The last time I ever dressed up for Halloween I was the lovely wire-haired Pippi Longstocking. Pippi’s braids may have been crazy, but according to the NY Observer, she is up on one of the top hair trends today.

Whether it is two braids, a little braid in the bangs, a braid into a chignon, a braided headband or two braids pinned up, hairstylists say they are getting more and more requests for the style. Stylist Louise O’Connor, who owns OC61, a salon in NYC, said she put four braids criss-crossed at the back in model Coco Rocha’s hair for the Met. Other fans of braids- and women I think wear the look perfectly- include Jessica Simpson, Lauren Conrad, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Isla Fisher.

I am a firm believer that certain styles of braids should have an age limitation. It is so easy to look like you just got back from cheerleading camp if you are wearing double braids or just a simple straight-up French braid. Those styles should be avoided on anyone over the age of 18. Unless you can style a French braid so it is unique and elegant (see Diane Kruger below) it is just too hokey.

Below are some different styles of braids.

Labels: Braids are back ... but is that a good thing?

A new study by Consumer Reports says 31% of Americans say they never wear sunscreen, even if they are outside for more than four hours - and 27% of parents with kids under 12 say they never or only sometimes apply sunscreen to their children when they are outside two to four hours. I think I just saw those types of people .... they were bright red folks roasting at the pool at Caesar's last month. You know the group I mean. There is one at every hotel/country club/public pool or beach and it is pathetic to watch. Ummm ... you're not getting tan- you're frying and you'll pay for it later. For most of us, this happens once (if ever) and never again.

Anyway, for those who intelligent enough to put sun protection on ourselves and our children Consumer Reports (in July mag) has listed its top picks for sunscreen this year.

Best buys:

• Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50
• Coppertone Water Babies SFP 50 (lotion)
• Target Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30 (brand name has changed to Up & Up)

Also rated highly:

• Aveeno Continuous Protection Spray SPF 45 (this formula is being changed to SPF 50)
• Bull Frog Marathon Mist Continuous Spray SPF 36
• Blue Lizard Regular Australian SPF 30+
• Mustella Bébé/Enfant High Protection SPF 50
• Lancôme Paris Sôleil Ultra Expert Sun Care for Sensitive Skin SPF 50
• Fallene Cotz SPF 58

I personally like Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous spray in either 30 or 50. I've burned before and it is not happening again!

Previous post: Flip-flop sale

Labels: Best picks for sunscreen

Labels: Old Navy's flip-flop sale

Rumored to have owned 16 pairs of Bernardo's bright "Miami" flip-flops (right), Jackie O. once again started a fashion trend that continues to this day. Fans of Bernardo shoes include Jennifer Garner, Beyonce, Hillary Duff, Halle Berry and me. This is probably the only line I have ever gone through and really liked every single shoe.

The website is filled with great vintage looks, information about the history and quality of the shoes and there is even a section of pet pictures with Bernardo shoes ... winner could get a pair of Bernardos. I wonder if I could get Casey to sit still long enough to get a shot of him with a pair of Bernardos ...?

Anyway, my favorite are the Matrix (perfect with shorts, a dress OR pants), the Miami ( they are chic flip-flops and any fashion trend Jackie O. starts I am automatically behind) and the Mojo Stones are flashy and fun.

Previous posts: Free treatments by Kerastase

Labels: Bernardo shoes, Classic line of gorgeous shoes

Kérastase products have received awards from InStyle, Allure and more, but if you have used them you already know how well the line works. I first used Kérastase in 1999 (I believe I started with Bain Satin 1)and have always been thrilled with the results. My favorite products on the Kérastase site include the Masque Chroma Riche (almost like a deep conditioner), the Fluide Chroma Riche (protects your hair from styling damage) and the Noctogenist Serum Noit (an overnight conditioner that you do not need to wash out). I have my hair highlighted so using products that promote shine, moisturize and nourish my dry hair is really important.

And, besides bringing wonderful products to salons around the world, Kérastase also has some great news for us ... If you are near a participating salon in the US on Wednesday, May, 20, 2009, you can have a professional Kérastase treatment and blow-out for free.

What it is:
Since 1964, Kérastase products have been renowned by celebrities, professional stylists and simple people like me who just care so much about having hair that looks and feels healthy. Now, 43 years later, Kérastase wants to give back to their devoted followers (and welcome new users onboard) through a nationwide promotion called “Our Treat.” On May 20, 2009, Kérastase is offering people across the US the opportunity to spoil themselves with a complimentary signature treatment and blow-dry at participating Kérastase Consultant Salons.

Where should you go:
List of participating Kérastase Consultant Salons


The treatments:
According to Kérastase, the treatments you can select from include:

Labels: Free Kérastase treatment and blowout

Kristen Bell always seems to looks fashionable, but age-appropriate. I especially liked this by Sir Alistair Rai T-shirt she has on. It is a Ghandi v-neck that says “Every Good Deed Is Its Own Advertisement” on the back. It is $62 and can be purchased here.

Other fans of Sir Alistair Rai include Rihanna, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba.

Labels: Sir Alistair Rai

Every day we see our favorite celebrities looking flawless, trim and radiant in advertisements, magazine covers, promotional materials and more. It is no secret that many of these photographs are highly airbrushed and Photoshopped. And, with the massive amounts of paparazzi photos out there, we are now seeing these celebrities (at times) how they really look.

According to ABC News, Men's Fitness digitally enhanced Andy Roddick's bicep muscles so much that even Roddick was surprised when he saw the cover and wrote on his blog, "If you can manage to stop laughing at the cover long enough, check out the article inside."

Jennifer Aniston reportedly once contemplated suing Redbook Magazine after her publicist said they used pieces of three separate photos of her to make one cover photo, ABC News said. Redbook denies the allegations and claims to have only changed the color of her shirt and lengthened her hair. When a 2003 cover of GQ trimmed down the size of Kate Winslet’s thighs she responded by saying, "I can tell you they've reduced the size of my legs by about a third."

ABC News did a great photo slideshow on "Doctored Magazine Covers." It includes photos of Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Jen Aniston, Brangelina, Kate Moss and more that have been digitally tweaked to make them look leaner or buffer. In some cases separate photos are set up to make two people look like they standing next to eachother ... and it is all the work of a computer. Don’t believe everything you see and don’t compare yourself to the way someone looks on a magazine cover. Treat it more like art, because at the end of the day (in many cases) that is what it is.


Previous Post: Dermalogica Opens in SoHo

Labels: airbrushed magazine covers, Digitally enchanced photos of celebs

Congratulations to our friends at Dermalogica on their new concept space. They opened a new store in NYC that features 2 MicroZone Treatment areas, Dual Skin BarSM stations and 1 Skin Treatment pod (SkinPod). Dermalogica is known for promoting skin health through highly customized products created by skin professionals. Dermalogica is not into gimmicks or saccharin-sweet products, so I thought this was a great quote about their new concept space by brand founder Jane Wurwand:

“While Dermalogica has always challenged the viability of the frivolous chocolate and rose-petal treatments which continue to undermine our profession’s credibility, the time has never been more right, culturally speaking, to open this location and offer no-nonsense New Yorkers our direct, dynamic, no-nonsense approach to absolutely great skin,” - brand founder, Jane Wurwand.

According to a Dermalogica, these are the services offered at the concept space:

• Skin BarSM consultation with FREE Face Mapping skin analysis. Skin BarSM is equipped with everything a client needs to sample Dermalogica products with specifics provided by Dermalogica skin professional therapists on site.


• Targeted 20-minute MicroZone Treatments in semi-private stations.


• Skin Treatments in private pod with your choice of lighting and audio options.

All services are given by professional skin therapists representing the industry’s highest standard of postgraduate education through The International Dermal Institute.

Be sure to check out the new SoHo space or if you are in LA visit Dermalogica on Montana (addresses below). Dermalogica concept spaces welcome walk-in traffic and they also accept appointments made online, by phone or in person.

NYC space:
110 Grand Street, NYC (212)-219-9800

Santa Monica
1022 Montana Ave. Santa Monica (310) 260-8682

Previous post: High heel boot camp

Labels: concept space, Dermalogica in SoHo

How tall is too tall? Seriously? I mean, it doesn't matter if you are 4-feet or 6-feet-tall, once you start wearing heels that are 5-6 inches, don't you get uncomfortable? I get that nauseous, dizzy feeling like I am looking down over the edge of the Grand Canyon. But, that's just me. Stilettos can look flawless if worn correctly. We've all seen that woman who chose the heels that were just too tall. Now she can't keep up with anyone and looks like she is doing the shuffle. Don't be that woman!

If you have trouble walking in heels there is someone out there who wants to help. Meet Model Anastasia Khozisova (above right), of Modelinia's High Heel Boot Camp. She is 5' 10' and as graceful in heels as a ballerina. Known for her flow on the catwalk, she teaches women around the world how to walk in heels through a series of online videos. She recently met with some Associated Press staffers and ran a high heel boot camp session for them. I recommend checking of the videos, but if you want the quick version, here are some highlights from her day with the AP employees:




How to walk in high heels according to the AP as directed by Khozisova:

1. Avoid falling in holes (aka breaking your ankle) and getting your heel stuck in cracks by looking three steps ahead. This way you can get around cracks, drains, etc. I think with practice you could find a way to do this so your head is not completely down for your entire walk.




2. Keep your shoulders down and your posture in a in line from your head through at least the hips.


3. Eliminate the "shuffle" and radiate poise by leading with the toe, and extending the leg as you go forward. Focus on having your body weight landing on the balls of the feet.
   
4. Finally, swing your arms, but don't spring up and down. Your strides should be constant and steady.

Previous post: Men in eyeliner... your thoughts?

Labels: How to walk in stilettos

A very funny article in USA Today is reporting men are now wearing eyeliner. Dubbed 'guyliner,' eyeliner is openly being worn by rock stars, comedians and reality-TV show contestants. Some of the men USA Today singles out include Pete Wentz (rock star), Russell Brand (comedian) and Adam Lambert ('American Idol' contestant). The lone holdout on guyliner topic is Nestor Carbonell, of 'Lost.' If you watch the show you know exactly who I mean (Richard) ... he swears he just has thick lashes.

As if this post is not odd enough, I must say my dog Casey looks like he wears eyeliner too (photo below). His eyes are perfectly lined around the top and the bottom ... like Nestor, Casey claims it is natural as well.

Your thoughts ... should it be ok for men to wear of eyeliner? Vote in my poll on the right.

Nestor Carbonell

Previous Post: Handmade shoes from Japan

Labels: Your thoughts on 'guyliner'

UrbanDaddy, a great content provider for Captivate Network, recently sent over an interesting article about a Japanese company called Chausser. They make handmade shoes in gorgeous colors and styles for men and women. I am particularly fond of their men's line. The sneakers, which also got raves by Urban Daddy, are a great casual-shoe option for men. They are nothing like a pair of running shoes, but a stylish, leather shoe with a casual twist to them. Some of them are like bowling shoes and one in particularly looks like it just returned from a trip to the ball park; fun, bright and has energy to burn. Another great pick- especially for men who would not mind gaining an inch or so in height- are these round-toe buckle shoes. They come in great colors and would work just as well casually at the office as they would on a Saturday night.

As for their women's line, my personal favorites are these green shoes with a low wedge. They have a strap and a great heel for jeans. Definitely a casual Friday pick! As for skinny jeans, these orange open-toe shoes are a stylish and casual. You'd be surprised how much wear you get from orange shoes. They go with everything, except red, orange and purple ... colors of pants you should not be wearing anyway! As far as their ostrich collection is concerned, I am not totally sold on them, but if you wear them you definitely get points for taking a style-risk.

On an unrelated note, I do have to say I had a hard time finding their website. I believe if you type a company name into a reputable search engine, the corporate website should be somewhere on page 1 or 2. I linked to them above so you don't have to poke around as much as I did.

Regardless, check out their shoes, they are really sharp ... and now available in the US.

Previous post: What Men Are Buying

Labels: Chausser, Handmade shoe company now selling in the US

• 71% of respondents said “they’d rather make small cutbacks elsewhere than cut back on the items that relate to their personal appearance.


• Men are least likely to cut back on fragrances, grooming, apparel, and footwear

• 76% of respondents agree that "in these tough economic times it is more important than ever to buy products and services that have a reputation for quality, even if it means spending more money for that type of product"


• 94% would rather spend “more money for products with lasting value than get savings on products that will only last a short time"

• 70% of men agree that they will be spending more or the same amount one wine and liquor

Thanks to our friends at GQ for sharing this study!

Previous post: Shopping for spring

Labels: What Men Are Buying GQ study