In addition, it’s super fabulous for legs, making them smoother than you could believe (ideal for pre-self tanning exfoliation); but I LOVE it for my back. It gets out the gunk that regular body products can’t access, and has made my acne-scarred sun-damaged back look smoother, lighter, and less scarred, and helps prevent future acne from terrorizing me. I follow up with the Hand and Body Lotion, which keeps my skin on its toes and makes it work double-time in preventing the bacne. It won’t clog your pores, either. The Hand and Body Lotion is also ideal if you have chaffed, gross, jacked hands or feet (it will de-age them in about a week, no joke). But do not use it on any skin part if you have open cuts, because this is an acid we’re talking about here, and that’s not fun.

You can score both these products plus Jan Marini’s AMAZING SPF 30 Body Block (my fave) for only $84 right now during Jan Marini’s Summer Special, saving you a cool $17 (enough for a new lipgloss, which you can send to me as a thank you when you realise how amazing these products really are!).

NOTE: Do NOT use either of these products on any body part that has recently been involved in hair removal (especially shaving), because you will scream bloody murder.

In my opinion, with all the mouthing off we do, lipcare should be second only to sunscreen. And that starts with exfoliation! No one likes to see pieces of flaked skin covered up with a berry colored lip tint (and if you do, you’re at the wrong website). And you can’t moisturize those flakes off. You have to PHYSICALLY remove them. Enter: the Lush Lip Scrubs, which will change your life. They are freakin’ DELICIOUS – and freakin’ EFFECTIVE. Made with castor sugar and jojoba oil, they’re available in 3 flavors: Sweet Lips (Milk Chocolate), Bubble Gum, and Mint Julep.

My mother tried to steal the Bubble Gum flavor from me and I was like, “Umm yeah right, you can park yourself in front of your laptop and buy one yourself!” At $9 a pop, they are worth the splurge and last forever (I’ve had mine for about 4 months now and barely made a dent; a little goes a long way… if you can stop yourself from trying to eat them!). They’re super gentle and remove the grossness without chafing your lips, and they leave them so soft and pretty. Plus, they’re vegan! I think they make the cutest, smallest, most perfect little gift. In other words… buy me some. I am greedy, and I would like more.

A favorite of Alicia Silverstone, Recess features flat screen TVs, Almond Champagne and other refreshments, super plush chairs, and spacious stations with curtains for added privacy if so desired. They also feature over 400 color choices from Spa Ritual, Qtica, and Zoya, which are free of DBP, Toluene, Camphor, and Formaldehyde. In fact, Zoya loves Recess so much they recently named a very pretty, sparkly, red polish after Recess’ owner, Nidhi (featured in the Summer 2010 Collection: Sparkle):

The menu features spa treatments at affordable prices; a mani and pedi together will run you about $50 and won’t leave you worried about catching some gnarly fungus like other salons might. You can also customize the scent of the lotions and scrubs used on you (coconut for me). The technicians are really friendly and can tailor a treatment to your individual nail needs. Being that my cuticles are jacked from years of nail biting, I had a Warm Oil Cuticle Treatment, as well as the Lavender Paraffin Wrap on both my hands and feet. I’d never had a paraffin wrap before, and it was awesome. It left my skin feeling deliciously soft; and my mani/pedi lasted me a really long time.

Besides being LEED certified, Recess features re-usable bamboo towels, a superior HVAC system which recycles air more frequently than your typical salon (to disperse fumes), and never recycles foot files, buffers, etc. In fact, when you are done with your manicure/pedicure, they give you the option of keeping the tools used on you.

Recess is located at 8408 B Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90048, and can be reached at (323) 782-9919. You can also follow them on Twitter @RecessNailSpa. You should go, and tell ‘em I sent you.

*FTC Disclaimer: My treatments were comped in exchange for review. You are jealz.

Photo from Roxy 2010 Summer Lookbook

Roxy has partnered with Schick Quattro for Women to put together a “Design A Bikini” contest, which I’m really stoked on. I’m always looking for bikinis that are graphic rather than boring, but not too busy – aren’t you? And you can also play “stylist” with this contest: after you design and submit your entry, you can “accessorize” your bikini with Roxy Eyewear, Sandals, Tote Bags, Hats, and Schick Quattro for Women razors. If you think styling for a big date night out is hard, try styling for a day at the beach!

The Judges Panel will pick the Grand Prize and Runner-Up Designers, and the panel includes Summer Rapp, Head Designer for Roxy (best job ever!); Marisa Grumer, Senior Fashion Editor for Seventeen Magazine, Samantha Durbin, Editor for FabSugar.com; Jennifer Rade, Celebrity Fashion Stylist for Schick Quattro for Women; and Kassia Meador, a Professional Surfer for the ROXY team. You can learn more about any of the judges on the official website. I’m pretty familiar with most of them already, and let me tell ya: that’s a pretty hardcore team of surf-culture fashionistas, so bring your best.

One lucky grand prize winner will have their design made into an actual bikini and receive a cool $5,000 in cash. Sounds pretty sweet right? There will also be smaller crash prizes for the Runner Up, Voting Entrants, and Viewer’s Choice categories. Head on over to the Roxy site to download templates, get all the official rules, and start designing! The last day to enter the contest is SATURDAY, JULY 31st (that’s tomorrow) so good luck!

I can call you LiLo, right? I mean, we’re close… kind of. I once copied your gorgeous red hair color with blondish-copper highlights – the shade you rocked in your Maxim cover shoot, to be exact, then there was that time you puked in front of me outside the Roxy on Sunset, so I feel like we’re close. Right? I mean the only people I’ve ever seen puke are the people I consider friends so…? Regardless, I just wanted to write you a letter and say:

What the fuck? No, seriously, what the fuck? What is going on with you? You act like a 4 year old, you look like shit, and you think you’re untouchable. Sweetheart, puking in public? On a sidewalk?! Not your first time, and definitely NOT one of your finer moments. Neither is showing up to court with a passive-aggressive “Fuck You” written on your nail while trying to stand up for your career and your life. That’s what you were in court crying over, right? ‘Cause those looked like fake tears to me. Did you a rub a little sunblock on your contacts beforehand, to make your eyes water? Or was it Visine?

First of all, let’s get to your looks: you look like a washed-up has-been, which is fitting, since you’re well on your way to being just that. Dude, Garey Busey looks better than you. GAREY BUSEY. Your hair is some bleached out version of straw, your skin looks like leather, and you look closer to 50 then 25. I mean, DAMN – look in a mirror. Shouldn’t that be enough make you want to give up your “lifestyle?”

Since obviously its not, let’s get to my second point: you’re kind of a talented actress. Stop wasting it dancing on poles and showing everyone how many lines of coke you can snort at once. No one who matters is impressed. Oh, and allowing yourself to be photographed next to a table with a few lines of coke spread on it? SUPER CLASSY. You’re exactly the kind of girl I’d aim to be… If I wanted to be a washed-up bleached blonde LOSER!

I get it, I get it, your life is soooo hard: all that fame and money, your dad trying to dick you out of that money and your mom being a hardcore enabler and riding that fame like a bronco. But honey, we’ve all got problems – hell, look at Kourtney Kardashian’s relationship with her baby daddy – there are better ways of dealing with your issues besides getting blackout drunk, high as a kite, and getting behind a wheel.

You’ve already crashed your car into stationary objects – what happens when you drive yourself right into a restaurant or a moving car or the wrong side of freeway? What happens when you kill somebody – or yourself? Maybe you should watch “Less Than Zero” and take a giant hint. I don’t know. But I’m telling you this because like I said, I feel like we’re close, and obviously your “friends” aren’t telling you what you need to hear:

Get your shit together! Hey, you’re young, you used to be beautiful, and you’re rich (not for long, if you keep this shit up). I get that you want to live it up. But dude, a little moderation never hurts, it only helps. Ask any frat boy. So try it out. While you’re at it, get a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. Eat some bread. Go to sleep before midnight. Tell your dad to take a long walk off a short bridge. You can do it. If Britney can come back from her bald, fat, barefoot-in-a-gas-station days, you can too! I just know it! I’m counting on you LiLo, because really – I don’t take well to people vomiting so close to my shoes. And hey, you’re running out of chances. Besides, that ankle bracelet does NOT look good on you.

Love,
Bren

The current state of my right hand, featuring Seche Rebuild. Note: the bruise on my ring finger is from the gas station trigger beating me up, not my nail biting.

I know, I know: biting one’s nails is gross. I’m even grossed out by it, especially when I see someone in their car or on the street with half their fist stuck in their mouth because they’ve just got to get that one last bite in. I’m grossed out, but hey, I understand it. I’ve been a nail-biter all my life; causing my nails to split, break, bleed, and generally look like a disgusting mess. And prolonged nail biting can cause your nails to grow out crooked! Eep!

I’ve been a LOT better about it recently than say, a year ago, but not exactly 100% committed to the cause. When I get stressed out or bored, I gnaw! I went an entire 4 days without touching my nails last week, then the Fashion Frontline’s site crashed HOURS before it was supposed to launch, and I went tooth-crazy on my nails. And my cuticles hate me, especially during movies and/or traffic. I become super focused on pulling off dead skin or trying to smooth out a jagged edge.

Making them taste bad didn’t help, neither did having my ex flick me everytime he saw me bite a nail. Nor did spending mad money on manicures. However, as I said above, I’ve been better about it recently; I’ve figured out my nail biting triggers, now I’m just trying to prevent them. Like, I cannot stand a jagged edge, so keeping a nail file in my car has saved me countless times. And dry cuticles that are ripe for peeling? Hello, cuticle butter-to-go (oil dries them out even worse!). My nails have actually looked more decent recently.

So after catching myself gnawing on a nail in class today, I decided that I am OVER IT. I’ve armed myself with a bevy of nail products to make the next 30 days of nail-rehab slightly easier – I want beautiful, gorgeous, shiny nails, and I’m counting on my trusty nail file (for those damn jagged edges), Seche Rebuild to make my nails strong and shiny, and Kiss My Face’s Olive My Body to keep my cuticles soft and gorgeous.

I’ll be giving you guys updates every Tuesday for the next month to let you know how I’m doing. Wish me luck, and let me know any tips or tricks that might have worked for you. Thanks!

Always at the forefront of hot styles, Von Zip has come out with a pair of shades that’s got my signature style written all over ‘em: the Alotta in Coral / Gradient, which is like… SO HOT IT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY. Coral is my favorite color (although Alotta is also available in black), big giant sunglasses are my favorite vice, these makes me want to die…

And then, bam! VZ hits me with the Dharma (which I already own in White) in this epic 80′s pink style that makes me want to wear neon bikinis and sing “Girls” by Beastie Boys at the top of my lungs. That’s how I roll.

The Clarice by Spy Optics are so freakin’ hot, they brought them back from last summer’s collection. I don’t know why I don’t own a pair in every color. I have the black fade frame and it makes me look like a super hot, in her prime, retro 70′s porn star. In a good way. I’m really stoked on the Bronze frame as well – those may be my next big purchase. My cousin had a pair in the Cherry Marble finish but some jerk-off swiped them from her at the gym. It’s a dick move, but I get it: they’re hot shades. And they’ve got 100% UVA/B/C protection. Plus they’re super scratch resistant: I’ve had mine for a YEAR with nay a scratch on them. And hey, I’m a super destructor. SPY Optics FTW! Other hot pairs that SPY is currently featuring include the Edyn, which is a hot re-make of those giant shades Nicole Ritchie made famous; and the Corniche, which are big and fun and loud.

“Grace” by Angel Eyewear offers 100% UV protection and comes polarized or un-polarized, depending on the style you choose. I myself have had three pairs so far: the Black Deco Frame, the Lavender Frame (which I lost in Vegas. Lesson learned: don’t drink and wear sunglasses in a dark casino), and the Torte Frame, which is polarized and which I am in love with. They make me look like a mysterious movie star. Actually they are just huge and cover half my face and look good on me, and who can ask for more than that?

Angel also has a rockin’ new-ish style known as the Halo, and they don’t look good on me which PISSES ME OFF cause they are SO CUTE. My cheeks are just too round. But don’t let that stop you from lovin’ on them – I’m giving a pair away! Yep – in the Teal Frame with a Navy Gradient lens. My cheek misfortune is your style treasure.

Two ways to win: leave a comment here, then hit me up on Twitter saying “I want a pair of @AngelEyewear Halos from @somuchpretty!“ (One tweet per person – seriously. I don’t dig when you drown my feed). You have until Noon PST on Friday, July 9th, to enter – at which point the winner will be chosen at random and notified via e-mail!

Disclaimer: I received all of the pairs featured by Angel Eyewear, as well as the “Clarice” by Spy, for editorial review. However, all of the other Spy Optic Eyewear and Von Zipper sunglasses featured were just pairs I bought, love, and/or am coveting. Really, really coveting

1. Luster Tonic I love salty snacks as much as the next gal, but not for my hair. Luster keeps my hair healthy and lookin’ good, feeling soft, and smellin’ awesome. It’s also a great refresher for your face in the summer heat or after a dip in the Pacific.

2. Jan Marini Anti-Oxidant Face Protectant SPF 30 keeps my pretty face skin-cancer and sunburn free. It doesn’t burn my eyes and has the added bonus of smelling like pineapples. Plus, it doesn’t give your skin that ghastly white ghost glow.

3. DriOff Gel is THE product for what we don’t talk about: underboob sweat. A definite summer essential for anyone whose had those underboob sweat rings on their shirt. You know what I’m talkin’ about.

4. Biotherm After Sun Body Milk Most people skip the after-sun milks, I live by them. Not only do they extend a tan, but this one has an IMMEDIATE refreshing and soothing action for sun-parched skin. Perfect for your skin after a long summer day at a beach, picnic, or amusement park.

5. Zinka Lip Balm SPF 30 with Aloe is waterproof, outlasts any epic surf sesh, and tastes like summer.

Beach Tip: Keep a Ziplock bag in the zippered pouch part of your beach tote. If you catch yourself in a bind and need to change out of your wet bikini into some more socially-acceptable restaurant attire, store the wet clothing in the Ziplock to save your tote (and any electronics, like your cell phone / mp3 player) from getting trashed. A few years back I got an awesome plastic-lined pouch from Volcom for this very purpose, but I haven’t been able to track anything similar down on Google. Let me know if you do!

Disclaimer: I LOVE all of the products above, and I’ve received all of them except the Zinka (which I bought) for editorial review over the past couple of years.

Roxy’s Peachy Keen Bag is the perfect size tote to store all of your beach must-haves – plus its fun and colorful, and since its made out of flexible canvas, you can also use it as re-usable shopping bag in a bind. Get it for $35.50 at Zappos (also available in other prints).

If you like to go the more traditional route in beach bags, i.e. a straw tote, then Billabong has got you covered with their sweet Bahia bag. It features a colorful design, plenty of room, and vegan leather handles long enough to put over your shoulders (’cause lugging around a tote in your hands all day is just nonsense). $49.50 at Swell.com

The ultimate multi-tasking beach tote: lug your towels and sunscreen around, or go shopping in HB and use Volcom’s Beach Smart Tote as your regular day-to-day purse. Hell, take it to school and show off those damn expensive textbooks in style. It really is beach smart. If you google it, you’ll notice it comes in red and black as well, but my favorite is the sparkly black silver shade featured at Swell.com ($54.00)

My favorite out of all the above, the Gravis Hampton ($36.00) has eyelets on the bottom to drain out sand and/or excess water from your beach trip. It’s also super spacious, super cute, and has a sporty beach vibe to that I’m lovin’. This can also double as a fun alternative to that boring gym bag you’ve been toting around.

Disclaimer: I love all of these bags, but I didn’t receive any of them for editorial review. Poor me, right? Sigh.

The Eye Glistener is a wet look pencil that can be used as a shadow or liner (Girls Only, the pink shade, can also be used as a highlighter). It’s basically like a crayon for the eye – anyone from seasoned pros to hardcore make-up phobes can use this without fear of “messing up.”

I received Straight Laced for review, which is an iridescent purple that works really well with most skin tones. I loved it so much I went out and bought Girls Only (pink) and Talk To Me (a gorgeous blue that makes olive skin pop). It’s also available in Stand Out, a really pretty glimmery green; and Flaunt, a gold-flecked orange. At only $7.29 each, you can buy all 5 of them for an easy update to your summer beauty wardrobe.

Inside Shot Top to Bottom: Girls Only, Talk to Me, Straight Laced

Outside Shot in the Sun: