Buying sunglasses is a tricky task!  Which style do you want to rock this year? Aviators, Cat-eyes, or maybe some Wraparounds?  Before you grab the first pair on the rack (to avoid the tedious process of trying them on and attempting to access your reflection in a less than adequate mirror), make sure you’re aware of your face shape.  Just like you pick an outfit that suits your body type, you want to get sunglasses that compliment your face shape. Here are a few quick tips on what styles will flatter your face:  

 
1. Oval Face:
If you have an oval shaped face you’re in luck! For the most part almost any shape will work on an oval face.  Look for a pair of frames that are wider than the broadest part of your face. A square frame with gently rounded edges would be perfect. You could also try a pair of wraparounds or shields.

 
2. Round Face:
Go for a rectangular or geometric shaped frame. You can add definition by getting angular frames, by doing this it will help make the face look longer and thinner! Try a cat eye frame!
 

3. Square Face:
We suggest going for cat eye or round frames in contrast to the face. By doing this it will help reduce angels with soft curves and give the face definition.
 

4. Oblong Face:
Going with a round or square frame would be your best bet to play down the length of your face. You are able to widen and shorten the face with sunglass styles that do not extend beyond the widest part of your face.

Don’t waste valuable summer time searching for the perfect pair. Use these tips to make your decision a cinch!

Every year about this time, salons heat up with clients searching for the latest, cutest, quickest and easiest hairstyles they can manage. It's a balancing act to find a hairstyle that will hold up to both a busy summer social calendar and summer's heat and humidity. But who wants to spend the time straightening, smoothing or curling only for it to fall out the minute you step out the door? This year's hottest summer hair trends reflect the laid-back look that defines summer. Summer is not the time for showy, gaudy or glitzy looking hairstyles. Soft braids, loose buns, ponytails of all shapes and sizes, pixie cuts, crop cuts  . . . these are the hair trends this summer and they all work great with busy schedules.   

Braids
Braids have been stirring up a whirlwind for a while now and are the IT hairdo for summer. And, what's perfect is we have about a gazillion different ways to wear them. Braids are only as limited as the imagination of the braider. Quick, easy and fun, casual, sophisticated or zany. . . learn how-to do a braid or two, and eliminate blow-drying, curling irons and straightening irons . . . ughhh . . . give it a rest! Side braids are so easy and look great everywhere; at the beach, pool party or any dressy summer event. The key to these looks are their textured, casual, beachy flair.  Nothing is structured here.

If you need to use a dryer, just rough dry it, with fingers, fluffing it upside down. Brush to the side and braid loosely with even tension and secure with a clear elastic. Try a messy boho hairstyle, brushed to the side and pinned up with three random strands of fishtail braids. Let some strands hang out around your face for a relaxed, carefree, spur-of the-moment style. Are you all left thumbs when it comes to braiding? No worries, there should be a variety of salons now in your area who can do some creative braiding for you. Bring in pictures or let them have at it  . . . either way . . . your braid will be a new look that will last for days!   

Short Bobs, Pixies and Crop Cuts
The classic short bob is a quick wash-n-wear style for ladies with straight hair (just add pink or blue and you've got a Katy Perry do) For lift on top, brush it in the opposite direction while drying. Create a deep side part and tuck behind your ear. Shifting your part to the opposite side occasionally will also create natural lift on top. A short crop pixie cut is adorable . . . and it doesn't get any easier than this. Consider going platinum if you like to jump on the color trend bandwagon, but take note that it requires monthly or bi-monthly upkeep for most.

Ponytails
Ponytails are fun all year round, but summertime gives you even more reasons to wear one when temps get hot and muggy. Ponytail varieties are endless; smooth, curly, braided, high, low or to the side and in this summer, the messier the better. You can wear a ponytail even if you don't have long hair. The faux-ponytail can be clipped into short and medium length hair. Look for these faux-ponytails at kiosks in shopping malls where the sales ladies will show you how to work with them, or you can find them at beauty supply stores.

Buns
The messy bun is another style to wear for any summer occasion. The low messy bun worn slightly off to the side has been a top hairstyle trend on red carpets this year and it's a simple style to recreate. There's no wrong way to wear a bun, so experiment and see what suits you.

Add some bling with a sparkly pin. Brush hair back into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic. Separate into two strands and wind around the base securing with pins. For a secure hold, pin into the base of the ponytail and let some pieces fall out for a messy look. Finish bangs or soft wispy curls to frame your face.

Guest author Barb Quinn has been a professional hair stylist for over 30 years and has established herself as a nationally recognized hair designer, educator, and freelance writer. Barb has been chosen by her peers to serve on the advisory panel of Cosmos C International the global hair stylist network. Thousands of women each day follow Barb's hair styling wit and wisdom on her highly successful blogs Hairstyle Blog and Visual Makeover. In 2011 The Hairstyle Blog was selected as Top Beauty Blog by BeautySchool.com.

Does it seem like your hair gives up and stops growing at a certain length?  We've all heard the myth. Now, Richard tells us if it's fact or fiction. 

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.

Swimusit season is here!!!! Even if you have a great body you still want to pick the perfect swimsuit to flaunt your assets (and hide your problem areas!). Here are the 5 body types to ensure you choose the best swimsuit for you! Happy Shopping!

Emily Loftiss is a TV Host and Image Consultant in NYC. Emily's blog is Loftiss Says where she discusses Fashion, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Events and Pop Culture. Please follow her on Twitter and Facebook. And as always "TAKE RISKS! THAT'S THE BEAUTY IN BEAUTY!"

Do you want golden summer highlights, but don't have time to hit the beach 40 hours a week?  Fake the glow and find out how many shades lighter you should you go for the perfect sun-kissed highlights. 

Ask Richard a Question:

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.

San Francisco does not have your stereotypical California summers. We often have nicer winters and falls than we do summers, as Mark Twain famously pointed out, it can get down right cold and foggy here in the summer. But you never really know. Starting in about April, it could be 75 degrees one day and 55 the next.  It sounds frustrating, but it is also exciting in some ways. I am always on my toes…and always wearing layers.

Being a self-professed product whore, there are a few items I reach towards and keep on hand as the weather heats up and then randomly cools back down, in this fair city of mine.

1. ME! Bath Shower Sherbet Exfoliating Sugar Scrub:
This body scrub is perfect for sloughing off my dead skin cells that winter left behind to reveal a smoother, sweeter me. I love the scent Summer Rain, it is very fresh and clean.  It is hard to describe really, a bit citrusy I guess. It is one of those sugar body scrubs that leaves a bit of oil behind on the skin, which I love. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and subtle. Plus, it comes in an adorable little sherbet pint container and looks good enough to eat… but I recommend sticking to eating ice cream flavors at Bi-Rite.

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So you made the cut..and now you're miserable.  We've all been there.  Don’t worry; hair grow back! Perhaps slower than we would like, but at least a bad cut can't last forever (unless you're Joe Dirt).  A bad chop can be traumatic, but you don't have to resort to wearing hats for the next six months.  Just take this quick tip from Richard and you'll be back to gorgeous in no time! 

Ask Richard a Question:

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.

As founder and editor of All Things Chic, I have a lot of beauty products arriving on my doorstep. I've tested it all. Sometimes its great - sometimes I discover what not to use. So I was totally game to try out the Remington Women's S™ Razor and Shaving Gels.

They looked great - the Shaving Gels smelled fabulous and the "S" Razor had a cool ergonomic shaping. But as soon as I opened the package, I knew this was something new and different.  The "S" Razor handle brew me away. The soft-flex hinge and soft-grip handle was like nothing I've seen. I gave it a try and instantly loved it. This is my new razor - I threw out my old razor that very day and you will find the Remington "S" Razor in my shower from now on!!

We all know that bangs are still going strong and in the spirit of DIY Richard Marin gives us the tips and techniques we can use to create fabulous fringe at home! 

If you're brave enough make the cut and try Richard's techniques let us know how it goes on Facebook.com\RemintgonReady!

Ask Richard a Question:

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.

I'm sure you've heard of the Remington i-LIGHT Pro by now, but just in case I'll give you a quick overview. The Remington i-LIGHT Pro is a great little Intense Pulsed Light device that gives you long term hair removal for up to  6 months#!  

Unlike most at-home hair removal meth­ods, IPL doesn't cut, burn or pull out hair, but instead works below the skin's surface to disable active hairs and prevent new ones from growing.  That means you get professional-quality results in the privacy and comfort of your own home for a fraction of the cost of getting in-office laser hair removal.  Pretty cool!

We had our friend and self-proclaimed laser hair removal "Queen", Vera Sweeney of Ladyandtheblog.com, try it out and see how it compares to her in office treatments.  Here's what she had to say:

Video Correction - The Remington i-LIGHT Pro is FDA *Cleared*

#Individual results will vary. In clinical testing, on average, participants had 47.8% fewer hairs six months after just three treatments, similar to results observed from professional hair removal systems.