If you just got back from spring break and resemble a lobster, don’t  worry, while I was bitter about your tropical vacation I will not mock you.

I actually feel quite sorry for you; sunburns are the worst! They hurt, they peel, and as if the pain isn?t enough, well you also look like someone put you in a frying pan for 5 hours.  (I bet you wish you had listened to your mother and put on some SPF!)

But since that sunscreen will not help you now, here are some tips to take care of your toasted skin and cover it up (as much as possible, anyway!).

Basic Care Tips:

-Take cool showers and apply cool face cloths to your burned areas. This won’t help the healing much, but it will make you feel so. much. better.

-Don’t wear perfumes, or oily makeup/products. These will only irritate your skin more, making you even more uncomfortable.

-Keep yourself covered – loose clothing is best.

-If your burn is more serious or your skin is bubbling, you need to see a doctor to treat the burn!

The best thing for your skin now is aloe vera, a plant with sunburn healing powers.  You can find aloe in gels, toners and lotion.  Here are some aloe products that can help soothe, repair and reduce the redness of your burn. Read More »

I’ve already expressed how jealous I am of all you sunny spring-break travelers (recap: sooo jealous), but I’m going to put my bitterness aside and talk about toting your makeup in style. Obviously you can’t bring your entire makeup collection with you to Palm Springs, but you’ll need to bring some essentials along to stay beautiful for your nights out.

Makeup cases have come a long way since your 6th grade pink plastic Caboodle and I’m not going to criticize you if you still have it sitting on your dresser, but perhaps you could upgrade your travel style for this occasion. Below are some great cases and bags to help bring your necessities abroad.

Mark expandable black cosmetics case- by Avon- $12: This compact black case has an adorable pink lining and with one zip it expands even further to store more beauty supplies. It is super cheap and even includes a pocket to store full sized brushes.

Bare Escentuals Wine Train Case- $40: This train case can store your makeup at home and also on-the-go. The plastic storage unit inside comes out so that it can be cleaned. It is made of shiny, merlot-colored, polka dotted fabric and is perfect for storing all kinds of makeup and brushes.

e.l.f Metallic makeup organizer- $10: Like all things e.l.f, this makeup organizer is cute and cheap. It has magnetic closure and several pockets, and comes in four metallic shades…I’d go with bronze to match your beach tan. Read More »

So I already gave you the nail polish trends for this season – now it’s time to show you how to get the makeup looks that are sure to be a hit this fall.We’ll be seeing a lot of spring’s trends linger, like grays and light purples/blues, but we’ll also see some other trends emerging. Some are quite extreme – like cat and raccoon eyes and vampy lips – while others are easy and natural – like the almost-nude look.

The hot colors for the fall? Bronzes and golds, earthy tones and purples will be on eyes, cheeks and lips all season long. Read More »

We always knew Reese Witherspoon was awesome, but now she’s proving it.

Reuters and the United Nations report that Reese is the driving force behind a partnership with Avon in a campaign to end violence and discrimination against women.

High-five, Reese!

To fund the campaign, Avon will soon be selling women’s empowerment bracelets online with all profits going toward the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Avon has pledged to match the first $500,000 the bracelets make, for a total donation of $1 million. Yowza. In a further move of awesome, the bracelets are actually affordable for most women (at $3 a pop).

Reese is the Avon Global Ambassador, which I think is basically a fancy title meaning that she’s one actress who actually walks the walk of helping people in need around the world. If the rest of Hollywood ripped a page out of Reese’s book, I can only imagine how much money and success charities would have.

As long as I’m on the topic of giving Reese Witherspoon high-fives, I’m going to give her another one for dating Jake Gyllenhaal. Talk about a good move!

Great judgment in ethics and in men: that’s our Reese.

Though I love perfume and wear it every day, I’ve never been a “signature scent” kinda girl. I’ve never been able to find a fragrance that’s unmistakably me, probably because perfume to me is a part of my outfit just like anything else, and I choose it just like I choose between stiletto heels and comfy flats, or red lipstick and nude gloss when I’m getting ready.

But I’ve managed to narrow down my collection to my top four. Here they are:

For dancing ‘til dawn: Nanette Lepore Shanghai Butterfly

With notes of sandalwood, Jasmine, and Siberian musk, Shanghai Butterfly is a really romantic, exotic scent—a perfect accessory to that little black dress. This is probably one of my favorites because it packs such a punch and is so unique—I get comments from men and women almost every time I wear it. Read More »

So the June issue of InStyle has a beauty story called “What to Do for Cellulite” and divides up the advice based on each age group (20’s, 30’s, 40’s, etc.). For “the 20’s” age group, dermatologist Dr. David Bank says that about 90 percent of women get cellulite after puberty and I, for one, am not ok with this.

The treatment? InStyle is honest and admits that nothing topical completely gets rid of cellulite so they recommend a deep massage or “Endermologie” that actually rolls and sucks the skin…apparently this machine temporarily swells the skin and makes it appear less dimpled? Right.

I’ll admit that I don’t really have any cellulite but I do have a few stretch marks on my hips and I find it disheartening that so many girls in their early 20’s fear the secret demon of my mom and grandmother so early.

Though it may not completely get rid of cellulite, Avon’s Super Shape Anti-Cellulite & Stretch Mark Cream diminishes the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks in just two weeks and according to research, 91 percent of users showed an improvement in the appearance of cellulite and 93 percent showed an improvement in the appearance of new and old stretch marks. I’m not one who likes to be rolled or sucked by a machine of any kind and with beach season fast approaching, I’d rather spend $16.50 on Avon’s solution.