By Erica Mayyasi

These five style bloggers are no strangers to picking out the perfect outfit; they’ve all documented their inspiring ensembles on their respective blogs and won a loyal following of fans in the process. Now they’re helping us tackle one of life’s great dilemmas: what to wear on a first date!

Name: …love Maegan

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: http://www.lovemaegan.com

What she’s wearing:

Dress: Ali Ro (Gilt.com - see invite on her blog)
Shoes: Calvin Klein (Bloomingdales)
Earrings: Vintage (stolen from her mom)
Bag: Deux Lux (Urban Outfitters)

Why it’s her perfect first date outfit:

“There’s one thing I know about first dates and that is that they are awkward and uncomfortable so I think it’s best to wear something that is the exact opposite of that. You don’t want to be yanking a strapless top up or adjusting a belt or making sure a skirt is in place.

You want to be able to focus your attention on your date and not yourself. Speaking of your date, most boys/men aren’t necessarily into fashion. They like it clean and simple and pretty and sexy. I think this is the perfect first date outfit because while the dress is sexy it doesn’t scream “I’m open for business!” - if ya know what I mean. If you’re going to show some leg, keep the cleavage at bay - and vice versa. You don’t want to give away the farm all on the first date. You want him to want more… if you like him that is.”

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com

What she’s wearing:

Blazer: Vintage (flea market)
Tank: J.Crew
Pearl necklace: Forever 21
Handmade shark tooth necklace: From her Etsy shop
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Shoes: Seychelles
Clutch: Vintage (flea market).

Why it’s her perfect first date outfit:

“I think my look is put together and casual but the layered necklaces and metallic heels add a flirty touch.”

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Website: http://whatiwore.tumblr.com

What she’s wearing:

Jacket: Vintage and from a thrift store
Tank: Target
Skirt: Target
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl’s)

Why it’s her perfect first date outfit:

“On a first date I want to feel confident, cute, girly and tall. But most importantly I want to feel like myself, which is why this outfit is a perfect first date look. To avoid being too sexy, I like to pick between showing more arms/collarbone and some legs. I like the playfulness of this skirt and how it lets the jacket really shine. The colors, beading and cut of the jacket all send a message to my date that I’m easy going and ready to have fun. This outfit also works for the office (with flats) and moves easily into cocktail hour.”

Location: Fort Lewis, WA
Website: http://theclothes.blogspot.com

What she’s wearing:

Jacket: H&M
Dress: H&M
Shoes: From a shop she can’t remember in Japan
Necklace: Handmade by Rebecca

Why it’s her perfect first date outfit:

“This outfit is perfect for a first date because no matter the activity or location these are clothes I feel wonderfully comfortable in; nothing is brand new and I’m wearing my two favorite colors. The movement of this dress never fails to make me feel like dancing and first dates should always involve some sort of dancing…even if it is the secretive ‘happy dance’ at the end of the night.”

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Websites: http://keikolynn.blogspot.com and http://www.postlapsaria.com

What she’s wearing:

Dirndl: Vintage
Blouse: Thrifted (and reconstructed by Keiko)
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Why it’s her perfect first date outfit:

“My ideal first date involves a hanging out in a park, complete with swing sets and possibly even a kite. The gingham in the dress makes me think of a classic picnic blanket, and the overall look is typical of my everyday outfits. I’d like the guy to get to know the real me, not an idealized version of myself. If I’m comfortable in what I’m wearing (and my surrounding environment), I’m more relaxed, and less prone to awkward small talk.”

by Erica Mayyasi

Us girls spend a lot of time dissecting celebrity style - the good, the bad and the ugly. But what do our male counterparts have to say on the subject? A lot, it turns out. Here five guys provide some insight into their picks for the best dressed female celeb.

Zooey Deschanel

Many girls have style crushes on indie siren Zooey Deschanel and it turns out she’s feeling the love from the boys as well. Guy one says that the singer/actress is his hands down pick. “I think she’s super cute, but I really think that she just has a really fun, lighthearted style,” he says, going on to explain that he digs her “pseudo-retro look.” But most importantly, he says that she has an approachable aura to her: “She keeps it simple, which is super attractive,” he explains. “To me it implies that she’s probably not super high maintenance and it’s also not intimidating. It’s tough for a lot of guys to match a super fashionable woman and I think they might get somewhat self-conscious about it.”

Megan Fox

One gal who doesn’t land on many best dressed lists yet nonetheless has snagged herself the top spot on some males’ is Megan Fox. The dark-haired bombshell is guy two’s selection for sartorial star. He’s particularly impressed by the versatility of her sexy style: “You’ll see her bare midriff in a rock t-shirt and jeans one day, and then in a bright, sexy dress the next.” the age old question is usually why are girls attracted to bad boys, however apparently the equation goes both ways: “As a big rock music fan, I love seeing girls who can pull of the bad girl-rocker look, and obviously she has the overall sex appeal to look incredible in anything that accentuates her bad girl image,” he explains.

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci is undoubtedly a timeless beauty and she has garnered guy three’s honor for best dressed. He describes her style as “elegant” and “very French Italian chic.” To be sure, her classic European aura lends her an air of intrigue and it’s a style that all of us ladies stateside may want to take a page from.

Kim Kardashian

Guys appreciate a girl who knows how to work her assets - guy four has pegged Armenian beauty Kim Kardashian as his best dressed starlet. “I think it’s all about celebrities who know how to dress for their body type,” he explains. “Kim Kardashian has a booty the size of Montana, but she knows how to pick cute outfits that flaunt it without looking trashy.”

Evangeline Lilly

Evangeline’s carefree style has captured the eye of guy five. “She can look casual without looking sloppy, which I think can be hard to do,” he says. Like her character on Lost, Evangeline has a low maintenance style that is still drop dead gorgeous. We suspect, however, that her style isn’t quite as effortless as she makes it seem.

By Erica Mayyasi

Your skin goes through a beating protecting your body from all the harmful realities of the world so it’s no surprise that it gets a little roughed up in the process.

Help get it in touchable soft shape with a little TLC and our three steps - you’ll be irresistible in no time!

Hair removal

The first step to touchable skin? That would be hair removal. After all, there’s nothing touchable about stubbly cactus legs. There are three main ways to get rid of unwanted hair: shaving, waxing, and laser hair removal. The pros and cons of these methods are well-documented and there are entire articles out there for you to peruse if you need to read up, however we’re going to focus on just a few helpful tips.

When shaving, if your skin is susceptible to razor bumps and irritation it’s important to use products that are specially formulated to soothe sensitive skin. Not only does Aveeno’s Positively Smooth Gel help protect your skin from irritation, it also softens hair, allowing you to get a closer shave and therefore need to shave less frequently.

For the waxers out there, if you’re struggling under the burden of huge salon bills, consider an at home solution so that you don’t have to stretch the time between waxes to stretch your dollar. Sally Hansen’s Wax Strip Kit for body, legs, arms and bikini couldn’t be easier: all you have to do is warm up the pre-waxed, pre-cut strips by rubbing them between your palms, then separate the strips, press on and wax off! It may not be quite as comfortable as at a swanky salon, but at only $7.49 (at Drugstore.com) for the entire kit it’s a sacrifice many may be willing to make.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation is key to keeping your skin soft. By removing dead skin cells that have gathered at the surface giving your skin a rough texture, you clear the way for an even layer of healthy cells. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub ($6.69 at Drugstore.com) is a popular exfoliating scrub. However the active salicylic acid acne treatment, which does a very effective job at combating blemishes, may be a bit too much for sensitive skin. For those with easily irritable skin, the Amazingly Gentle Scrub by Therapy Systems ($36 from Therapysystems.com) is so mild that it can be used on both your face and body. In this case doing good for your body can also do good for your karma: a portion of profits in October go to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Moisturize

Last but not least, keep those healthy cells healthy with a daily moisturizer. NIVEA Smooth Sensation Body Lotion ($7.49 at Walgreens.com) provides intense hydration yet still absorbs quickly and completely. Need an even stronger dose? Even super dry skin is no match for KP Duty by DERMAdoctor ($36 at Sephora.com).

By Jessica Padykula

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then eyes made up to look sultry and sexy just may be the key to a man’s heart.

Hair and makeup artist, Annastasia Cucullo offers her expertise on achieving sultry bedroom eyes that will make him melt with every blink.

Perfect your canvas

There’s no point trying to dazzle him with your sultry peepers if the rest of your face isn’t flawless and glowing. There’s no need to spend hours piling make-up on, but do make sure that your skin is nice and evened out with the appropriate color foundation, bronzer and concealer under your eyes to neutralize any darker areas.

Choose the right shade

Cucullo explains that bedroom eyes are best achieved with darker tones such as black or brown eye shadow and liner, combined with a lighter tone that contains a bit of sheen to accentuate the brow bone and inner corner of the eye.

Getting started

Go over your whole lid with a dark chocolaty brown or black tone. Ensure the entire lid is covered, but don’t make the layer too thick. Also make sure the shade you are using can be blended easily for a softer look. Next, add some of the dark brown or black on the bottom of the lid and smudge so it’s not a hard line.

Line your eyes

Add a dark brown or black liner (depending on which shade of shadow you chose) on top of the lid starting from the middle of the upper lid very close to the lash line. Smudge that as well to ensure you have a soft, rather than hard line.

Intensify

If your eyes are quite large you can use the black or brown liner on the inside of the top and bottom lid to intensify the eye and help larger eyes appear smaller. “If you lengthen the line at the end of the lid going outwards, it will elongate the eye as well as help create that almond/cat eye shape,” Cucullo says.

Lighten up

Add the lighter tone like ivory or soft beige in the inner corner of the eye and along the brow bone. This will help accentuate those areas and brighten up your eyes. Always finish with lengthening and thickening mascara.

Nothing says romance like soft, touchable curls. But talk to anyone with curly hair and they’ll tell you how hard it can be to achieve those angelic, delicately loose ringlets that bring to mind starlets from decades gone by. For this, you might need a little help. That’s what we’re here for.

We talked to hair and make-up artist, Annastasia Cucullo to get the scoop on achieving the ultimate in soft, touchable curls. She also breaks it down for those with naturally curly hair, and those who have mostly straight hair that sometimes wants to be curly.

Perfect curls need the right hair product

First things first, to get your curls looking soft and touchable, product is very important. You probably won’t be able to get the look you’re craving without a little assistance from a bottle or tube. Cucullo likes to use Aveda hair products and has had a lot of luck with them. “Aveda’s curling products are amazing because they help to create the curl without a crunchy, stiff look and the curl lasts,” she explains.

So, without further ado, here are the steps you need to take your curls from drab to dazzling. With the right products, it’s actually a pretty simple process.

If you have naturally curly hair:

1. Start by adding Be Curly by Aveda or a similar curl-enhancing product to towel-dried hair.

2. Run your fingers through your hair and finger-curl your hair to the natural movement of your curls.

3. Diffuse your hair until it’s almost dry and then add a curl-defining product, such as Aveda’s Humectant or Control Paste. A product like this will also add a bit of shine to your curls and ensure they stay put. Cucullo advises that a little goes a long way, however, as you don’t want to weigh down your newly soft, touchable curls.

If you have straight hair that wants to be curly:

1. Start by washing your hair and drying it with some a product that will help to give your hair some hold. If your hair isn’t naturally curly and you need to put extra work into creating well-defined curls, you’ll want to make sure all your hard work won’t fall flat before you step out the door.

2. Next, spray your hair with a hairspray that has a very light hold. Choose something that won’t weigh down your strands and make it hard for your hair to hold the curl. Aveda’s Witch Hazel Hair Spray will help to hold the curl but not make your hair crunchy or stiff.

3. Use a curling iron to create the curl shape you want.

4. Hair spray your newly curled head and you should have a soft, touchable loose ringlets that will ideally last all day.

By Jessica Padykula

When it comes to choosing an intriguing, sexy scent, we’re trading in traditional perfume for essential oils, which have the power to energize and uplift or sooth and create a sense of calm. While there are many different essential oils, that have many different uses, we wanted to find out which ones made us smell - and feel sexiest.

Ylang Ylang

This is a highly sensual and exotic scent with heady, floral notes. The exotic aspect of Ylang Ylang makes it a sexy choice and one that offers a good balance between feminine and masculine scents. This is a good choice when you’re already feeling frisky but want something to give you even more allure.

Sandalwood

Bringing to mind long walks in the woods, Sandalwood is a relaxing, sensual scent with sweet, woody notes reminiscent of log cabins and sexy, muscular lumberjacks. This scent works well in the fall and winter.

Jasmine

Jasmine has a rich floral scent that brings to mind lush, tropical locales. This is a good scent to bring out in the winter, when romance can cool off. There’s no better way to warm it up than with a sexy, tropical scent. This one made us feel particularly enchanting.

Neroli

The sweet, floral aroma of neroli is both soothing and lingering. It made us feel relaxed, yet ready for anything.

Rose

Rose is a scent we’re all familiar with. As an essential oil it’s luxurious and sweet with intense floral notes. It has soothing properties that helped us relax after a long, stressful day. Rose also made us feel both frisky and feminine.

Mandarin

If you need something to give you a bit of a boost, mandarin’s refreshing, uplifting scent is both delicate and fruity. This one gave us a boost of energy and clarity from the citrus notes.

Clary Sage

Sweet and musky, this essential oil gives off a subtle nutty fragrance that both guys and girls can warm up to. We found the musky aspect of clary sage to be particularly sexy and alluring.

Ginger

There’s nothing like spicy ginger to make you feel sexy. Try this scent if you’re feeling low energy and need a bit of warmth to spice up your mood. We found this one to be a better cool weather scent and really liked how it’s spicy notes lingered.

Lavender

Lavender has long been used for its calming properties. The scent is fresh with a hint of spice and can be used to help relax either you or your partner. If you’re feeling tense after a long day, lavender can help ease anxiety and make room for romance.

By Jessica Padykula

There’s nothing worse than coming out of a marathon make-out session and noticing your man is wearing more lipstick than you. Sure, it might be funny and even a little bit cute, but really, your lipstick should stay on your lips, not rub off on his.

We did some serious kissing in the name of research to bring you the best in stay-put, kiss-proof lipstick. After several trials we came up with a list of our top 5 most kiss-proof lipsticks.

LORAC Breakthrough Performance Lipstick

This stuff really impressed. It goes on smooth with a luxurious, creamy texture and most importantly, it stays put. This product has it all: SPF 15, moisturizers like vitamin E and exclusive anti-aging properties that promote cell turnover and collagen production. We were also pretty pleased with what this lipstick doesn’t have: Parabens, sulphates or artificial fragrances. Our color of choice was It Girl, a flirty shade of coral.

Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick

Lipstick is meant for lips, and Clinique definitely seems to know how to create one that stays where it should. This product is not only kiss-proof, but won’t feather or crease and didn’t dry our lips out like some long-wearing formulas often do. What we got was bold color that looks great pre and post-kiss. We particularly like Heather Moon, a sassy shade of bright pink.

NARS Lipstick

After trying - and loving several other NARS products, we decided to see how kiss-proof their lipstick was. After some serious lip smacking, the verdict is in. NARS makes a serious smooch-worthy product. The colors are bold but go on creamy and light. The texture is smooth and never too thick or sticky. Vitamin E helps to keep the color in place and adds moisture. We felt sexiest in Dolce Vita, a sheer dusty rose.

Rouge Dior Replenishing Lip color

This lipstick is hydrating, long lasting and kiss-proof. The color goes on bold but smooth and looks fresh even after several smooches. We were very impressed with how creamy the texture was without rubbing off after a kiss. Action Red is not for the faint of heart, but will definitely get you noticed!

Smashbox Double Take Lip Color

Smashbox provides a sensible two-in-one lip colour with serious staying power. On one end you have a liner and the other end a longwearing lipstick that moisturizes and covers with rich, bold color. The liner adds to the staying power by keeping the color in place, while the lipstick itself contains moisturizers, antioxidants and even caffeine to keep lips young. We couldn’t resist Gossamer, a soft, peachy pink.

By Jessica Padykula

There’s only so much mascara can do to add length and volume to your lashes. If you really want your eyes to stand out, you can give false eyelashes a try. If applied properly, they can give your look instant drama and make it hard for anyone to avoid your sultry gaze.

Makeup artist Heather Snowie offers her expertise for applying false eyelashes with ease.

1. Practice

First things first, if you’ve never applied false lashes, it’s a good idea to practice a few times with cheaper lashes. If you know you’re going to want to wear false lashes on a big night out next week, pick up a few inexpensive pairs to play around with the week prior so you’ll know exactly what you’re doing on the big night.

2. Measure

Since everyone’s eyelids are slightly different, it’s best to measure false lashes before applying. To do this tilt your chin up and look down your nose in the mirror, but keep your eyes open. Place the lash on your lid to ensure it’s the exact length of your eye lid. When you place the lashes on to measure them, don’t squint your eyes because it could alter the measurement. If the lash is too long, trim it to size. Make your cut where lashes are longest, usually the outer corner of the lash. Use the tip of your scissors to snip.

3. Apply makeup

Snowie suggests putting your makeup on prior to applying the false lashes. If you try and put on makeup once the lashes are on, it could shift them and weaken the glue, she explains.

4. Apply the glue

Squeeze a dab of glue either onto the back of your hand or the lash case. Take a toothpick or the end of an eye shadow brush and dip it into the glue. Run beads of glue along the band of the false lashes, enough to cover the length of the lashes but not coat them with too much glue.
“Practice will help you learn what the right amount of glue should be,” Snowie says.

5. Place lashes

Wait 10 to 20 seconds until the glue just begins to set. At this point the glue will be sticky and ready to hold the lashes. If you attempt to apply the lashes to the glue right away, they will slide around and not stick as well. Move the false lashes as close to your lash line as possible for a natural look. You can use tweezers to do this for added control. Wait with your eyes lowered (not closed) while the glue sets. Once the glue has set clear, you can use black powder to blend.

6. Removal

To remove the lashes, begin at the outer corner and peel off towards the inner corner. You can use makeup remover to help you if you’re having trouble.

There are many brands of false lashes available, but Snowie suggests using those made from natural hair. They will be easier to work with and more comfortable to wear. Now all you have to do is get to work batting your newly lengthened lashes and watch him come running.

by Erica Mayyasi

There are so many perfumes on the market that it can be downright overwhelming trying to pick one. Fortunately we’ve found Elena Vosnaki, a true fragrance guru and editor of Perfume Shrine, to dish her expertise on and provide her picks for flirty perfumes.

Choosing the right sexy scent

Picking a perfume can prove an intimidating task: there are thousands upon thousands on the market and there’s only so much sniffing you can do before you begin to lose your sense of smell. So, to help you in your search for a flirty fragrance, Elena has some words of wisdom to guide you to surefire success.

Expert advice

First and foremost, the scent should be intriguing. “A fragrance to entice a potential or existing partner should be something to stir the imagination,” Elena explains. “Therefore it should leave a subtle trail behind (in French industry -speak this is called sillage ~pronounced “see-yazh”), but not a hurricane!”

Elena says that which fragrance family (i.e. floral, oriental etc) is a matter of personal taste as all are capable of leaving this seductive trail. One thing in particular to watch out for, however, are very scents that are very sweet and/or food-like, such “concoctions might make him feel like you’re more suited to baking him a pie than making love to,” she quips. “Vanilla and food-y smells however might play a role in your flirty fragrance, but shouldn’t single-handedly be identified as such.”

Your fragrance should inspire self-confidence

Most of all, Elena says to make sure you selection a fragrance that makes you feel confident. “[It] is the best ammunition in the romantic game,” she says. “It will make you feel sexier and more daring, ensuring that you feel fabulous no matter what.”

Elena shares three of her picks for flirty fragrances and what makes them so enticing below:

Narciso Rodriguez Narciso for Her

“If one sees the slinky yet timeless fashions of this Cuban-hailing designer one can see why his first foray into fragrance catapulted it into the modern classics hall-of-fame. Narciso for Her is an indefinable and refined aura of musky and lightly ambery sexiness garlanded with abstract flowers that burst forth their freshness; like a sensuous person just out of the shower being the prelude for other activities, it signals courting!”

Chanel No.5 Eau Première

“When the iconic classic that Marilyn Monroe wore in bed, No.5, is given up an ingenious freshening up to suit younger ages and subtly differentiate itself from the familiar smell that is a great thing! No.5 Eau Première softens the characteristic aldehydes of the antecedent with piquant lemon and more vanilla in the base, yet retaining the sophisticated feeling, thus rendering it fit for the daughter or niece rather than the mother or aunt.”

Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison

“This fetishy, “poisoned” apple alluding to fairy tales and original sin is like an olfactory dessert testimonies of whose use ensure it works on guys like a magical charm! Milky almond bitterness and caraway folded into vanilla cream unfold against the floral hint of jasmine and the radiance of sensual musk. Arguably a long-standing best-seller for a reason, but you won’t regret choosing it.”

About the expert: Elena Vosnaki is a historian & fragrance writer and the editor of award-winning Perfume Shrine, www.perfumeshrine.com, an independent online publication offering articles on perfumery, including fragrance reviews, essays on aroma-materials, perfume history and interviews with fragrance industry professionals. Besides Perfume Shrine her writing has appeared on Harper’s Bazaar and Sniffapalooza Magazine. She consults for fragrance firms and is writing a book on perfume.

By Jessica Padykula

A touch of pink on the cheeks not only looks healthy, but brings to mind the first flush of flirty romance. Before you reach for the rouge, there is a bit of technique to think about before adding color to your cheeks.

We asked hair and makeup artist, Annastasia Cucullo to share her secret for turning pale princesses into blushing beauties. “Cheeks are a very important feature when creating a beautiful make-up look,” she says.

Start with a fresh, flawless face

Always remember to start with a foundation that matches your skin tone and apply for a flawless finish. Choose a product that isn’t too dry and is sheer enough to allow your natural coloring to come through. “You don’t want to look like your wearing a mask, just fresh, even and dewy is what you’re after,” explains Cucullo. If you don’t need full coverage, try a tinted moisturizer and concealer only where you need it most.

Choose the right shade

Pick a cheek color that will blend well with your natural skin tone but that will also help accentuate your cheek, such as a rosy or peachy tone. Choose a shade that isn’t too heavy or dark so you can start out light and layer more color if necessary.

Smile and blend

Start the cheek application by smiling. Begin adding blush where your cheek naturally has some roundness and move out towards your hairline. Blend well so that you’re not left with a hard line going across your face. You want to the blush to look natural, not too forced.

Contour

The contour shade is applied right below the cheek and should be a tone about three or four times darker than your natural skin color. This will help bring out your cheekbones and lengthen your face. Apply the contour shade right below the cheek and blend out toward the hairline.

Highlight

The highlighter can be something a bit frosted so that it reflects the light for a natural glow. Apply it on the tip of the cheek where the ball is naturally created when you smile. Blend outward into the hairline. Adding a highlighter instantly brightens skin with a subtle shimmer. Try Benefit Dandelion for a boost of radiance.

The result should be a natural-looking blush that warms your skin and gives your face a youthful, healthy glow. Keep the look simple with just a swipe of clear gloss and some volumizing mascara.