Smokey & Seductive (Meet Your New Year's Eve Eye)

It's hard to believe that yet another year has come to a close and 2014 is right around the bend. I'm still in the process of thinking through resolutions for the New Year, though let's be honest, FIRST, it's time to party.

This New Year's Eve, I'll be enjoying a nice group dinner before my friend's annual bash. And to spice up a simple silk mini dress from DVF, I'm planning to rock out a SERIOUS smokey eye in lieu of my standard red lip. After all, New Year's Eve is on par with Vegas in terms of required ‘beauty escalation’.

For smokey eyed perfection:

Prime, prime, prime -  I can't stress it enough. For makeup that stands the test of New Year’s Eve, a great primer is essential. I like both the adorable packaging AND, more importantly, the efficacy of theBalm Put a Lid on It Eyelid Primer, $17

Next, curl your lashes to open up your eyes and set the stage for mascara. I’m currently loving the Rockin’ Red Hot Lashes gift set from LORAC ($23), which includes both a spicy red studded eyelash curler (yes!) AND a tube of volumizing PRO Mascara, all for just $23 (which is what the mascara alone generally retails for – deal alert!)

Define your lash line and add drama with a smudgy dark eyeliner (try Pur Minerals Eye Defining Pencil Eyeliner with Smudger in Onyx or Graphite, $17) on both your upper and lower lashlines. 

With four foolproof shades embossed with suggestions of exactly where to wear, CARGO’s Essential Eye Shadow Palette in Smokey Grey ($34) is both easy and essential to building a smoldering eye. Pro tip: try using any of the shades as liner as well, by dipping an eyeliner brush into saline solution (this’ll hold the pigment more effectively than water).

Shop these products and more in the Beauty Departments now found in over 250 Kohl’s stores nationwide or online, here.

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with SheKnows Experts Among Us and Kohl’s Beauty.

Cheap and Cheerful: Moorea Seal's Baby Jewelry

While I love Catbird as much as the next girl, I love investing my life savings into their breed of delicate "baby jewelry" (as my friend Marina might say) a bit less. SO, I was pleased as punch to discover Moorea Seal, an online boutique of cheap and cheerful, yet design-centric goodies, including decorative accessories and jewelry.

Lo and behold, their ring assortment in particular is quite sweet, and for the price of a single ring at Catbird, you could likely create your very own signature stack.

Here's what I'd pile on:

• Etched Midi Band,above, $6 (This is not a typo, world, it's the actual price)
• Arc Midi Band, $6
• Tiny Band, $6
• Pave Arc Midi Band, $8
• Double Wink Ring Set, $16

BOOM.

Fall Style To-Do: A Vision Boarding Session!

As the weather begins to cool down in New York, my thoughts inevitably shift to outerwear and boots galore – I’m talking fall shopping, of course! And while I’m making a concerted effort to invest in fewer, better things, I’m also feeling the itch for a style transition of sorts – a shift that feels relevant to the season but appropriate to my life and lately-extra-demanding career. The perfect solution and HOT on my to-do list: a vision boarding session with a few of my most stylish friends.

In case you have yet to be indoctrinated, a vision board is, essentially, a physical representation of your inspiration – in this, fashion-specific case, style inspiration and a shopping list of sorts. Comprised of street style snaps and tear sheets from fall fashion magazines, I’m hoping that a vision board will keep me focused on my wardrobe needs and wants, and less prone to impulse purchases.

Of course, it’s not a party without a signature drink, so I grabbed a bottle of Smirnoff’s new Wild Honey flavored vodka to mix up a cocktail that’s loosely Moroccan inspired, and equally as delicious warm or chilled. 

• Steep an extra strong batch of mint tea – I used TAZO’s Refresh Mint
• Mix 3 parts tea and 1 part Smirnoff Wild Honey flavored vodka in a Moroccan tea glass, ice optional (a martini glass would be a perfect substitute)
• Garnish as desired with fresh mint leaves and/or a lemon twist

Voila! I call it The Moroccan Mint-teani (get it?!)

Do you serve a signature cocktail at home? I’d love to hear about it – share in the comments!

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in collaboration with Smirnoff Sorbet and Style Coalition.

What to Wear: Late Summer Wedding

A wedding is generally the perfect reason to get dressed up and for some reason, even more so when the wedding falls in the late summer or early fall. When planning your look for a summer wedding in the UK, there's one thing you can be absolutely confident in - the weather will be unpredictable! If you'd rather avoid spending the day shivering in a floaty dress after you’ve woken to find the weather cool and wet, have a second outfit option ready and waiting.

That said, let's be optimistic and think best-case scenario: that the bride and groom will be bathed in sunshine on their wedding day! Bonmarche has a superb selection of special occasion outfits, with many options to coordinate items so that you can slip layers on and off as the day progresses. Weddings used to break for a pause mid-afternoon, but nowadays most guests will choose an outfit that will take them through the whole day – from the ceremony through the reception!

One of the great things about wedding photos is the amazing range of bright and colourful outfits that different guests choose to wear. It makes sense to find out the colours that the wedding party will be wearing, and then avoid them. If it hasn’t been made clear on the invitation, dont' hesitate to ask the bride herself or a member of the family.

The invitation will often give you an idea of how formal a wedding iis going to be and, of course, this will influence your choice of outfit. There are also some practicalities to bear in mind – such as making sure you wear comfortable shoes. You’ll spend most of the day and evening on your feet, and if you have to walk any distance, could you do so with ease in the shoes you have chosen? If the ceremony has a religious element to it, make sure that you have something to cover spaghetti shoulder straps, like a draped blazer (which is less formal than something with structure) or a complementary shawl.

The most important thing to bear in mind when choosing a late summer wedding outfit is that while you want to blend in with the other guests, this is one occasion where you really can choose to go to town on your outfit. Unless you’re going to a particularly formal wedding, the general guideline is that any festive style goes, so make it one that you enjoy wearing!

This post was produced in partnership with Bonmarche.

Because We Can't All Be Cara: NARS Brow Gel

Much has been made, and rightfully so, of model Cara Delevinge's brows (take this GIF tutorial from The Cut yesterday, for one). They're bold, they're lush, and they boast just a hint of wildness - the kind of imperfect perfection that tends to pique the carnal curiosity of men (if ya know what I mean). 

BUT, friends, let's face facts - we can't all be Cara, so for the rest of us, there's NARS new Brow Gel. A glossy, easy gliding formula, designed to tame and groom brows, Brow Gel includes just the right amount of color - enough to fill in any sparse, overplucked zones (raise your hand if you're guilty). Just two swipes through - one per brow -  and pair with a bold lip for a look that's inspired by Cara but uniquely you.

NARS Brow Gel, available in 4 shades, $22

Solutions Mode: Aveda's Black Malva Shampoo and Conditioner

 

For the past six months plus, I've had some major hair 'ish happening. Namely, my hair just doesn't seem to want to hold on to color anymore. Which means that 2-3 weeks after getting my hair dyed (and keep in mind that I'm a brunette going...brunette), my roots have been fading and leaning incredibly brassy. As you can imagine, I've tried every solution imaginable - a new colorist, a new salon, a new formula, at-home color (the new Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Hair Color is actually pretty solid), less hair washing  - all to no avail. Apparently, I have a condition colorists call "hot roots" - and the causes can be myriad, including (the most likely culprit in my case) hormones.

Gross, right? Honestly, I can't even think about it without cringing. Thankfully, Aveda's come to the rescue with their Black Malva Shampoo and Conditioner, color-depositing formulas that infuse brunette and black hair with cool, dark tones, diminishing pesky red tones and brassiness. Like all Aveda products, the secret's in the botanicals, in this case organically grown aloe, black tea and emollient-rich black malva that's been wild-crafted and then sustainably gathered by hand in its natural habitat. The Black Malva itself provides moisture to hair, while black tea helps intensify deep hues and purify the scalp. 

I've been rotating the Black Malva formulas in about every other day, and so far, so good - no fading, no brassiness and no grays peeking through (at least not just yet).

If you've got similar issues, or would like to experiment with a color-depositing formula in lieu of color, shop Aveda's collection online (there are formulas for blondes and redheads as well) here.

Backstage Beauty #NYFW Fall '13: John Frieda for Rodarte

Super stylist Odile Gilbert for John Frieda created the "rocker princess' mane seen at the Rodarte Fall 2013 show. As we've seen on so many runways this season, the texture was effortless and undone.

HOW TO:

• Before drying the hair, Odile applied dollops of Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse to build texture while ensuring a smooth finish.
• After hair was blow-dried, a 2-inch iron was used to create loose bends. Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray was lightly misted over each section before it was wrapped around the iron to lock the waves in place.
• Next, the waves were brushed out to make the texture look more natural, and braids on both sides were connected in the back of the head with a rose made of the models’ own hair.
• To finish the look, a dime size of the Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula was smoothed over random ends to make sure the overall effect was “undone” with a little polish. 

Backstage Beauty #NYFW Fall '13: TRESemmé for Jenny Packham

TRESemmé Stylist Jeanie Syfu was backstage at Jenny Packham's Fall 2013 show earlier this week. The collection was inspired by the mid-17th century and featured the designer's signature, feminine silhouettes and intricate detailing. To ensure the overall look was glamorous, yet modern, Jeanie Syfu created an elegant, loose ponytail with polished ends.

To get the look:

• Start by applying TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion throughout the roots and mid–lengths and TRESemmé Platinum Strength Strengthening Heat Protect Spray to the ends
• Blow dry with a Mason Pearson brush for a straight finish
• Create a part down the center and then section hair in two parts, separating across the back of the head from ear to ear
• Gently tease the underneath section and along the horizontal line from ear to ear
• Loosely pull hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, letting hair fall out around the face
• Secure with an elastic and finish with a ribbon

Backstage Beauty #NYFW Fall '13: Aveda for Christian Siriano

Aveda Global Creative Director Antoinette Beenders styled regal fishtail braids for the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2013 collection yesterday.

“Christian and I have collaborated for many seasons. This collection is inspired by the golden age of Russian Opera and Saint Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre,” said Beenders. “The clothing is rich and opulent, so we designed a sophisticated, feminine look to properly complement it. From the front, the look has a lovely roundness. The braids at the back evoke refinement and glamour, reminiscent of a Russian girl dressed for an evening at the opera. I’m thrilled with how it all turned out.”

Models' hair was prepped pre-blowdry with Aveda Pure Abundance™ Style Prep™ to give texture and grit, and then divided into a clean center part from forehead to nape using a tail comb. Next, stylists created an inverted fishtail braid on each side of the head, beginning at the crown and working to the back of the ear, securing each with an elastic band. Flyaways were tamed with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray and braids were then gently massaged to add fullness. Braids were folded over one another across the back of the head, just above the nape, in a crisscross fashion, with ends tucked under and secured with bobby pins. A misting of Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray finished the look.

Backstage Beauty #NYFW Fall '13: Jouer for Kate Spade

For this morning's Kate Spade Fall '13 Presentation, makeup artist Neil Scibelli for Jouer created a look inspired by Kate Spade’s hometown, New York City, during the ‘70s when Andy Warhol’s Factory and Studio 54 epitomized “party glamour.”

The classic cat eye and red lip complement the collection’s vivid color palette of NYC Citron, Empire Beige, Asphalt, Maraschino, Shocking Pink and Disco Purple. In Scibelli's words:

"To begin, I used Jouer Matte Moisture Tint to create a clean and matte base for the skin, using Jouer Age-Repairing Concealer where needed. I left the brows clean and groomed. For the eyes I used Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Crème as an all over base, applying Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Amaretto in the crease. I thickly lined the eyes with Jouer Liquid Shimmer Liner in Panther, extending and winging out. I finished with Jouer Everyday Classic Wear Mascara. I applied Jouer Tint in Honeysuckle on the apples of cheeks, blending outwards for a subtle pop of color. To finish the look I used a beautiful true red lip, Jouer’s Hydrating Lipstick in Simone, topped with Essential Lip Enhancer for extra shine.”

Get the Look: Beyoncé at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration

Yesterday's Inauguration was a pretty special day. I was wowed not only by our President, Barack Obama, but of course his First Lady Michelle - oh, she of the much-discussed bold, red Jason Wu gown.

America's Second Couple was also in attendance at yesterday's festivities, as Beyoncé (seen here with husband Jay-Z) graced us with a gorgeous rendition of the National Anthem to close the inaugural. She looked fully glamorous - truth be told, perhaps a bit too glamorous for day, but who are we to judge? She's Beyoncé, after all.  

Below are some tips on how to re-create Beyoncé’s look direct from celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal, who worked with her for this special day:

• To first set the skin, apply my Perfect Prep Poreless Primer all over the face and my Cancellation Concealer directly underneath the eyes.
• To achieve natural-looking coverage, first, apply my Ultimate Performance Liquid Foundation. Next, add a sweep of my NEW Diamond Unpowder that will illuminate the skin followed by brushing on my Effortless Airbrush Highlighter and Blush Duo to the cheeks in order to provide a soft, radiant glow to the skin.
• To achieve a rich, smokey eye – try my Evercolor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer. Apply this all over the eyelid and underneath as well. Next, select a few shades from the Mally Beauty In the Buff Palette and sweep that onto the eyelids. Finish the look by applying a small amount of my Age Rebel Shadow Stick in Chocolate Diamond on the bottom lid right under your eyelashes to open up the eye followed by using my Lightwand Eyebrightener to the inner corners to instantly brighten this area. Lastly, to achieve this bold eyeliner at-home, try using the Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner in Midnight, layered with the Ultimate Performance Ink Eyeliner.
• Complement this confident eye by pairing it with a mascara that will enhance the overall look – such as the Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara and/or my NEW Instant Impact Mascara. To create glossy, Beyoncé worthy lips try my High Shine Lip Gloss in Mally’s Look or Mally’s Baby.
• And last but not least, before you leave the house, apply the Mally Beauty Face Defender to lock your makeup in place and Perfect Prep Hydrating Under Eye Brightener to make the eyes pop!

Of course, you can also get the look using similar products from other brands, but shop some of the products featured, below!

Gamechanger: Ciaté Very Colourfoil Manicure

I've long been intrigued by Ciaté's at-home nail art kits, which include Caviar (essentially a beaded manicure), Sequin and Velvet (a velvet powder applique). But, realistically, none seemed suited to everyday wear, instead more to special occasions. I mean, how do you wash your hands if you have a velvet manicure? Seriously, how?

The brand's new Colourfoil Manicure thankfully is a bit lower maintenance. Included in a $19 kit is a base color (there are three to choose from), along with a "foil fix glue" and 30 sheets of colourfoil, in six varying shades. While Wonderland is a cool flat gray, I instead chose to layer the pink Colourfoil over NARS Disco Inferno ($18), a new, limited-edition duo-chrome shimmer from the Spring 2013 collection. While Disco Inferno is described as an iridescent silver green, there's also a slight touch of pink, so I thought the colourfoil would play to that nicely (and I think it's safe to say that it does!)

I'm admittedly not great at DIY, but the Colourfoil was super simple to apply and after setting with a clear topcoat, it seems to be built to withstand normal wear. Snag a kit of your own at Sephora.

This Week's SCTV: Behind The Seams with Katherine Kwei

On this week’s episode of Behind The Seams, step inside designer Katherine Kwei’s SoHo showroom to talk about what it takes to break into the highly competitive world of accessories design.

For more Style Coalition TV, including fresh new eps of Beauty Extract, Retail Bootcamp and Street Peek, visit StyleCoalition.TV. To learn more about Katherine Kwei or to shop her gorgeous handbag collection, visit www.katherinekwei.com.

New York Fashion Week Beauty: CND for The Blonds

CND continues to work on the most intriguing nail looks of New York Fashion Week, and last night, for The Blonds "Psycho Beach Party" show, manicurist Kristina Estabrooks crafted an array of elaborately detailed nails including Shark Bites, skinny dip blue, and red caviar over CND Colour in Blackjack. Cue the Jaws soundtrack now.  

For more of my favorite manicures from the Spring/Summer '13 collections, see my prior posts on CND for Rodarte, Angel Sanchez, Joy Cioci, Nicole Miller and Diego Binetti.

New York Fashion Week Beauty: Odile Gilbert for Kérastase Paris at The Row

Stylist extraordinaire Odile Gilbert for Kérastase Paris created a gorgeously elegant twisted up-do for today's presentation of The Row's Spring 2013 collection. “I think this is about the [designers’] identity,” Gilbert told WWD, “it’s cool hair — but always a bit under control.”

To get the look:

• Prep damp hair with Ciment Thermique and Mousse Volumactive
• Rough dry hair, wrapping strands around fingers as you go
• Divide hair into two sections behind each ear
• Twist each section in a backwards direction and then begin twisting and pinning them together
• Tie the twists with an elastic, tucking the ends underneath the style and pinning into place
• Fluff up the texture at the top of the head with fingers and lightly spray with Double Force Hairspray for hold

New York Fashion Week Beauty: CND for Joy Cioci

Bathing beauties reigned supreme at yesterday's Joy Cioci Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week show. CND's Candice Manacchio mimicked underwater bubbles on manicures using micro-beads and small pearls for a delicate and dimensional texture. To recreate at home, apply top coat and dip nail into beads (try pouring beads into a flat bowl or dipping each nail directly into the tube). Toes were shimmering champagne with CND Colour in Putty topped with reflective CND Gold Pearl Effect.

New York Fashion Week Beauty: TRESemmé for Tracy Reese

TRESemmé Stylist Jeanie Syfu created a tousled bedhead style with a faux undercut effect for the Tracy Reese Spring 2013 show - a surprisingly edgy look that was inspired by Rihanna’s 80’s-inspired textured undercut.

To recreate this look, full of attitude and texture, follow these tips from TRESemmé Stylist Jeanie Syfu:

• Enhance your natural texture with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion and power dry with fingers for a loose wavy finish.  Once dry, lightly brush through hair with a paddle brush to soften the product.
• Next, create a deep side part continuing diagonally back to the nape of the opposite side.  Clip hair to section away.
• Using TRESemmé Mega Firm Control Gel, create a tight cornrow braid with the lower section of the hair starting behind the ear, working diagonally to the nape, and fasten with an elastic. 
• Release the top section of hair and spray TRESemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo throughout for matte texture.
• Apply TRESemmé Mega Firm Control Gel with fingers through the front hairline, leaving the rest of the hair matte, soft and loose.  Set hair with pin curl clips around the hairline and diffuse with a blow dryer on high heat for height and body.
• Spray with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray and release clips when gel has dried. Toss hair over one shoulder for an 80's-inspired textured undercut.

Celeb-Worthy Style Tips for Your #BestNightEver

I derive style inspiration from everywhere imaginable - magazines, street style blogs, Pinterest (follow me here!) and of course, celebrities. My recent red carpet favorites run the gamut, and include women who both take risks and have a clearly defined sense of style - think Diane Kruger, Rooney Mara, Solange Knowles, Tilda Swinton, Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow or Emma Stone.

It's a diverse group when I look at the list, but in short (key learnings, if you will!), I gravitate to four key qualities, namely: confidence, clear skin, touchable hair and a GREAT smile. If you've got these four things, you're well on your way to having the best night ever - whether it's a girl's night out, a highly-anticipated date or...the Oscars red carpet.

If you need a little style inspiration, here are a few more celeb-worthy trends to incorporate into your look this summer:

• Get a playful manicure! It's a low-touch way to add a little color, whimsy (think Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo nails) or sex appeal to your look. Nails are one of my favorite accessories. 
• Beach hair! Start with a strong foundation by identifying the perfect shampoo/conditioner duo for you from CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUY THERAPY. Then try a texturizing spray, or simply mix a little sea salt in a mister with olive oil and water, spray liberally throughout your strands for added texture and sensuality, a la Blake Lively. I love this look for day or night!
• Big Bold Lip! Many of the most stylish women I know are best known for one thing - their commitment to a bold, bright lip. Find a summer-perfect hue that works for you (think red, pink, orange or coral) and sweep on an otherwise muted face for a lip that truly pops! Bright lips work on every skintone - I love the cool toned red seen here on Michelle Williams.
• Waterfall, fishtail, or Emily Blunt's sweetly sophisticated milkmaid? Regardless of your preferred plait, one thing is for sure, braids are a hot look for summer. I have yet to master the DIY, so I rely on John Barrett's Braid Bar at Bergdorf Goodman (they created the masterful braid seen above).

Want even more celeb-worthy style tips? Join me, @SydneSummer, @FashionStBeauty, CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY celeb stylist @AtkinJen and, of course, @ClearHair for a Friday afternoon Twitter party today at 1pm EST! We'll be sharing style advice that will guarantee your #bestnightever, and we'd love for you to join in the conversation. 

Don't forget, CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY is the source of strong, beautiful hair and your #BestNightEver. Tweet your “get ready” tips for the chance to win one of four great prizes. For more information, visit Bestnightever.promojam.com. 

 

This post was produced in association with Style Coalition and CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY.

How To: Relieve a Painful Sunburn

Guys. I'm dying right now. As per us, I acted a fool at the beach today and failed to apply sunscreen in a timely fashion (though I did come equipped, in all fairness.) As such, I'm currently suffering from a VERY painful sunburn on the back of my legs, which are (coincidentally) a lobster-esque shade of red and scalding hot to the touch. I often rely on Twitter for strong counsel on many important issues in my life, and sunburns are NO different. Here's a round up of the BEST sunburn-relief tips I've received to date:

@eye4style Aloe with lidocaine. A milk bath helps, too, or just a towel soaked in milk and laid on the burn. And I still use Noxema.

— Susan Wagner (@SusanW) June 18, 2012

@eye4style hot shower (it's painful but prevents blistering) followed by Burt's bees w/ aloe lotion for soothing.

— Joseph (Joey) Hodges (@joeyhodges) June 18, 2012

@eye4style aspirin and soothing aloe moisturizer (leave in the fridge for a bit before applying)

— Susan Goldberg (@SuGoldberg) June 18, 2012

@eye4style milk bath

— Heather Lynn Piraino (@BeautyQuips) June 18, 2012

@eye4styleMedicated aloe will soothe and numb sting.

— Candice Sabatini (@SabatiniOnStyle) June 18, 2012

@eye4style There's an aloe with lidocain. Perfect remedy!

— Sarah Conley (@StyleIT) June 18, 2012

@eye4style Motrin and aloe. If you can tolerate it, a cool bath or shower. Lot's of moisturizer too. Feel better!

— Teri (@BeautyBlogger) June 18, 2012

@eye4style milk-soaked wash clothes continuously applied..Also a cool bath with a lot ofoatmeal flakes in the water. Feel better!

— BeautyNewsNYC (@BeautyNewsNYC) June 18, 2012

@eye4style tequila. as if you didn't know.

— John DeCicco (@JohnDC) June 18, 2012

@eye4style plain yogurt. smells gross but the consistency cools & the lactic acid aids recovery. cucumbers dipped in milk work too.

— bren lee gomez ♥ (@omgbren) June 18, 2012

@eye4style pop an aspirin or alka seltzer. Alcohol Free Aloe topically. Keep area xtra hydrated

— Regina Ventimiglia (@ggfierce) June 18, 2012

@eye4style solarcaine helped my pain a lot, if u have sun blisters don't use! Aloe Vera Gel kept in the fridge helps too.

— Dana Morgan (@Dmakeup00) June 18, 2012

@eye4style CVS aloe is good bc it has no alcohol in it. Also Solarcaine helps take the "burn" and heat out of the sunburn.

— Tine Alvarez (@TineAlvarez) June 18, 2012

Aloe. Seriously...it helps. @eye4style

— Charu Suri (@Butterflydiary) June 17, 2012

@eye4style Advil will lower your temp and relieve pain.

— Pam Lewis (@outsidevoice) June 17, 2012

eye4style for sunburn? Plain yogurt right out of the fridge. Plus advil.

— Jessica Moore (@Jessatheactress) June 18, 2012

My SPF Picks (above):

• Phyto Plage L'Original Protective Beach Spray
• Dermalogica Solar Shield
• Banana Boat Deep Tanning Oil SPF 15

Have you ever had a horrifically bad sunburn? How did you recover? Leave me any additional tips in the Comments!

Classic Hollywood Glam: Fashions of the 40s, 50s and 60s

At a time when men were men, women were women, and colour was a fantastic new invention, Hollywood epitomised the fashions of the age. TV was yet to become a ubiquitous household item and women’s magazines tended to contain more baking recipes than anything else. In such conditions, women looked to the silver screen for fashion inspiration. So just what were they wearing in that golden age, and how can you recreate it today?

Fantastic Forties

Screen Icons: Vivien Leigh, Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman, Katherine Hepburn (above)

With fashion powerhouse Paris occupied by the Nazis and Europe under heavy rationing, the US became the leader in new fashions, with Hollywood at its centre. Restrictions on the amount of fabric that could be used in a garment meant that hemlines became shorter, and zips and buttons were little seen. Swing dresses were popular evening wear, and sweaters and cardigans were commonly seen on and off the screen.

Fabulous Fifties

Screen Icons: Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Elizabeth Taylor (above), Joan Collins

With the war over, the Fifties saw a more glamorous approach to fashion. Top designers like Christian Dior became household names, and women’s styles were becoming more daring. At the same time, trousers and suits became accepted women’s wear. But eye-catching 1950s dresses were certainly not in short supply. Maxi dresses in a variety of colourful and floral patterns were coming into fashion, as hemlines went down for the first time since the 1920s. With their elegance and sophistication, 1950s vintage dresses can look great for special occasions, while a 1950s wedding dress can make your big day even more special, and please gran immensely.

Swinging Sixties

Screen Icons: Raquel Welch, Brigitte Bardot (above), Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda

Flower power, free love, the cold war and the moon landings were all hallmarks of the Sixties, as were mini-skirts, PVC dresses and bell-bottoms. Colourful stripy patterns were all the rage, and with the hippy craze came tie-dyed summer dresses, perfect for cavorting freely about some sun-kissed meadow or heading for the beach in a camper van. Hollywood has inspired and even led fashion trends for generations, and by drawing on the influence of the silver screen and checking out the vintage dresses in specialist shops and markets, you can recreate the innovative styles of the Forties, the glamour of the Fifties or that carefree ‘Summer of Love’ feel of the Sixties.

What's your favorite decade for style? Do tell all in the comments!

Disclosure: This post was produced in association with Fever Designs.