7 No-Fuss Hairstyles

Summer is rounding the final stretch and that means humidity, scorching temperatures, and unruly hair. And while some of us wear our ‘dos close and cropped and in turn, beat this late season heat, there are still plenty of us with long, luscious locks contemplating very, very short haircuts. But hold that thought, damsel in distress, because Self magazine is giving you 7 No-Fuss Hairstyles, one for each day of the week. Keep it tame on Mondays with beachy waves, spice up Thursday with a sleek and easy blowout, and finish your week with Sunday’s low bun. And even though these are great tips for keeping your fresh summer look even on the hottest of days, all of these suggestions work great year round! Now that’s style, sister.

How to Take Pictures Like a Model

Photographs are lasting evidence of a great hair day or a bad night out and we’re not one to leave proof like that layin’ around—glaring sun and gusts of wind be damned! Remember, the picture is about you, not your hair, makeup, or clothes. No matter what you do or don’t have on, you can always give the lens your best shot with these helpful tips.

1. Be comfortable with yourself. Remember your mother saying beauty is within? Well honey, she couldn’t be more right. Confidence is one of the best accessories a girl can have in life and that holds true for pictures, too.
2. Play up your assets. Are your eyes Miami Beach blue? Your smile megawatt? Understand what traits are your best and show them off.
3. Know your angles. Most of us do have “a good side” and its up to us to find what that side is. A camera’s eye is different when it sees you head on, from the side, or above or below your eyeline. Find out which angle is the best one for you and stick with it.
4. Shift your weight. Situate yourself so that one leg stands in front of the other and your weight rests on your back foot with your whole body standing at a soft angle. Not only does this create a slimming effect but it is also a more natural head-to-toe stance.
5. Practice in a mirror. Hey, the models do it, too!
6. Relax. Figure out what triggers make you mellow—thoughts of cool winds on the beach, the smell of fall’s changing leaves, Brad Pitt’s butt in tight denim (ahhh). Think of this trigger for your next picture and you’ll have calm, cool, and collected written all over your face.
7. Think like a model. Make your signature poses second nature and you’ll never have a bad shot again. Models go from chatting to posing to eating to posing to sleeping to posing seamlessly! In time, you won’t be waking up for less than $10,000 a day either.

Women’s Mafia Fashionable Fridays: Beauty & Style Gifting Event

Listening to Lora read from her book

J. Rudy Lewis and his staff

J. Rudy bracelet

Lora reads from book

Yanil Flandez, Monroe Steele,Sahra of EffortlessyCool blog

posing with LaDorian Morris

What a fabulous event last night in Soho at Arrojo with the NYC Fashion Bloggers Meetup Group.  Enjoyed the tousled curls hair styling from Arrojo’s Gardner, and my style consultation from Emily.. really re-thinking my do after our chat!

Lora Condon read from her book Spa Wars – The Ugly Truth about the Beauty Industry – which was hilarious. The book is quite an entertaining read.

J. Rudy Lewis’s new collection was SO unique- I will wear their earrings  tonight 🙂 and have a yearning for the wide cuffs forged from sterling silver with 18K yellow gold accents set with rough diamonds– looks like it is ancient, hugely stylish and could have been buried treasure.

Yanil, Monroe and Sahra were warm hostesses – it was fun getting the group shots with the crowd and LaDorian ~

Six Steps to Clear Skin this Summer

Sticky summers mean tricky skin and Lucky Magazine has brought you six fool-proof steps to achieving the silkiest, smoothest skin—no matter how high the humidity level. This short and sweet guide gives you the warm weather basics to gaining clear skin in the hottest months as well as some of the best products on the market for each step of the way. Begin with a good cleanser followed by a sonic-frequency powered clarisonic, a gentle exfoliator and hydrating mask are next and finish your regimen with a revitalizing toner and smoothing serum. And the whole scheme is deceptively easy, low-maintenance girls. Make a point to devote 20 minutes to yourself and your skincare regimen and you’ll be blemish-free this sweaty summer. And it doesn’t end there!—Lucky‘s beauty section is overloaded with skincare tips and wellness guides to help you stay looking and feeling your best right now. Indulge, dahhhling.

London’s Tatler will tattle but won’t get shut down

Under the helm of Kate Reardon since January, Tatler‘s becoming a humorous well-mannered society magazine in a country that’ s seen poorly-mannered ones lately.  Although funny in tone, there’s no snarkiness or snobbery.

Editor Reardon chose the younger Miss Middleton as a cover girl with the caption”Pippa: The Bottom Line.”  She did so because Pippa “has no security protection, has no advice on how to deal with the media, yet always looks cheerful, graceful and enthusiastic.”  This correlates into her concept for the Tattler: “The most fun girl at the party, not the rich girl you want to slap.”

Hey Shorty!

Sometimes the fashion world forgets that we’re not all 5’10 supermodels. In fact, some of us are pretty damn tiny! And thanks to Refinery29 and their petite shopping tips, we can stop toeing the line between Talbots twinsets and the kids department and start looking like the stylish, modern women that we are. There are three key principles to shopping when you’re on the smaller side: first, know your body type. Are you petite all around or just on top? Are you small framed or just short? Defining your body type will help you better understand what shapes and styles work for you. Second, understand the benefits of fit and proportion. Just because something covers your body doesn’t mean it fits correctly and just because crop tops are all the rage doesn’t mean those proportions are meant for you. Think about waistlines, pants length, and silhouettes as you pick and choose. Lastly, remember that tailors exist but they’re not magicians! Some things (hems, darts) are easy, inexpensive jobs that make certain garments totally worth the trouble and money. But a $300 dress that needs $200 worth of alterations certainly ain’t worth it, honey. Especially if you don’t have a tailor you trust with your life! So all you diminutive dames, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be better than any 5’10 supermodel—you’ll be the best you!

Summer Styles

uncomplicated chic

What is your signature summer style? C’mon, we all have one. Well, if you haven’t figured out what yours is yet, there’s still time! And thanks toThe New York Times Magazine you’ve got some inspiration to help get you there. Maybe you’re a hot weather siren, draped in crimson as the temperature rises. Or are you currently trapped in electric ladyland mixing bright accent with bold garment. Personally, we’re spending this summer both uncomplicated and chic with distressed boyfriend jeans, feminine heels, and blousy tops a la Katie Holmes. Whether you’re ready to change up your style halfway through the season or just need a little motivation to bring this summer home, T magazine has it in their Summer Style article. See ya under the sun, gorgeous.

Homemade Beauty Recipes

With all the great beauty products out there, sometimes we forget that all the necessary ingredients for a mask, exfoliator, moisturizer and more are patiently waiting in our refrigerators! With just a little help from everyday fruits, veggies, and oils, you can have clear, glowing skin at a fraction of the spa cost. And thanks to the internet and our reliable pals at GoodHousekeeping.com and their article on homemade beauty recipes, you can have an at-home treatment for face, body, and hair. Drugstore remedies can be a nice quick fix but with all natural ingredients you’re guaranteed to be doing good by your skin.

Lingerie Designer Showcase 2011

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the best outfits take note every step of the way, first layer to last. Well now you’ve got a chance to take a cue from those informed stylistas—brush up on lingerie tips and check out all the latest and most innovative styles at this year’s Lingerie Designer Showcase. Held in New York City from July 30 to August 2 at the AKA Hotel, this event, while only a few years old, is quickly becoming one of the leading lingerie exhibitions in the country. If you’ve always struggled to find that perfect-fitting bra, have a hard time locating eco-friendly undergarments, or just need an in-depth tutorial on sizing, this is the place for you. Realtors big and small will be present to stock up on the hottest lingerie trends out there. Find these styles and more at discounted prices (and before everyone else!) later this month. Visit the event’s website to learn more and register. Hope to see you there, pussycat.

Put Your Best Brow Forward!

Nothing frames a face better than a great set of eyebrows. Lipsticks, eyeshadows, rouges, and liners, they all come and go but a pair of clean, manicured eyebrows will carry you effortlessly from season to season, year to year. In both men and women, the eye area is defined by the structure and shape of the eyebrow, including thickness, length, and arch height. But don’t reach for your strongest tweezers just yet! Brooke Shields bold isn’t the same as Marlene Dietrich sleek, right? And what works for one girl’s face may not work for yours. But don’t start fretting about your bushy brows just yet, girlfriend, because we’ve got the best guide to perfect eyebrows right here for you. Not only will thecosmeticscop.com help you figure out which hairs to pluck, trim, or just simply leave alone, they also provide helpful little sketches of correct and incorrect techniques. And it doesn’t stop there. Their article on tweezing tips will become your brow bible as it also contains handy advice on the best tools to use and the best products to enhance your shape and further define your eyebrows. And it won’t hurt to bat those lashes, too, honey.