Color Me Bad

Sara Liz Pickett and H. Ginger Johnson at a recent showcase event.

The full nail color collection at Ginger + Liz - www.gingerandliz.com

My favorites: 1. Caution!; 2. Heart Breaker; 3. New Money; 4. Show Off all $12.00 by Ginger + Liz at www.gingerandiz.com

Summer sun means summer nails and with all the bright colors available these days it's hard to know which brand to pick. If you're going to spend $9 or more on nail lacquer you'll want to make sure it's got the power and intensity to last. Enter "Ginger + Liz." The new nail collection, founded by friends Sara Liz Pickett and H. Ginger Johnson, is the buzzworthy brand of organic and vegan friendly nail lacquer with a growing legion of fashionista and celebrity fans alike. Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Julissa Bermudez and Beyonce are just some of their followers. If you like daring colors that won't chip at the drop of a hat, check this brand out. My favorite color is
"Show Off" - I'm wearing it right now. There's nothing like neon pink toes to get your summer started right!

Hair Stories: To Shave Or Not To Shave

Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez and Keyshia Cole all took the plunge and shaved one side of their head!

1. ConAirPro Moda Groom Single Speed Clippers, $79.99, www.groomers.com 2. Creme Of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo, Kiwi & Citrus, $3.99, www.walgreens.com 3. Kidada For Disney Couture Pocahontas Gold, $78.16, www.asos.com 4. John Hardy Baby Monkey Silver & Black Palm Wood Hair Brush, $52.50, www.jewelrygalboutique.com 5. Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade, $22.59, www.target.com 6. Orangewood Large Porcupine Boar Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com 7. scunci Classic Pins. $1.29, www.walgreens.com 8. Tui Leave in Conditioner, www.carolsdaughter.com

It used to be that the ultimate hairstyle statement for a woman was to shave your head bald (or close), but these days celebs have put their own twist on the avant-garde style. If your not sure that you, or your head shape, can pull off a completely shaved look, ease yourself into the style by going partially bald first. Cue Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez, Keyshia Cole, Raven Symone and the pioneer Kelis. They've all put their unique interpretation of the style by adding hair dye, patterns, track lines and even ultra girly curls on the side of the head still with hair.

If you're going to try this style be prepared. Stock up on bobby pins to stop your long sided hair from falling across the border. Also, invest in a good pomade to keep your shaved side neat and frizz free. As always, keep your hair healthy with a good conditioner like Carol's Daughter's Tui Leave-in and Creme of Nature's moisturizing shampoo. So come on ladies, do Grace Jones proud and get the clippers out!

The Perfect Smokey Eye...

I don't know about you guys but I find it so hard to recreate the smokey-eyed look that so many models and celebrities wear in magazines and the red carpet. I always thought that because I have darker skin I had to use more eye shadow but I have been using the wrong technique! The video above shows make-up artist Johnny Lavoy applying the perfect smokey eye to Ethopian-born model Gelila Bekele. I find it particularly useful since Gelila has a similar skin tone to myself. I think dark charcoal and burgundy are much more flattering colors for this look - say "no" to standard black.

Hair Stories: Rock It Out

Rihanna, Tamyra Gray and Sylvia Rhone punk out their short crops to give them each a new look.

1. Kizzi Stay-Put Hair Pomade, $9.50, www.carolsdaughter.com; 2. Moisturizing Silkening Liquid-Gel by Miznai, $13.96, www.just4beauty.com; 3. Bumble and bumble Sumo Wax, $21.95, www.folica.com; 4. Color Brilliance SilKomb 50, $4.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 5. Tool Science Nano Silver Paddle Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 6. Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan, $14, www.sephora.com; 7. Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment, $15.99, www.culmart.com; 8. L'Oreal Color Rays in Red, $10.99, www.drugstore.com

Long hair is so overrated. Yes, it's versatile but there's nothing more endearing than a woman who can wear her hair short with confidence. For those of you already sporting a cropped hairstyle you might consider trying the spiked looks above. Rihanna's hairstlye is especially fabulous - it has a hard edge but is soft enough to wear on an everyday basis. The products above can help you achieve these looks. The most important is hair wax and the stay-put pomade. If you want your style to last all day, carry the pomade/wax with you so you can retouch when needed.

Shea Moisture, Sheer Genius!

Left to right: Shea Moisture Coco Hibiscus Soap & Lotion Set, $12.99; Shea Moisture African Black Soap and Lotion, $12.99; Shea Moisture Raw Shea Wash & Lotion, $15.99 all available at www.target.com

Always on the look out for new and exciting beauty products, imagine my joy when Target were kind enough to send me their new Shea Moisture line. Shea Moisture is a distinctive array of bath and body products designed to address the unique skincare needs of African-American and Hispanic consumers. The Black Soap line will even your skin tone, the Raw Shea Butter will keep you moisturized and the Coconut Hibiscus will heal any skin irritants you have. The products vary from $12.99 - $15.99 but those prices you get two items! Visit www.target.com to test them out.

Hair Stories: The Braidy Bunch

Nia Long, Beyonce and Nicole Richie bring hobo-chic to the red carpet.

1. Burnt Sugar - Hair Pomade, $10.00, www.oyinhandmade.com; 2. Karen Marie - Colossal Gem Butterfly French Twist Comb - Onyx & Smoke, $17, http://mp.hairboutique.com; 3. Frederic Fekkai Wave Creating Spray, $19.50, www.sephora.com; 4. Supreme Bobby Pins, $4.99 for 60, www.sallybeauty.com; 5. Star Snap Clips, $3 for 2, http://mp.hairboutique.com 6. All Day Hold Spritz by Elucence, $7, www.culmart.com; 7. Sailboat Hair Pins, $4.90, www.forever21.com; 8. Organic Sapote & Coconut Pomade - For sheen, hold & silkiness, $9.95, www.anitagrant.com

Lazy days in the sun require an equally laid back hairstyle. This summer make your staple style loose braids held back by antique-inspired hair clips. Hobo-chic is here to stay and since you�ll probably wearing a long floaty dress this season (see these celebs), braids will finish off the look. Styling essentials include a no mess pomade to slick down your edges if you�re going for a more polished look like Beyonce. For those of you who like your hair looking a little disheveled like you spontaneously decide to braid it and put it up, Frederic Fekkai has a Wave Creating Spray that�ll give your hair that flyaway look. Naturals should braid their hair then take it out to create a braid-out/waves. You can then loosely re-braid certain parts of your hair to set off the style. Take some inspiration from Nicole Richie and Nia Long. Their hair looks elegant yet unpretentious � the perfect theme for summer.

Are your feet ready for summer?

Stop hiding your feet in those pumps � get pedicured up!
Top: Casting, $79.95, www.stevemadden.com; Lansing, $30, www.aldoshoes.com; Sirprise, $89.95, www.stevemadden.com
Middle: Trinangle Sandal, $34, www.urbanoutfitters.com; Croww, $79.95, www.stevemadden.com; Le Petit Sperone, $60, www.piperlime.com
Bottom: Hendrix, $90, www.dune.co.uk; Volatile Cassie Thong Sandal, $38.95, www.endless.com; Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $225, www.piperlime.com

Shoe shopping is one of life�s little pleasures, but I delightful day in the shoe department of Saks can quickly turn into a nightmare if your feet aren�t perfectly polished when the sales clerk tries to help you slip on those Louboutins. Avoid the potential embarrassment and get your toes Manolo ready today. You don�t have to spend a fortune at a spa. In fact, I prefer creating my own pedicure at home - I�m too ticklish for someone else to handle my toes! Try Tweezerman�s deluxe pedicure set available at Sephora or their more modest version for just $14.99 at Target. After you�ve spoiled yourself, pick the perfect color* to match your sandals and away you go!

*All nail colors by Nars Cosmetics. Click here for their regular selection and here for their vintage line.