3 Steps to Perfect Summer Legs

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Jergens Soft Shimmer Moisturizer
$7.49
Available at: drugstore.com

I’m having such a hairy leg season. Every time I shave, I feel prickly again. It is so obnoxious. I guess it’s the warm weather, but frankly I’m disturbed by this. Anyway, my shower and getting ready process is taking longer because I want to make sure to even out every inch of my legs. As you know, when it comes to seasonal beauty fixes, there is always need for a beauty routine that will help solve the problem. In this case, this 3-step routine creates smoother skin, making the hair growth seem softer and less intrusive.

In order to show off your legs without feeling self-conscious, you can’t just rely on self tanners. First, you want to make sure your legs get proper exfoliation in the summer. The skin tends to get uneven and hair just loves to grow faster during such a non-convenient time! My favorite leg exfoliant is Sally Hansen Exfoliating Leg Polisher. This remarkable product gets rid of dry, flakey, uneven skin by moisturizing legs and polishing everything out evenly. That’s not all. It also contains Vitamins A, C, and E which is what helps exfoliate dead skin cells while simultaneously stimulating new cell growth. Retinol and Vitamin K are also present. The Retinol helps strengthen and tone skin elasticity, while Vitamin K aids in fading spider veins and other scars.

Biosilk Silk Therapy
$10.00 - $90.00
Available at: amazon.com

After regaining leg confidence and having even skin, it’s time for a great shimmer moisturizer. Shimmering moisturizer helps enhance the legs and give them the definition they deserve after getting properly exfoliated. The subtle light reflection from using Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer creates radiant legs ready to be shown off. So, now you have smooth, even toned legs that are defined and sexy-ed up by shimmer. Even if the little hairy pricks want to come out, the combination of the Sally Hansen exfoliant and the Jergens lotion keeps them from making a grand and noticeable appearance

For the last touch, the icing on the cake, I recommend using Biosilk Silk Therapy. I love how you can use this product on your hair and all over your body for a silky, shiny, soft finish. After the Jergens shimmer moisturizer dries, take a teaspoon-sized amount of Biosilk and rub it onto your legs. The results will be impeccable. After this 3-step process the legs will be ready for a grand entry. Speaking of which, I need to get my legs ready for their big date night out!
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.

How To: Style a Summer Headband

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Cara Accessories Headband
$38.00
Available at: nordstrom.com

Headbands are the simplest fashion accessory. They are a small and easy way to create big change for an entire hairstyle. Its many uses, the plethora of hairstyles that it creates and the wide array of available shapes, sizes and styles of the headband make it a must have accessory for this summer fashion season.

The purpose of the headband varies and is both related to its form and function. Of course they have become a staple in current fashion trends, but there are more useful reasons for wearing a headband this summer. In the summer months, none of us are free of the fear of sweat. Whether you are dealing with a fast-paced walk through the city or an outdoor mall on a hot day, a hot night dancing in the club or even during a workout, headbands are a great way to hide the sweat and prevent it from dripping in your eyes. These multi-purposes make a fashionable headband a must have this summer.

Headbands are often associated with hippie-like style. However, these flower-power inspirations have transformed and now have glam written all over them. A dramatic and sexy look can be created when wearing a headband an inch from the hair line. To finish this sexy look, simply pouf your hair behind the headband. This will not only create the dramatic and sexy look that you desire this summer, but it definitely gives ladies with no layers a little oomph in the hair department.

Headbands also vary in shape, size and style. Some come in stretchy nylon and/or polyester fabrics while others come in less malleable plastic-like materials. A more casual look can be attained with terry cloth headbands, which are great for sweat absorption. Almost all of these headbands will come in a variety of colors, sizes, textures and patterns. These varied models are making the headband a versatile hair accessory. These versatile characteristics are responsible for making the headband increasingly more present in runway shows and in the hair of models on magazine covers. Even celebrities like Brittany Snow and Eva Longoria have been sighted sporting the headband look recently. These endless options will allow you to create many summer hairstyles that suit your personal hair characteristics perfectly.

Metallic Headband Trio
$9.99
Available at: target.com

For the trend followers, I have found the funkiest flower headband. It’s a thin yellow satin piece with a daisy carefully placed on the side. All of this is surrounded by fun, glitzy jewels. The flower is also surrounded by leaves with black and white dotted rhinestones. The leaves are feathery and one of them resembles a peacock feather. This Cara Accessories “Crazy Daisy” Flower Headband is punkish and very sassy, so the right look is needed to flaunt it well. Our very own contributing writer Jules Newmark would pull this headband off beautifully with her Paper Denim jeans and a white t-shirt. There are less-loud versions of this headband for those that love the flower feathery style, but would rather opt for solid colors or a less flashy look.

My next headband recommendation comes as part of a Metallic Headband Trio package. All three headbands differ in size and metallic tone. One is a dark brown, the other is in a bronze tone while the last is a shiny golden tint. These are very diverse and will go great with summer colors. The headbands are flexible and there is a strip on the inside which keeps the band in place. Take advantage of these useful features to create the perfect hair style.

This last accessory isn’t exactly a headband, but rather a hair piece. It is a simple flower on a bobby pin that can be placed anywhere. It can look good in your hair, on your clothes or anywhere you choose… get creative! I adore people who dare to wear a flower behind their ear; it’s a cheerful and carefree look. This Urban Outfitters Flower Bobby Pin would look nice if worn with a simple summer dress while out to lunch with friends on a nice patio café.
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.

3 New Must-Have Summer Lip Products (from Avon!)

--By Jules Newmark

Ultra Color Rich
Extra Plump Lipstick
$8.00
Available at: avon.com

Have you ever wondered about the world of Avon or Mary Kay when you see women’s cars with the stickers to call them for makeup? Or better yet, the pink Mary Kay Cadillac that signifies something – maybe top seller? Well, I had never been exposed to Avon before the other day, so I have always wondered about the seemingly secretive beauty biz. With a goal of being the company that best understands women’s beauty and other needs globally, Avon has been serving our needs since its small beginnings in 1886. But how do you get this big brand for yourself? Well, you can get it in more places that from just the Avon Lady – hello Avon.com!

So, after learning about Avon, I have three hot picks from Avon for the upcoming summer: the new Ultra Color Rich Extra Plump Lipstick, the upcoming SpectraColor Lipstick and the future Pro 3-in-1 Lip Wand. I had the premier opportunity-- thank goodness for this blogging gig-- to be a part of Avon’s recent “Lipcast,” a conference call-style discussion of the three new products with feedback from Jillian Dempsey, the Avon Global Creative Color Director. The discussion was fabulous to listen in on, as it was a peak into how these products even came to be… hello beauty insiders!

Let me first tell you about the lipstick. Have you tried a plumping lipstick recently? Overly tingly, doesn’t do much and wears off too quickly – right? Oh, and overpriced! The Ultra Color Rich Extra Plump Lipstick has a magical core that looks like a mini chapstick locked inside a lipstick. Lips tingle, but not too the point where you’re thinking you will have permanently bee-stung lips, and the color is gorgeous and smooth. Guess the price. No, you won’t believe it: $8... what? I recommend all 10 colors – especially Pink Sunset and Blond Ambition.

Floral Delight Lip Gloss
$2.99 (was $4-- save 25%!)
Available at: avon.com

Then there was my favorite – the SpectraColor Lipstick. This is the one you take out in the morning and wear ALL day and night. The see-through tube shows two color sticks within – well these colors mix together, coming out through 38 nozzles to produce seven colors at each click of the SpectraDial Technology. This is a must-see product and of course, you have to have at least one of the color combos – there are 10, making 70 varieties of lip color, with Vitamins A, C and E nonetheless. This lip product is one to remember! “To make lips appear fuller, apply a darker shade first then click to the lighter shade and dab the center of you lower lip for eye-catching shine,” says Dempsey. Again, the affordability of this new item is pretty amazing: only $9.50 for the SpectraColor Lipstick, which will be released this June. It’s the most smooth and creamy color you’ll ever put on!

Last, but definitely not least, the Pro 3-in-1 Lip Wand. This is the answer to all the ladies’ need for a night out with a minuscule clutch. After a 4-year development process, Avon created the lip wand for the perfectly coordinated lip. Included in this smartly packaged wand are a lip pencil, a lipstick and a gloss – all that’s missing is a mirror! Now you can define your lips – please, stay in the lines – then enhance your lip color with lipstick and of course top it off with some gorgeous gloss for perfection. No glitter or plumping here girls, just classic colors like Berry or Red to make for the ultimate date lips. Jillian Dempsey’s favorite part is that there are three textures in one wand for the key product to take anywhere! The Pro 3-in-1 Lip Wand is available in July this summer for the low price of $9.50.

Don’t worry – you don’t need to hunt down your local Avon lady and start a business relationship with her. We know you already have that going with the Party Lite woman (who comes over once every few months for your candle parties) and the Pampered Chef and all the rest. Avon knows you’re a busy lady. Just go to Avon.com, all the answers are there for a beautiful you!
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Jules Newmark is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Jules is currently based in sun drenched San Diego, California, where she works, and works the scene, as a modeling agent. Jules's beauty must-haves include mascara by Dior, perfume by Calvin Klein, and a really good sunblock.

Summer Beauty: Sun Kissed Skin & A Bright Smile

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Lorac TANtalizer Award Show Glow
$32.00
Available at: sephora.com

Looking tanned is always attractive; It gives a healthy appearance. I’m not talking that streaky, too dark fake tan look that some people seem to show off, but more of a subtle sexy summery glow that gives the illusion of flawless skin and all around beauty. Besides actually being healthy by eating right and working out, there are a few items that can help create a stunning sexy bronzed look.

Bronzers are a great help, but getting the right kind is key. I have always been loyal to Lorac bronzing products, but I love the new TANtalizer Award Show Glow body firming bronzing mousse even more than their previous bronzers! This anti-cellulite bronzer is awesome; it gives the appearance of flawless, non-bruised, perfect looking legs. You can use this bronzer anywhere, but I usually tend to use it mostly on my legs. My girlfriend Stacy uses it all over her body-- not face-- and it’s gorgeous. She wears it to the pool, and this stuff is water resistant which so cool-- why hesitate when it comes to jumping in the pool? It’s got a lot of shimmer but it doesn’t look tacky. The bronzing mousse is a gold-ish shimmer that is perfect on any skin color and helps create a smooth healthy looking glow.

Crest Advanced Seal Whitestrips
$22.95 (was $37.99-- save 40%!)
Available at: amazon.com

When it comes to the face, I’m very hesitant with bronzers because I’m scared I’m going to look like a tomato or pumpkin face, or that I’m going to break out and get all blotchy. Lorac has that down too! Lorac Bronzer face bronzing powder is a miracle. I use it all over, sometimes without any foundation, or I use it on just my cheekbones for a slight sun kissed look. I think you can play with this product. Use it after you already caught some sun or just use a thick brush and put it all over your face, neck and chest!

This may seem like an off the topic product to some of you, but really its not! I think Crest Advanced Seal Whitestrips are a must have! They add a knock-out smile to go along with beautiful sun kissed skin. Crest strips help a lot when it comes to getting that killer smile. Just remember to stay away from coffee and red sauces while you’re going through the 2 week whitening process. And when you’re feeling vampy and wearing that bright red or pink lipstick, try putting a little Vaseline on your top front teeth to give your pearly whites an extra flash.
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.