Celeb Style: Easy DIY Summer Hairstyles

Most women tend to complain of bad hair days come the heat and humidity of summertime. Fortunately, Paul Cucinello, Creative Director and Celebrity hairstylist at the swanky Chris Chase Salon in Chelsea, reveals some easy DIY looks that will have women everywhere sporting their best summer locks ever!

When In Doubt, Bling It Out! 

Not having a good hair day? Not to worry! Get a chic, foolproof hairdo in seconds by using a sparkly hair accessory as seen here on Nicole Richie. Vintage brooches, headpieces and barrettes have been seen on celebs everywhere to add a little dazzle to their locks. The simpler the hair style, the more creative and fun your hair jewelry can be.

Dare to Bare It All With A Short, Sexy Cut

Beat the heat this summer and go for a daring, short pixie hair cut like Ginnifer Goodwin and Michelle Williams. Have your stylist leave more length on the top and texture on the ends. Use a blow dry crème such as ECRU New York Marine Styling Balm to reduce volume, then run a mini flat iron throughout the length of the top and finish with a pomade such as New York Streets Paste.

Giddy Up With An Equestrian-Inspired Pony Add glamour to an everyday low ponytail like Lauren Conrad by parting hair on the far left or far right side of the head. Ponytails paired with a deep side part can be elegant and sleek or causal and flirty, depending on how the ponytail is styled. To create this look, start by running a fine tooth comb in an upward diagonal motion a few inches above the ear. Divide hair based on the part and set it with hairspray such as ECRU New York Sunlight Finishing Spray MAX. Pull hair into a low, equestrian ponytail, being careful to maintain the part.
Where’s the Beach?  To create soft waves with a beachy texture and straight ends like Beyonce’s, first prep damp hair with a foundation mist such as ECRU New York Silk Nourishing Spray. Loosely French braid or twist hair to the side, working around the hair line. Be sure to leave the crown out and loosely braid the length of the hair leaving the ends out. Once hair is dry, undo the braids and shake out hair. Finish with a couple of blasts of dry shampoo such as Oribe Dry Volume Spray to give it that perfectly imperfect look.

Easy Breezy Vacation Looks

Leaving their red carpet looks behind, celebrities head to their favorite vacation spots sporting more casual, laid back styles. Create these easy looks for an everyday summer style you can sport at the beach, pool or a backyard bbq!

Copy Kate Hudson’s style by pulling back your hair with Goody Modern Organica Headwraps. They won’t tug, and they’ll keep hair secure and out of your face.

Goody Modern Organica collection, $2.00 to $6.99, is available exclusively at Target.

For Lauren Conrad’s boho look, pull back one side and secure with Goody ColourCollection Bobby Slides.

Goody ColourCollection (SRP $2.99 to $5.49) is available nationwide at Target and Walmart.

Get Kate Moss’s messy bun with Goody ColourCollection Elastics in Blonde, which keep your bun in place invisibly.

Old School: Jem & The Holograms "Taking it All"

Caught up in a JEM marathon... found out the government name for Pizzazz, the lead singer and guitarist of the Misfits (number 1 JEM h8r), is Phyllis Gabor...


Speaking of h8r's...the CW has a new show all about non-celeb peeps h8ing on celebs.  Plot: the famosos get to confront the normals and dump the tank of h8erade over their heads for talkin isht about them (mostly on twitter?)  
See clip of Snooki <3 <3 <3 

Celeb Spotting: Carrie Underwood

For her red carpet and on-stage appearance at last night's American Idol season finale, Carrie Underwood got bronzed and sexy with the help of her personal makeup artist Melissa Schleicher and Temptu's 30th Anniversary Body Glow Bronze Air pod soon to be on counter, and available online exclusively at temptu.com and retails $40. "We were the first to put it to work on anyone for Carrie's performance and red carpet appearance at the American Idol finale. The Temptu Body Glow is such a great product, it enhanced her gorgeous glow on the red carpet, and withstood her on-stage performance," says Melissa Schleicher, Personal Makeup Artist for Carrie Underwood, "The Body Glow did a spectacular job of enhancing the amazing legs she already has."

GET THE LOOK NOW
For those who want to get Carrie's Idol look now, the Temptu Summer Skin Kit has everything you need to get tanned and bronzed just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. The Temptu Summer Skin Kit includes a Tan Prep, Face Tan and Bronzer AIR pod to use in conjunction with the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System. You will be ready to glow for the weekend. TEMPTU also offers a Body Glow & Tanning Starter Set package deal with the AIRbrush Makeup System, Summer Skin Kit, and Air pod Body Glow, $295. Available now at Sephora and www.sephora.com

Celeb Spotting: Ali Larter

Ali Larter glammed up her tank top and jeans with a Tacori 18k925 necklace for a trip to the salon in Beverly Hills this morning!  The actress wore a Tacori 18k925 turquoise pendant, $1,710 and silver chain, $170.  http://www.tacori.com

Daily Deal Strategies: 8 Tips to Get More From Group-Buying Sites

Group-buying coupons are everywhere, from the monolithic Groupon to sites that service just one or two cities. Some of the coolest coupons are for stuff you never imagined doing, like skydiving. Others offer deals on movie tickets and -- most popularly -- spa services.
Groupon, which recently was heavily courted by Google, is coping with competition from Living Social, which is backed by Amazon.com. Facebook recently launched its own daily-deal program for five markets, and rebuffed Google is now going at it alone in several test markets.
With all this competition, many offers seem irresistible, but how do you know when it's truly a good deal? Here are eight ways to get the most out of your deal-of-the-day.

1. Location, Location, Location 
While the larger group-buying companies have expanded into smaller cities, many deals are still offered only for metropolitan areas. Before clicking on the offer, consider whether you'll really make that long drive, particularly when taking into account the expiration date.


2. Travel Destinations
On the other hand, you don't always have to live near a deal location to use the coupon. Check out potential vouchers for places you'll visit on your next vacation. You might want to wait, however, until all your plans have been confirmed before closing the deal, but you can certainly save anywhere from 50 to 70-percent by taking advantage of such group offers for restaurants, spa services, entertainment and even museum admissions.


3. Combine Offers
Put together your own special deal by applying coupons and discounted gift cards to those deal-of-the-day vouchers.

4. Is It Really A Deal?
If you're going out of your way to patronize a new business, check their website to see if they extend any similar offers on an everyday basis. You'll also want to compare prices at businesses you prefer to regularly patronize to figure out if the deal is really worthwhile.


5. Restaurant Coupon Comparisons
A lot of coupon offers involve restaurant meals at a discount. Some require you buy two meals to receive the deal of the day. Before you buy always review the rules and restrictions of the vouchers and look for restaurant coupons on other sites and see if you can beat the offer without paying anything.


6. Figure In The Tip
Group-buying deals for services don't include the amount of money you'll spend on a tip. You'll need to tip 15 to 20 percent on the full cost of the service, not the reduced amount you paid so keep this in mind when considering purchasing the offer.


7. Plan Ahead For Presents
Some offers have extended expiration dates and would make great gifts for just about any occasion. You'll have to suit the gift to the recipient, however, free spa services or dinner in an upscale restaurant make ideal presents to just about any adult celebrating a special event.


8. Resale Value
People occasionally sell vouchers on sites like Lifesta to others for a profit once the deal is no longer available. This works well if you're the one selling, but you might want to check the original price if you're the one buying.
As popularity of deal-of-the-day sites is rising, share these 8 tips with your audience so they can get the most out of daily deals.

Red Carpet Beauty: Billboard Music Awards 2011 Winner Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift won the evening's first award, as top album artist for her multimillion sales of "Speak Now." She also won top country artist! "The impact of an album is all determined by the fans," she told the audience, "you've just given me another reason to be completely in love with you." 

Voted as one of the best dressed on the red carpets, Taylor’s make-up by COVERGIRL made her a winner from the beginning.  Taylor's CoverGirl makeup artist Lorrie Turk shares how to get the look:

·         The pastel colors we used to frame Taylor's eyes were really a reflection of the gorgeous palette and beading of her Elie Saab gown.

·         I started her eyes by brushing on COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 1-Kit in French Vanilla from her lash line to the crease and in the inner corners of her eyes.  From the crease to just below the brow bone, I used Knock Out Pink, which really sets off Taylor's blue eyes. I used a little COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast Eyeliner in Black Fire to line the upper lash line  and finished the eyes with LashBlast Volume Mascara.

·         To perfect Taylor's already smooth complexion, I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation and a touch of Cheekers Blush in Plumberry Glow on her cheeks.

·         To finish Taylor's Billboard Awards look, I used COVERGIRL LipPerfection lipcolor in Tempt.  It's a gorgeous vibrant pink--perfect for spring and summer.

Cover Looks: Alexander Skarsgard

“True Blood” star, Alexander Skarsgard is featured on the June cover of American GQ magazine wearing Dockers.

Alexander is wearing the Dockers SF Tapered Khaki
Available on Dockers.com and Nordstrom.com for $65.00

Celeb Spotting: Stephanie Pratt

Stephanie Pratt looked cute and comfortable in her off the shoulder romper by Baby Phat,

only $69! The former Hills star wore her Baby Phat look to the car wash in Santa Monica. http://www.babyphat.com/.

Apps for Sun Safety

Since we were little kids (fine, maybe even grown adults) playing in the sand, knowing the day’s daily UV index rating was always a top propriety to staying healthy while having fun in the sun. 

Today is certainly no exception. With Memorial Day weekend and the official kickoff to summer less than two weeks away, we've complied a list of the top apps to keep beach goers across the country protected from the sun’s harmful rays all season long.

• Sun Safety (Free for the Apple iPhone) - SunSafety is a skin cancer prevention app.  It provides current weather information for any US city, along with useful, up-to-date sun exposure danger information with advice on how to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer.

• UV Index (Free for Android) – This app is a simple, easy to use means of getting the UV index for the day. It works for all US states and territories, and by simply entering a zip code or city/ state combination this app provides the color coded UV index.

• Coppertone MyUVAlert (Free for the Apple iPhone) - This handy iPhone application helps you with sun protection information for your whole family, offering local UV index forecasts, custom sunscreen reapplication reminders, individualized product recommendations, coupons, sun protection tips and more.

• Handy Weather for Blackberry (Free for the Blackberry) – These worldwide weather forecasts include weather news and forecast for over 40,000 preset cities. The application is comprehensive with complete weather details (i.e. temperature, wind, pressure, humidity, UV index, real feel temperature, etc.).

Apps are available for download from Appitalism.com.

Um...Ok...Beyonce.

I loved the Beyonce/Gaga collabo! It even had chair choreography...

Actually any song about a phone that Beyonce & Lady Gaga do will work

Tiempo Libre: NYC Concert Event!

In celebration of the May release of their new timba album, My Secret Radio, the three-time Grammy nominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre, will perform a sizzling, dance-inducing concert and throw one big Cuban musical party on Friday, May 20th at 7:00 pm at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium located at 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street. Tickets are $45 for adults and $15 for students (with valid i.d.) and include entrance to the museum on the day-of the show and may be ordered by calling 212- 570-3949 or visiting www.metmuseum.org/tickets.


My Secret Radio is an Afro-Cuban love letter to the music which the band members secretly listened to on American radio stations when they were growing up during the "special period" in Cuba.  During that difficult time following Russia's withdrawal of support from the island, there was little to eat and it was illegal to listen to American music on the radio. As musicians, Tiempo Libre's members were fueled by their Afro-Cuban tradition, yet they were also eager to devour any scraps of sounds and styles that reached the island from Miami radio.  So, like all teenagers who desire most the things that are most off limits, they salvaged aluminum foil and metal clothes hangers to fashion homemade antennas, and climbed up on their rooftops at night to secretly listen to the music which pulsated from Miami airwaves. This music of the night fueled their dreams of living in America, free to perform their songs, and live their lives the way they wanted.  It gave them the desire and the strength that it took to leave it all behind - families, friends, a country, a life - to pursue those dreams. This album is their tribute to the many powerful voices that rocked their world, and the country that sang to them its siren song - via their secret radios.

Tiempo Libre's show is a dynamic, passionate performance of timba music-an exciting and engaging combination of Latin jazz and traditional Cuban son. The group's sound honors their Cuban musical heritage, while celebrating their new American experience. Just watch the group's performance on Dancing with the Stars.

Coke's 125th Birthday: Chace Crawford, Shenae Grimes, Aimee Teegarden and More!

Happy Birthday Coca-Cola! Celebrities gathered at Kitson to celebrate the 125th Birthday of Coca-Cola last night, hosted by Junk Food Clothing. Chace Crawford, Shenae Grimes, Aimee Teegarden, Stephanie Pratt, Dijan Talton, Ross Thomas, Christian Serratos, James Preston and Ashlan Gorse were among the many who attended to embrace 125 years of happiness. Celebs wore Junk Food tees and listened to jams DJ-ed by Taryn Manning.

Red Carpet Casual: Coke's 125th Birthday!

The Event's Heather McComb glammed up her t-shirt and jeans with Tacori 18k925 red onyx french hook earrings, $1,620, and yellow ring, $850, paired with a Tacori fine jewelry gold and diamond chain necklace, $2,190 available at http://www.tacori.com.

DJ Taryn Manning was mixing beats last night at Coke's 125th Birthday celebration, wearing her favorite Jessica Kagan Cushman brass Skull Ring, $110, http://www.jessicacushman.com.

Celeb Beauty: Dianna Agron's New A-Line Bob

"Glee" star Dianna Agron got her newly texturized A-Line Bob re-cut, touched up, and styled by Celebrity Hairstylist David Babaii with Hair Color by Anibal Morales.David Babaii is known for making style predictions for each season. This summer he released one of his latest forecasts by re-cutting Dianna Agron's newly texturized A-Line Bob. This style adds a fresh new look to the conventional "bob" any woman can wear with ease. It can be worn sleek, straight, curly or with texture. First, David Babaii cut the perimeter using straight edgy lines to form the foundation. Next, he texturized the perimeter with shears by taking medium sized sections and twisting them with alternating clock-wise and counter-clockwise turns, cutting the tips followed by "lacing" the ends with the tips of the shears. This created soft blending while texturizing the interior for lift and volume.

Next, her hair color was done by Anibal Morales from Essensuals London Hairdressing Salon.  Anibal wanted to maintain her blonde hair but giving her "Natural Summer Baby Blonde" tones.  To achieve this he used a Baylayage technique which is a freehand color application. He painted Couture Colour Luxeblend Creme Hair Colour (www.couturecolour.com)  in Light Golden Blonde onto her hair to create highlights using her natural base color.

To finish, David added a small amount of Couture Colour Pequi Oil (www.couturecolour.com) before drying her hair with a large round brush until smooth. After hair was completely dry he added an additional amount of Pequi Oil to his hands to give the hair more texture and movement.

Couture Colour Pequi Oil and Couture Colour Luxeblend Cre̒me Hair Colour can be purchased at Sephora or www.sephora.com.

The Bright & The Beautiful

Brights are back and better than ever!  Electric blue, hot pink, brilliant orange and vivid yellow added a vibrant pop to the runways this season.  The trend in ready-to-wear inspired the bright lips on models at the Spring/Summer 2011 Collections.

Fashion Fair has translated this runway trend into three wearable limited edition Lip Teasers, $17, that deliver a touch of bright pink, coral and orange in a sheer gloss. Available at Select Dillard’s, Belk, BonTon and Lord & Taylor store locations. Wear Brave Babe alone or with Ole Orange Lipstick for an even brighter, vibrant pop. 

Celeb Style: Cory Monteith

Here's Cory Monteith in NY attending the FOX Upfronts, sporting a geek chic look in his new John Varvatos glasses!  

The Glee star wore John Varvatos Horn optical lenses, $250, ttp://www.johnvarvatos.com.

 

“Discover Shiseido” Tour Arrives in NYC

Shiseido is kicking off the first ever “Discover Shiseido” mobile tour in New York City ― a luxury outfitted airstream trailer that will be travelling across the country bringing Shiseido’s cutting-edge skincare technology and ancient techniques for beautiful skin directly to consumers.  The tour will stop in nine cities throughout the months of May and June, covering over 10,000 miles in one month and distributing more than 100,000 samples Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum along the way!

Featured products, services and offers include:

·         Complimentary Japanese facial massage services

·         Gift certificates for a complete facial treatment at participating Macy’s locations

·         Deluxe samples of Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum.  As part of Shiseido’s worldwide best-selling skincare line, this serum regenerates aging cells to help reveal timeless skin in just one day.

·         Early bird special - the first person to check in at the trailer each day will receive a courtesy full-size bottle of the serum, valued at $80.

Also visit Shiseido USA’s official Facebook page to enter to win a full collection of Shiseido Bio-Performance products: www.facebook.com/shiseido

Win a trip to Mexico & the 2011 Torneo Clausura & meet soccer legend Jorge Campos!

Coors Light, the official beer sponsor in the U.S. of Mexican soccer’s Primera División, is inviting soccer fans to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Mexico to watch the 2011 Torneo Clausura with Mexican soccer legend and sports commentator, Jorge Campos. Legal-drinking-age soccer fans will also have a chance to win framed autograph memorabilia such as soccer balls, Primera División jerseys, goalie gloves and much more.

Now through May 15 soccer fans can enter for a chance to win!

For more information on how to enter the promotion:

·         See Coors Light displays at your local retail locations

·         Visit CoorsLight.com/PaseDePrimera and enter the UPC code obtained from the Coors Light package for a chance to win

·         Visit the “Pase de Primera” tab on the Coors Light Español Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CoorsLightEspanol) for more information on the promotion

Celeb Style: Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler has women (&men) across the entire nation flocking to salons for flowing layered locks & feather hair extensions. Besides having great hair, Steven Tyler has always rocked cool accessories in it, like charms, what is known as his raccoon tail & most recently feather hair extensions! You can get the same look with Fancy Feathers by Bling Strands. You can mix and match Fancy colors & choose how many feathers you want. There are 8 color groups and 12 individual colors to choose from. 


Note: Fancy Feathers are best applied by salon professionals for details visit: www.blingstrands.com

Sofia Vergara named newest CoverGirl

Sofia Vergara joins a new modern family: she just signed her first beauty contract with COVERGIRL and announced it herself on Twitter and Facebook live from the set. 

This is the 1^st time ever in the beauty industry that a Cosmetics spokesperson is exclusively announced through Twitter using social media.

Check out Sofia’s tweet!

The Emmy nominated actress and mother is currently shooting her first advertising campaign for the cosmetics giant. The ads are scheduled to debut in January 2012 and Vergara will be representing  some innovative new additions to the COVERGIRL product line-up.


I have loved playing with makeup ever since I was a little girl," said Sofia Vergara. “And now, I am so honored to join the line up of extraordinary women that are and have been COVERGIRLs, and to be a part of a brand that is so committed to helping women look and feel beautiful."