The first step is to fight cellulite. Yes, I used the c-word. It’s there, we all have it and we all know it. So when a good friend introduced me to Soap & Glory’s Slimwear I have never been so grateful. The “triple action peptide complex” targets “problematic orange peel areas” and makes your thighs smooth and soft. The lotion is light and has a clean smell so you can use it all summer to keep those dimples at bay. We also love its’ retro pink packaging – you won’t want to hide this cute little miracle under your sink!

Next you need some color. We love a good spray tan but it’s not exactly the practical option to get you through the summer. After testing a handful of self tanners and reading tons of reviews, Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer is my recommendation. It gave me the most natural looking color without any streaks or strange brown spots. It comes in three shades for different skin colors. I use the one for fair skin and apply it every other day, which gives me a nice, light tan that lets me get away with wearing shorts and skirts as soon as the weather gets warm!

Finally, when you want to feel super sexy give yourself an extra glow with Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Body Oil Spray. This light spray is infused with little gold flecks that illuminate your skin and makes you look like you just came off the beach. The smell is fantastic too. We promise that this potion will be one of your favorite summer staples. But hurry, it’s a limited edition!

xoxo Melina

So when I found Sephora’s I.T. Smudge Shadow Brush, I questioned how I functioned all these years without it. It features a flat head with short, soft bristles making it extremely easy to shade with precision right along the lash line for a smooth daytime look or a smoky evening eye.

I am not alone in my newfound adoration. Co-created by the French architect (yes, an architect!) Philippe Di Méo and the Sephora Pro Beauty Team, this little miracle wand has been getting a lot of press, including a feature on the NY Times blog. Praised for its’ design and affordability, the entire I.T. brush collection is worth the small investment.

The smoky eye, as seen on all the celebrities these days, is one of my favorite makeup applications and so I am delighted to be able to share my strategy for creating this alluring look as well as some of my favorite products:

Step 1: I start with a primer (Ubran Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer Potion is great) to make the shadow last longer and prevent it from melting into the upper creases.

Step 2: Once the primer is dry, I coat my lids with a neutral beige color just slightly darker than my skin. Fresh’s eye shadow trio in Chamomile is a great all-in-one product that you can use to create this entire look. The Nutmeg color is my base and the Ivory color is the perfect highlighter and should be applied right below the arch of your eyebrows.

Step 3: Next, I use a narrow eyeliner brush to draw a thin line along my top lash-line.  I’ve always liked Sephora’s Professional Platinum Angled Eyeliner Brush #23 and Mac’s Fluidline in Blacktrack or Dipdown. The angle of the brush combined with the smooth gel formula make it easy to glide on for a flawless look that adds definition and really make your eyes pop.

Step 4:  Once the eyeliner dries, I use my new I.T. brush to shade just above and directly on my eyeliner with a dark brown shadow (I use the Deep Brown Shimmer color in the Fresh Trio mentioned above), drawing the line a tad thicker and fanning it out as I come to the outer corner of my eye. For a more dramatic look, I apply a second coat of the darker shadow, or even a black one (I love Chanel’s Quadra Shadow), to the upper and lower lash line.  I’m always careful not to apply too much dark shadow under my eye – I don’t want to look like Gossip Girl’s Jenny Humphrey!

Step 5: Finally, I sweep on several strokes of Mascara (I like Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes), gently gliding the brush from eyelash roots to tips, and my sultry look is complete.

I pair this eye with a neutral beige or pink gloss and some sun-kissed bronzer for a fun summer day or salacious summer night. Add this look to your beauty regime and your life will definitely imitate art!

A good friend of mine is addicted to nail polish, no matter what the season, and has great taste so I asked for her help to pick some of this summers’ best colors that will last us through Labor Day! With names like “Lacquered Up,” “Flirty Fuchsia,” and “Gold Get ‘Em,” who could resist such fun footwear flare? Click on the links below to buy our picks online or find them in your local retailers…

Essie Spring Collection 2009: Lacquerd Up

Essie Neon Collection: Flirty Fuchsia

Revlon: Gold Get’Em 900

My favorite scent is “Petite Cherie” with its rose, peach and vanilla notes in full bloom. My father bought me my first bottle a few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since.

You can buy Petite Cherie and other Annick perfumes at Beauty.com or, as you might want to actually smell the scent before purchasing it, they are are sold in department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus all over the states.  I had the luxury of going to one of the boutique stores in Paris which was located just down the street from my apartment when I was abroad there. With its feminine pastel colored walls, and gold trimming, you wish you could buy the store itself!

Every time I put the scent on, I can’t help but feel nostalgic. It brings me back to walking down the lovely streets of Paris, baguette in hand, and a smile on my face. With this year being the scent’s tenth anniversary, and millions of limited edition, hand painted bottles sold, I guess I can’t be the only one who stops to smell the (French) roses.