Juicy deliciousness

I can't help it. I will forever love a shiny, juicy, transparent lip gloss in the summertime. It's fresh. It's youthful. And it just looks so right. Enter Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss in "Firecracker." It's the most perfect sheer blood orange color. And the name? Firecracker?? It's perfect for the upcoming holiday weekend!! Did I mention it also has an SPF 15 protectant factor? Get thee to the drugstore and pick one up!!

Question from a reader

I had a reader ask me about lighter body lotions for the summer after reading my post the other day about lighter/gel-based face moisturizers. Body lotions can be as heavy and sticky in this humidity as facial ones. I hate the feeling that I put lotion on and it stays on top of my skin all day. I just feel tacky and gross. Ugh.

I have 2 budget friendly recommendations. And I love them both equally. First, Curel's line of Moisture Lotions work wonderfully and are almost a hybrid lotion/gel. I personally use the Intensive version because Too's knees and elbows can get DRY, girl! It is a wonderfully light lotion that sinks in quickly with NO tackiness whatsoever.

My other recommendation is for Vaseline's Aloe Fresh line, particularly their Moisturizing Aloe Gel. I was concerned that a gel couldn't possibly be truly moisturizing. Boy, was I wrong! After smoothing this all over and letting it really soak it, my skin literally felt like silk. It was unbelievable. And I would certainly put this stuff in the fridge like I recommended for the face moisturizers for a zingy pick me up. I bet it would feel great after a long hot summer day to put this stuff chilled on your feet.

Be sure to go online before you buy either of these to look for coupons to print out. It's always nice to save a little money when trying something new!!

I don't know about where you live...

...but it is HOT here! Holy smokes. And it's not even July and August yet! So, while you have your sights set on lots of pool time and ice cream, I thought I'd give you a little tip that I absolutely ADORE doing in the summertime.

Most people switch to lighter (aka gel-based) moisturizers in the summer because cream based ones just feel so heavy. One of my favorite things to do is to put my eye and face gel in the refrigerator. Oh my lord. At night when I am putting them on, it feels so good around my eye area after a gross, hot, muggy day. And in the morning, it's a nice little zing to have that cool gel all over. Kind of a pick-me-up for the day ahead. Try it- I think you will looooove how good it feels!

Want some recommendations for some gel based moisturizers? Too loves:

1. Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief:

2. Clinique's All About Eyes

3. Olay's Revitalizing Eye Gel

4. Yes to Cucumbers Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel

5. Kiss My Face's Peaches and Cream Moisturizer

6. Boots No. 7 Rebalancing Day Gel

A few Memorial Day weekend beauty tips

1. Please, please, PLEASE remember that just because you aren't going to the pool or the beach doesn't mean you can skip the SPF. Being outside all day means you need sunscreen. A hat is always a chic way to protect yourself from UV rays as well.

2. If you're going to wear flip flops or sandals, for the love of Pete, polish your toenails! At the very least, take off the nasty chipped old polish you've got going on right now!

3. I don't know about where you live, but it's going to be HOT here! I plan on wearing my hair up with fun braids and/or clips and bobby pins. Don't just settle on a plain old ponytail. Take a few extra minutes and spice it up!

4. A shimmering lotion looks so pretty on legs and arms and shoulders. It gives you this beautiful glow and evens out skin tone.

5. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR LOOK THIS WEEKEND! AND RELAX!!!

Get your block on!

May is officially skin cancer awareness month. Don't know if y'all knew that! The great thing is that right now, there are all sorts of skin care sample bags and free goodies when you want to get some new products this year. Here are some of the coolest that I've seen:

1. Sephora has a Sun Safety Kit for $25 that has 13 sun protectant products in it. (The picture is at the top of this blog.) Everything from sunscreens to lip balms to eye creams to really cool bands to wear in the sun that tell you when to re-apply your sunscreen! And all the money from these sets is going to the Skin Cancer Foundation! Love that!!!

2. Korres is offering a "Summer in Greece" kit for $20 on sephora.com that includes an all natural sunscreen along with a watermelon body scrub and an yogurt cooling gel. I love Korres's stuff because it's all natural and smells AMAZING.

3. Want to splurge a little? Shiseido's "Fun in the Sun" Kit is $69 and includes some SERIOUS sun protection for those who need a little more help. Sun protection cream for face and eyes, blotting papers, UV cards to remind you when to re-apply. It's tres chic, no?

4. If you purchase any 2 of Clinique's sun protection or self-tanning products on their website, enter the code "TOWEL" at checkout and you'll get this super cute beach towel with a bright citrus-y pattern on it. I do love a free gift!

Miss me?

Hi ladies. So, I needed a minute. I decided a little sabbatical was in order so that I could get you all the way through the spring and summer with loads of beauty tips. It's nice to see you all again. Seriously. Yes, even you.

Ok, here we go!

A HUGE trend this spring and summer is a bright, shiny lip color. I am not joking around. I mean BRIGHT. Here's the best part- the rest of your face can be pretty bare. Just a little concealer, some mascara, and a dash of blush. You really want your gorgeous lips to be the focus. A few color suggestions? Try:

Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry

Tarina Tarantino Gem Gloss in Neon Vanity

Makeup Forever's Glossy Full Color Collection

Kat Von D Painted Love Lip Gloss in Underage Red

ANY of the Illamaqua Intense Lip Glosses (these are pretty much perfect)

These can all be found on Sephora.com. For some more bargain basement versions, try the Beauty Rush line at Victoria's Secret or the Boots No. 7 lip gloss pencils at Target. If you are a person who is a little intimidated by bright colors, get something that has the word "sheer" in either the title or the description. It will look bright in the tube, but will go on with only a hint of that bright color.