Orly Snowcone with Swatches

Ever since I was a pre-teen I've had a love affair with nail polish. Back in the day I would change my polish a couple times a week and probably even got to the point where I would do it every day. In those days I was pretty liberal with my choices, anything goes including every finger a different color. I still have the luxury of doing that as I don't work anywhere that wouldn't allow for nail polish and/or funky manicures and my tastes haven't calmed down. Do we have any fans of the blackberry mani out there? You know you have your thumb a different color than the rest of the nail? I don't know if I'd go that far but I'm far from a neutral girl.

Enter Orly Snowcone (in this less than flattering picture of my hand) The name alone makes me happy but it's not what I would picture when I think of a snowcone. Orly's version is more of a cotton candy blue color, perhaps slightly brighter yet at the same time very pastel. This blue is neither green or purple leaning just a straight up baby blue shade.

I love the way this color wears. I could easily get away with one coat and the polish didn't drag or skip over the nail. Orly's one of my favorite brands for their fabulous brush and brush handle, the rubber no-slip grippers really help when you're impatient like me and have to do 10 things at once in order to feel successful. Or is that just me?


The wear with this polish was pretty good. I'm so hard on my nails and don't use a base coat (although I'm in the market for one and strongly leaning towards one from Orly) but I got a good 2 1/2 days of wear which is GREAT for me. A lot of times I'm lucky to get one full day and such is the case with MAC.

What do you think? Is this a color you'd wear for a mani or could you only get away with it on your toes? Come on and let me know in the comments. Stay tuned tomorrow for a pedi post with China Glaze!

Dudesday Tuesday on Thursday: Wardrobe's Secret Weapons

My wife was out of town Monday night and come on, I'm a guy, so after a long day at work I kinda forgot to write my post for Tuesday. I now bring you, Dudesday Tuesday on Thursday.

Since I don't have cable and the antenna on my TV no longer seems to work, the only place I get my news is Yahoo. It turns out they have lots of interesting stories, a lot of them surprisingly involving fashion and makeup. I went on a few days ago to find out what was going on in the world, which of course is never anything but depressing so I decided look at the article from Redbook about the five outfits guys secretly want to see women wear. I was glad someone researched this because in my personal experience, what the mainstream media claim guys like is not exactly accurate. I'll only go in depth into my two personal favorites with a brief mention of the other choices.

For the three I'm not going to get into, let me just say that I love simple sexy dresses, especially ones that show off your arms or something cool and unexpected like your back or parts of your stomach. While pencil skirts are nice, I can't really get on board with the whole classic heels look. Personally I like heels that stand out and draw attention whether it be because of height, color or some kind of crazy design that makes me look twice. When they say pretty undies, they mean pretty much anything besides granny panties and that should be a given. I don't think you can really go wrong with underwear, whether in a thong, lace, cotton or emblazoned with a cartoon kitty (although if it were She-Ra I'd really be turned on). Honestly, as long as they make you feel sexy, they will be.

Now onto two of my favorite outfits that for some reason always seem to catch my eye, and now thanks to Redbook I don't feel like such a weirdo. We'll start with the traditional college girl look; sweat pants and a soft shirt. It's simple, which is probably why half-asleep girls on every college campus across the country are rocking this look, but it's attractive. Obviously more form fitting sweats are going to be sexier than baggy ones that leave you swimming in them but honestly if you pair the baggy sweats with a tight top that shows off your figure, you'll still turn heads. The same is true for tight sweatpants and a baggy top, it shows off a little bit of what's to be expected underneath, especially for girls with a little much desired junk in the trunk. I can't say for other guys but what I personally love about this look is that it lets you see what a girl looks like when she's not 'on', just her everyday hanging around the house look. It somehow seems personal, like you're seeing the girl you can't get out of your head in her natural environment and she's still amazingly beautiful without trying.

The second look that really speaks to me is so complicated I'm sure most of you won't ever be able to dream of pulling it off. Are you ready for this? Jeans and a tank. When I used to play Sims back in the day, I'd always give my girl the same outfit, out of all the crazy things to choose from, it was blue jeans and a blank tanktop. When my friends saw my Sim girl, they always commented on how hot she was, it was the outfit that did it. So simple yet so incredibly sexy. Like with the sweats look, tight jeans are better and if you pair that with a tight tank, it'll have men following you and you won't even know why (well, until now). It'll look good with heels, sneakers, flip flops, hell you could even go barefoot. If it's kind of chilly, any kind of coat looks great over the outfit as well, whether it be leather, pea coat or a big old puffy winter jacket. The jeans can be shorts, capris, flared or even have rips and tears in them like you just walked away from a fight with an angry cougar, it won't take away from the appeal. The weird thing is, I don't know why. Maybe it's because it says something about the girl; low maintenance fashionista, high maintenance tomboy, comfortable with who she is but always looking to impress, down to earth with her head in the clouds. It says everything a guy needs to know about his dream girl.

Your clothes don't have to, but they can say a lot about you. Don't false advertise yourself because you'll attract exactly what you're looking for by simply being comfortable in your own skin as well as in your own clothes. It's usually the simple things that are the best so don't try too hard in areas you don't have to. Dazzle him when it's time but when you're going about your everyday business, wearing what you'd normally wear will turn more heads than you ever thought possible. Now you just know to look for it. And please, try not to cause too many car accidents, we can't help but stare.

Marc Jacobs Oh Lola feat. Dakota Fanning

I know you've been waiting for it; Marc Jacobs, the king of top selling fragrances, is releasing a new one later this summer, Oh Lola. This version of the popular Lola fragrance will be released in July and is said to be a lighter version of the original, perfect for summer. Fruit scents including strawberry, raspberry and pear (which usually gives me a headache, unfortunately) were added to the vanilla and peony base making this great for those who are young and still perfect for those who are just young at heart. Sandalwood adds a sophistication and a heartier note to the mix.

The bottle is the same design as the original all done up in pink making it absolutely perfect for your vanity top or bathroom counter. I know most people went crazy for the original Lola bottle but I honestly found it pretty gaudy and very 80s-esque. The tone on tone version is much subtler and pretty while still keeping with the original.

What caught my eye about this fragrance was the ad featuring Dakota Fanning, Marc's newest muse. Dakota looks adorable and doll-like in her Marc Jacobs polka dot dress and white tights with her cute "fashion-y" sneer. I think Dakota makes a perfect spokesperson for Oh Lola, she's young and in demand but she's also a very mature, sophisticated young woman. What a great muse, right? I really wish more young woman were like this instead of wearing shirts that say "She's a whore" with an arrow pointing to the friend beside them. I seriously saw that yesterday. What is this world coming to?

I can't wait to get my hands on this perfume and really tell you what I think of it. I have Daisy and adore it so I can only imagine that Oh Lola would be just as wonderful. Let me know what you think if you pick it up.

Beauty Girl's Secrets #14: Summer Fragrances: Part 2, Night

Some might say that fragrances cover up your natural scent and therefore detract your "perfect mate" from smelling your natural pheremones. Personally, I think it's a bunch of crap. Have you ever been truly attracted to a person's natural scent sans deodorant or soap like they are in the movies? No? Didn't think so. I say wear the fragrance you want but don't worry there are some man magnets out there. Here are the perfect summer date night scents for you.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
This is one of those cult scents for a reason. Every time I get it as a sample in a magazine I can't stop sniffing it. Somehow it's very adult while still smelling sort of like a cupcake at the center surrounded by a field of flowers. Seriously, when reading magazines I keep smelling the scent and it literally lingers on my skin until I wash it off and all from a scent strip at that. I think this would be the perfect man attractor. It smells fabulous, grown up and fun all at the same time.

Kat Von D Adora
For night, or the office, I would really recommend Kat Von D Adora. When I was at Sephora I tried it on again and fell in love all over again. I swear it smells like tea, light and refreshing even with the heavier notes listed on the bottle. This is perfect for a more sophisticated woman due to the earthiness of the scent itself but it also is light enough for those of you still in high school or college. It's not overpowering and men probably won't realize the scent is even coming from you unless they are close enough to tell. *wink wink*

Chloe Love
Another great night choice that's a little heavier than some of the others but it would be perfect for a late dinner alfresco. I love the bottle for it's adorable flask-like quality and it's minimalistic design. This is one I'd want on my vanity. This one has powdery musks listed on the sephora site but I swear I'm not a fan of either powdery scents or musk but I still love this floral scent.

Two of my absolute favorites, and ones I personally own are Calvin Klein Euphoria and Armani Code. Both are stronger scents but they're perfect for date night year round. I can't see wearing these during the day in this kind of heat but as long as it cools down slightly before you head out I think you'll be safe. These would be perfect right after a thunderstorm and the strong scents remind me of just that.

What about you? What is your perfect date night fragrance? Does it vary from guy to guy or is it all about what you love?

eos Summer Pack Lip Balm Spheres & Sweet Mint Review

I'm a glutton for beauty products; if something comes out that I have to try I want it, no matter if I need it or not. Until pretty recently I wasn't even a lip balm girl and now I can't stop buying them when I see all the new formulas and limited edition products out there. Right now I'm lusting over (pure lust!) eos Lip Balm Spheres Summer Pack.

A girly-girls dream, this set includes a pink and a purple sphere to not only be awesomely hydrating but to look beautiful on your desk, bedside table or in your purse. I know, we shouldn't care about such silly things but we're women, we like pretty colors. Just like you can distract a man with a sports emblem if you make it pink or purple, women will come!

These flavors/scents are limited edition and both fruity goodnesses will be scooped up before you know it. Probably the only good thing about living in the middle of nowhere is that when items are long sold out nationwide they're just rolling out in stores around here. I haven't seen this set but I'm dying to get my hands on the Passion Fruit and Strawberry Sorbet editions. Don't they just sound delicious? I love me some fruity lip balm.

Recently I finally found Sweet Mint at Ulta and picked it up at Matt's insistence. It was the last one in the collection that I needed. The mint green container is adorable and it smells fabulous. I was a little surprised that the mint was so strong and I figured since the name was Sweet Mint that it would be well, a little sweeter. The mint is pretty strong but it's not overpowering and it didn't sting my lips like some other minty balms. I would really like to see them come out with a wintergreen or spearmint scent that's a little on the sweeter side but there is plenty of time for that.

Seriously if you have not tried these what are you waiting for? They are absolutely perfect for your everyday bag, the larger size is harder to lose in the shuffle and I dare you not to fidget with the thing while you're on the phone. If you didn't already know they are 100% natural and certified organic making them even better in my eyes. How many natural products can perform like these?

Buxom Amplified Lash

Capitalism is a great thing. In this country we've grown up with the ability to pick and choose what we like and stick with it, watch companies grow from the ground up and take their product to new places. Another great thing about it is one company can start a trend that explodes onto the scene with other companies rushing to one up the competition. With the introduction of MAC's Haute and Naughty mascara last year it seems every makeup conglomerate is clamoring to make the next multiple formula mascara. We've seen them from Almay and Rimmel at the drugstore and now Buxom is bringing it to Sephora in a totally different way with Amplified Lash Mascara. Introducing the first (to my knowledge) adjustable brush. This isn't an adjustable tube, the brush itself actually gets bigger or smaller by turning a dial. Take a look...

Do you change your mind all the time like me? Hey, I'm a Gemini, what's your excuse?!? Some days I want thick fringy lashes other days I want long spidery wisps to compliment a nearly naked face. That's just the way it is. I can't be the only one, please, I'm begging you, tell me I'm not!

Buxom is one of my favorite brands and is a sub-brand of Bare Escentuals therefore products are free of potentially dangerous chemicals like parabens and sulfates. The line, unlike other chemical-free lines, is also super effective and gorgeous. I would seriously buy everything I could from them if possible and that's why I have high hopes for this product. If it's anything like the Buxom Mascara I'll be having a polygomist relationship with mascara, a love affair with both.

Sephora says: "When fully extended, the brush volumizes lashes up to 600%*. When in its compact position, the bristles squeeze closer together to expertly comb through each and every lash for maximum length, separation, and definition." * After two coats, based on an independent U.S. study.

Plus, how could you not love it? The color is Loud Black! Just my kind of black. At $22 it's a bit of splurge for me but the quality of this line makes it completely worth it and justifiable. In fact, since it's like owning two mascaras you really can't go wrong. If you've tried it or plan to try it let me know in the comments.

Revlon Age Defying DNA Cream Makeup

It's never too early to start thinking ahead which is precisely why I'm always researching the latest and greatest age defying technology and why I'm even thinking about hydrating cream makeup in the summer. Come fall and winter (ugh, I dread even thinking it) I need all the moisture I can get and in a few years when the aging starts to set in I'm sure it's only going to be 10x worse.

A few weeks ago when I was at Ulta I decided to try out Revlon's Age Defying DNA Cream Makeup, the only cream makeup that I can think of that applies like a liquid. I love that. I'm all about the variety and as easy as it is for me to just slap some compact makeup on my face I like the versatility that a liquid provides.

This foundation has "powerful skincare ingredients and SPF 20 to help protect your skin's DNA". While I don't know about all that I did see that it was hydrating and soothing on the skin and every little bit of sun protection helps.

While trying this out I noticed there was no shade even remotely my color, they were all too yellow and too dark for me. I hope that all changes by the time I'm old enough to NEED anti-aging because I've found this to be true with most lines I've tried. However I have to say it was a very sheerable formula even with such heavy coverage. I would say this is medium-high coverage but I could blend it out to ALMOST make it work on my super pale skin. The formula felt lightweight but intensely hydrating at the same time, perfect for mature skin year round and my dry skin in the cooler months. I do also have to say that I think entirely too much product was dispensed with one pump but the pump itself is genius and much more sanitary than the open to air bottles of yesteryear.

What do you think? Have you ever found yourself looking into skincare and makeup made for mature women even when you're not old enough to need it? Maybe it's just me ;)

Coppertone Suncare

It's the weekend, time for those backyard BBQs, seafood bakes and fun at the beach. What are you waiting for? Get out there! But make sure you're protected from the harsh rays of the sun, especially now that we've officially hit summer!

Coppertone is a pretty iconic brand and surely everyone knows of their Water Babies line with the ubiquitous bottom-showing little girl. It's the #1 pediatrician recommended brand, now revamped for the times with Water Babies Pure & Simple, a line that is free of fragrance, dyes and oil and is perfect for babies as well as adults with sensitive skin. I think this is the best smelling sunscreen out there, a little less powdery than other brands. They've also upped the ante with a foaming version to actually lure your kids (and in most cases husbands/boyfriends) into sitting still long enough to get greased up.

For adults (those husbands/boyfriends mentioned above) there's also new Oil Free foam. How fun is that? This light as air mousse applies to the skin quickly and easily to make summer fun even fun-er (I know it's more fun but it's not as fun to say)! This formula is oil-free, perfect for those who have a tendency to breakout or get shiny mid-day. It even won a SHAPE magazine 2011 Sun Award, which I'd probably know without the website bragging if I'd actually had time to crack my SHAPE magazines, I'm two behind.

Of course, the classics from the line, Sport and ultraGUARD also have great options for all your sun protection needs. Stock up! You know that 8oz bottles are only good for 16 hours of sun protection right? You're supposed to use 1oz on your body every two hours you're in the sun, a fact I've known for quite some time but had a great reminder of recently.

Finally! Olay Pro-X Clear

It's about damn time! I'm an adult acne sufferer, as are many adults in my family, and it's seriously about time that companies realized acne prone doesn't necessarily mean oily. I'm not oily, far from it, I'd even categorize myself as very dry, yet I have acne and easily break out. I know what to do to control it, exfoliate often, moisturize more than I think I need to and use cream-based oil-free cosmetics whenever possible. Olay has finally gone a step further than that and created a line for adult acne sufferers. Here's what they have to say.

"As skin ages, its ability to regenerate slows down and its moisture barrier can become compromised, causing adult skin to be more fragile than younger skin. This can make it harder for adult skin to improve the appearance of acne, enlarged pores and uneven texture. The Olay Professional Alliance, a team of leading dermatologists and Olay scientists, set out to design a skin care regimen for adults with acne that would not only treat acne, but also improve the overall appearance of skin by reducing the look of uneven textures and enlarged pores."

Luckily, I usually have limited breakouts on my cheeks so uneven texture isn't too big of an issue for me but I'd love to have smooth skin, smaller pores and eliminate breakouts with one simple system.

The three part system includes a cleanser, treatment and moisturizer, eliminating the dreaded middle step in that OTHER skincare trio, toner. Just cleanse the skin, apply the treatment and moisturizer and you're done. The best part is easy availability in stores and the price.

This line also includes a sulfur based mask which I've found is a great ingredient to dry up pimples quickly and easily without irritatitng surrounding skin. There's also an SPF 15 UVA/UVB Lotion to add sun coverage but I would recommend a higher SPF for everyone, especially since acne treatments are known to up the skin's sensitivity to the sun.

If you're like me, dry AND acne prone, I would recommend checking out this line.

Face-Off Friday: Sophia Bush

It's not really a secret how much I love One Tree Hill and more accurately Sophia Bush. In fact as I'm sitting here writing this Season 8 of One Tree Hill is paused on my TV. I'm so shocked I haven't already profiled Sophia for a Face-off Friday. What was I thinking waiting so long?

Sophia is a gorgeous girl with her dark hair and hazel eyes but what really gets me is her adorable husky voice and those amazing dimples, I'm so jealous of those dimples. I think this girl can pull of any look and I really love the way both she and her character, Brooke Davis, dress. I wish I had some of the cash flow to dress the way she does. Again this week I'm focusing on clothes and makeup but feel free to base your decision on Sophia's always gorgeous hair.

In these picture of Sophia from Just Jared she's looking very down to Earth and approachable, like the best friend who lives next door. I love the dress and the gorgeous earrings as well as her relaxed down do. Her nude Louboutin's will go with everything and help lengthen her leg. I love how her earrings bring out the blue in her dress and the coral clutch perfectly matches the coral flowers. That is very clever. Instead of being completely matchy matchy she switched it up a little by going with both beautiful shades in her accessories.

And here's Sophia looking Va-Va Voom in a sexy red Herve Leger with YSL Ankle straps. You can't get much sexier than this and she definitely has the body for it. I love the pulled up hair with the interesting part and her simple and elegant makeup. Red really is her color and the zip up detail must have guys everywhere wishing they could unwrap her. I love that she went with minimal accessories to let the dress, and her body, steal the show! Plus, the lack of cleavage is classy instead of brash like it could have been had she been wearing a push up bra.

This one should be tough for me but it's not. I love Sophia in red even though it's not one of my favorite colors. The sexy look is more the style of her character but I really like it on Sophia as well. How did Chad Michael Murray ever let her get away? Honestly this girl looks good in everything. What are some of your favorite Sophia Bush/Brooke Davis fashion moments? Do share in the comments.

bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolor

I hate to go negative on one of my (and everyone else's) favorite brands but I have to. I posted about Bare Escentuals products I wanted to try when I got my hands on a catalog and this product was on that list. In the interest of journalistic integrity I thought I'd give you an update now that I've gotten my paws on the product.

bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolor is simply gorgeous and the idea is perfect but I should have known better. A few years back Victoria's Secret had a Beauty Rush eyeshaow that came in a little tub with a spongetipped applicator. I loved those things. The only trouble was they made a mess. These grown up versions are no different. Sure, you can just wipe away the crumbles in theory but try that when you're trying on a dark blue shade.

I'm not the type of girl who has the patience to do her eye makeup first. I just can't. What if the look is too bright once I've evened out my skintone? I like to do my eyes after my foundation and cheeks are already on. So imagine my surprise when two tiny little flecks of this product landed on my cheek. I did what any normal person would do, I brushed them off. Only, they didn't come off. I was left looking like I got beat up by an elephant with a black eye. If I were doing my makeup at home I would have needed to start from scratch, luckily I was only playing around at Ulta.

I totally warned you that I was a klutz when it came to loose powder makeup but I think we're all going to have the same problem since too much makeup comes out on the applicator.

Summer Fashions

I wish it were summer year round, at least fashion-wise. Bulky sweaters just make me look bulky and I really like showing off my legs in a skirt and my decolletage in low cut V necks. Neither is very attractive in the dead of winter when the cold makes skin so raw after 3 minutes in the winter air. Here are some of the summer fashions I'm wishing I had the money for right now!

There has been some controversy over this picture of Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton's Core Values campaign. No it's not that Angie's values are a little iffy (come on, who can forget the blood vial, the admitted knife play and her making out with her brother on national TV?). It's that she's supposedly not wearing makeup when any beauty junkie can clearly point out that is not the case. Look at those gorgeous smoky eyes. Anyway... I got a little off track there. What I wanted to say about this picture is how in love I am with the outfit, the loose gray tee and linen-esque cargo pants. This is a look that would keep you cool from morning til night when the occasion doesn't call for shorts. Lovely!

Here's a picture of gorgeous supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (aka Jason Statham's arm candy) looking super fine in a white backless dress. This is something I could never in a million years pull off but I would like to if given the occasion or $$$$ that comes with such a hawt outfit! The gold heels only add to the luxe look.

Two words: Leather shorts! I so want to go there but I just can't. First, I hardly ever wear shorts, just skirts and dresses, and secondly, ouch! You know that feeling you get when you sit on a leather banquette for a while and then try to get up and you're STUCK? Imagine that all the time. The deconstructed tee with the fringe really adds to the rockstar look. Maybe someday I'll have the guts to go for it.

This one's not really summery but would work for transitioning into fall even though I can't believe I'm thinking that far ahead. I love the loose tank that's sloppily tucked in but I'm really adoring those purple jeans. J'adore. I would so wear these, especially since purple's my favorite color. To make this work now I'd ditch the heavy boots and add some kick ass flat sandals but no flipflops.

To give you an idea how fair I am I bet Isla Fisher is darker than I am. Seriously. For that reason I adore this dress because it doesn't make us pale girls look even paler and the flowers lend a sophisticated garden party like vibe to the look. The waistline of this dress is super flattering to those of us with boobs and a tummy. I would have chosen a different color for the accessories though, probably the medium tone blue in the dress.

It seems like no DOC fashion roundup is complete without a picture of Jordin Sparks and honestly I'm not even a fan of her music, I'm not even sure if I've ever heard her music. Girl is totally rocking this outfit, gray tank tucked into a lime green bandage skirt. If I didn't have such a big belly I'd be all over this look. The colors work so well together but I'd never think to put them together. I used to have a prairie-style (but shorter) skirt that was lime and I loved pairing it with black for the contrast but gray is much more subtle and sexy. Way to go Jordin.

I found the perfect day off ensemble on Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio. Her tan skin looks fabulous in neon pink shorts but I bet they'd look equally fabulous on my albino legs. The sweatshirt keeps things comfy in the early morning and into the evening when a tank just won't do. Plus, how cute is her daughter Anja?

Another frequent fashion inspiration of mine is Kerry Washington. I'm loving coral this year and along with everyone else I can't wait to get my hands on something simmering and coral. This dress on Kerry is gorgeous. The color is perfect for many skintones, in fact as a fair girl with pink undertones, coral is one of my best colors. The draping on this stunner camouflages a multitude of sins and would be perfect on just about any figure from stick thin to full and fabulous.

Minka Kelly is a flawless beauty and her style has come a long way in the past few years. She's always been beautiful but I just love her in this easy summer outfit of faded and ripped jeans with a cute white top. This is a look literally everyone could rock and I bet we'd all look pretty damn hot in!

There you have it, my favorite summer fashions so far. There's plenty more to come. Each week when I skim through (who am I kidding I read them cover to cover) the glossies I'm on the lookout for the next cutest outfit. I hope you enjoy my little fashion foray. Clearly my love of JustJared.buzznet.com is coming into play a little bit.

Kate Somerville 360 Tanning Towelettes

To go along with today's earlier post I've decided to tackle a problem that most of us have in the summer, self tanning. I'm the person who's decided to live with the pale for the most part, only using body bronzer when needed, like last weekend's family get together or any other occasion that calls for dressing up.

What if I told you that you could use self tanner but not smell like the chemicals that come along with it? One of my biggest complaints with self tanner is the awful smell. It's not just disgusting, it's unbearable, I can't do it. That's seriously one of the reasons I don't self tan, that and because I'm so pale, I always turn orange no matter how light of an application I use. Then there's the klutz-ometer and I'm a huge klutz. I always end up with streaks no matter how much time I take, so I quit. I refuse!

Then I saw these and seriously considered changing my mind. Kate Somerville is a well-known facialist and skincare guru and her ExfoliKate has a cult following although it's not for me. Her 360 Tanning Towelettes bring convenience to a whole new level. Swipe one of your body and you'll find that they develop into a great tan in just a few hours while I've heard not leaving you smelling like you just used a self tanner. InStyle magazine even says you'll smell like citrus and we'd all love that in the summer. Am I right?

My only question about these pricey wipes is really, is one of these going to cover my whole body? I'm a big girl only these are expensive. I'm dying to know how other people like these towelettes. If you pick them up (they're $10/2 or $38/8 at Sephora) you have to let me know how you like them!

Beauty Girl's Secrets #13: Summer Fragrances: Part 1, Day

I can't even tell you how long it's been since I've updated my fragrances. I have a ton of body sprays from Victoria's Secret that keep me trucking through the warmer months and those days when I don't want to wear a heavy fragrance. But I've been thinking, what if I want something to help me stick out? What if I want something yummy and delicious to smell all summer long? Well, I'm working on that. I'm not a huge sucker for keeping certain fragrances for summer or winter use only but here are some great lighter choices for those of you that like to keep 'em separated. Of course you could just go for a lighter (eau de toilette as apposed to eau de parfum) version of your favorite fragrance during the warmer months.

CK One Summer
As you probably already know both Matt and I love the original CK One but it's nice to mix it up sometimes. This version has lemony topnotes that smell amazing and not at all like furniture polish like you can get elsewhere. It's that clean CK One scent with a few added surprises.

Katy Perry Purr
Can I say how much I adore the bottle on this one? I know the kitty kinda freaks Matt out but I'd love to have this on my vanity table. This scent is not so subtle but it is light and fresh. I'll liken it to a baked good, this one's a cupcake not the whole cake. I love the light fresh notes with a little fruity and a little foody. I think this is one young men would enjoy but not the type you'd wear to attract a wallstreet type.

Harajuku Lovers G of the Sea
This is another scent that I love. Don't worry it's the same Harajuku Lovers G you've come to love just in a cute collectible bottle. This one is as fruity as they come and I can't get over the pineapple smell that lingers on me all day. How cute is that bottle? You can always pick it up in the regular bottle if this one's not your thing.

Coach Summer
As I mentioned before a great way to lighten the load, so to speak, is to wear an eau de toilette or EDT. These lighter versions have lower concentrations of fragrance and are perfect for those hot summer days where you can't be bothered to do much else besides sit in front of the TV with the AC cranked. This one's a sweet floral so if that's your thing get all over this limited edition scent.

Coach Poppy
If you're looking for something a little stronger definitely check out Poppy by Coach, it's a heavier scent than Summer but still very light. If only I could find a Coach bag for the same prices as these fabulous perfumes, then my life would be complete! This one's a mixed bag (haha, pun intended) of fruity, floral and gormand,(which to us regular folk means "smells good enough to eat." It's got some fruity/floral opening notes then mellows down to a marshmallow base (pun not intended this time)!

Demeter
A favorite of mine is Demeter's scents and I'll admit there are some pretty weird ones, Lobster anyone?

I mean, I'm a Maine girl but who wants to smell like lobster? Trust me, most lobster men are not dateable so attracting them with your scent is slightly silly. I digress... One Demeter scent I know for sure I can get on board with is Frozen Margarita. After trying Philosophy's Senorita Margarita 3n1, I couldn't not try Demeter's version. WOW! It's dead on. There's the faintest smell of salt and tequila but you're not going to smell like an alcoholic, I swear. The lime scent is delicious and light enough even for a day at the beach with superior wearability. I could still smell this on my clothes when I went to do a load of laundry.

Dolce and Gabanna Light Blue
Another totally wearable citrus scent is from Dolce and Gabanna and again, is probably the only thing I'll ever own from the brand. I love the citrus-y grapefruit notes and I love how fresh the scent reads. Seriously, I could wear this year round with very little difficulty. This is a perfume I like to lightly spritz on before a workout to keep me energized and in a good mood. Try it sometime, I think you'll find that I'm right!

Jennifer Aniston
I've heard wonderful things about Jennifer Aniston's first foray into perfuming although I could have sworn I remember reading about her making fun of celebrity scents a while back. Anyway, what does it matter if it smells amazing? I'm not a snob and therefore I don't care who's name is attached to my perfume if it smells amazing. Come on, I'm not a fan of Christina Aguilera but I adore one of hers. Jennifer's a little higher on the celebrity totem pole so you might want to try her jasmine and sea air scent, you just might love it.

What do you think? Are you like me and don't really care if your fragrance is "summery" as long as it's what you're in the mood for? I've been known to wear Bath and Body Works Sensual Amber year round and still enjoy the way it smells on me in the summer.

Tarte for True Blood

As many of you may know the new season of the cult hit True Blood is soon to be airing on HBO. This show has an amazing following and although I've never seen it I definitely have it on my Netflix Queue even if just for sexy Joe Manganiello who I've loved since his How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill (two of my favorite shows EVER) days. I remember little Anna Paquin in Fly Away way back when we were both kids now we're both married ladies, makes me feel old!

What you may not know is Tarte Cosmetics has teamed up with the makeup artists from the show to bring us mere mortals a taste of the True Blood beauty look. As a huge fan of Tarte's cheekstains I cannot wait to get my hands on the True Blood version when it releases on TOMORROW at Sephora. It appears to be a deep red color that can work sheerly on us fair folks and with added depth on darker skinned ladies.

There's also a Lipsurgence Lip Tint in Shimmering Red, perfect for those who want to try out a bolder color this summer. I'll be posting a review of my recent Lipsurgence purchase really soon so stay tuned for that.

When I saw a tiny photo (I guess Tarte is keeping it under wraps for now) of the 17 shadow palette in Cosmo I was super excited to see what it would look like. Unfortunately I can't find much information but I know it's going to be gorgeous. Tarte is a wonderful line and I couldn't be more impressed that they've teamed up with such a wonderful franchise for a little blood sucking vampire fun. I will keep you posted if/when I see photos of these lovely products.

Dudesday Tuesday: Makeup vs Natural

A few days ago Yahoo ran a story about beauty moves that guys find sexy and number one on the list was bearing it all and going makeup-less. I know, I know, how offensive, this is a beauty blog after all. Guys think they think women are prettier without makeup, I was once one of them but my wife has since shown me the light. Although most women are beautiful without any makeup on, I realize it's about more than just looking good, it's also about feeling good. When guys say they don't like their women in makeup, here's what they really mean:

Men are not fond of caked on foundation. Sure, it looks good in photos and on film but in real life men would rather see your real skin. This doesn't mean you shouldn't wear any at all, it just means you don't need to pile it on. To be completely honest with you, guys are pretty much blind when it comes to makeup and a lot of the time we can't tell if you're actually wearing any.

Some men don't like eye shadow or eye liner, mascara, anything to mess with the eyes basically. Then again, some of us do appreciate the gorgeous work you do with your eyes. It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios. MY advice, do what you feel comfortable with. If you love applying colorful masterpieces above your eyes, go for it, and if the dude doesn't appreciate it, you shouldn't waste your time on him anyway. Do what you love doing and you'll attract the kind of man you want.

There is one thing, make that two, that most men absolutely hate but women will continue to wear anyway and that is lipgloss/lipstick. At some point in time the world was convinced men liked artificial color on womens lips which is totally untrue. Not only do most of us not care about the color, we HATE kissing it. I've heard of a few guys who actually like it but a very small minority. Personally I like the way it looks but hate the feel of it and the taste as well. I'm not suggesting you stop wearing it, just letting you know that guys don't particularly like it. The other thing we all hate, fake lashes. Mascara is fine but please refrain from inch long eyelashes. They do not ever look good on anyone so don't bother wasting your time or money unless you're doing it for your own enjoyment.

What I'm getting at is that you shouldn't be doing your makeup to impress guys because nine times out of ten it's not going to work. Do it because it makes you feel good and because you enjoy it. And I know men say they like you more all natural but let me let you in on a secret, if you keep it simple, we'll think you're not wearing any because we're not very observant. Honestly, I think guys like it but don't know how to tell when you've got any on. They claim most women spend $200 a year on makeup, just make sure you're doing it for yourself and not to impress some guy who's not going to appreciate it.

Philosophy Hope Oil Free SPF 30

A while back I got a sample of Philosophy Hope Oil Free with SPF 30 and I put it to the test this week. As a girl who loves to spend time at the park (sitting in the shade still slathered in SPF) I figured I should give it a try. After a disastrous trial with a similar Cetaphil Product, I thought I might have better luck with Philosophy, a brand I love and trust. Practically my whole skincare and bath/shower routine revolves around Philosophy in some way from their fabulous cleansers and exfoliators to the 3n1 bubble bath, shower gel and shampoos that I seem to collect like Olympians collect metals.

I have to say this formula was much more moisturizing than I thought it would be and it sunk right into my skin with minimal work. I also loved that this didn't have a very strong sunscreen smell, give me fruity any day but I don't want to smell like powdery sunscreen. While I wouldn't normally use just SPF 30 I thought it was fine for a trial run as long as I stayed in the shade. I didn't notice any more freckles and had no sunburn to speak of even after 3-4 hours outside. I definitely couldn't say that if I went unprotected.

My only complaint was that by the end of the day (we're talking 10 or more hours and tons of product testing later) my skin was SHINY. I have dry skin but I do have a tendency to get a little slick after I exfoliate which I had done that AM. I woke up the next morning and my skin was still buttery soft, almost to the point that I'd be forced to use a skin primer whether I wanted to or not in order to just keep my makeup on my face. This is highly unusual for me but not completely awful. My skin is plumped up and smooth like I just had a facial and I have a feeling it would still be this way even if I hadn't just exfoliated.

There was no chalky residue or eye irritation whatsoever. I love the trail size tube and have relegated it to my makeup bag for emergency purposes. The $38 price tag for 2oz would definitely be a hindrance when it came to repurchusing but I think you're getting a much better product than some of those other moisturizers with SPF that are out there.

Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender

There was a time you'd never catch me buying a high end mascara, never. I still technically have not caved on that one since I only purchased the deluxe sampler of all the higher end mascaras but I digress.

Back in the day I was firmly attached to my Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender and for good reason, it not only made my lashes inky and dark but it lengthened them into the stratosphere. Talk about hawt! Since then I've become more of a volume girl but you know how I like to shake it up. One the days that I'm looking for some lengthening action I wish I had a tube of Lash Extender hanging around.

The formula is truly the real deal. It's the perfect black shade, so dark that it shines, it doesn't clump or smear all over my face and the applicator really grabs my lashes for lots of curl and length. The curl and length truly last all day and make me look fabulous without shouting "it's the mascara, people" to everyone who walks by.

I've had pretty hit or miss success with Rimmel mascaras but for the price you can't beat them. Plus, they have so many formulas you're sure to find one that you're going to love for less than your twice daily Starbucks fix. Come on, it's summer, you know you're hitting that drive thru at least twice a day for an ice cold frappaccino!

Have you tried this formula? Doesn't it make lashes a mile long? My bestie who was blessed with the perfect lash fringe can't even compete with me when it comes to this mascara.

bareMinerals Skincare

It's been a long time since I've changed my skincare "routine." Granted I don't have some rigid, do this-do that type of plan, I've just used the same cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer for quite a while now. My current regime includes Philosophy Purity Made Simple for everyday cleansing, Philosophy MicroExfoliating Wash and sometimes Dermalogica Microfoliant for exfoliation and for moisture I alternate between L'Oreal Skin Genesis and various sunscreen-type products. Until now....

I'm dying to try the new line for bareMinerals a line that is chock full of RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex a "groundbreaking new ingredient only available from bareMinerals that's clinically proven to deliver transformational skin benefits." That sounds pretty good to me. The line promises brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin, reduced fine lines and wrinkles and remarkably smaller-looking pores. Who couldn't use that?

My favorite part is the Dermalogica Microfoliant equivalent, a powder exfolitor that is activated with water to help chemically slough off dead skin and clear pores. bareMinerals Exfoliating Treatment Cleanser is for use ONLY on a wet skin or you risk serious chemical burns. You apply a tiny bit of powder to your face and rub in a circular motion and it leaves skin feeling buttery soft. It's so simple and very effective. The best part is at $26 it's significantly less than the $40 for a similar product and easy to add into any Sephora.com order.

This line is pretty extensive including many sets for different skintypes and needs as well as treatments for eyes and the Pure Transformation Night Treatment, a mineral based powder applied to skin at night to reveal healthier skin by morning. That's definitely second on my list although at $60 it is pretty pricey for me right now but the reviews make it sound more than wonderful.

Summer Sun Protection

What's the quickest and easiest way to apply your SPF? A spray! A spray! It's so simple you're an idiot for not doing it (seriously, I said it). As long as you make sure to apply everywhere (and it's really not that hard) you're set. You don't even need to rub them in. I kid you not. I'm paler than pale and sun exposure turns me into a lobster and I've never had a problem that wasn't human error. Pack one of these for your next beach day, family outing or outdoor wedding. You may think I'm being harsh here but considering two of my closest friends have had cancerous moles removed, I'm not taking any chances with my life or those of my readers. Here are my picks, in no particular order of preference.

Aveeno Continuous Protection gives just that. Apply it every two hours and this fine, colorless mist will protect you from UVA and UVB rays to prevent burning, aging and freckling. This really has no scent and I've never had a problem with it staining my clothes or furniture.

New this summer is Aveeno Hydrosport, a sunblock spray that can be applied to wet skin and still provide protection. While I haven't used it I'm considering picking it up the next time I run out of sunscreen. I'm like a fish (swimming not drinking) at the beach and it would be quite killer not to have to completely towel off before reapplying, only to go right back into the surf.

A longtime favorite of mine is Neutrogena's Fresh Cooling line. Seriously, this sunscreen spray, also colorless and virtually scent-free, will cool down hot skin in no time. This one is available in some pretty high SPFs but that's no excuse not to reapply, trust me you'll be sorry if you don't.

Not to be outdone by Aveeno, Neutrogena has also released a line for wet skin appropriately named Wet Skin and Wet Skin Kids. These are most likely going to be my next purchase as I've had the best of luck with Neutrogena products in the past. Plus, the can's just a lot cooler than the yellow/orange Aveeno one and if you can't find simple pleasure in these things you're taking life a little too seriously.

Then there are products rivaling the convenience of a wipe in an application method you may prefer, SuperGoop's Wipes and stick. Wipes sound like an amazing idea but for $34 for 40 wipes they aren't going to be on my shopping list for a while. The stick, also a little pricey at $14.50, would be great for the face and ears but not so practical for the rest of your body. Plus, I have an inkling I'd leave it in the car and end up with a melted mess in my bag. There's also a new, online exclusive spray for $19.50, though it appears to come with a pump instead of an aerosol top and I'm not sure how well that would work if you were in a hurry and not being particularly careful and SPF 30 is just not enough for my fair complexion.

While you're at it pick up LaVanilla's Lipscreen with SPF 30. It's totable and perfect for your beach bag. Do you know how delicate lip skin is? Sunburns on this sensitive area are absolutely no fun and they burn quite easily surprisingly.

If you're not going to do it for yourself and save your skin from sunburns, age spots and wrinkles down the road, do it for your friends and family! Save them from losing you when your life is cut short from skin cancer. Stay tuned every weekend for more exciting sunscreen reviews.