24-7 Style's Summer "It" List!

Summer can be brutal.  Fortunately, my "It" items make looking great a cinch! 

-Classified Gladiators: Flip-flops are a no-go with these gems that dress up shorts, skirts or leggings.
-Cotton Thread Wrap Bangles: I love my neutral pallette but to keep it from boring I dress it up with bright accessories like these adorable bangles.
-Mossimo White Tees: I can't get enough of this Target staple.  In fact, they might be a small addiction!
-Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray: Nothing gives me that just-spent-the-day-at-the-beach look than this texturizing spray.
-White Fedora: I think I picked this up at Target awhile back and throw it on whenever I get the chance.
-lolabean Shredded Handbag: Not just a summer standby, this is my go-to in every season!
-Smith's Rosebud Salve: Again, I use this throughout the year - I go nowhere without it!
-Rimmel's Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer: I picked this up when I had run out of my "high-end" primer and was in a hurry.  I'll never go back!  I feel like it's the first primer I've ever had that yields the results it promises.
-Dr.'s Remedy Nail Polish in Tranquil Tangerine: This color is so fab for summer and the polish is toxin free - a perfect combo!

Kick your Wrinkles to the Curb Sans Needles with PEPSTEPx2 Anti-Age System

Remember that first time you looked in the mirror and noticed (gasp) your actual age?  That day you realized that you no longer had the skin of your youth?  That day that you felt somewhat betrayed by life - this wasn't supposed to happen to you after all!

Fortunately, we live in a day when wrinkles, fine lines and sun-spots are actually treatable.  Cosmetic procedures like Botox® have a common place in today's society, but if you're looking for something less invasive, options have been a little bit less than stellar.  Until now...

If Botox® isn't your thing, you'll love PEPSTEPx2 Anti-Age System ($199 for the set), from Verve Medical Cosmetics founder Dr. Stephen Bracci's new line, Firm Commitment.  Allowing yout to tighten skin and diminish fine lines from your own home, this physician strength 2-step formula is packed with everything you need for smooth skin.  I've been on my PEPSTEPx2 regement for just over three weeks now.  While fortunately my skin isn't completely full of wrinkles - I've started with the noticing, in particular, fine lines and just an overall dullness. 

So what have my results been thus far?  I don't want to mislead - not all of my problem areas have completely disappeared, BUT the fine lines - dramatically reduced!  And what I'm more thrilled with, my skin is SO soft and smooth, I honestly feel like the school-girl of yesteryear.

Remember the 2 steps I mentioned?  Each has a specific function (for more info click on any of our provided links in this post):

Step 1, Firming Peptide Serum - Diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines to tighten and tone. 

Step 2, Repairing Peptide Cream - Protects from environmental damage, supports new collagen growth and hydrates and plumps the dermis.

For more info and see the entire Firm Commitment line, visit FuturisticBeauty.com.

Disclosures

Go-Dimple Free with Cures by Avancé Slimming Gel - Your OTC Cellulite Treatment!

It's the heart of summer, and oh how we're loving it!  Ice cream, beaches, backyard barbeques - there's nothing about the dog days that we don't adore.  Ok, well...maybe one thing.  The bathing suits.  I know all the tricks-of-the-trade, what suit to get to flatter your figure, blah blah blah.  BUT, regardless of the style, there's one disappearing act that never takes place.  The cellulite, that without concern of what I eat or how much I run, is always visible!  And it seems between myself and my friends, all of the creams, gels, etc. have been tried to no avail.  Until now.

When asked to give Cures by Avancé Slimming Gel a try and blog about my experience I thought "why not?"  The only thing I could lose was the appearance of my cellulite and even if I was skeptical, that slim bit of hope made it an irrisistable opportunity.

So what exactly is Slimming Gel and what makes it different from other creams and gels on the market?  For one, it contains algae (nature's purifier) which cleanses the body of toxins.  After applying, cellulite is released from within, and a smooth flow of contours begin as the silhouette is redefined.  It increases blood circulation which automatically reduces fluid retention (i.e. this is also a gem for water retention).

It sounds crazy, but for the first time ever, I did see immediate results.  Was it a cure?  No.  But, the appearance of my worst enemy was obviously and continues to be reduced.  

What you'll feel after applying a thin layer to your targeted areas (and you will feel it!) is a warm sensation that varies in intensity from non-existant to intense - not painful or uncomfortable, but definitely noticable.  The variation you may notice is based on the thickness of your skin and regardless of the strength of the feeling, Slimming Gel is still doing it's thing, working it's magic.  After 3-5 minutes gently brush the area and you're done.

Recommended use is twice daily and Slimming Gel retails for $35.

Brett Freedman's Beauty Battleship - ESPY Award Additon

Ahhhh, the ESPY Awards.  The only awards show that your husbands or boyfriends gladly will watch with you.  Our favorite celeb makeup artist, Brett Freedman gives us the inside scoop on the look he created for ESPN girl Erin Andrews, as well his beauty hits and misses. 

How to get Erin's look:

Base: Make Up Forever HD. Erin uses a higher SPF on her face than her body. To even it up I chose a shade a touch deeper than her face actually was. Later I added powder bronzer to glow it up a bit more.
Concealer: Laure Mercier Camo. duo.
Powder: Benefit Hello Flawless in Toast.
Bronzer: Elizabeth Arden. I love that it has a mix of golden bronze and pink. Like a real suntan.
Blush: YSL Crème de Blush in Silky Praline. I love using cream blush on sun-kissed skin. Gives nice dewy highlight on the cheekbone.
Shadow: MAC Cork in crease, HoneyLust on lid (I applied wet with a small brush) and Shroom on the brow bone.
Eye Pencil: MAC Teddy. I wanted all of the colors to be bronzy/browns. The only black was her mascara.
Mascara: Benefit They're Real (Black). I curled before and after each coat to get ultimate pop.
Brow: Vanitymark Blondie. I filled in a touch above the brow line then brushed the hairs up to give uber lift to the eyes.  I then applied MAC's Goldmine shadow (wet) to the hairs. Once dry I sealed with Vanitymark brow glaze in Acrylica.
Lip: I combined two shades. LORAC's Multiplex gloss in Intermix and Elizabeth Arden's gloss in Honey Glaze. I like to use a lighter, golden shade over a deeper shade. I use in the center of lip and along lip line to catch light and sex it up a bit.
Body: Vanitymark Shimmerskin. To amp up Erin's fab LA tan (she had gone hiking that day) I sprayed this champagne shimmer spray on all exposed skin to give a dewy, JLo finish.

DIRECT HIT!
Kerry Washington. I love how she went against the grain and didn't give obvious sexy. Full front and sleeve, Kerry was all about the leg! She let her eyes bring the sexy. Love the crisp brow that doesn't look too filled in, you can see the hairs. The sign of a really subtle make-up artist. Big fan of the pewter shimmery shadow on her lid. I do that a lot. Gives eyes a nice pop when a gal blinks or looks down. Fab neutral lip. Almost a clear gloss with some shaping with a fleshy lip pencil. Very clean and polished with an edge. Brava Ms. W!

NEAR MISS:
Brooklyn Decker. What's shipshape: Love the simple scarlet leather dress and fab gold heels. What's sinks it: Hair is a little too casual. I'm not a huge fan of the half up and half down look, but this looks a little too 'runnin' errands' for a red carpet. What I would have done: Have all her hair down with a few soft unconstructed waves in different directions to give a modern, bed head vibe. Def no pink lips. I'm glad it wasn't matchy-matchy red, but with those kick ass shoes why not do a very sexy gold gloss? Not terrible...just not a tight ship, styling wise.

YOU SANK MY BATTLESHIP!
Serena Williams. Too much of a good thing. It kinda looks like Serena is dressed up as Beverly Hills Housewife! Too curly square-hair sitting on structured shouldered jacket/dress. A lot going on already, then add a near choker the size of Texas. Yee-Naw! The make-up is gorgeous though. Love the subtly of the brows, shading and sheer pink lips. What I would have suggested: It's very easy, imagine this pink in a strapless dress, the hair can then stay down, but in looser, less 'American Idol' curls. Without a structured shoulder the necklace would work just fine. Too much going on sinks the ship ;-(
 

Jill Zarin Shops Edit Summer

One of our favorite Real Housewives of New York, Jill Zarin, was spotted doing some mid-summer shopping at Edit Summer, the Southhampton outpost of Upper East Side boutique Edit New York, this past Saturday.  Taking her mother shopping for the day, the duo left with bags of goodies from 3.1 Phillip Lim.  If you're not on the East Coast, no worries, you can still shop everything Edit has to offer by visiting EditNewYork.com.

**Photos Courtesy Mimi Ritzen Crawford

New From WEN: Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner

On my to-do list?  Try the new Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner from WEN®!  By eliminating harsh chemicals most shampoos contain, the new treatment brings salon-soft hair to your home with natural ingredients and a luxurious scent.  With the reputation as one of the best in the hair-care product industry, I have no doubt I'll be impressed!

Pippa Middleton in Goldsign

Being the sister of a princess might seem daunting...unless you're Pippa Middleton and you look as perfect as she does in her Goldsign "Misfit" slim leg jeans in Ray.  She was spotted wearing them July 12th in London while picking up coffee.  Is it just us, or does she look absobloodylutely amazing in everything she wears?!?

Rachel Bilson in Citizens of Humanity

Rachel Bilson rocks her Citizens of Humanity "Avedon Slick" low-rise skinny leg jeans in Sedona while on the set of your latest flick, The To Do List.  So chic!

Oh-So-Lush!

A friend of mine recently gifted me something I'd never even heard of...shampoo and conditioner bars.  Shampoo and conditioner bars?  I was reluctant.  The brand?  Lush.  The scent?  Amazing - the one thing I thought they had going.  And then I tried them and my love affair with Karma Kombo (shampoo, bottom left, $9.95) and Jungle (conditioner, bottom right, $5.95) began.  The shampoo lathers and cleanses just as you would expect shampoo to do.  The conditioner leaves your hair tangle-free and soft.  Even after I styled and used my regular products the incredible scent remained, and everytime I got a whiff of it, I was happy.

Lush takes pride in making products from fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, by hand, and even tell you the dates they were made.  Visit LushUSA.com for details on all the brand has to offer!

Celeb Makeup Artist Brett Freedman's Drugstore Finds

Ahhhh summer....  Let's be honest it's the season that stands alone when we're ranking seasons.  Warm weather, cooking out, beaches - there's always something to do (which inevitably means always something to spend money on).  Fortunately, celeb makeup artist Brett Freedman is a huge fan of drugstore finds and below tells us what his faves are.  The bonus, they're all under $10, which means you can spend your money on other things, like a new pair of strappy wedges!

Maybelline's ColorSensational lipstick in Disco Pink: This shade is right on trend! A true salmon that feels just a touch more interesting than the run-of-the-mill pink. Perfect for gals that are hesitant to ride the coral wave that's all the rage right now. Color aside, the formula is a great combo of gloss and pigmented lipstick, close to a glaze. I have all of these shades in my kit. I've used on Brittany Snow with beautiful results!

Physician's Happy Booster blush in Natural: So fun! What a terrific glow of natural summer radiance. I heart the slight shimmer! Swirl your brush to combine all the sweet pink shades together and sweep on apples of cheeks for a lit from within glow. Great for day or evening. I've used this on Candace Accola from The Vampire Diaries.

Wet 'n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Sweet As Candy: What a great change up on neutrals. I always like a pop of color in shadows, so the soft cherry shade to sweeten the look gets a rave review from me! Though it says to use the pink color on the lid, my tip would be to use the champagne hue on the lid and brow bone and use the pink on just the outer corner to add interest and a bit more subtle drama. I've used this trio on Patricia Heaton for a neutral eye look with a twist.

Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil in Green. Shhh...I'm secretly obsessed with Milani! I love how colorful and blingy their line is. It's also priced right! These metallic pencils are great paired with a tan or bronzed face. Metallics are great in the summer because they catch light and feel young and fresh, add zingy colors like these and the effect feels so modern. My tip is to use colored eye pencils with neutral shadows. Apply the pencil very close to lash line and soften/blend with your finger or a cotton swab. Line the entire eye, around the tear duct and on the inner shelf. I've used this shade on Katerina Graham to liven up her already gorgeous eyes.
 

Get your Gaga On - Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are Here!

As if we needed another reason to tune into our music, Lady Gaga has given us one.  Hearbeats by Lady Gaga, the newest addition to the celebrated line of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones from Monster, debuts their Gaga-esque-styles today.  Designed by the pop icon herself, the look alone of Heartbeats will puts our regular earbuds to shame.  Complete with leather and studs, the in-ear headphones are available in two color combos - black on black or gold on white (my fave).  Suggested retail price is $149 and Heartbeats are now available at Best Buy and select retail stores. 

Visit the Beats by Dre Facebook page for info on how to win a pair of your own Heartbeats and other great prizes in The Edge of Glory Heartbeats Contest!

Soludos Top Everyone's List this Summer

I have to drop an OMG....is there any A-lister that hasn't been spotted in Soludos this summer?  Not surprisingly, the shoes, based on traditional espadrilles of the Mediterranean, with their jute sole and cotton upper are amazingly cute.  And fear not my non-celebrity friends, these shoes are actually affordable.  My favorites, the Red and White Striped Rosa style, are only $28.  What's your opinion?  Love or leave?

Estelle Wears Goldsign

Songstress Estelle chose Goldsign's "Wore" wide leg jeans in Corby for her "Break My Heart" music video and while shopping earlier in the month in London.  Lookin' good Estelle!

What's in Her Bag? Survivor's Ashley Underwood Tells Us!

Ashley Underwood, third runner up on this season's Survivor: Redemption Island, has led a busy life since concluding her stint on the island.  A certified personal trainer, she offers a unique training method based on her experience as a professional basketball player, pageant queen and coach, and of course, preparing for Survivor.  So what are essentials for Ashley and what's in her bag?  She tells us below!

Essentials for Every Girl

1. Sunscreen - now that the sun is out in full force, always carry this with you!
2. Lip-gloss - keep those luscious lips moisturized! (my personal favorites are "Addict" by Dior or Nars "Turkish Delight")
3. Blotting papers for shine control - the hot weather makes for some sweaty skin! Blot your shine away to keep your makeup looking fresh & flawless!
4. Perfume - ladies, this is a MUST! What better way to make a guy remember you than by leaving behind your one-of-a-kind irresistible smell!
5. Mascara! They sell mini-mascaras everywhere so invest! Sometimes your eyes need that extra pop!

What's in my bag:

1. Laura Mercier - shine powder
2. Mac lipstick - "snob" ... A recent purchase and I love it! The perfect color pink for summer!
3. Snacks, snacks and more snacks! - I'm always on the go and since I like to "graze" throughout the day, I pack things like granola bars or almonds to get me through!
4. "Viva la Juicy" roll on perfume - again, I'm always on the go, sometimes I need a scent pick-me-up :)
5. Trident "bubblegum" - I don't go anywhere without gum .. And this kind makes me feel like a kid again :)

1 Bikini Bottom + 1 Bikini Top = 5 Yokini Suits

Math never really was my thing, but I know the above equation happens to be correct.  Yokini Swimwear allows you to pick your bikini top and pair with a fab bottom that gives you five completely different looks, from shy to sexy and everything in between.  With an array of colors and patterns and four bikini top variations to choose from, you're sure to fall in love with the line.  Visit Yokini.com for more info!  Below are the Triangle Top and Yokini Bottom in black. 

 

Star on the Rise - Catching up with Jillian Rose Reed of MTV's Awkward!

Looking for a new show to become addicted to this summer?  Awkward, MTV's coming of age comedy is set to premeire July 19th at 11 p.m. after Teen Mom, and is sure to get you hooked.  We caught up with one of the stars, Jillian Rose Reed, who plays sassy and fun-loving best friend, Tamara about some of her favorite products, styles and more!

What are some of your top-notch beauty products: My favorite beauty products are all of my Hard Candy Makeup products.  I LOVE all of the fun colors and glitter!

What about your favorite hair products?  I have red hair, so my color fades pretty fast.  My favorite hair product has to be Redken Radiant Red Shampoo and Conditioner.  It makes my hair look so healthy and my color last a lot longer!

What do you never leave home without?  I never leave home without my Blistex, I can never get enough lip balm.  Also, my Ipod, I never know when I may need to sponataneously put on music and sing along!

What are your favorite items to shop for?  Shoes.  I used to hate looking for shoes but recently I can't get enough of them!

Who are your style icons?  My style is a mix between vintage, edgy and bohemian.  Everday is something different!  I love to pull ideas from Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel, and Selena Gomez.  I've always admired Audrey Hepburn's style because I love her classic look and elegance for an evening event.  I also love that Bridgette Bardot made it cool to rock knee socks and and shorts!

What has been the most fun you've had on a set thus far?  I've had the most fun on the set of Awkward!  The cast is so funny, it's like a party everyday!  I think the best part is when we get Molly Tarlov, Ashley Richards, Brett Davern and myself all in the makeup trailer...we LOVE to have dance parties!

Photo Info:

©www.vincentsandoval.com/Photographer
Joanne Yoon/Hair
Satya Linak/ Makeup
Dress by Xhiliration and shoes from Charlotte Russe.

My Newest Obsession: Borghese Splendide Mani

For me, hand lotion is a must.  Regardless of the season, I'm constantly quenching my skin with something.  My latest skin soothing obsession - Splendide Mani from Borghese, the brand combining classic Italian beauty and modern sensibility. 

Gifted to me many months ago, I had put in my "extras" space and actually forgotten I even had it until recently.  Fortunately, I've done some cleaning and organizing in recent weeks and it now has a permanent spot on my living room coffee table (I didn't even hide it when guests arrived over the weekend)!  Perfect for summer days after being outside, Splendide Mani is specifically formulated to "alleviate chapping and dryness caused by sun exposure, windburn and other environmental agressors."  The result?  Smooth hydrated skin.  Perfection!

Lightly scented, Borghese Splendide Mani retails for $30.50 for a 7.0 oz bottle.  Learn more about the entire Borghese line by visiting Borghese.com. 

BeautyADDICTS Introduce NEW Fall Colors!

I adore BeautyADDICTS cosmetics, so much so, that they're on my "ration list," which means I can only use them for the important events I primp myself for.  It goes without saying then that I'm excited for their new fall color additions to their SweetLIPS collection.

SweetLIPS high-shine gloss is infused with Vitamin E and Jojaba Butter to keep lips hydrated and fresh.  And with a hint of Vanilla infused in each shade, SweetLIPS will keep you tasting as good as you look!  Retailing for $17 each and available at a salon near you or BeautyAddicts.com.  The new shades are shown below: Veil, Ginger, Grace and Twilight - gorgeous!

Trend We're Loving - Bright Denim

No need for your denim to only have a case of the blues...bold and bright jeans are oh-so-hot!  A few of our favorites from Net-A-Porter:

 Sandro Poete Mid-Rise Skinny Capri Jeans, $280

Current and Elliott The Ankle Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, $170

Ksubi Super Skinny Low-Rise Jeans, $170