It's hot. Seriously hot. So far the heat feels pretty great, and I'm loving the low humidity. But the reality is that my makeup is not a fan. At all.

To honor that issue I like to switch up my summer beauty routine. A few annual favorites top the list, but I'm also adding in a few new favorites.

First up, a protective base. That's right... sunblock. I've recently added Athelios 60 to my beauty repertoire and see exactly why it's a cult favorite. It is very (very) similar in weight and performance to my beloved Clarins UV40. I'd say if you can't find one, grab the other. A little dab will do, as both have very watery consistency. Don't let the ghostly white color fool you. They disappear into the skin in moments and don't interfere with makeup one bit. In fact, I am convinced it makes my skin glow just a little bit. Love, love, love.

All that sun protection means this girl loves her bronzer. Guerlain makes a powdered compact for blondes and another for brunettes. Aren't they thoughtful? I think so. The very slight shimmer and perfect blend of pinks & tawny hues ensures you look healthy and radiant. I never, ever leave home without application.

Toes: bright, hot, wild. I'm either a bold orange coral girl or a pretty plastic pink diva. Regardless, OPI is the winning formula. Accept no substitutes.

New for me is smudgeproof shadow. I'm still mastering application, but I love the slightly wet look it gives to my lids. This look is very sexy and perfect for those hot summer days. A little goes a long way. Experiment with brands, as some tend to settle into the crease: not a good look for anyone.

Also new for me is leg shimmer. I've seen it for years but only recently added it to the mix. Turns out I love it. And I see no reason why application should be limited to the legs. A little glistening moisture added to the shoulders and other exposed areas adds a nice radiant sheen.

Some varieties are deliciously scented, which is terrific when you're loving double-duty products to toss into the gym bag. A quick vertical line down the front of the shin, a little rubbing it in and voila! It elongates your legs and gives the illusion of even greater leg tone. Gotta love that.

Finally, top with a sheer pink lip gloss and waterproof mascara and you've perfected stay-all-day beauty combined with an undeniably healthy glow. Happy summer, girls!

I love it when I run out of "the good stuff" when Saks or Neiman's is having their Beauty Week event. I'm able to snap up my normal goodies and score some free swag at the same time. If I'm really clever, I'll double dip by also qualifying for a brand's gift with purchase. Doesn't always happen, but when it does it's a thing of beauty (no pun intended).

I ordered a few staples last week during the Saks event. This week I'll be getting just a few more things courtesy of the NM event to prepare for spring. Those feet need special care I'm always running low (or living in fear of running low) of lip gloss. And really, we can never have enough amazing scented candles.

By the way, if you've not tried the Laura Mercier skin care products you really should. They use Argan oil which is imported from Africa. It's quietly lauded for its deep hydrating and has restorative properties. Laura Mercier don't get much fanfare for her growing line of skin care products but I find myself scraping the inside of the jar when I run ou of something. I find myself just hoping there's a smidge left. That's always a good sign!

If this doesn't make you rush out to buy the new Jimmy Choo fragrance, please have your hormone levels checked.

{available at limited retail locations. Those of you in Dallas contact the Highland Park Village location: 214 528 6801}

Ladies, as a long haired girl I must openly confess my love of the ponytail. Done right you look less like a cheerleader and more like a sophisticate. There's a secret amongst stylists, however... and that's to use a makeup brush - the big fst Kabuki brush to be exact - to tame those flyaways near the face that threaten to make you look as though you've just left the gym.

The savvy girls at Tory Burch just shared another insider tip I'd never heard:

Smooth fly-aways at the hairline using a toothbrush misted with hairspray. (Editorial stylists do it all the time.) Don’t forget to conceal your hair elastic by pulling a narrow lock of hair from the underside of your ponytail, wrapping it over the elastic and securing it with a bobby pin. Instant chic.

I'll have to try that next time I'm working my mane in a pony. With cool weather coming, I always love the look of a sleek somewhat high pony and a black fitted turtleneck. Let it be known this is the ONLY time I'll wear a high necked top, as I tend to get claustrophobic in them. But with the right hair and chilly weather it's a look I love.

What about you... any secret hair tips you care to share?

How can you tell if your skincare product is working? If you find yourself destroying the bottle to get every last drop of it's goodness out before tossing it. This little bottle above? Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. One ounce of pure goodness. I can't explain what it does, precisely... but I can assure you that I look better when I'm using it consistently. This week I ran out. No biggie, I assumed. Day 1... no big deal. It's day 7 now and the girl in the mirror isn't nearly as cute as the one I was peeking at last Thursday.

What does it do? It certainly plumps the skin, as advertised. Vitamin C is reported to stimulate collagen and visually improve the skin's texture. It also seems to even out my skin tone and give me a general glow. Add to that it's light, energizing scent (as expected, it smells gently of citrus), natural ingredients and non-sticky texture. It is my absolute favorite facial serum. I'm on bottle 6 and I'm considering seeking a way to buy it in bulk. It's fantastic. Clearly it only works while you're still using it, but it's not nearly as pricey as many of the other half used bottles in my cabinet. For a fraction of the cost, I'm getting beauty in a bottle. I'm addicted to it and can't keep it a secret any longer. You must try it out if your skin is suddenly looking a bit dull.

So... my new little bottle and I would like a few minutes alone. After all, we've missed one another.

Almost every woman I know loves flowers. They are delicate, their beauty is fleeting, they range in color from vibrant violets to palest yellow. Men may find it difficult to comprehend the importance of the occasional surprise bouquet. Blooms only last a few days, but those memories... those memories last forever.  But imagine if your days were spent creating floral arrangements. What would it be like if your office was a veritable haven for orchids and exotic blooms? That's Jennifer McGarigle's place in the world. She's the Rachel Zoe of flowers. Styling them into unexpectedly pretty pieces of living art. While it may be true that all beauty is fleeting, cut flowers are an indulgence and a natural wonder that is perhaps the most evanescent of any of our personal indulgences. And yet - can you imagine a flowerless world? Setting aside the basics of the food chain and the purpose they serve in the world... Can you imagine a world with no blossoms. A wedding with no bouquet? Roses with no blooms? Think of the many color configurations we would miss. Do something wonderful for yourself this week...buy an arrangement of flowers for yourself. Yes, I'm encouraging you to order yourself a professionally arranged bouquet. Big. Baudy and bodacious. Walk into a florist. Pass slowly through the store looking at every variety of flower on display. Determine what kind of flower inspires your imagnation. Are you an orchid lover or do those gerbera daisies set your heart on fire? Decide what you love. Then, walk up to the counter and order yourself a decadent arrangement and have it sent to your home (trust me, it's no fun driving home with a water-filled vase in the car). 

Think of this as investing in yourself. I guarantee it will be a mood enhancer many days to come. {If you're pressed for time, visit Jennifer's flower bar for inpiration.}