Cosmopolitan August 2013

Rejoice, August 1st, 2013 is  National Girlfriends Day and  August 2nd, 2013 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! :)  Let’s meet up on the first for a nice ice creamy girl gab fest! :)

The Perfect Fit Denim Trends

Cuffed Jeans flatter petite figures. Look for a snug fit from hips to ankles. Petite frames get lost in boyfriend styles. Wear with heels. Small statures benefit from a little lift.  Pumps give the casual look polish.

Colored Denims flatter fuller figures. Look for rich jewels that make a statement without being too loud. Wear with a tunic top and tailored blazer - keep things simple to balance the bold bottom.

Skinnies flatter tall figures. Look for dark saturated rinses with a high waist to even out longer torsos. Wear with loose layered tops that offset second skin denim,

Fit and Flare  flatters everyone. Look for a low rise with a slight fade from hip to knee. It make legs look slimmer. Wear with stacked wedges or platforms to add height and avoid dragging hemlines.

How to Wear the Trend of the Moment -  Statement Sweatshirts

1. Stilettos and sweats? Yes, you can! Heels dress up the look a notch.

2. Balance a loose, full coverage top with a  shorter or tighter bottom half.

3. Give your old college sweatshirt new life with iron-on appliques and studs.

To Sculpt Your Bod for Self - Tanner

1. In a circular motion, apply a matte bronzing cream to your arms and legs. The texture camouflages cellulite and other imperfections.

2. Place your hands on your hip. With a blush brush, run shimmery powder bronzer down your arms. The sheen creates a vertical line of light, making arms look leaner.

3. Now sweep the powder down the center of your legs [from thighs to toe in the front, then thighs to heels in the back]. Again, the shimmer has a highlighting effect that shades away inches!

Goodies for Travel and for under $10-

Wella Professionals Enrich Treatment

Boscia Blotting Linens

Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks

Smith’s Rosebud Salve

Maybelline Clean Express Towelettes

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Incoco Nail Polish Applique

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30

Tocca Cleopatra Hand Cream

Soap and Butter The Righteous Butter to Go

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste

Priti NYC Soy Nail  Polish Remover Wipes

Alba Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick

How to Wear Serum -

“1. After cleansing, massage a nickel size drop a serum onto clean skin, giving those high powered ingredients direct access to your skin issues.

2. If you’re wearing moisturizer too, wait a few minutes for the serum to absorb before applying it. Otherwise, it will dilute the serum’s actives. [Side note, apply eye cream before you applying anything, except for serums to get your money’s worth as layered over other lotions which  can block their ingredients from penetrating]”

Lucky August 2013

New Pants Styles to Try-

“The Track Pants - Paired with minimalist pieces, this sporty, slim cut is polished enough to wear to dinner.

The Cropped Wide - Leg Trouser - Fashion forward and surprisingly flattering, this ‘40s inspired style creates a sexy hourglass shape.

The Slouchy Leather -  Give your boyfriend jeans a rest and wear this equally laid-back but way more luxe pair.

The Graphic Print  Trouser - An eye-popping motif takes this work-ready cut from basic to quirky chic.”

New Golden Powders to Try -

Nars Puerto Vallarta Multiple

MAC Cosmetics Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden

Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Nude Beach

DiorSkin Nude Tan Paradise Duo Blush in Coral Glow

Guerlian Meteorites Pearls

Yves Saint Laurent Terre Sharienne in N. 30 in Terre Tan

Elizabeth Arden New York in Bloom Radiant Bronzing  Powder

Multi-Tasking Skin Cream

SK II Essential Power Cream

Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Night Age Reserving Line/Wrinkle Creme

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Shimmery Body Oils

Clarins Splendours Shimmer Body Oil

Guerlian Terracotta James de Gazelle

Caudalie Dive Legs Tinted Body Lotion

Nuxe Hulle Prodiguese

Summer Florals Perfumes -

Lanvin ME Eau de Parfum

Crabtree and Evenlyn Somerset Meadow de Toilette

Prada Candy L’Eau

Anna Siu La Vie de Boheme

Joie Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum

Taylor by Taylor Swift Eau de Parfum

Mastering Brows -

“1. Don’t tweeze more than once every three to four weeks. This keeps brows from looking too thin.

2. Draw an invisible line straight from the outer corner of your nose. Your brow should start here and end along a line from the corner of your nose to the outer corner of your eye. The highest part of your  arch should line up just outside your pupil.

3. Shower first to open your pores, soften your skin and make tweezing easier. After use aloe gel to prevent redness and bumps.

4.  Pull hairs in the direction of growth one by one working in natural light.

5. Use a regular not magnifying mirror, otherwise you can end up with a hole. If you can’t see the hair in a regular mirror, neither can anyone else.

6. Don’t make the ends too thin, and feather them outward - this gives the eyes a bit of a lift.

7. Overcutting brows can be as detrimental as over-tweezing. Brush brows straight up and trim hairs one at a time.

8. It is a myth that you should never tweeze from the top. The truth is most people need to take a little off the top in order to get the perfect shape.

9. If you chair your hair color, change your brows to match. Darkening brows adds fullness. Don’t dye them yourself - get it done at a salon.

10. Delicate features look best with thinner, more elegant brows. Thicker ones are perfect with stronger bone structure.”

Your Ultimate Brow Kit

K. Streicher Beauty Apres Calming Cream

Sania’s Brow Bar Angle Mechanical Pencil

Cle de Peau Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact in 1

Lancome Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe’

End of the Summer Hair Rescue -

Keratase Spray a Porter

Organiz Moroccan Sea Salt Spray

Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo

Shu Uemura Muroto Volume Pure Lightness Treatment

New Star Ingredient - Camellia Oil

“These antiaging face concoctions are infused with oils from the ultra - hydrating, antioxidant rich camellia flower, called tsubaki in Japanese. They leave skin dewy, plump and smooth in seconds.

Lancome Absolue Sublime Oleo Serum

Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil

Tatcha Gold Camella Beauty Oil

Family Circle August 2013

Shades of Summer -

New York Color Show in Fierce N Tangy

Orly in Mayhem Mentality

Mary Kay in Pink Bamboo

Essie in The More The Merrier

Jin Soon in Poppy Blue

Latina August 2013

White Hot Nail Polishes to Try -

Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Porcelain Party

Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Textured Nail Color in Sugar Fix

Candie’s Glitter Nail Polish in White Noise

Layla Gel Effect Nail Polish in N01

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Vapor

Tips for Damage Control for your Hair -

Philip Kingsley Paddle Brush - “Your scalp is the source of healthy hair. It’s important to stimulate it a little each day simply by brushing from roots to ends.”

Oribe Signature Moisture Masque - “Rub a dime - sized amount of deep conditioning mask through dry hair before the beach or pool. It protects strands from saltwater and chlorine”.

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo and Conditioner - “Summer’s harsh elements, such as the sun’s UV rays, cause hair to become dry and brittle. Keep split ends under control with shampoos and conditioners that contain oils like almond and coconut”.

Living Proof Satin Hair Serum - “Stay away from hair care products with alcohol as the primary ingredient. It can dry out stands and cause breakage”.

Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy Damage and Color Repair 7 Day Intensive Treatment Tubes - “Creating a solid foundation with a well-nourished scalp not only gives you strong, beautiful hair but can help you get to a longer length faster”.

New Bronzer Products to Try-

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF

Too Faced Bronzed and Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer

Nars Multiple in South Beach

Mary Kay Facial Highlighting Pen

Physicians Formula How - To - Wear Bronzer

Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronze and Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint

Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder

Seventeen August 2013

How to get curly hair for your hair type -

“Straight - Loose, bouncy curls are the easiest for you to rock. Add mousse to wet hair for staying power, and blow dry. Once  hair  is 100 percent dry, hold a 1.5 inch curling iron vertically and wrap 2 inch section of hair around the closed barrel. Hold for a few seconds and then finish with a blast of hairspray so the curls last all day.

Wavy - To amp up your natural waves, scrunch in a lightweight curl gel and blow-dry hair upside down for extra volume. Spritz with flexible hold  hairspray, and let them set while you do your makeup. Unpin them and rake your fingers through your hair for a natural tousle.

Curly -  Play up your natural texture with a diffuser. The fingers spread out the air so strands don’t frizz. Just add a little smoothing cream first, then point the dryer up for more volume or down for less.”

Curl Commandments-

“No Frizz Ever -  Leave in conditioners are a curly girl’s BFF. Coat strands in a downward motion to smooth hair cuticles while also locking in moisture. Follow with your favorite styling product and twist curls into place with your fingers. Then it’s hands-off until hair is dry.

Pretreat your strands -  thick, unruly curls will benefit from a hot oil treatment before shampooing - work it through dry  locks 15 minutes before jumping in the shower. The slick stuff helps moisturize and make your tresses easier to untangle.

Revive second day curls - You will get too dry if you wash every day, so mist just the frizzy pieces with a mix of leave - in conditioner and water. Then shape curls into place.

Trim often - You’ll know you’re due for a date with the scissors when it starts becoming harder than normal to detangle your hair - it’s a sign you have lots of split ends that need to be snipped”.

Woman’s Day August 2013

Pack Smart -

“1. Keep it to one swimsuit - you’re going only going to want to wear your favorite anyways, right?

2. Wear a sun-shielding hat to the airport so it doesn’t get squashed in your suitcase.

3. Bring a few tunics that you can wear as coverups at the beach or as shirts when you’re around town.

4. A pretty sarong can double as a scarf if the temperature drops when you’re dining outside near the water.

5. Call ahead to see if your hotel provides beach towels so you don’t have to tote them from home.”

Like to volunteer? Visit http://www.rewardvolunteers.coop, which rewards volunteers with prizes.

Multitasking Facial Cleansers-

Garnier the Radiance Renewer Cleansing Gelee

Alba Botanica Good & Clean Daily Detox Foaming Cleanser

Maybelline Clean Express! The Flash 3 in 1 Makeup Removing Lotion

To stretch and soothe feet, freeze a bottle of water and roll it under your arches.

Happy, Healthy Feet -

“If you have dry, cracked heels -

The cause : the soles of your feet lack oil glands, making them prone to dryness. Hot showers and exposure to the sun can also zap moisture.

The fix : apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of feet daily, especially after showering. Even better: every few days, rub a generous amount of cream on clean feet before bed, then slip on cotton socks. You’ll wake up to softer heels.

If you have calluses or corns -

The causes : feet already have thick skin to help support your body. Add pressure to a specific area from tight shoes or a bunion, and the skin thickens even more, forming a callus [a hard, flat patch] or a corn [a raised circular patch].

The fix : exfoliate feet up to three times a week to keep corns and calluses pain free. Apply a sugar scrub or use a pumice stone.

If you have sore, tired feet -

The causes :  spending a lot of time on your feet and wearing shoes that lack arch support or fit poorly [too big and feet work hard to keep them on, too small and feet may cramp up] can cause pain.

The fix : aside from buying shoes that fit well, try a soothing footbath. Just add a few drops of peppermint oil to warm water. No time to soak? Swipes soles with a minty wipe.”

Boost your Food’s Benefits -

“1. Stir fry carrots or steam broccoli. Chopping and the heating them releases carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that may help from cancer.

2. Add a little oil as you saute or cook leafy greens. The good fats from oil help your body absorb the nutrients that are released as the vegetable is heated.

3. After you mince garlic, let it sit out for 15 minutes. Research shows that exposing garlic to air once you chop it up promotes an enzyme reaction that releases cancer fighting compounds.

4. Cut larger pieces or cook the vegetables whole.  Cooking bigger sections of vegetables like sweet potatoes or summer squash exposes less of the food’s surface to air and heat, which can destroy vitamins and nutrients.

5. When boiling potatoes, leave the peels on and cook them whole if possible. This will help preserve their high levels of vitamin C. Also, keep the lid on the pot so they cook more quickly. Longer cooking time leads to higher loss of water soluble nutrients like C.”

Everyday with Rachael Ray July/August 2013

Self Tanners to Try This Month -

St. Tropez Self Tan Tan Booster

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, Fair to Medium

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Airbrush Mist in Deep Natural Tan

Xen - Tan Moroccan Tan in Ultra Dark

InStyle August 2013

Find Your Perfect White Jacket

1. The Vibe - think of it as a white shirt but with more presence. It works in any season and can feel more modern than go-to black. For a richer, less summery take, consider a textured fabric.

2. The Fit - a derriere length blazer with lapels suits curvier shapes. If you’re busty, try wearing the jacket open. Petite figures do well in sleeker styles that are cropped and collarless.

3. The Outfit - combine with other pales, such as cream and bone, for an elegant look. Or pair with a  pattern or color, like an animal-print blouse or a cobalt skirt.

Deal and Steal

Photo Source - Sephora, Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

Photo Source - Sabon, Sabon Bath Foam in Lavender

Photo Source -  Ciate London, Ciate Dark Chocolate Nail Polish Remover