

We can't beat the heat for you, but we can give you tips on how to trick your hair into submission. Here's a few insider tricks to smooth, polished hair even during a heatwave. Best yet-- you don't even have to leave the beach!

1. Lace Braids- braids are a great way to keep hair in check and still look cute. Stray pieces that don't want to behave? Humidity causing formerly sleek strands to frizz? Braid 'em back!

celebbraids4.pngThe best part of this style is that it's nearly effortless - braiding requires no drying, straightening, or styling to work, and actually looks best on messier or second day hair. Too hot to shampoo and style? Just throw a lace braid or two in front, a few braids in back if you feel like it, and pull any length into a messy bun or chignon. Cute and keeps you cool!

2. Dry Shampoo- One of our favorite tricks is to carry around a small can of spray dry shampoo to tackle grease and frizz. Spray into roots, finger comb through, and leave down or pull back.
dss.jpg (Spray shampoo also gives a great second day texture, making ponytails and buns seem fuller.) It also works great to counteract suntan oil that may have seeped into hair from a day at the beach. If you don't have time to shower after hitting the sand, this is a great way to look fresh!


3. Salt Water - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em as they say! next time you go to the beach, fill a spray bottle with ocean water to bring back home with you (or create your own DIY salt spray at home.) 

surin-beach.jpgNext time you shower, spray towel dried or even dry hair with salt water for a tousled, just-been-at-the-shore texture. We've been known to use it during the colder months to achieve a perfectly windblown look. 

4. Slicked Back Pony- Another take on the greasy hair and dry shampoo? Let the oil be your styling aid.

00140m.jpgPull back oil slicked hair into a sleek pony (add more tanning oil if need be!) and secure tightly. Leave the pony sleek, or use the dry shampoo to give texture and fullness to the tail.



michael-kors-jac.jpgWho says that summer makeup has to be boring and neutral? Freshen the smoky eye trend with a pop of metallic to make eyes stand out. Metallics not only brighten the eye, but are a fun way to play with color without looking too precious. Tip: Find shadows that complement your eye color-- like silver for hazel eyes, pink for blue, violet for green, and navy for brown.

How to get the look:

  • Apply shadow base to help your eye makeup have staying power.

  • Line the inner rims of upper and lower lids with black or brown liner.

  • Line lashline top and bottom, smudge.

  • Then cover entire lid with metallic shadow. For dramatic impact use a lighter shade in the center of lid and around tear duct..

  • Apply shadow over liner with a small, angled brush, and blend into crease for depth.

  • Curl lashes and apply 2 coats of black mascara to finish the look.



Summer heat got you bummed? Add these refreshing mint-infused products to your repertoire for the ultimate beauty cool down.

mint.JPG1. Clarins Water Purify One Step Cleanser with Mint Essential Water, $24. Gently yet effectively removes light makeup and impurities; Contains toning and purifying properties of mint; Instantly revitalizes skin; Leaves skin clean, clear and luminous.

2. Kiss My Face So Refined Jojoba & Mint Facial Scrub, $11. Exfoliate and polish the skin's appearance with organic ingredients. This non-drying, natural humectant gently exfoliates and purifies skin by removing dirt with organic jojoba beads and other natural and organic herbs and plant oils. Helps skin look visibly younger and refreshed.

3. Townsend Bay Soap Company Gardener's Grits Mint Soap, $16.50. Mint soap with grits for serious scrubbing power. Made with saponified olive, coconut, palm kernel oils; beeswax; mint and rosemary essential oils; grits; mint leaves; vitamin E.

4. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Hair Mint-Infused Invigorating Shampoo and Conditioner, $12. For all hair types. Imparts incredible shine, bounce, moisture and nourishment. Energizes hair. Formulated with peppermint extract.

5. Evolution of Smooth Sweet Mint Lip Sphere, $3.29. 95% organic, 100% natural organic lip balm that's petrolatum & paraben free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps lips moist, soft, and smooth.

6. Fizzy Baker Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake Bath Bomb, $5.50. This scrumptious bath fizzy is hand decorated just like a real cupcake, with frosting and chocolate chip decorations made of soap! In the tub, the 'cake' fizzes and releases skin softening coconut oil and glycerin, while the frosting floats free to use just like soap.




this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
Thanks to the Minx revolution, chrome shine nails are showing everywhere. While a salon treatment may be too pricey for more than an occasional treat, the new crop of polishes makes mirrored nails attainable no matter your budget.

nails.bmpAvon has been doing these for a while, and the latest Sally Hansen Color Quick Nail Color Pens in chrome are proof that this trend isn't going away anytime soon.

Do you love the chrome nail trend? Tell us what you think in the comments!



this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
sumbalm.bmpDry, chapped lips from the sweltering summer sun? Quench your pout with one of these nourishing balms:

Rose & Co. Rose Petal Salve, This rose scented salve soothes and smoothes chapped lips, and can also be worn as a glossy top coat over lipstick among many other uses. $8

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm- Helps nourish, repair and relieve even very dry, cracked lips. Immediate sensation of comfort, with no sticking effect. Even very dry, cracked lips become more supple, softer and perfectly smooth. $21

Peter Thomas Roth 'Lips To Die For Pink Bombshell Lip Balm- Protect and maintain your soft, supple, sexy and kissable lips with this invigorating daily lip conditioner. $20

Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm- Honey Trap moisturizes with Shea butter and olive oil, holds in moisture with honey and beeswax and tastes sweet like white chocolate and vanilla $7




this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
avon.jpgAvon Inc. plans to grow its hair care business by increasing focus on premium hair care, including the introduction of a revolutionary new frizz fighting product. The direct seller will usher in the strategy this summer with a new patent-pending technology designed to smooth frizz similar to a salon treatment.

The technology is housed in the upcoming product called Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield. The treatment's technology is designed to mimic the lotus leaf, which lives in water but has a surface structure that repels droplets of moisture. The humidity-fighting technology comprises smoothing silicone and microparticles. After one week of use, Lotus Shield was found -- in various testing conditions, including rainforest-level humidity of up to 95 percent -- to last for three days, even after hair washing.

Beginning in July, Lotus Shield will sell for $12 and its launch will coincide with the restage of the existing Advance Techniques line. Advance Techniques will consist of 23 products within six regimens based on hair concerns, namely Frizz Control (Lotus Shield), Daily Shine, Color Protection, Damage Repair, Volume, and Keep Clear.

via WWD.



bik.bmpWe've got the tips and products to get you smooth, sun-kissed, and sexy....just in time to pull out those teeny bikinis! Here's how to effortlessly transition out of winter hiding:


Smooth Skin


The number-one way to make pasty winter skin beach ready? EXFOLIATE. Bliss Slim & Bare It ($45) is a a scrub-and-rub, cellulite-sabotaging duo, and does the triple duty of exfoliating, moisturizing, and fighting stubborn cellulite. The set includes full-size jars of FatGirlSlim, the 'caffeinated' visible dimple-demolishing cream, and FatGirlScrub, the circulation-stimulating skin-smoothing slough, and is all you need for smooth, bare-worthy skin. Yay for three in one, err, two products!scrub-1.jpgTip: To boost its effectiveness, rub using a circular motion, spending extra time on rough knees, heels, and elbows.

Banish Blemishes

Not so perfect skin on your back, shoulders, chest making you dread putting on a tank top? No worries. A simple acne fighting routine can make all of the difference and get rid of shoulder-shyness in no time. First, cleanse the areas daily with a salicylic acid based cleanser, like Murad Acne Body Wash ($40). The cleanser contains Salicylic Acid and Date Seed Powder to deeply penetrate skin to control and prevent breakouts, while humectants lock in moisture, keeping skin hydrated and healthy. To reap all of the acne-fighting benefits, let the cleanser sit on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it.bodywash-1.bmpTip: If you have stubborn blemishes, you can spot treat them with the same product you use on your face.

Pretty Peds

It's pedicure season! With all of the fun new summer nail colors out, there's no way you should forget your feet.  Philosophy Soul Owner ($14) is a foot treatment featuring an extra-rich emollient cream super-charged with salicylic and glycolic acids to help reduce rough soles. Tip: it works wonders on rough elbows and knees too. Here's an easy, at-home pedicure program designed to get your feet in perfect pedicure shape: Soak feet in a  bowl of equal parts warm milk and water (the lactic acid naturally sloughs dead skin and softens.) After soaking for a few minutes, smooth rough spots with a pumice stone, then massage Soul Owner all over.foot.bmp Tip: For added softness, do this at night and put on a pair of socks before bed, to seal in moisture.

Fight Fuzz

The first thing most people think about when getting bikini-ready is hair removal. No one wants to be the fuzzy gal in the sand. Waxing, lasers, depilatories...there are so many options out there, but we are still partial to a good old shave, especially with the way shave creams have evolved! Evolution of Smooth's (EOS) Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream is paraben-free and made with natural aloe, oat, shea butter and antioxidant vitamins E and C to leave skin radiantly healthy. The non-foaming cream boosts skin's moisture level and keeps it smooth long after shaving. Bonus? It's so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. The cream comes in the most amazing scents: vanilla bliss, pomegranate raspberry, lavendar jasmine, island blue... and a fragrance free version for senstive skin. Seriously yummy. Available at evolutionofsmooth.com, Target and Wal-Mart stores.

eos-1.jpgTip: Cut down on irritation by relathering an area if you are going over it a second time.

Get Glowing

If you've followed all of our steps, you're almost ready for the sun... but wait. You've been smoothed, sloughed, and silkened, but what do you do with the ghostly skin?  Self-tanners can sometimes be too harsh, especially on skin that's been hidden all winter long. For a natural, sun-kissed glow, warm up your skin tone with a gradual tan lotion. St. Tropez Gradual Tan ($30) combines serious skincare benefits with a healthy touch of bronze. Infused with soothing aloe vera, this lotion will help give you smoother skin while building a gradual golden tan, every day.tan-1.jpgTip: Make sure to prep skin with the aforementioned steps for a smooth canvas, and you're good to glow!




press sample(s) received for review; this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
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