3 summer beauty trends not to miss

If you’re a glass half empty person, I'm sorry that you’re summer is half way over. If you a glass half full person, enjoy the rest of July and August! Either way, the summer 2013 beauty trends have made their presence known. So let's celebrate the top three summer beauty trends you still have time rock.

Healthy Glow

Sub your bronzer for blush.  Honestly who needs to add more red to your complexion when dealing with heat and sunburn? I know I sure don’t. However, blush always extenuates my weak bone structure therefore, I can’t just forgo that important part of my makeup routine. Thanks to one of this summer’s top trends you don’t have to. Instead of blush, try using bronzer to do the job. It works just as well to show off your cheekbones but instead of giving you an even more flushed look, you just get a bronze glow.

Sleek Strands

We’re used to seeing women embrace their wildly wavy summer hair, giving it a messy chic look. But this summer it’s all about fighting the frizz. Sleek is chic. Although not always easy, it's possible. To get the look, start by using Oribe’s Shampoo and Conditioner for Moisture and Control ($38, oribe.com). After washing, use hair oils. My personal favorite is Moroccanoil Treatment Light ($43, Moroccanoil.com).  The light weight formula tames my frizzies without weighing down my hair or making it look greasy.

Bright Pink Puckers

It’s playful, fun and light— all the qualities you look for in a summer look. With the gross summer heat, go for a matte lip instead of sticky, runny gloss.  My favorite pink lipstick of the moment is Hourglass Liquid Lipstick ($28, Sephora.com) in Ballet. It goes on liquid, but dries matte. Genius.

Introducing My New Intern, Plus the 3 Products She Can't Live Without

A little help goes a long way, especially when you're an entrepreneur and feel the need to be in five places at once.  Often times I hire interns to help me be in two places at once (well, kind of...) and help organize my projects like SJP did with J Hud in SATC.  That being said, I'm excited to introduce you to my spring intern, Stephanie.  I'll admit, like my former intern Emily, I was a little partial when it came to hiring her.  She's a senior at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY (where I went), English major (just like I was) and journalism minor (just like I was).  Without further ado, I'll allow Steph to introduce her three must have beauty products so you can get to know her a bit better. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

This bronzer is my absolute favorite. While it's matte, it still gives you a luminous look. With real cocoa as a main ingredient, it smells like powdered hot chocolate and gives you a natural post-Bahamas trip glow. It never gives me a “muddy” look so I never have to worry about looking like the tanning mom. The color's buildable so looks great on all skin tones and can be worn through all seasons. The best part: a little goes a long way so I usually only have to purchase a new one once a year.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture - Combination Skin

I have textbook combination skin: kind of oily in the T-zone area with occasionally dry cheeks. My skin also happens to be really sensitive so I look for anything that says “alcohol-free” and “fragrance-free.” This moisturizer is super lightweight so I use it before bed and under my makeup for a perfect base. It controls the shine in my T-zone and hydrates the dryer parts and leaves my face really smooth. One pump is more than enough to cover your entire face and neck. 

KMS California Hair Play Sea Salt Spray

This is my go-to summer product on the days when it's just too hot to even think about putting a blow dryer on. I even use it in the winter to give my hair a break from the straightener and curling iron. Even though my hair is naturally pretty wavy, this sea salt spray gives it that extra boost. I simply spray a little in my towel-dried hair and let it air dry. It gives me the perfect Colbie Caillat, tousled, beach waves without drying my hair out.

Holiday Gift Guide: Lorac Bejeweled Day & Night Gift Box

I'm so excited to begin presenting you with some great holiday gift ideas for the ladies and gentlemen on your list.  Throughout the next month on BeautySweetSpot, I'll be sharing some of my fave picks out of crazy amounts of holiday loot I've been scoping out in hopes it makes your holiday shopping a bit less stressful.  I'll also be giving away a ton of what I feature so stay tuned!  First up: Lorac Bejeweled Day & Night Gift Box. As soon as I saw this masterpiece at a Lorac holiday event in the beginning of November I knew it was going to make my gift guide. Created by Lorac's Celebrity Makeup Artist, Carol Shaw, it's full of universally wearable shades and the cosmetic trays are removable so you're left with an embellished, silver jewelry box.

It includes:

• two eyeliners in black and dark brown
• two high-shine lip glosses in rose and peach
• bronzer
• face palette for day (16 eyeshadows plus blush)
• face palette for night (16 eyeshadows plus blush)

Exclusive to Sephora, the set retails for $56 (a $415 value)