Blog Posts by Allure Daily Beauty Reporter

Who wears short shorts? Not me, sweeties! Genetically pre-disposed to cellulite and athletically-challenged, I'm hardly a candidate for those thigh-baring shorts you see in Abercrombie ads.

Or at least, that's what I thought.

I've been unimpressed by the cellulite solutions I've tried in the past, but when I recently broached the subject with Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, a New York City dermatologist, she made me realize my expectations were a bit too high. Most cellulite treatments are only temporary fixes that reduce the appearance of cellulite (read: no cure, nothing radical).

Here, her suggestions that sounded most promising, even though they're not at all permanent:

Alma Accent Your Body . Dr. AA is a fan of this dual-layer thermotherapy (in short, a laser treatment). The cheerfully named Accent Your Body uses radiofrequency technology to firm the collagen between your skin and cellulite (which is unevenly distributed fat cells between your skin and muscle

One of my favorite stories in Allure's July issue is called "The Laws of Attraction," an eye-opening take on what sexiness really is. As it turns out, being perceived as sexy has little to do with how you actually look-it's about your attitude, how you feel within your skin and how you own it. Like, some women feel their va-va-voomiest in a housecoat and bunny slippers, while some feel totally unsexy even when they're wearing a killer pair of three-inch heels and a curve-hugging new dress.

This got me thinking....

GQ's July issue calls Gisele "The Most Perfect Woman on the Planet." But does this supermodel-with the legs, the boobs, the hair, the sexy Brazilian accent, oh yes, and Tom Brady-sometimes feel not-so-hot?

Those of us who've met Gisele know that she exudes confidence, happiness and good vibes. She's the definition of sexy-she owns it.

When do YOU feel your sexiest?

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Mauve makeup doesn't have a bad rap, it has no rap.

It's not as indispensable as a neutral, nor is it as fun as a bright. It's not even as dramatic as a jewel tone.

So why bother?

Because Bobbi Brown, who always makes basics seem exciting, just debuted her Mauve Face Palette, which includes subtle variations on the cool, neutral pink that forced me to rethink my everyday makeup.

I usually default to tawny shades when I'm going for a basic, just-get-me-out-the-door face, but this palette's subtle shades create the same effect, only with a slightly more sophisticated (and significantly less sporty) feeling.

Though I like to dab my finger from pan to pan, blending the lighter and deeper hues, I'm particularly drawn to the Chocolate Mauve Eye Shadow, which looks brown in some lights, violet in others. It's a new and exclusive shade, and I'm using it sparingly until I get word that it's become a permanent fixture in the line.

Way to change the game, Bobbi.

Related

Not that I'm trying to be Roger Ebert, but as soon as I saw Adam Sandler's latest flick, You Don't Mess With the Zohan, I couldn't wait to blog about it.

You see, Zohan is an Israeli secret agent who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream of becoming a Paul Mitchell hairstylist in New York. But pathetically, the earnest Zohan has been studying Mitchell's styles from 1987.

Upon Zohan's arrival, he demands to see Mr. Paul Mitchellsalon, even going so far as to offer stock options. immediately. Fortunately for him, the late Mitchell's longtime friend and business partner, John Paul DeJoria, makes a stellar cameo and tries to help him fulfill his dream. (You know the guy: He's the bearded, mustachioed man in those black-and-white John Paul Mitchell Systems ads.) In the flick, he tries to convince Zohan to join his

DeJoria's cameo is a clever detail-his life story is a fascinating rags-to-riches tale: In the '60s, he was homeless and collecting cans on the street when

It's Day Eight of my Weaning-Off-Diet-Coke campaign, and I'm going strong! But as most junkies know, one addiction usually replaces another. For some, it's chewing gum, religion, or kickboxing, but for me, it's Vintage Seltzer and Biotherm Flash Recharge Concentrate.

To keep my energy level up, I've been patting Biotherm's brand new ultra-refreshing gel under my eyes, on my cheeks, and around my temples throughout the day. It gives me that much-needed kick I'm missing. You can actually feel the freshly-scented gel waking up your face.

Though I'm not going to question what's in it, all I know is it's working for me, I thought you inquisitive types might actually want to read about the formulation: It's packed with pure thermal plankton (which the company says helps boost cell regeneration), pure ginseng (to stimulate the skin's microcirculation), and Golden Root (to energize lackluster surface cells). All that, in a peppy, orange tube.

To read all about my other

Gas is so expensive right now, you'd think our cars were running on Clive Christian perfume. My appetite for dirt-cheap beauty steals has spiked proportionately.

Here, a few bargains for my beauty addiction:

Freeman Bare Foot Self-Warming Foot Scrub, $3.99, drugstore.com. Like jumping between a hot tub and a cold pool, this foot scrub warms your feet while simultaneously giving them a chilly peppermint sensation.

Almay Smart Shade Blush, $8.99, walgreens.com. This cream blush works like a one-size-fits-all Michael Stars tee-it looks good on just about everyone. When you smooth it on, the microscopic color beads detect your skin tone shade and transforms into a customized flattering hue. Pretty cool trick, if you ask me.

Sephora Jumbo Pencil, $5, sephora.com. As much fun as sidewalk chalk, this fatty pencil is the best for creating a soft, pastel, diffused eye makeup look.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Fortifying Conditioner, $3.99, drugstore.com. People pay big

As you may have suspected, my makeup bag is in a constant state of flux. Inside my monogrammed zip pouch is a gathering of long-time faves, recent addictions, and of course, newbie products that could one day eventually be promoted to the A-list. Here, some of the products in my bag as we speak:

Kevyn Aucoin The Gold Liquid Shimmer. You wouldn't think that it was such a technological feat to put the prettiness of molten gold into a product for eyes and cheeks, but I guess it was. I hadn't seen it done until this brilliant concoction.

Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in Lust. The trick with this dark purple eyeliner is not to draw it on, Audrey Hepburn-style. Just lightly work the color into your upper lash line. It really brings out the golden flecks in green and hazel eyes, if you've got 'em. I bust it out for evening affairs.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Shimmer Ink. I don't even know why I carry this liner in my bag. If I put it on in the morning, it's

It's the weirdest thing: Do you ever notice how gloss--slippery, emollient, sticky--gloss can dry out your lips?

I thought it was just me, but apparently the white lab coats at Clinique have heard of this before. Their response? Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss.

Equal parts lip balm and high-shine gloss, this ultra-hydrating, antioxidant-enriched quencher is such a relief on the lips, whether it's worn alone or on top of another color. Around 4 P.M., when I slip it over my lipstick or lip stain (I'm a fan of both), it feels so good, I can only describe it as the equivalent of a big bottle of Smart Water after 30 fast minutes on the elliptical. (Make that 60 for you sporty types.)

While it already comes in a ton of pretty colors, Clinique just unveiled four limited-edition shades: Passionfruit, Guava, Hazelnut, and Cocoa.

I'm coo-coo for Cocoa: It's a sheer neutral that gives all of my tawny lipsticks and stains a pretty sheen without messing with their original color.