People, I don't know how many times I have to say it---if you're gonna wear self-tanner (and good for you for taking care of your skin), make sure you exfoliate before application and spread it evenly. Streaky legs and orange skin are unacceptable in the summer, much less in the cooler months.













For fall, gradual, subtle tans are best. Try any of these fabulous self-tanners from Neutrogena, Jergens, or Dove. They glide-on and soak-in like a body lotion, but they leave behind the beginnings of a warm glow. Don't go overboard---leave your bronze goddess behind in September, and embrace a more natural buff for autumn. Afterall, the only thing that should be orange in October is a Jack-o-Lantern...

Photos courtesy of SFF.

Cameron Diaz is looking a little Courtney Cox-Arquette-esque to me here at her boyfriend Justin Timberlake's new CD release party.

Okay, normally I love a red pump as much as the next girl, but this is just hitting me as "off" today. Maybe it's the dark nylons.

Other than that it's a little bedhead-y, I think I like the new color. A dark shade really makes her blue eyes pop, and it's kind of fun to go darker in the winter. What say you, fashionistas?

Photos courtesy of Hollywood.com.

Several readers have asked for commentary on the skinny jeans that seem to have swept through stores this year.

We should have been expecting this trend, seeing as the Mistresses of Le Uber Vogue Fug (Sienna Miller in particular) have been wearing them for over a year now. It was inevitable. Le Sigh.

There doesn't seem a whole lot of good things to say about skinny jeans. They're mysterious little fellows and a tricky look to pull off. So, let's start by talking about the kinds of lucky gals who can wear them:


My super-skinny and uber-glam French cousin (Hi Coz!). She's about 5'6", roughly 105 pounds (give or take), and she is the BOSS of the skinny pants.




Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn was 5'7" and 110 pounds for most of her adult life. She also had a very straight and angular figure.


















Mischa Barton--Alright, she's not the pinnacle of style that Audrey is, but she is tall, skinny, and can wear pretty much whatever she likes.

















Kate "Water is so fattening" Bosworth
Bosworth has so wasted away in the past year or so that nothing could possibly make her appear skinnier. Not exactly the best role model for the kids.


Now, ask yourselves a question, loyal readers. And answer it honestly: Do you fit into any of these categories? Are you very tall and lanky? Are you a size 2-4 or below? Are you under 110 pounds? Are you straight-legged and slender? If so, have at those bad bad skinny pants.

If not, have a piece of cake! Console yourself with this thought: Tight pants have been known to cause yeast infections anyway. Consider yourself lucky.

Just like you paint the walls in your house, priming your face daily for application of your makeup ensures it will even-out your skintone, provide a shield for unwanted combatants, and stick around from 9-to-5. Building your foundation is easy, starting with a clean, fresh slate.

I don't know of anyone who looks flawless without their makeup. Roseacea, busted capillaries, excess shine, breakouts, dark circles or patches of unwanted freckles all contribute to ruddiness. Most of us rely on our bottle of foundation to hide our imperfections, but a truly flawless is acheived through color correctors and mattifiers.

Color correctors look intimidating at first---what's up with that green and purple goo? Remember the color wheel from your sixth grade art class? Well, red is neutralized by the color green, and yellow is neutralized by the color purple. This means that a dab of bright green will make pink patches disappear, and a pat of purple will bring your sallow-yellow up to golden perfection. Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer stablizes facial discoloration.

Were you blinded by shine the last time you looked in the mirror? If you have skin prone to producing an abundance of oil, either all over or in your t-zone, you'll be the first to testify that oily is not the new dewy---it's a nuisance. Stop oil in its tracks by spreading a light layer of mattifier over your problem areas. Mattifiers work to decrease oil production and some also include ingredients to prevent and fight emerging acne. Proactiv's Daily Oil Control balances skin chemistry and won't clog your pores!

Maybe you simply want a solution that smoothes fine lines and wrinkles away, while subtly moisturinzing, to create the perfect canvas. Makeup caked in our crow's feet and forehead wrinkles are never pretty. If you have dry skin, a lightweight moisture gel will caulk those annoying little crevices and hydrate to prevent new ones from forming. Paul & Joe Moisture Gel maintains intercellular lipids, while protecting the skin.

All of that smoothing and hiding becomes meaningless if all of your makeup has melted off. For your face, choose a primer to set any foundation you apply, ensuring a flawless finish all day long. Picture your primer as your "makeup glue." If you apply too much, it will glop and pill on your skin. But a light layer, will give your makeup true staying power all day long. Paula Dorf's Perfect Primer will fresh your face from morning coffee to evening martini.

For extra advantage, try an eye shadow primer and a lip primer. Less is more, and the same rules apply in regards to the amount you use. Gummy eyelids and chalky lips are never attractive. Laura Geller's Lip and Eye Spackle will keep your eyes exciting and your pucker preserved.


Photos hyperlinked to online vendor.

I know we have been posting frequently about Christina Aguilera, but what can I say, girlfriend has become the Anti-Britney all over again, this time in terms of style.

I've been obsessed with all things animal print lately, and this slim little belt is just perfect. Leopard print can look surprisingly fresh with a bold shade of red--or it can be worn more conventionally with black or denim.

The dress is a gorgeous classic and could certainly be forgiving to a variety of body shapes and sizes. Not to mention those shoes: the peep toe is really fun for fall--it's more covered up than a summer sandal, cooler than a winter boot, and more playful than a traditional pump.

And I like that she didn't wear a ton of jewelry with this--it just would have been too much. Although the platinum locks and the red lipstick are classic combinations and really work with this outfit, I'm looking forward to seeing what Christina can do next--hopefully something a little softer and less brassy in term of make-up and hair--in the next several months.