Summer Beauty

July 31, 2007 | 3:00 pm

Michelle Williams’s SPF Secret Weapon

nia24.com

Big-screen stardom? Check. Gorgeous guy? Check. Adorable baby with said-gorgeous guy? Check. Michelle Williams pretty much has it all — including flawless, porcelain-inspired skin. Scoring Heath Ledger may not be in the cards for the rest of us, but now we know how she keeps her complexion so perfect: NIA 24’s Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($55, nia24.com). “I love NIA 24’s sunscreen. It’s the best I’ve ever tried,” she says of the sunscreen that, thanks to its natural mineral base, lasts for hours and won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. StyleWatch staffers also swear by the oil-free sun protection that actually helps repair existing sun damage.

July 28, 2007 | 2:00 pm

Sleepytime Bath & Body Products

Courtesy of That Works

Oh, those summer nights . . .if the hot weather is keeping you up, forgo the sleep meds and try a relaxing bath and body product instead. Taking a warm bath has been shown to induce sleepiness — enhance the effect by adding a few drops of lavender-scented bath oil to your tub. Try This Works Deep Calm Bath & Shower Oil, $60 at beauthabit.com, or Neutrogena Relaxing Shower and Bath Gel, $7, at drugstore.com. Don’t feel like taking a bath? Just slather on some Johnson’s Melt Away Stress Body Lotion, $6, at drugstore.com. The soothing moisturizer contains an exclusive lavender-tinged Aromasoothe fragrance, to ease muscle tension and relax your whole body. And if you still need a little extra help falling asleep, rub a little Origins Sleep Time On-the-spot Gel, $16, at origins.com onto your temples and the back of your neck. The chamomile and lavender aroma is practically guaranteed to provide you with an instant calm and induce a deep sleep. Add a cute Body Benefits sleep mask, $4 at drugstore.com and you’re set for serious slumber.

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July 25, 2007 | 3:00 pm

Summer Skincare Must-Have: Gel Cleansers

Courtesy of Lumene

Everyone changes their wardrobe choices come summertime, but not all of us adapt our skincare routine to account for the hotter weather. Just the thought of glopping on a heavy oil or cream cleanser in the balmy heat makes us sweat, so we turn to cool gel formulas for relief. If your skin’s on the sensitive side, ReVive’s Cleanser Gentil Gelee, $65, will purify without drying. Keep shine at bay with Lumene’s Matt Touch Balancing Gel Cleanser, $7, which deep cleans clogged pores. Those with normal skin can try Zia Natural Skincare’s Fresh Cleansing Gel, $16, a formula infused with sea algae that acts as a moisturizer and detoxifier. And of course, if you’re heading back outside after washing your face, don’t forget to reapply your moisturizer with SPF.

July 24, 2007 | 2:47 pm

It’s All About Side Ponytails This Summer

Francis Specker /Landov

From Nicole Richie to Hayden Panettiere to Lucy Liu, stars have been stepping out with this carefree ’80s inspired style. And we thought Maria Menounos looked so sweet with hers at the NBC TCA party last week that we had to pass on tips on how to get this easy ‘do! Start by adding texture — Nicole Richie’s stylist Andy LeCompte suggests a dry shampoo to rough hair up, followed by a drop of shine serum for polish. Then gather hair close to the nape of your neck and over to one side (far enough that it falls over your shoulder). To secure the ponytail, try a clear rubber band or wrapping a one inch section of your own hair around it to conceal the band. Leave some tendrils loose around your face, and you’re good to go!

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July 15, 2007 | 2:10 pm

Beauty Obsession: Korres Guava Body Products

Courtesy of Korres

There’s something about the summer that makes you want to change up your scent — something lighter and fruitier. But the usual slew of scents turn me off. I put on enough SPF products that I don’t need a perfume that smells like one too! But then I discovered the Guava products from one of my favorite cult lines Korres. The scent is light and distinctly tropical, but without being at all cloying. And the best part is that the body butter leaves my skin incredibly soft without ever feeling slick, another summer no-no. Pick up a Korres Guava Showergel, $11 and Body Butter To Go, $9 at sephora.com for yourself.

July 13, 2007 | 1:00 pm

Jessica Biel’s Summer Hair Secrets

Matt Sayles/AP

As summer heats up, we all struggle a lit bit more to keep our hair looking perfect and fizz-free. But, according to Jessica Biel, we’re just wasting our time. At last night’s L.A. premiere of her new film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, the always well-tressed actress let PEOPLE in on her hair secrets — less is definitely more! Jessica tells PEOPLE, “I’m all about beach hair. Don’t brush it, scrunch it, mess it up, let it be dirty, let it be messy, let it be sweaty. I think it looks way better than trying to straighten it, and trying to make it look nice because no matter what, it’s going to frizz, so just let it be dirty.” Nice to know that someone in Hollywood is low maintenance — at least off the red carpet!

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June 26, 2007 | 10:30 am

Bright Beauty Idea: Avon Instant Pedicure

Courtesy of Avon

Summer is the perfect time for showing off glossy, perfectly polished toes — except if you’re me. Between not wanting to blow my budget on pricey salon treatments and my inability to paint my own toes without smudging, my digits are embarassingly neglected. So when I heard about Avon’s new Instant Pedicure, I had to try it and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Just match the different sized strips to the width of your toenails, peel enamel from the adhesive and press the color onto your nail. After you smooth out any bumps and tear off the excess, throw on your flip flops and head out the door. I tried “Starburst” for a pretty coral look that lasted longer and chipped less than regular polish, at a fraction of a pedicure price. Buy it at avon.com, $8 in one of eight shades. — Isabelle Miller

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