Printed shorts are a fun and cute item to wear while out and about this weekend no matter your size. Look how classic and stylish Kourtney Kardashian looks in her animal print pair.

More Motel…

The trick to wearing prints is in understanding scale. Generally, the larger your frame the larger the print and the smaller your frame the smaller the print. Want to go funky and mix prints? Try it with prints in the same color family.

Need help picking out shorts for your frame? Check out Summer Shorts for Your Body Type.

Check out the looks spotted on celebs this week! Which one is your favorite?

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The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Christina wrote in asking, “I cut my hair short 2 years ago, around when the Rihanna-esque short hairstyle craze began. I am now in the process of growing my hair out to the length it was when I first cut it (in a bob.) Do you have any ideas on hairstyles for transitioning from long hair to short? I am definitely in the “awkward stage” and I need some help! Any suggestions would be helpful (my hair is relaxed). Thanks!”

Growing out a short hair cut can be a pain! I’ve done it twice in life—once after cutting my hair super short in junior high and just a few years ago after cutting my hair back in 2005. It can be painful, but the hardest part is probably being patient. Can’t even tell you how long I spent in front of the mirror “watching” my hair grow *smh*.

But here’s some tips to help you along:

1. Remember that trimming/cutting the hair does not stimulate hair growth. There’s a silly rumor that’s been going around for ages about that. All a trim does is make your ends look neater. Also split ends won’t run up the hair shaft and cause the rest of your hair to split. They can make the hair appear less tidy so if they pop up during a transition stage when you have so much going on, already give them a light trim. Also steer clear of scissor happy stylists. Many women trim their own hair or enlist a friend with a steady hand or be sure you left your stylist show you where they intended to cut before they cut.

2. The one thing that made me super unhappy when I was growing out my hair is that at one point my hair grew and fell where my face was its widest. When horizontal lines (created by the ends of the hair) hit a place that’s full, it makes that area look even wider. So my hair at that point made my face look sooooo huge…lol. When your hair gets to that stage, try to keep it off the face.

3. Grab some cute headbands and hair accessories. They will be life savers for when a section of your hair grows faster than others. This is perfect for days when you just want to get up and go. You can comb your hair back away from your face and plop on a headband.

More Ulta…

4. Lay off the heat. Hair will always grow, but retaining that length is key. Try to avoid heat styling so you’re not sabotaging your hair growth efforts. Try a wet wrap (use a silk or satin scarf to secure the hair) and let the hair air dry. This is ideally done a few hours before you go to bed so you wake up with your hair dry. Put some Moroccanoil Oil Treatment (www.moroccanoil.com for locations) on your wet hair to help speed up the air drying process.

5. If you crave long hair in an instant get wiggy with it and try out a cute wig or hair extensions.

Some hair ideas/inspiration (click to enlarge):

Good luck to you! Keep me posted on your progress.

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If you have a style or beauty question, contact me.

Looking for cute wardrobe additions without having to break the bank? Check out what’s new and hot over at EllaFly.com!

(click images to enlarge)

See their entire collection here.

New York City can be one of the most frustrating cities to commute in (although I can vouch for Atlanta, too…lol). What’s supposed to be a 20 minute car ride turns into two hours of pure hell. For me any intense level of aggravation can lead to making a beeline for the nearest drive thru. Even when I used Dr. Ian’s Fat Smash to lose about 30 pounds last year, one of his tips was to vary your commute if you find yourself craving french fries while in the car (he knows!)…lol.

So what I do is make sure I have some healthy snacks available before I get hungry. Right now there’s a big bag of light popcorn in my back seat that I’ve been snacking on all week while stuck in traffic. I’ve also made sure I have 5 or 6 strawberries as well. They’re good sources of fiber. Wish I would have remembered to do this on my last few weeks of McDonald’s binging…lol.

What are some of your favorite healthy on-the-go snacks?

This chica was spotted by Elle’s Street Chic team. You know the drill–You Be the Stylist. Tell me what you love (or hate) about this outfit.

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Kammi recently won the Mineral Fusion Simply Sunkissed Kit in our Readers Appreciation Week giveaway. After receiving the product, she kindly submitted a review. Here’s what she thought:

I started using mineral fusion powder and lip gloss. The powder looks awesome and it looks great on me. I can see a bit of more gold/bronze on me. lol. I only put little bit since I’m already tanned complexion. As for lip gloss, I was wondering it tastes like coffee but then I realized it is coffee flavor. lol. The color looks okay on me. Again, I just need to put a little of color since it’s gold or bronze color. It looks fine when I put a little bit of it. All in all, I like it! Mahalo! =)

Thanks, Kammi!

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Have a product you’ve seen here that you want to review? Contact me.

Recently The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Ebony (and my play cousin) asked for some summer work makeup ideas. After she tried it out I asked her to send a pic in. She says “Thanks again for the makeup ideas. I’m not up on the ‘fancy’ products yet (single mom… Chile please) but I went with the Almay concealer, Iman cream to powder foundation, drug store liquid liner, Bare Minerals mascara, Victoria Jackson blush, and Palladio eye shadows, and MAC Fix spray“.

Looking good, Ebony!

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To submit your fashion or makeup pics, contact me!

Try an outfit that can be taken from work to play–the peplum dress! It comes in both formal and casual form with options for all ages. Wear this type of dress if you have slender hips and would like more of an hourglass silhouette. If you already have a healthy set hips and thighs, be sure the peplum part doesn’t hit you at your widest area or be prepared to look even wider than you really are.

click images to enlarge

More ABS by Allen Schwartz…

Not feeling the dress? Try a peplum jacket!

More Amy Byer…

More NARS…

What I love most about the NARS line is that it contains super pretty, super pigmented, and totally wearable shades (many of which come in matte finishes so those with skin texture issues can find a blush that doesn’t highlight their imperfections) for every single woman on earth. Every one. And I’m willing to place a bet on that claim, too…lol.

Even if you’re a beauty on a budget, set aside $5 a week for a month and when the end of the month comes at least walk out with Orgasm, the line’s award winning shade that looks good on damn near everybody whether you’re Nicole Kidman or Alek Wek.

Most skin tones can blindly pick a shade of NARS Blush and it will look great. I myself switch between Taos, Exhibit A, Mata Hari, Mounia, Gina, Gilda, Sin, Orgasm, Outlaw (which seems to be sadly discontinued), Taj Mahal, Amour, Desire, Dolce Vita, and Torrid and I’m a MAC NW47. And a blush fiend as it seems.

Anyway, here are some suggestions below on what to try first for your skintone. You may find that you can wear additional shades that aren’t listed below (because that’s what’s so great about NARS Blush) so feel free to check out Blush 101 for tips on how to find your perfect shade of blush.

Tips on using this guide:
1. I would never get a single post completed in a timely manner if I were to list each and every beautiful shade we women come in, plus some colors work on a multitude of skin ton variations. When looking through this guide, go for the skin tone category that closely matches your skin. If you’re still stuck, contact me.
2. If NARS isn’t in your budget, still use this guide to help you decide which colors look best on your skin tone so you know what to look for with other brands.

Fair skin (Nicole Kidman) Orgasm, Oasis, Zen, Nico, Madly, Dolce Vita, Gina

Medium Skin (Sarah Jessica Parker) Deep Throat, Orgasm, Desire, Ninotchka, Oasis, Sin, Torrid, Sertao, Mata Hari

Light Olive Skin (Kim Kardashian) Orgasm, Deep Throat, Torrid, Desire, Sin, Silvana, Madly, Angelika, Gina

Olive Skin (Padma Lakshmi) Amour, Exhibit A, Gilda, Gina, Lovejoy, Taj Mahal, Taos, Dolce Vita, Mounia, Orgasm, Torrid

Tan/Golden Skin (Jennifer Lopez to Beyonce) Lovejoy, Luster, Orgasm, Mata Hari, Desire, Dolce Vita, Angelika, Torrid, Sin, Taj Mahal

Caramel Skin (Halle Berry to Queen Latifah) Orgasm, Taj Mahal, Exhibit A, Torrid, Taos, Dolce Vita, Desire, Mounia, Lovejoy, Gilda

Dark Skin (Nia Long to Gabrielle Union) Exhibit A, Mounia, Taj Mahal, Orgasm, Dolce Vita, Desire, Gina, Taos, Torrid, Amour

Deep Skin (Kelly Rowland to Alek Wek) Orgasm, Exhibit A, Taj Mahal, Mounia, Taos, Desire

The way you use your debit card could change August 5th. Many banks are alerting their customers about the option to either opt-in or opt-out to letting the bank decide to approve some of your debit card transactions if you don’t have sufficient funds in your account. For approving transactions that go over your available balance, your bank will charge you an overdraft fee normally in the range of $35 per item. You can opt-out and any transaction that would exceed your balance would be declined at the point of sale.

Me—I have accounts with two banks and a credit union. Why? One is because it gives me a discount on my car loan rate, the other is because my family all have accounts at that bank and it makes it easy for me to transfer money to them—OK—let me stop lying—for them to transfer money to ME in an instant…lol. And the credit union account is because credit unions generally rock…lol. My credit union already won’t approve any debit card transaction that goes over your available balance even if you have overdraft protection.

As for the other banks, I have opted-out of the service. I don’t need a $1.95 swipe for McDonald’s coffee costing me an extra $35 because silly me didn’t balance my account. I’m pretty good at knowing my balance at all times but things happen sometimes. Plus I keep my checking balance very low and have my savings locked away in an account that I can’t touch.

Make sure you read the fine print on any and every thing your bank sends you so you’re aware of any change in fees or services. Also call your bank to have their debit card or overdraft protection policies sent to you in writing.

Have you decided whether or not you’ll opt-in? Tell me in the comments.

If you’re looking for a great, bold red look for under $2, RUN to your nearest Walmart and grab a Black Radiance Lipstick. Although this line is marketed towards women of color, most of the shades are workable on all skin tones. You will get a smooth, creamy lipstick packed with color for less than what it costs to ride the NYC Subway. I looked at some of the reds on display at my Walmart and put up this quick guide for you based on undertone. Need a refresher on undertones? Check out Foundation 101.

If you have warm undertones, check out the orange-reds like:
#5013
#5015

If you have cool undertones, check out the blue-reds like:
#5031
#5008A
#5055A
#5005

They also have some hot pinks and berries as well as other gorgeous shades so be sure to check ‘em out.

P.S. Check out the images below for red lip inspiration from the red carpet. Click images to enlarge.

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Nicole wrote in asking for some stylish diaper bag ideas.

Here ya go!

More Bed Bath & Beyond…

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If you have a style or beauty question, contact me!

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets has over 220 discount designer stores. The outlet center is home to some of the most famous designers and brands including:

Adidas, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, J.Crew, Lacoste,  Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tod’s, Ugg and more.

New Store Openings…

Coach Men’s (coming September 2010)

Ed Hardy (coming Summer 2010)

Elizabeth Arden (Now Open)

Rock and Republic (Now Open)

Superdry (Now Open)
Back-to-School and Fall Preview Sale:
Thurs, July 29 – Mon, August 2

Back-to-School and Fall Preview Sale Hours:
Thu, July 29: 10am-9pm
Fri, July 30: 10am-9pm
Sat, July 31: 10am-9pm
Sun, August 1: 10am-9pm
Mon, August 2: 10am-9pm

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

498 Red Apple Court
Central Valley, NY 10917

(845) 928-4000

www.premiumoutlets.com/woodburycommon

For more sales and exclusive discounts
CONTINUE READING

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Ebony wrote in via Twitter asking for some new ideas for summer work makeup. She said she wants “something light and clean for the summer…but I’m obsessed with dark colors“.

Summer is such a season for bright colors, but if you work in a conservative work environment, brighter colors can be off the limits. While I wouldn’t wear a colorful eye to my conservative day job, I would (and do…lol) wear my brighter blush colors. In fact my work makeup has to be done in under 10 minutes (I like to hit the snooze button repeatedly) and in between lights on my drive in to work.

Last week my work face was: Becca Foundation Stick to cover dark spots, Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder, Illasmasqua Blush in Tweak with MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish to highlight, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in Mat Black with Sephora Nano Eyeliner Pencil in Glitter Black on eyes, Rimmel Glam’Eyes Lash Flirt, and Dior DiorAddict High Shine Lipstick in #714 Model Brown.

I pretty much wear the same look everyday—lined eyes, mascara, bright cheek, neutral or pink lip. Then on the weekends I go crazy with all my brights…lol.

Here’s some more summer work makeup ideas:

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