So, upon leaving the beach–and seeing pictures, I have come to the conclusion I am ever so slightly fat.

Image: Sephora

A little known truth, though, is that a good tan can mask cellulite and make you look thinner. But it’s hard for me to go the tanning route naturally–I always just plain burn!

Tarte’s new CelluFIGHT Anti-Celluite Self-Tanner is fab - it’s a hydrating, gradual self-tanner that also has an anti cellulite ability.

i.e.: It does everything I need in one adorable tube!
Basically, it uses plant and bionutrient extracts to help to cellular metabolism, and shed excess fat tissue while the caffeine helps stimulate blood flow. Plus, obvs, it’s a self-tanner, which makes you look tan, yes…but thinner too!

Note to self: It would ALSO make you look thinner if you stop eating those crab cakes.

For the last few weeks, Allie and I have been doing the Sim-fast Challenge…(with minor ups and downs…it is vacation/wedding/event season!)…and we have finally reached our finale!

After a month of following the plan (to the best of our ability), Allie has lost 6 pounds and I have lost 3!

“In the morning when I have extra time, I love to put milk, the powdered drink mix, and frozen fruits in the blender to make a cold and fruity smoothie. I look forward to it every morning!” Allie says.

She goes on: “For example today, I added 1/2 cup frozen peaches and 1/2 cup frozen raspberries then 1 cup skim milk and a scoop of strawberry powder.”

Allie is a teacher with a very on-the-go schedule, so Slim-Fast has been perfect for her to grab and go with. It’s a great way of saving money by not buying expensive, unhealthy lunches every day at work, as well!

I love the chocolate powder - I mix it with some vanilla soy milk and put it in the blender, it tastes totally indulgent, but isn’t!

Image: Carolyn Hsu/The Daily Obsession

My friend Carolyn, over at The Daily Obsession, also took part in the challenge with us! “I decided to take the SlimFast challenge because I had only a few weeks to get in shape for a fashion video shoot I was taking part of. As a busy city gal, I don’t always have time to cook or plan out my meals ahead of time, so Slimfast seemed like the most optimal solution for me since I wouldn’t even have to think for two meals of my day. I consumed a combination of Slimfast shakes and bars throughout my work day and then would come home and (usually) cook something healthy for dinner. I found the taste of Slimfast to be very appealing actually. In fact, one of the biggest challenges for me on the challenge was not to over-consume my allocated number of Slimfast meals and snacks per day! As it turned out- when video shoot day came, I actually fit into a form fitting dress (see picture) while managing to keep my rolls in check!”

So, we are fans. So much so, that we may continue to drink it…recreationally!

Finding the right body care routine goes a long way toward skin health, and that is a part of the message behind a recent study Lever 2000 did. Because, if your skin is healthy and clean and hydrated - it will also be more smooth and touchable. And that’s what we all want!

Lever 2000 is actually currently doing a contest where customers can submit a photograph showcasing how their family embraces the power of touch on www.makeeverytouchcount.com.

All who enter the contest will have a chance to win a professional photo shoot and be featured in a Lever 2000 advertisement, among other prizes. In addition, each submission helps Lever 2000 support Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which provides safe places and positive programs for kids and helps them develop close personal bonds.

And to make it easier to take your prize-winning photos, ONE reader of eBeautyDaily.com will win a Flip Cam Ultra and a bar of Lever 2000!

Lever 2000

This contest follows up the study I mentioned before, “Lever 2000® Making Every Touch Count Study: A National Report on the Power of Touch,” in which parents report hugging and kissing their kids, on average, six times a day!

The study actually showed family closeness is on the rise, and most (4 in 5!) of parents say they show more affection to their kids then their parents showed them.

To have your chance to win your very own Flip Cam Ultra and a bar of Lever 2000, tell us your tip for how your family stays close. Earn extra entries by re-tweeting this contest! (I’m @alywalansky on twitter) - deadline for entries is July 15.

How unbelievably cool and sexy are these???

Image: Nordstrom

I am beyond smitten with these night sky-colored eyelashes with star motifs. They will create a fabulous twinkle on the edges of the eyes that will make you the star of ANY party!

shu uemura Mini Star Glitz False Eyelashes are not for the office - unless I guess you work in a very unique sort of company - but can sexy up that little black dress in no time at all.

I used to think funky false eyelashes weren’t for me - I’m a  pretty shy girl - but I was blown away the first time I saw myself in pictures, in them. They will add such sass to your style, you’ll be hooked in no time!

When I hear that something is a vibrating stimulator, I don’t necessarily assume it is a cosmetic!

In this case, it is. Lancôme ‘Oscillation Powerbooster’ was created especially for Nordstrom, and is the first vibrating power primer, it’s intended to help increase natural growing of lashes with a combination of Crescentia complex and vibrations (which sort of act like a lash massage!).

It’s really easy to use: First, you apply Oscillation Powerbooster to prepare and improve the lash surface, followed by your favorite mascara. This helps max out the makeup results.

Its goal is to have stronger, fuller lashes - ideally without blinding yourself. (Cause then, what would be the point???)

Image: Nordstrom

So, last night I blogged about the incredible importance of sun protection.

Image: PCA Beauty

Roughly 12 hours later, here I am, blogging from the beach.

Clearly, one would think I would follow my own advice. Especially since the OCD in me led me to take my computer TO the beach, where said advice is readily available.

That said, I am wearing sunblock, at least.

I’m scared to death of skin cancer. I am super pale, and have at least one questionable mole I’ve been living in blissful ignorance about; but let’s be honest here–melanoma, sun spots, wrinkles, burns are no joking matter.

That said, they are no reason to render ourselves indoors on an absolutely gorgeous day.

Today, I was at least smart enough to apply PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30, a new sunscreen I’ve received with pigment control and is effective for both daily facial and body use.

This is not just a sunscreen, but a UVA/UVB moisturizer developed to hydrate the body and offer broad-spectrum UV protection and minimize skin discolorations. But the truth is in the pudding - I have been using it for the last few hours, and while my skin is a bit on the pink side, no burning is happening. This is a huge deal - normally I’d be a tomato by now!

So, I am a fan. And would probably be even more of one if I applied it as often as I’m supposed to. (About hourly.)

Too Faced Cosmetics, one of my favorite brands, just emailed me to ask me to pass on the news about a ridiculously huge summer sale they are having for the next few days on their web site,

Image: Too Faced Cosmetics

Here’s the deets:

-20% off entire purchase

-4 days only

-promotion code is SIZZLE

-free Mini Pinpoint with $35 dollar purchase

-free shipping with $75 or more purchase

In case you don’t know what you want, my recommendations are Shadow Insurance (my fave eyeshadow primer) or their absolutely fabulous Retractable Kabuki Brush.

Take advantage while you can, the sale ends with the weekend!

Everyone I know is always in search of the next-best mascara. And whether they are looking for volume or length or curl, no one is ever 100% happy - and thus the search continues.

How cool would it be to have your entire search in one kit?

Now you sort of can! Sephora is doing a series of “best of” sort of kits, and Lashstash is their mascara array.

There’s a little bit of everything in this set, from a lash base to a rice-bran-enriched mascara! My trick: Don’t try just one, mix and match until you find the combo that makes you look your most lust-worthy.

In this set is:
- 0.1 oz Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
- 0.1 oz Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
- 0.1 oz Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara
- 0.24 oz Stila Multi Effect Mascara
- 0.14 oz Benefit Bad Gal Mini
- 0.2 oz Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash
- 0.13 oz Too Faced Mini Lash Injection Pin Point
- 0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic
- 0.07 oz Lancome Cils Booster
- 0.085 oz DuWop Lash Venom
- 0.14 oz Korres Provitamin B5 and Rice Bran Mascara

Image: Sephora

Viral marketing is the best thing that ever happened to the Internet - and sometimes it results in great educational tools for us beauty buffs.

Tarte just released some awesome tutorial videos to YouTube - a great step-by-step guide to how to use some of their most popular products.

My favorite one so far is the cheek stain how-to video, this is especially true since I am a beauty editor and have always had problems knowing how to best use my stains. Now I can just COPY them! I love the Internet. Check it out:

Pay careful attention: It’s about DABBING, not rubbing. I feel like that’s the mistake I’ve always made!

Image: Sephora

I’m off to Montauk tomorrow morning, and I’d love to have a sun-kissed flush…but likely won’t unless I fake it. That’s why this is especially well-timed. Tarte’s Cheek Stain is a gel, but it really does work to create a natural flush!

Have you missed seeing Jessica on your TV the last few years?

Image: Zuma Press

Well, she’s back! Jessica Simpson is back on television with a new VH1 show, The Price of Beauty.

Basically, the object of the show is traveling around the world to meet women, study local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes.

Here’s a little more about the series, from an article on MTV.com:

The new show — which begins shooting in mid-July and will be executive-produced by Simpson and her dad, Joe — follows Simpson as she “travels the world to study the local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes and even participate in some of the extreme practices she discovers,” reports Just Jared.

“When [Chris Coelen, CEO of production company RDF Media] approached me with his idea for a show about true beauty, I was immediately intrigued,” Simpson said in a statement. “I have always believed that beauty comes from within and confidence will always make a woman beautiful, but I know how much pressure some women put on themselves to look perfect.”

I think I can’t help but watch it–I picture some homage between chicken-of-the-sea Jessica of Newlyweds and a $40 a Day type show…which will be entertaining, for sure. What about all of you? Do you plan on watching it?