Goody goody
The gift bags handed out to presenters and entertainers at the various awards show are chock-full of good, often expensive, stuff. It always strikes me odd that the people receiving these gifts are the ones who can afford to buy it. Go figure.
Anyway, here’s a peek at a few of the items inside the MTV Movie Awards gift bags. The awards show is at 7 p.m. Sunday, if you want to tune in to check out the fashions and the music.
Product assortment from 29 Cosmetics by Lydia Mondavi.
Cashmere sweters by Autumn Cashmere.
Ten cases of beer from CCM brands — Sol, Bohemia, Tecate and Dos Equis –and a specialized bottle opener and box and 8 pint glasses.
Carol’s Daughter hair and body care products.
Dooney & Bourke Everyday Tote, patent wristlet and patent cosmetic case.
Emilio Pucci eyewear.
Encantado, Auberge Resorts package.
FRS Healthy Energy portable gym bags and $150 gift certificates for products.
Five Four Clothing from the men’s summer collection.
Frazier Winery VIP private tour and tasting.
Gabriella Francesca limited-edition necklace.
Gucci Pantheon Automatic watch.
Two pairs of Habitual premium jeans.
Hurley private surf lessons.
Lee Angel jewelry.
Livescribe Pulse smartpen.
Mohop handmade sandals.
Netflix service.
Raisa Laser and Skin Care.
Rodial face products.
Saddleback Leather Co. boot leather bags.
Sports Club LA year membership and private training sessions.
Four pairs of Vans shoes.
Shopping alert
What: Denim Days
When: May 30-31
Where: C/K & Co. in Nichols Hills Plaza, near NW 63 and Western
Details: Focus on premium denim lines, with a free gift with each jeans purchases.
Extra shopping incentive: Drawings for a free pair of jeans will be held both days.
Sex and the City trendspotting
“Sex and the City” opens Friday, and expectations are high for a big punch of fashion.
That’s what fans of the television series expect. That’s what designer brands hope will jumpstart retail sales. Whether the movie delivers trends that will catch on with you and me is a game of wait and see.
Here are some scenes from the movie. Can you spot the trends?
Baby powder … not just for babies
My only child is 21 years old, so it has been years since I’ve used baby powder on a baby.
I do use it in my shoes almost daily during the spring and summer when I free my legs of hosiery, tights and socks. And I’m not the only one to use baby powder for something other than its original purpose.
Superstar Angelina Jolie uses baby powder on her scalp and ends to “sex up” her locks, according to The Black Book of Hollywood Secrets.
US Weekly reports that Eva Longoria Parker told makeup artist Elan Bongiorno that while doing her own makeup one day, she discovered that dusting baby powder on your lashes before applying mascara makes them look longer and fuller. “It acts as a primer and makes lashes look thick and fluffy!” says Borgiorno.
Actress Amanda Bynes’ hairstylist, Townsend, recommends baby powder as a “fast fix” to “fluff up limp locks.” “Sprinkle it on you palms and run your hands through your hair to absorb the oils and give your style a lift,” Townsend tells US Weekly.
Johnson’s, maker of one of the best known brands of baby powder, offers these other suggestions:
* Add it to your beach bag to help remove the sand from your feet and legs, so you don’t have to worry about bringing the beach home with you.
* Try using it as a dedorizer. It contains cooling properties that help wipe away sweat and leave your body feeling cooler and refreshed.
*Use it to dry off sweaty feet and minimize odors. For fresh-smelling feet, try Johnson’s Cucumber Melon or Lavender Chamomile Baby Powder.
*Apply baby powder between your sheets to freshen them.
Smells like a winner
The fragrance industry passed out its FiFi awards this week. If you’re looking for a new scent, consider one of these winners:
Women’s luxury fragrance of the year in the luxury category: Daisy Marc Jacobs. Men’s, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme.
Women’s fragrance of the year in the Nouveau Niche category: Prada Infusion d’Iris. Men’s, Armani Privé Vetiver Babylone.
Women’s private label fragrance of the year: Christian Lacroix Rouge, Avon Products. Men’s, Derek Jeter Driven Black, Avon Products.
Women’s popular appeal fragrance of the year: Intimately Beckham Women by Coty. Men’s, Intimately Beckham Men.
MAC attack
New from MAC: Neo Sci-Fi lipstick, lip gloss, eyeshadow, powder blush and nail polish.
The limited-edition collection shocks the senses with fluorescents, as well as more modern buffs, beiges and flesh tones. Packaging is neon orange, just to get your attention, but there’s plenty of softer shades to tempt the eyes — and the lips and the cheeks.
One that looks especially pretty is Neo Sci-Fi Tinted Lipglass in Pink Grapefruit, a soft orange with gold pearl.
Stylin’ in the summer
This chambray wrap dress with flattering V-neck and flared skirt is from The Gap.
Summer brings skimpier clothes. In Oklahoma, when temperatures often reach triple digits by late June, it’s ridiculous to try to cover up from head to toe. You have to show a little bit of skin to keep from sweating to death.
Showing more skin often means bringing attention to flaws and areas of our bodies we would prefer to keep under wraps. Luckily, there are ways to camouflage and hide the flaws, or at least to make it look much more flattering.
Bobbi Schwartz, founder and CEO of The Bobbi Schwartz Group, a Dallas-based personal styling company, says a lot of how you look this summer comes down to dressing to compliment your figure.
“Boot-cut or flare-leg pants are more flattering than narrow-leg pants, for those with hips. And, believe it or not, wide-leg pants are very flattering to the backside, no matter what size or shape your hips are,” says Schwartz. “Somehow, they make the backside look small and shapely. Go figure!”
Clothing style makes a big impression on how someone looks, yet many people end up choosing items for the color or style, rather than finding something that will help create a more flattering image. Here are some simple tips for using clothing to your advantage, this summer and all year:* For those with a tummy, there are T-shirts that are cut in an A-shape that will help hide and distract. Eileen Fischer is a designer that offer such shirts in a variety of colors, with a high-quality fabric and cut. “The T-shirts will take pounds off those that are thicker in the middle,” adds Schwartz.
* V-shaped necklines help many women to get a quick slim look.
* For those with a long waist, opt for shirts or dresses that have a belt, to help with waist definition.
*Women can help keep larger hips in proportion by opting for a slightly flared skirt.
* Find a swimsuit that accentuates your better features and downplays your less flattering ones. Many swimsuit product lines offer such information right on the hang tag. There are suits today that look good on all body shapes and sizes such as Calvin Klein and Magicsuit.
“Longer shorts are very flattering to almost everyone, especially those baby boomers who want to wear a more flattering length and yet something that allows for a little air conditioning,” says Schwartz.
When choosing shorts this summer, those who would like to hide their hips should opt for a slightly wider leg. Those with thinner legs and hips will look better in the narrow-cut shorts, creating a long and lean look.
“If you are doing the short, however, unless you are really tall and thin, stick to wearing at least a short-heeled sandal, to really make the look flattering,” adds Schwartz.
Who’s saying yes to gray hair?
Actresses Helen Mirren and Jamie Lee Curtis.
I have my hair colorist’s phone number on speed dial. I’m just not ready to let my gray peek through more than it already does between appointments.
More women are giving in to gray, though. And if what I’m reading is any indication, a lot of them are younger than me. Some of them started turning gray in their 20s or 30s. Others just got tired of the hassle or the expense.
Gray hair doesn’t translate to granny either. Look at actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Helen Mirren. No one would describe them as matronly or old.
So, I’m wondering, have you made the choice to go gray? Shoot me an e-mail telling me why, how you feel, what kind of response you’ve gotten, etc. – and a picture of yourself if you have it (not for publicatiaon). I’m working on a story about women who choose to go gray.
Send the e-mail to lmiller@oklahoman.com.
White is right
I used to love white opaque polish on my fingernails … especially back in the days when I sported a golden tan. I haven’t worn a tan or bold white polish in more years than I can remember.
These days, I go more for self-tanning lotion and sheer polish, usually a soft white or pink. Frosted shades, not so much.
Now come more soft whites to add to my already crowded polish drawer. OPI’s new Beyond Chic Soft Shades Nail Lacquers include Oh So Glam! (a platinum white touched with gold, pictured here), Time-less is More (a whisper of white), Pearls Night Out (a rich white pearl), and She’s Golden (white frost with a golden gleam).
“White nails are a cool, sophisticated accessory,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive vice president and artistic director. “Contrasted with the brilliant colors we’re seeing in fashion, white nails are a bold and elegant choice.”
OPI is available at Beauty Brands, JC Penney, Ulta, Trade Secret and other stores.
Carrie’s sexy shoes
Check out these Dior Extreme Gladiator Platforms. Carrie, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in the movie, “Sex and the City,” wears them in multiple scenes. Check ‘em out at www.eluxury.com. For $770, you can strut in the city, too.
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