Beauty Tip - Nude And Improved

A heavily made up face in the summer time just looks out of place and uncomfortable. I understand we all want a little help with our color, I do too, but sometimes less really is more. Especially when you can play up the natural warm tones of summer to enhance your own natural beauty. Not to mention, nude lips, luminous eyes and radiant skin, looks fresh and feminine year round.

Naked Is A State Of Mind

Or shade of lipstick – look for something pale, satin with a hint of sparkle. This soft iridescence will provide a pretty reflection without looking slick and gooey like some lip glosses. Plus it won't gather at the corners of the mouth and look like drool like other lip glosses. Keep the rest of your face simple with a light sweep of pale pink or baby blue shadow on the eyelid, and finish with a coat of mascara. Skip blush completely and dot on a bit of pearly highlighter along the cheekbones for a soft, natural glow that goes from grocery store to glamorous date night.

Beauty Tip – Steal His Stuff

Remember that episode of Weeds where Esteban threw a hissy fit when he smelled Nancy wearing his deodorant? It's okay if you don't, I don't really want to talk about Weeds, I want to talk about the reaction men have to smelling their deodorant on their lady. In the case of Esteban and Nancy, he didn't like it one bit (oh snap, I said I wasn't going to talk about Weeds) but that's pretty much because one woman had already emasculated him, his machismo couldn't handle more of the same from his wife.

My own personal experience in this department has been wildly successful, so much so that I've been known to stop by the cologne counter at Nordstroms for a quick spritz of Eternity for Men before a night on the town. Smelling a traditionally “manly” scent on a woman makes the male brain go all funky and territorial, it's like they have to replace those pheromones with their own in order to feel all is well in the world. My boyfriend prefers the smell of Old Spice deodorant on me, compared to the sweet, floral varieties offered to ladies, and I have to say I agree. Shaking things up a bit by sampling his Speed Stick is great, but it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the treasure trove of products hiding in your man's medicine cabinet.

Such as:

Scrubs – Men have harder skin that can stand up to rougher treatment which is why their exfoliators have larger particles making the products made for a man's face the perfect thing to scrub your back, elbows, legs, and anywhere else extra scrubbing may be needed. A good one to try is Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Face Scrub (Amazon.com, under $6.00).

Shave Soothers – Want to prevent razor burn on your dry skin? Reach for his shaving cream because it's super moisturizing. While you're at it, snag his shaving oil as well – a little dab along the bikini line before will result in a smoother shave after. I happen to like the sandalwood pre-shave oil offered by The Art of Shaving (amazon.com, $24.00) because it smells great and works even better.

Stop fretting about the smell already, the days of tell-tale manly smell are practically over! Many of today's products for men have toned-down aromas that are suitable for either gender. Consider also that many products marketed to men also come with a more reasonable price tag, and you're sure to see the logic in raiding his shaving kit.   

Food Tip – Eat Your Water

If you're like me, you find it difficult to drink eight glasses of water a day, as recommended by health professionals. No need to fear, those same health professionals know water can be found in some of our favorite foods. The even better news is eating water-filled foods may aid your weight control efforts by helping you to feel full.

I really can't stress enough the importance of water for overall health and wellness. Our bodies lose about 10 8-ounce glasses worth of water per day, just from the random activities life, such as breathing, sweating, and passing wastes – consuming water-filled foods can easily replenish five of those lost glasses.

Best food sources for water:

Apples

Celery

Cucumbers

Fruit Juices (100% please!)

Grapefruit

Grapes

Milk

Shellfish

Watermelon

It won't hurt you to drink more than the recommended 8 per day, just know that when you're sweating profusely from an especially rigorous workout you may need extra replacement water, so bring some apple slices along for the ride.

Fit Tip: 7 Best Ways to Workout

Finding time to exercise is tough! I know I've complained about it before, there simply aren't enough hours in the day to dedicate a whole lot of time to exercise as much as I would like. Which means I have to fit in my workout when I can, so getting the most out of my calorie burning is important to me. Apparently it's important to fitness professionals as well, a poll of over 17,000 of them yielded the following list of must-do exercises:

In order of popularity:

1. Squats – If you're looking to build balance and strength in one powerful move, this is the one. Squats are great if you want to target all of the major lower-body muscles at once.
2. Running – Aside from a good pair of shoes and perseverance, you really don't need much more equipment when it comes to this great way to build leg strength and cardio fitness.
3. Abs – No equipment necessary, anyone can work their abs regardless of fitness level. Okay, some of you are probably shouting that you just can't do ab exercises because of your bad back. My suggestion, try using a stability ball, sitting on one of these will work your abs while being easy on your back.
4. Lunges – Similar to squats, lunges are great for strengthening the butt, calves and thighs with just one move. As an added bonus, lunges also promote good balance and posture.
5. Walking – A kinder, gentler form of running, don't take the slower pace for granted, walking is great for toning legs, building cardio and can be done anywhere.
6. Push-ups – Finally something for the arms! Whether your do them “girly” style, or like a traditional plank, push-ups target the core and upper body with no additional equipment needed.
7. Yoga – Just dipping your toes into the fitness pool? Try yoga, and revel in the improved coordination, flexibility, concentration and relaxation.

Turn up the intensity of your workout by adding some weight resistance, and always make sure you're using proper form. Likewise, intensity can be added to your running and walking by adding steps and hills to your route. Not everyone can afford expensive gym equipment, fewer still want to risk the vulnerable feeling that crops up when in an unfamiliar situation, that's why I'm here to tell you that you absolutely can achieve your fitness goals with just a little creativity and willpower. Have fun!

3 Low-Cal Flavor Fixes

A healthy diet used to mean sacrificing flavor in exchange for bland, “better” alternatives, but active people world-wide know that spices and other flavor enhancers are within easy reach. Delicious and healthy really can exist on the same plate, it just requires reaching for something a little out of the ordinary. You don't have to be a celebrity to eat like one, try some of these flavor fixes.

• Truffle Oil – Okay, it's expensive, but it's incredible! Truffle oil is pungent and powerfully flavored so a little really does go a long way, saving you calories in the long run. Try it drizzled over an endive salad with hearts of romaine and roasted walnuts – yum!
• Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Instead of asking for your salad dressing on the side, swap out your dressing with a little seasoned rice vinegar. The flavor is delicate, even slightly sweet, so it doesn't need all the extra oil to temper the flavor of sharper vinegars like balsamic or red wine. You may even feel so good about saving calories that you can indulge with a little avocado on your salad.
• Bacon – Yes, bacon! Try it sprinkled on veggies, or just about anything. Since fat is used for flavor, why not enjoy it bacon flavored?

A no-fat diet isn't any good, or good for you, there's no need to sacrifice flavor or necessities in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.