A fast (and free) way to cool down

The long Fourth-of-July weekend is upon us, and whether your plans involve a backyard barbecue, poolside lounging or a frolick in the park, one thing's for sure: it's gonna be hot.

To help you stay cool when the temperatures climb, borrow a trick from our yogini sisters and learn to love shitali pranayama, or "cooling breath":

1. Sit in a comfortable position.
2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose.
3. Roll the tongue, curling the sides in towards the center to form a tube. Stick the end of the tongue out between your pursed lips. If you can’t roll your tongue, just purse the lips making a small “o” shape with the mouth.
4. Inhale through the tube of the tongue.
5. Exhale through the nose.
6. Repeat 5–10 times as you feel the cooling effect.

Now, as you might imagine, this has the potential to look quite silly, but the benefits are well worth a few moments' embarrassment. Or you can always just tuck your head under your big floppy beach hat.

Here's to a cool, comfy holiday weekend, ladies!

(Hat tip: yoga.about.com)

Stylin' a la Hilton

It was big sister Paris who first brought the Hilton family squarely into the media spotlight, but younger sibling Nicky has managed to carve out a strong niche of her own: over the last few years, she’s opened her own line of boutique hotels, launched not one but two fashion lines, and emerged as a pop culture icon in her own right.

Of course no matter where she goes, Nicky always manages to look fabulous, which is why Glam.com fashion editor Susan Cernek asked her to share her top-10 style commandments with the rest of us. And we have to say, for a girl who lives in the lap of luxury, her tips are amazingly practical:

1. Always have a black pump in your closet.


2. Don’t buy up every “it bag.” They go out of style fast. Invest in a classic.


3. If you’re short, avoid ankle straps on shoes. They cut your leg off and make your legs look short.


4. Wear your jewelry during the day. Its ALWAYS ok to wear diamonds.


5. Buy a great coat every season. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing underneath if you have a fabulous coat.


6. Wear color. It gets you noticed.


7. Always have manicured nails.


8. Accessorize with colorful or printed scarves. They can really dress up an outfit.


9. Buy vintage. That way, you know you’re not going to bump into anyone wearing the same thing as you.


10. Buy a great pair of boots. Knee-high, ankle…whatever.

Ready to get your Hilton style on for spring? You have the rules—go for it!

Beauty tip: perfect puckers

As we ease into the springtime season, we eagerly slough off winter's rough, flaky skin to reveal a springtime glow on our faces and bodies ... but our lips need just as much attention, if not more. Warmer, sunnier weather means lighter lip formulas, which demand a satiny-smooth surface.

So, does this mean we need to shell out big bucks for a specialized product that promises perfectly exfoliated puckers ... or is there an alternative?

According to Style Spy at mystyle.com, savvy sources tend to agree that "most [commercial] lip exfoliators fall under the 'meh' category: Not all that great, only semi-effective and, in some cases, more harmful than helpful." Instead, she offers some easy home remedies that do the job just fine ... and that only cost pennies per application:

• Top makeup artist Rachel Weingarten advises, "Slather your lips with Vaseline, take a shower or bath, and then take a washcloth and rub it all off."
  
• Take a bit of sugar, dampen it with one drop of water, and rub your lips gently.
• Try Naomi Campbell's trick of brushing the lips with a super-soft toothbrush.

Then slick on your favorite gloss, balm, or salve and you're ready to pucker up for springtime!

Beauty tip: office-to-evening hair

The holiday season brings party after party after party, and not just on the weekends. If you're off to an after-work soirée and don't have time to dash home for a style re-do, Julyne Derrick of about.com: Beauty has some handy hair tips to take your look from office to evening:

• Toss your flatiron in your purse in the morning, then sleek down your tresses after work for a sassy yet sophisticated look.


• Re-create Uma's trendy half-up/half-down style: Wear hair down during the day, then pin up and under when you're ready to party. Take along a curling iron to create some random, whimsical curls. (You might want to practice this one at home first.)


• Messy buns are totally hot this season. Again, wear the hair down for work, then spritz with a styling spray and wrap loosely into a bun low on the nape of the neck. Tame any stray strands with decorative pins.

Voilà! You're ready to dance, dazzle, and party the night away—who cares if it's a weeknight?

(Photo: ETonline)

Style tip: stopping static

What happens when silky holiday dresses and skirts meet the cold, dry air of winter? Static, and lots of it. Within moments of stepping outdoors, your floaty flounces could be hugging your thighs tighter than the cranky two-year-old you used to babysit.

Fortunately, an easy stylists' trick can keep static cling at bay and keep drapes and folds where they belong. Before you head out, just take an ordinary dryer sheet and vigorously rub any areas likely to attract static (skirts, tights, slips, etc.). Toss an extra in your purse in case you need a touch-up later on.

Voilà! Your clothes will stay smooth and gorgeous all night long.

P.S. It works for hair, too.

(Hat tip: FabSugar)