Planning on shaping your brows this summer? Get those arches in top shape with these tips and tricks provided by Kristie Streicher, the brow expert at Warren-Tricomi. From tweezing like a beauty pro to common brow myths, read on for the complete beauty scoop.- Courtney Leiva

DO

1. Let Your Eyebrows Fill In

Refrain from tweezing or at least three weeks. This allows you to see the natural growth pattern and shape of your eyebrows. It allows the hair to be on one growth cycle, which means less tweezing altogether. When hairs are taken out at once they will all grow in at once putting them on one growth cycle rather than several.

2. Use Good Tweezers In A Well Lit Place

Tweeze hair in a comfortable, well and naturally lit space. Get a pair of good tweezers with sharp slanted edges!and pull hairs in the direction of growth. Hold skin taut while you are tweezing.If you are afraid of pain and want to make the process of brow tweezing less painful, use children’s teething gel to slightly numb the area. If you tweeze your eyebrows after you get out of the shower the skin is softer and pores are open therefore making tweezing less painful.

3. Follow Your Own Natural Line

All bone structure is different, and so are your eyebrows. Not sure where your eyebrows should be? Run your finger along your eyebrow bone. That’s exactly where the line of your eyebrow should be. If you try to arch your eyebrows too high above the bone, it will look unnatural. Stay with the arch that works best with your bone structure. It’s the one that you naturally have already. If you draw an invisible line from the corner of the nose straight up towards the forehead, this is where the eyebrows should start. The arch should fall just outside the pupil and should go all the way across the brow bone.

DON’T

1.Don’t Over Tweeze Or Over Cut

Over cutting the hairs on your brow can be just as detrimental as tweezing. In some cases with thin or sparse eyebrows, the longer ones can help to fill in sparse areas. Shape is dependent on how the eyebrows lay, so if they are cut too short they will not lay right. Brush eyebrows straight up and trim the hairs that stick out too far, one at a time. Then do the same brushing hair down.

2. Don’t Tweeze More Than One Hair At A Time

After pulling a few hairs, step back and look at the entire face. Sometimes hairs that look like they need to be tweezed up close are actually a part of the eyebrow and can make a hole if removed. A magnified mirror is not recommended, if you can’t see the hair in a regular mirror then neither can anyone else.

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Tweeze The Top Of The Eyebrow

It is an old eyebrow myth that is heard too often to never tweeze from the top. Every eyebrow is different and some do not need this, but it is often required to achieve the perfect shape. I recommend doing this last to prevent making them too thin.

It isn’t unusual to hear about a new diet on the market that celebrities are trying today. These fads have been around for longer than you’d expect, and some are truly surprising. Marilyn Monroe used to drink her eggs for breakfast, for example, and Katharine Hepburn would lie down after a meal to aid digestion. Read on for other questionable tricks stars used to cut calories! – Victoria Barton

1. MARILYN MONROE

In a September 1952 issue of Pageant Magazine, Marilyn Monroe carefully outlined her very simple, but sometimes odd diet. The actress’ protein-heavy regime required beating eggs in a hot cup of milk and drinking them for breakfast. She ate nothing else all day until she had a plain protein and five carrots for dinner. She admitted, “I have been told my eating habits are absolutely bizarre, but I don’t think so.” For dessert, she would splurge on a hot fudge sundae, explaining, “I’m sure that I couldn’t allow myself this indulgence were it not that my normal diet is composed almost totally of protein foods.”

2. SYLVIA PLATH

In her semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar, the protagonist details her love of avocados, confessing, “Avocados are my favorite fruit. Every Sunday my grandfather used to bring me an avocado pear hidden at the bottom of his briefcase under six soiled shirts and the Sunday comics. He taught me how to eat avocados by melting grape jelly and French dressing together in a saucepan and filling the cup of the pear with the garnet sauce.” This unappetizing salad dressing was definitely a sign of the times, but showcased more than anything her obsession with eating.

3. LIZ TAYLOR

In 1988, Elizabeth Taylor wrote a tell-all book, Elizabeth Takes Off about her highly-publicized weight gain and the steps she took to lose around 60 pounds. Her tricks included: dry toast every morning with a piece of fruit, dinners consisting of a steak and peanut butter sandwich, and strange desserts made of cottage cheese and sour cream served with fruit. Other delights included plain swordfish or veal and nutmeg sprinkled on vegetables. Here’s her recipe for tuna salad: tuna mixed with tomato paste, scallions, mayonnaise, and grapefruit.

4. AUDREY HEPBURN

Audrey Hepburn was arguably as well known for her slender figure as for her acting career. She was a dance enthusiast that ate a lot of vegetables, only sometimes indulging in her favorite foods: a big plate of pasta, or a small piece of chocolate for dessert. She confessed, “I don’t like fancy food at all. I much prefer an extremely simple meal that’s exquisitely done. A perfectly cooked steak, a beautiful salad, some raspberries. I’m glad I like sweet things. But if I ate all I wanted, it just wouldn’t do. I’m getting better.” She also had a daily habit of taking an afternoon nap, which undoubtedly enhanced her natural beauty.

5. MARIA CALLAS

Maria Callas, a famed opera singer in the 1950s took her diet to the extreme when she saw some Swiss doctors to quickly lose weight. They prescribed a dangerous dosage of thyroid extract and hormones to speed up her metabolism, and eventually went as far as to inject iodine into her thyroid to speed up the process. She underwent this dangerous treatment through the guidance of Swiss doctors. The results were devastating and damaged her metabolism, her nervous system, and finally her most prized asset: her voice. It was even rumored that she lost 60 pounds by swallowing pills filled with tapeworm eggs.

6. KATHARINE HEPBURN

Katharine Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe may have more in common than you think: they both ate exactly five vegetables at dinner. For dessert, she would indulge in almonds and chocolate to keep her figure svelte. Her quirk was an obsession with keeping hydrated and making sure others did too—and that went for her intake and outtake. After her meals, she would lie sprawled out on her stomach, saying, “Helps the digestion,” and would avoid sitting in chairs to keep fit.

7. KARL LAGERFELD

In 2001, Karl Lagerfeld shed 92 pounds in a little over a year, and even wrote a book about it, called The Karl Lagerfeld Diet. In it, he gives some questionable advice to dieters, like substituting one meal a day for “protein sachets” in flavors like cream soup or “bread and cakes.” He encourages drinking diet soda and using artificial sweeteners to stave off hunger, and discourages exercise because it “runs the risk of making you hungry.” Another piece of Karl-advice reads, “”You can have a little homeopathic granule if you are very hungry.” We’d rather stick to buying his clothes than taking his dubious diet (read: starvation) tactics.

8. JACKIE KENNEDY

Jackie Kennedy was esteemed for her fashionable lifestyle, and for her artistic influence in the White House. When it came to dieting, though, she was very rigid. According to Tish Baldridge, Jackie watched her figure “with the rigor of a diamond merchant counting his carats.” One of her diets apparently consisted of only one baked potato served with Beluga caviar and sour cream, and that was it for the day. If she gained weight, she would restrict herself to only eating fruit until the scale changed.

9. GRETA GARBO

In the 1930s, famed actress Greta Garbo met Gayelord Hauser who was an “it-celebrity nutritionist” at the time. His bland veggie burger recipe consisted of a mix of rice, hazelnuts, and an egg fried in soybean oil. She had some interesting diet tips, as well, that supposedly made vegetables taste better. She said, “All you do is take a great big heap of sour cream and put it on a vegetable with salt and it’s delicious…more fun than with margarine. So get your sour cream, and get going.”

10. LORD BYRON

As the most surprising fad dieter on our list, 1800s poet Lord Byron would only eat biscuits and soda water or potatoes soaked in vinegar. He would go as far as to wear extra layers of clothing to sweat off his excess fat. Later in life, he limited himself to a small slice of bread and a cup of tea for breakfast, and a dinner of vegetables, which he ate with a glass of seltzer water spiked with wine. Like many dieters today, he would finish his day with a cup of plain green tea. His obsession with food extended to his opinion of women, noting: “a woman should never be seen eating or drinking, unless it be lobster salad and champagne, the only truly feminine and becoming viands.”

In a world where the elements can cause your body some high-risk problems, it is important to do all that you can to protect yourself. As the summer quickly approaches, your skin is in for some trauma. That is, if you do not know how to prepare for the sun! We have the important facts and tips to help you defeat the threat of radiation damage to your skin and ensure you have a stress-free summer. – Grace Texter

How To Choose The Proper Sunscreen

There are compounds in sunscreen that physically block radiation and these are what you should look for when considering which sunscreen is best. These compounds really are effective when it comes to protecting your skin from UVA rays. Thankfully, with the advancement of technology, we no longer need to slather zinc oxide all over our bodies. These days sunscreen comes in various formulas that absorb into the skin, leaving little to no residue behind.

An important fact to keep in mind is that SPF measures UVB absorption, NOT UVA. You want a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 and contains the compounds avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide to make sure that you are being protected from UVA rays as well.

Applying Sunscreen Properly

The majority of people do not apply sunscreen properly, which makes the product ineffective at protecting you from the sun! Start at least 20-30 minutes before you anticipate going out into the sun. This gives the lotion enough time to fully absorb into the skin, or else it could wash off later. Apply the sunscreen last, after your make up and any other products to avoid breakdown caused by water in other formulas.

Another practice of sunscreen application that most people get wrong is the amount of sunscreen they apply. Sunscreen should be applied liberally to all possible sun-exposed areas. You can tell if you have applied enough lotion if you have a noticeable film covering your skin. I know, this sounds hot and uncomfortable. However, if you apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out into the hot weather you will have absorbed the residue and will be ready to take on the sun!

Reapplying Sunscreen

If you apply your sunscreen properly from the get-go, you can wait 2-3 hours to apply the same amount of lotion again. However, if you go swimming in the meantime, or have gotten extremely sweaty, you need to reapply. Water breaks down the sunscreen and makes it virtually ineffective.

Daily Use

Most people consider sunscreen to be a beach-only or strictly-summer product. However, sunscreen should be put on as a daily product. All you need is a low-SPF sunscreen of at least 15 to help in the prevention of skin damage. The minute you enter into the sun, your skin begins to be effective. All measures taken to help protect the skin will benefit you in the long-run.

You’ve probably noticed the latest craze in beauty products is BB cream. Otherwise known as Beauty Balm, this revolutionary product originated in Asia to give women perfect, lighter skin. Now it has crossed over into the Western markets as a tinted moisturizer/ light foundation crossover. It is essentially an all-in-one product that gives you that milky, porcelain-esque skin that every woman strives for. It is a must-have for your summer makeup bag. It covers while treating blemishes, hydrates and evens skin tone, contains antioxidants to aid in anti-aging, AND SPF to prevent sun damage. Basically, we are 100% behind this new beauty product craze. We even found the best BB creams specifically designed for your type of skin. - Grace Texter

For Oily Skin: Estée Lauder Daywear BB Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme SPF 35

This light formula is virtually weightless and just sheer enough that you will be happy with the coverage without the cakey feel of other foundations. It moisturizes while working to stop blemishes from forming.

For Dry Skin:  Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream SPF 15

Jam-packed with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, this extremely hydrating formula easily blends over dry areas without looking flakey. In addition, it works to brighten your skin with the ever-transformative Vitamin C.

For Sensitive Skin: Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB Beauty Balm with SPF 25

BB creams by definition are gentle to the skin. But this fragrance-free pick helps irritated skin look and feel better! With a high water content, the formula is cooling on the skin and aloe soothes redness.

For Dull Skin:  Dr. Brandt Signature Flexitone BB Cream

Infused with pearl powder, this cream makes your skin look luminous! Only available in one color, is works with almost any skin tone and at every shade, skin is radiant!

For Uneven Skin: Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30

This BB cream leans a little more towards a lightweight foundation that leaves your skin looking youthful and even. Use with your regular concealer and your complexion will be flawless. Say Goodbye! to blotches and blemishes!

Adios red lips! It’s time to make way for colorful coral, the hottest beauty trend of the season. To get that perfect coral look, we’ve rounded up ten of our absolute favorite lip finds any skin tone can effortlessly pull off. – Courtney A.  Leiva

1. Armour Beauty Nina Gloss

Delivering a thick touch of coral color, Armour’s high-definition gloss helps moisturize lips with natural oils and butters. ($21, armourbeauty.com)

2. Sonia Kashuk Moisture Luxe Tinted Balm

When you want something lighter than lipstick, this acai oil formula brings hydration and a nice peachy color to your pout. ($8.99, target.com)

3. Topshop Lipstick in Ohh La La

Perfect for any evening soiree, dress up those lips with a velvety smooth coral flush. ($16, topshop.com)

4. Pixi Beauty Lip Blush in Energy

For eight hours of long-lasting color, trust a non-drying lip blush for some serious coral. ($18, pixibeauty.com)

5. Ilia Beauty Lipstick Crayon in Karma Chameleon

With a color this sizzling, can summer get here any faster? ($24, iliabeauty.com)

6. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Grandma

Steal a bold lippie by painting on some of this vibrant lip tar for a fiery coral hue. ($18, occmakeup.com)

7. Deborah Lippmann Lip Color in Call Me Maybe

Get coral-cute with a flirty lipstick equipped with a sheer, glossy finish. ($22, deborahlippman.com)

8. Perfekt Beauty Lip Perfection Gel in Sunset

Perfect your pucker with this multi-tasking lip color, rich with hyaluronic microspheres, peptides and antioxidants. ($24, perfektbeauty.com)

9. Yes to Carrots Color Balm in Peachy Keen

If lipsticks and lip glosses aren’t your thing, fall in love with a lightly tinted color balm instead. ($5.99, yestocarrots.com)

10. Manna Kadar Lipstick in Lola

With this creamy lipstick, achieving a bold salmon lip has never been easier. ($21, mannakadarcosmetics.com)

While there are many factors in the environment that wreak havoc on the delicate organ known as skin, one of the most detrimental causes of skin problems is stress. Stress seems to just target skin when tensions are high. We have determined the best products to help you stress a little less about your skin and focus that energy somewhere else. – Grace Texter

Dry Skin

Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer:

This innovative new product is crafted specifically to combat the physical effects of stress on your skin. Dryness, redness, and unevenness are all reduced by this facial God-send. More Here.

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream:

This oil-free, 24 hour moisturizer is like a glass of ice water for your face. It is a must for the summer. It goes on extremely light so it won’t make you sweat but it keeps you moisturized during the upcoming sunny days. More Here.

Gloves In A Bottle:

This moisturizer works to keep irritants out of your skin while retaining your skin’s natural moisture. Like gloves, the lotion is the ultimate protector of your skin. More Here.

Irritated and Discolored Skin

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel:

This antioxidant anti-ager is rich in vitamin C and ferulic acid to diminish hyperpigmentation and speed up cell turnover for fresher, lighter skin. More Here.

First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum:

Safe for sensitive skin, this serum is jam-packed with anti-redness and anti-inflammatory agents like caffeine, ginger, and colloidal sulfur to fight the visible discoloration in the skin. More Here.

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask:

This hyaluronic acid and lychee-seed extract mask provides intense moisture for irritated skin. More Here.

Dull Skin

Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel:

The word ‘peel’ may send an uncomfortable shiver down your spine, but this gentle formula gives you the positive effects of a peel without the painful aftermath. Overnight your skill feels smoother. After one week you will notice spots becoming brighter. After four weeks dark spots and imperfections are significantly reduced. More Here.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm:

Want an instant dewy complexion? This will give your tired, stressed skin a quick pick-me-up and leaves your face feeling rested and calm. A must for all-year-round. More Here.

Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion:

This brightener isn’t irritating and is okay to use day and night. In four months, you will see a brightness in your skin as well as a new soft and smoothness. More Here.

What better day than Earth Day to finally toss your chemical-laden beauty stash and refresh your collection with products that are as good for you as the earth? Here’s a list of four really, honest-to-goodness eco-brands you may not already know about, could definitely use, and might just love. We’re pretty sure your skin won’t miss those chemicals. – Cass Daubenspeck

1.  SW Basics

Formerly known as “Sprout,” SW is a Brooklyn-based cosmetics brand making bath and beauty products you might actually eat by mistake (and love anyway). From a natural demerera sugar and coconut oil scrub ($12) to a delicious vegan lip balm ($4) the temptation is definitely there. And best of all, every ingredient is vegan, organic, and fair trade. We’d be amazed if there’s anything more earth friendly, or gentler on skin.

2. Josie Maran

Supermodel and beauty icon Josie Maran started this cosmetics line knowing that when it comes to makeup, a little can go a long way. This sophisticated yet school supply-looking Magic Marker lip and cheek stain ($19) offers a double punch of lip and cheek color in one stick. Keep your makeup bag light, and do something environmentally responsible. Aside from the earth, Maran’s products make a small impact on your wallet.

3. Uptown Soap Co.

The only bath and body manufacturer in all of Manhattan, this company started out of a dining room on the Upper West Side. Not only are all products free of chemicals, dyes, and cruelty, but they’re hand-poured in NYC. If those factors don’t sell you, the artwork on the glass bottles will. Try their Peony body cream, part of their 2013 Botanica line, inspired by spring.

4. Juniper Ridge

When they say they use “pine needles” in their soap, they mean real ones, right from the forest. All the ingredients in their products come from three regions within the U.S., and they’re the only company in the world extracting and formulating 100% real, plant-based fragrances. The only one. They still work with real plants, too, and they do it “the old fashioned way” from start to finish in their Oakland, CA workshop. Check out their earthy Siskyiyou soap ($12) or Wild Crafted Teas ($13) made from real Douglas Fir and Wild Mint.

5. Scotch Naturals Nails

Scotch swears making the change from chemical nail polish to natural is one you won’t regret. The truly non-toxic water-based polish offers a high-shine salon quality finish that looks gorgeous and feels like a million bucks (but costs only $15). Try any of the bright spring shades to welcome the warm season. Worth it.

6. Origins

Truly devoted to nature and its “origins,” this company is even willing to plant a tree if you buy a bestseller. From lotion to lipstick, Origins is a no-brainer for nature friendly must-haves. Try the GinZing Brightening Mascara ($17.50) for a lengthen and lift that makes eyes pop, or the Totally Pure Deodorant ($16) that uses Organic Ginger and White Willow Bark to help protect the purity of the product and control odor.