Your hair may sometimes make you crazy, but it’s easy to keep it pretty and manageable once Summer hits. Keep reading to learn how you can jazz up your tresses and keep your hair gorgeous and easy breezy all season long minus the work, products and plugs!

I have very fine hair. I have a lot of it, but it’s thin and fine. Wispy? Always. Tangled? Of course. Unlike lucky women who can sleep on clean hair and wake up with full tresses they can simple brush out, I have to wash mine every morning so that it detangles and doesn’t look greasy. It’s basically a rat’s nest every AM: definitely no cute bed head here! Once the day starts, though, I’ve realize that there are many times when I don’t want to take the time with product or the blowdryer. I have found an easier way, ladies!

3 Super Summer Hair Tips: Whether you need to treat damaged tresses or get out the door with an easy look that will last all day, these tips will definitely save you time and effort this season!

4 Effortless Hairstyles: Craving voluminous hair that is also cute and easy? These effortless styles will last into the evening and beyond.

7 Do-It-Yourself Hair Fixes: Not all of us have the money to spend on pricey salon visits every time we have that dreaded bad hair day; that is what Do-It-Yourself treatments are for. Keep reading for our top tips for getting yourself out of a hair jam and into bouncy hair that will have people thinking you know the latest salon secrets!

Easy Texture: Read on to learn how to add some wave, curls, or even just a bit of roughness and texture to straight or boring hair. It’s perfect for the warm months!

3 Perfect Summer Hair Accessories: We have three awesome summer accessories for you that are either already in your closet or that you will be able to find on the cheap.

How do you make your hair more fun? What issues do you struggle with? Curls? Straight ‘blah’ hair? Let me know in the COMMENTS…

Until next time, ladies!

Emilie

You may have promised yourself to start eating in a more healthy way earlier in the year; it’s now May, people! It’s time to look ahead to bathing suit season and consider ways you can add diet-friendly options to your exercise plan. Exercise and diet work together: remember that! Keep reading for our tips and recipes that will help you achieve your goals sooner than later. More after the jump!

A great body doesn’t happen with exercise alone: diet plays a very important role. Read on for the best tips, recipes and know-how that will set you on the path to bikini body greatness!

6 Super Smoothie Sips: Shakes and smoothies are a great way to fit in your protein, gain energy and set yourself up right before a workout or the start of a long day. Enjoy these 6 super smoothie and shake recipes!

4 Ways to Cook More Heart-Smart Meat: Eating meat can be a very unhealthy practice if done incorrectly, but it’s important to add the protein of meat to your diet in a health-conscious way. Keep reading to see our best tips for cooking meat in heart-smart ways!

6 Great-For-You Salads: Cold salads make great side dishes, and they can be healthy too! Keep reading to see our recommendations for making good-for-you summer sides to share with your friends and family.

5 Fantastic Fruit Desserts: These fruit desserts are good, and good for you! Keep reading to see the recipe list.

4 Ways to Heal Your Body with Food: Everyone knows that there are ways to heal your body through physical exercise and medicine, but how about healing your body with food? Keep reading for the four foods that will help you ease the stress and pain in your life; breakfast was never easier!

7 Ways to Think Skinny, With Recipes!: Keep reading for the simple ways you can think skinny, drink skinny and eat skinny so that you take in less calories in simple and easy-to-do ways!

6 Slimming Springtime Soups: Winter soups are heavy and hearty, but Spring soups are slimming and simple. Keep reading for Fit&Fab’s top slimming soup recipes that can be adapted easily to your diet and preferences. Don’t love ground beef? Ground turkey is an easy switch for a healthier meal!

How do YOU combine diet and exercise? Let us know in the COMMENTS!

Until next time!

Emilie

Sure, everyone loves the look of a gorgeous mani-pedi in a bright spring hue, but could your nail habits be ruining your natural nail? Keep reading for some of the worst habits we’ve heard, and what you can do to better protect your nails.

1. Do you basecoat?
Maybe it seems obvious to you, but this crucial step of nail polishing is skipped by many a lady in the name of time. But girls, don’t skip the basecoat! Regular nail polish colors have the power to dry out your nails, and sometimes they even have toxins that pose a threat to your skin’s health. Using a basecoat shields your nail from all of this, and creates a barrier so that colors don’t stain.

2. Use Acetone-Free Remover
While acetone tends to remove your polish faster and easier, it does so at the expense of drying out your nails. Try using acetone free remover and see the difference.

3.  Beware of the Mini Tanning Bed
That UV Lamp they use to dry your mani at the salon? That’s a mini tanning bed for your hands! Be wary of the nail treatments that require you to sit for extended periods of time under those lamps, because it can be damaging to your skin.

4. Don’t Don’t Cut Your Cuticles
If anything, just push them back! Don’t demolish the barrier between infection and your nails.

Tell me, ladies: Does your conscience speak to you when you’re at the nail salon? Do you worry about the effects of chemicals on your skin?

With a new season comes the iconic fashion wear that I think I need to have. Keep reading to see the items that I’ll be adding to my summer ensemble, and tell me if you agree with me.

A Bold Maxi
No, not like J. Simpson’s newest child… a maxi dress! Check out this blue, white, and black Milly number I got last weekend. It fits the bill for a perfect summer maxi.

Retro Sunglasses
Because who wouldn’t look cute in a pair of these?

I saw this little boho bag at Target and fell in love. It’s carefree and sports a summer color, perfect for walking around at any festival or concert.

Tell me: What is the one summer item you’ve been coveting?

]]> http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/14/new-season-new-splurges/feed/ 1 http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/11/freebie-fridays-pixi-beauty-giveaway/ http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/11/freebie-fridays-pixi-beauty-giveaway/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:42 +0000 Emilie http://www.runningwithmascara.com/?p=9589

Who doesn’t like having the look of ethereal beauty? When I think of classic beauty, I think of classic films, classic characters and simple but shimmery looks that are feminine and delicate. That is exactly the look you can achieve when you use the products from this week’s contest! I can’t rave enough about them; they have become a purse staple of mine and I can’t see going back. Keep reading to learn about all the products you can win from the PixiGlow line…after the jump!

On a quest to recapture her own sense of whimsy, Petra Strand, the founder of PixiGlow was inspired by Disney’s Tinker Bell in creating a new collection of makeup to make women feel as fresh, magical and most importantly, ageless as the famous fairy.

At the center of the PixiGlow collection is the Fairy Face Palette. The gorgeous kit includes five eye colors, a three-color blush palette, five lip creams and applicator. Featuring shades such as champagne, the palette makes it easy to achieve a fairy-inspired look. The PixiGlow collection can be found here and at Target stores nationwide.

The Prize: One (1) winner will win the The Fairy Face Palette, Catching Shadows Crayon, Straight on Till Morning Liner, Fairy Dust, Magic Tink Tint and PixiGlow Nail Color (A $98 value)

Timeline: This giveaway will run until May 17th, 2012 at 11:59pm CDT.  A winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email on Friday, May 18th.

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment telling us why Tinker Bell is a wonderful inspiration for this makeup line!

Optional Additional Entries (leave separate comments for each one telling us that you’ve done them):

1. “Like” Fit&Fab on Facebook.

2. Follow Fit&Fab on Twitter.

3. “Like” PixiGlow Beauty on Facebook.

4. Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, linking back to this page.

Good luck!

Enjoy your weekend,

Emilie

I think the title says it all. Keep reading to see some of my favorite shoes that are currently out and about on the Internet and in stores near YOU, just begging to be purchased. They may not be puppies or kittens, but they deserve a home, too!

Your feet are ugly…

…okay, that was a bit harsh.

Let’s be honest, though: your little piggies would be much cuter with a new pair of shoes to adorn themselves with. Check out the selections below that are ready and willing to be your next favorite pair of kicks; also be sure to check out this video where Jen gives me a hard time about my shoe-buying ways.

These L.A.M.B. nude leather strappy wedges will go with any outfit this summer. Don’t delay; just think of how well they’ll go with your LBD or your floral print romper!

ZARA is selling a beautiful wide heel slingback with a rhinestone-adorned heel for $129. This shoe would dress up any ensemble!

Go lacy with these pretty lace shoes from Zara. They would pair nicely with a pair of skinny jeans or a feminine dress. At under $50, you can’t lose.

Lastly, a dream shoe of gold, raffia and suede by Alaïa. I can’t afford them; neither can you. That makes me feel a little better about the situation.

Did you buy a new pair of shoes for the coming season? Let me know in the COMMENTS! I support your shoe addiction, ladies. Your husband may shake his head, your friends may judge you…but I never, ever will.

Until tomorrow (with a prize I am obsessed with),

Emilie

Photos Courtesy of: Bluefly, ZARA and Net-a-Porter

What happened last night on Dancing with the Stars? Who was booted from the competition? Keep reading to find out who was at the top of the leaderboard and who fell short!

Last night on DWTS, the drama continued. Tears of joy, tears of laughter, tears of…well, sadness, what else?

Although all contestants (“stars”) have put their best foot forward, there was a double elimination last night on the show. As always, scores are made up of both the scores from the panel of judges (Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli) and the at-home audience that is cheering on their favorite sports star, actor/actress or singer.

Last night the two to pack up their dancing shoes were Roshon Fegan and Melissa Gilbert. Could they be more different?

Roshon is a young one and will bounce back; he was entertaining to watch all season with his young partner Chelsie Hightower. His final score on Monday night was actually very admirable: 29 out of 30. Those at home may not be as familiar with Roshon as some of the other contestants, however; this could have worked against him.

Gilbert, however, was told by the judges that she had issues with her footwork; she fell to the bottom of the leaderboard. It was also her birthday. Yikes.

“I can’t even describe what a learning and growing experience this has been. It’s been a real blessing and a joy,” she managed through tears. “Maks has been amazing. An incredible teacher. An incredible friend.”

Maks gets on my nerves. I have not seen a more self-obsessed person on television, and that is saying something! That being said, he seems to take the art of dance very seriously and usually gets the best out of his partner.

The highly-anticipated semi-finals begin next week with the four remaining contestants: athlete Donald Driver, Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, TV personality Maria Menounos and fan favorite William Levy. May the best win!

Are you trying to get in the mood to dance? Take a look at the articles below…they are sure to get you moving!

Your Fat-Burning Cardio Playlist

Start Spinning: The Motivating Playlist

Everyday Fitness Playlist

All About Zumba

What do you think about the remaining four on DWTS? Were you sorry to see Roshon and Melissa go? Could you have used a little more Disney on the Prairie? Let us know in the COMMENTS!

Until tomorrow,

Emilie

On a night when many of our favorite small and big screen actresses paired off with fashion icons, some memorable looks walked down the red carpet. Keep reading to hear about our favorite and least favorite looks of the evening.

One of my very favorite dresses of the evening is the above gown, which was designed by Zac Posen for Amber Heard. The structured gown fit her perfectly and it was easily one of the most stunning visions of the night.

My coworker Deena’s favorite look of the evening was a Ralph Lauren stunner donned by Camilla Belle, and I would definitely have to agree that this gown was one of my absolute top picks. Ralph Lauren has shown a serious knack for designing beautiful gowns as of late, including his daughter Lauren Lauren’s wedding dress.

Emma Stone looked stunning in this red number that was embellished with 3,000 plastic flowers and beading. She was definitely one of my favorite dressed stars.

My least favorite star was Beyonce, and while everyone admired her ombre see-through skirt and complimented her for losing the baby weight, I just thought the look was totally inappropriate. Anything that makes the public wonder if you’re actually wearing undergarments is a definitely no in my book.

Well there you have it! Tell me ladies, Do you agree with my choices? Was my Beyonce criticism too harsh? Tell me in the COMMENTS!

]]> http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/08/the-met-galas-best-dressed-stars/feed/ 1 http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/07/help-me-choose-i-need-a-purple-dress/ http://www.runningwithmascara.com/2012/05/07/help-me-choose-i-need-a-purple-dress/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 20:22:49 +0000 Jennifer http://www.runningwithmascara.com/?p=9562

Good afternoon, my lovely Running with Mascara Readers. Today, I really need your fashion advice. I’m in a wedding in June and the only dress requirement is that I wear purple. Keep reading to see my options and help me decide which one to choose!

First off, let me tell you a bit about me. I am tall-ish (5′ 7”) and because I don’t really have curves, I try to pick styles that emphasize my waist. Here are some dresses I’m considering:

This is an Alice + Olivia Silk Chiffon dress that is absolutely gorgeous.
Pros: it’s well-made, I already own accessories to go with it, it’s figure-flattering
Cons: it’s way above my price point, I’m not sure it’d get much wear because it’s not super interesting

This dress from Evan Picone at Macy’s is much more budget-friendly at $99. Here are my thoughts about this number.
Pros: occasion appropriate, figure-flattering, easy to accessorize
Cons: not the most interesting silhouette, and, when is the last time these cap sleeves were in style?

At a cool $248, this dress’s price makes me squirm a little bit, but I absolutely love the flowing fabric. Here’s my thoughts on the matter:
Pros: LOVE the fabric, the color scheme is great, it’s unique – a quality I embrace in dresses
Cons: it’s a tad above my price point, I worry about upstaging the bride in a floor length dress, it doesn’t emphasize my waist, it’s not straight purple

So ladies: Which dress should I choose? Do you have any other recommendations for purple dresses?

The whole world, literally, is talking about Vogue’s decision to promote healthy models in all of their magazines. Keep reading to get all the details, and the impact that it’ll hopefully have on the modeling and fashion industries.

Age Limits
Vogue is imposing new age limits in all of its 19 magazines in an effort to promote healthier modeling. IDs will be checked to ensure that models are 16 or over when working for the magazine.

Healthy Weight
Vogue will not partner with anyone who appears to have an eating disorder. They will also encourage clothing labels to reconsider the small sample sizes they send, because it gives unrealistic expectations for models to fit in them.

Reasonable Standards
The point of all these new rules? Changing the standards for fashion and models alike. Everyone knows that Vogue is a huge entity in the fashion world, and hopefully other publications and agents will follow through on their commitment to being a more positive influence in terms of model selection. “Health is Beauty,” and Vogue would like to show the world they value health.

Tell me, fashionistas: What do you think of the new criteria for models? Is it strict enough? Do you think that it will encourage more healthy body images among young girls? Discuss!