Blog Posts by Jennifer Romolini, Shine editor in chief

On Wednesday, Forbes magazine unveiled its annual list of top earning models in the world, and the results are, well, basically the same as last year. Gisele leads the pack again with $25 million in income--a figure that's interesting because, unlike many of the other women on this list, the Brazilian model earns most of her money from actual high-end modeling, not from "designing" stuff or shilling for brands like McDonalds and Diet Coke (Bündchen does have her own Brazilian shoe line).

At $15 mill a year, Heidi Klum (the hardest working model of all time?), comes in second. Though the 35-year-old mother of three (almost four) continues to preen for the camera, her hosting duties on both Project Runway and Germany's Next Top Model, along with an endorsement deal with Volkswagen, and her own jewelry, denim, skincare, and Birkenstock sandals lines all make up a significant portion of her income.

Perhaps the other true surprise on this list is Kate Moss. The waifish Brit's earnings

Read More »from The world's best-paid models make A LOT of money

Here is a fashion conundrum I have: I hate spending a lot of money on (mostly) anything, but often when I buy super-bargain items, there's something about them that's a little bit wrong. For example, the toe will look too dorkily square or the heel will be appear cheap or someone has done something horrible with the buttons. It's tricky. This is why I get over-the-moon excited when I see a small, independent, stylish brand putting out a cool, chic product at a reasonable price. Marais USA, which is named after the awesome area of Paris, is a newish shoe label that focuses on just a few sleek, super-versatile styles each season, available in a rainbow of colors, all of which won't bust your wallet (I said reasonable prices, not dirt cheap, its most expensive pair is $72). Right now, I am especially in love with its soft suede sandals and go-with-everything peep-toe wedges.

Read More »from Stylish shoes for under $100: My favorite new brand, Marais USA

I honestly can't believe the skin-baring, warm weather season is starting up again and I (probably like many of you) feel like a pale, flabulous, unshaven, wild cave lady. Summer snuck up on me again!

Well, we've thank goodness we've been here before and so we have lots of tips for solving everything from shaving bumps and neverending leg stubble to frizzy hair and a greasy face. Click on the links below, become magically healed.

Our grossest summer beauty problems (and some great solutions)

It's exposed feet season! Three ways to make yours look pretty

Hello Casper, it's me Bronzer! How to get a tan fast without looking like an Oompa Loompa

Countdown to the beach: How do you de-fuzz your areas?

Goodbye hellish red bumps! Three products to guarantee you'll never have an ingrown hair again (well maybe one)

Read More »from Summer beauty guide: Everything you need to know, all in one little blog

When I think about the most surprising reaction from this last year on Shine, I can't help but remember Wholesome Wear, the swimsuits that "highlight your face, not your body."

While I was personally offended by the things (Really? You want me to cover up my entire body and sweat on the beach because somehow the female body is offensive? I don't think so), many of you had a different perspective, some even found the suits kind of appealing. This was a good moment, I think, for our community, because it was one of the first times I got to see the melting pot that is Shine and how we have a lot to teach each other about our wildly diverse points of view.

Read More »from Things I can't believe you talked about: These bathing suits

Getty ImagesThe Memorial Day holiday marks the unofficial start to summer style which means, if you haven't already, you're probably pulling out last year's warm weather clothes and looking at them with awe and panic. These first summer weeks are always a bit awkward, fashion-wise, as it takes most of us a minute to get into the groove of dresses, sandals, and exposing more of our skin. This wardrobe transition is further complicated when we try to follow all of summer's fashion rules--most of which are outdated, created decades ago by highfalutin' folks, and never followed by anyone who's truly stylish anyway. So, this Memorial Day, let's make a pact to say goodbye to these silly conventions! I've debunked the top ten dumb summer style rules below. Seriously, don't worry about them. We've all got enough to think about.

1. Myth: No white after Labor Day
You know, maybe right now you're thinking, "But it's only Memorial Day! Why do I care about Labor Day?" Well, because we should start out with

Read More »from 10 summer fashion rules you should break (in honor of Memorial Day)

A few weeks ago, we Shine editors decided as a team to write about the posts we loved writing (all of which seems unbelievably meta--cue Twilight Zone music now please). Whoa. When I actually look back at the year of Shine, I realize I have written more than 400 posts (!) about fashion, beauty, retro style, celebrities, hair, shoes, stuff that makes me sad, big issues, little problems, scary things, makeup, and truly secret discounts.

And, man, it's hard to narrow that 400 down.

The truth is...I love all of it, people! Whether we're talking about how often you should shampoo your hair, a ground-breaking issue of Vogue, Ann Coulter, Michelle Obama's arms, or our favorite perfumes, I know every day that I have an awesome, fun, rewarding job. And most of that is because of you. Because you come here and read and comment and hate and love.

So, thanks so much for this year.
Keep on keepin' on, Shine readers and I'll keep writing about weird stuff.

Read More »from Shine's anniversary celebration continues with...the stories we loved to write!

When Shine managing editor Annette sent this Metro story my way this morning, I really, really thought it was a hoax. But nope, it's way true: A Japanese company called WishRoom is making bras for men and lots and lots of men are buying them. From the Metro:

"A growing number of Japanese men are opting to secretly wear bras underneath their suits in the latest fad to sweep the nation.

WishRoom, the underwear company, has sold more than 6,000 'man bras' to stressed salarymen as a means of relaxation since launching late last year.

In its online store, the company sells a range of pink, white and black bras called 'Men's Premiere Brassiere' complete with detachable straps which at first sight appear to bear no difference from female versions."

It turns the man bra (the "bran"? "mansierre"? "moob sling"?) was launched last fall, and became increasingly popular in Japan from the moment of its debut. At the time, one optimistic salesperson told the Telegraph: "[The bra] make you feel Read More »from Introducing the Man Bra, the brassiere for dudes (Lord, why? Why?!)

Getty ImagesRemember how a few weeks back all of those famous women showed up to the Met Gala looking like they'd escaped from some crazy person asylum in Wonkaville? Well, retired designer Valentino does and he's not afraid to share his thoughts. The 76-year-old told the Guardian:

"I think now all the girls look very ugly," says Valentino - not talking about women in general, but those glamorous enough to wear couture. "I saw the pictures of the Metropolitan gala evening [in New York] last week and I never saw something more ugly, all the girls have their legs out with the most terrible proportions." He shakes his head and mutters "no, no, no", wiggling his finger like a disappointed schoolmaster..."

Couldn't have said it better ourselves, Valentino!

In other news, the recent documentary, Valentino: The Last Emperor is outstandingly good and still playing in many cities. If you haven't seen it yet, you really, really should.

Source: The Guardian via The Cut

Read More »from Quote of the day: "I think now all the girls look very ugly"