The monster in that new horror film? Um, no.

It’s you come mid-winter, when the harsh elements have joined forces to wreak havoc on your appearance. Your skin is dry, your hair won’t behave, and your pale complexion can only be described as “Six Feet Under.”

But that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring. SMW has the 411 on how the right beauty products will help you fight back against winter’s wicked ways. From ultra-hydrating body butters to hair-taming serums, we’ve got the secret weapons that will help you deal with the big chill.

Winter Hair Care

The chilly temperatures can dry out your locks, making them brittle. To combat this, avoid hair products containing drying alcohol, and limit your intense blow-drying sessions. To hydrate locks, look for hair products that provide extra moisture, and condition, condition, condition! A hair mask or deep conditioner will also help you restore moisture. We like PHYTO Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Shampoo for Ultra Dry Hair.

Unfortunately, dryness isn’t the only thing your hair has to deal with this season. Wearing hats may keep you nice and toasty, but they also have a tendency to tangle locks and give you that dreaded “hat hair” look. John Masters Organics Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler keeps tangles under control while providing an uplifting herbal scent. Hair gurus also recommend parting your hair in different sections before putting on a hat to “lift” the hair and avoid limp locks.

Winter Skin Care

Your poor skin gets a lot of abuse this season. The elements sap out the skin’s moisture, leaving it dehydrated and scaly. But that’s nothing a little body lotion and exfoliator can’t handle, right?

If you want to keep flakes away, you’ll need a little tough love. Before you hit the shower, rub a powerful exfoliating body polish (we like Ren Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm) into the skin-especially the elbows, neck, knees, and ankles-to slough away dead skin. Rinse the scrub away in the shower using hydrating body wash like Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash, which contains conditioning shea butter. As soon as you’re out of the shower, it’s important to lock in moisture right away.

If you really feel like pampering yourself-and don’t mind getting a little messy-douse your skin in olive oil following a pre-bedtime bath. Wrap yourself in a sheet to trap the moisture, head to bed, and wake up with silky-smooth skin…and a sudden craving for pasta.

Winter Lip Care

Funny how Valentine’s Day happens when your lips are looking their least kissable. A cracked, parched pucker isn’t just unsexy; it’s downright painful. Treat your lips to a healing balm like the lifesaving and all-purpose Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which can also be used to treat chapped and cracked skin anywhere on the body. You can also keep lips smooth and flake-free by gently running a toothbrush over them as a quick exfoliant.

Winter Face Care

As with the rest of your body, retaining moisture is crucial during winter. Drinking lots of water will help your skin achieve a healthy glow, and a daily hydrating moisturizer is a must. You should also look for non-drying cleansers with skin-restoring ingredients, Murad Environmental Shield Essential – C Cleanser is a good one, so skin doesn’t dry out.

Suffering from irritated skin a Santa-esque red nose? Cetaphil and Aveeno are especially adept at gently treating sensitive skin. And if a cold has left your nose area raw, Clinique CX Soothing Concealer Duo is a godsend. The specially formulated cover-up masks redness while soothing the skin; it even comes with SPF 15 protection.

Another tip: Avoid alcohol-infused cleansing wipes or toners that have a drying effect.

Winter Hands & Feet Care

If ever there were a time to book a mani/pedi, it’d be now. The hands and feet get especially dry and prone to torn cuticles this time of year, so exfoliating them and applying a thick lotion is vital. For best results, slather on a thick layer of lotion, add socks or moisturizing gloves, and leave on overnight.

Blizzard headed your way? Big deal. With these winter beauty tips, you’ll be looking as beautiful as ever.

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I’m no fan of winter and my body agrees. My skin rebels when exposed to the cold air, but normally that can be fixed by slathering on copious amounts of lotion. But my hair? Ohhhhh, my hair is a complete other battle.

Dry doesn’t even begin to describe it. The ends split, it goes crazy-static and in general is just hard to maintain. For years I have been trying to battle the havoc winter wreaks on my hair, and I think I have finally perfected the formula.

First, I prep my hair with Redken Clear Moisture Shampoo. I have super fine hair, but this moisturizes it without weighing it down. After the first time I used it, I noticed an increase in the shine of my hair.

I hesitate to use conditioner because it tends to gunk up my hair, but I really like CHI Silk Infusion. It’s lightweight, but makes my hair tangle-free, while also protecting it from the inevitable harm caused by my hairdryer and straightener.

A finishing touch is Pantene Lasting Volume Hairspray. It holds my volume while also fighting the dry winter air. Static, no more!

The last thing I do is throw a dryer sheet in my bag. If my hair does get a little rebellious, a quick swipe will put it back in line.

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Style Your Look to the “T”

Fashion Night IN!!

Fashions Under $50: Blaze Your Way Into Fall

Anthropologie Winter Tree Monogram: These spindly brass branches are perfect to use as single initials or spell out a name or word. $24 each

Fred Flare Ear Buds: Gift your favorite music fan with these fun animal-shaped ear buds, available in pig, duck, ladybug, or fly. $10-16

Shemergency Survival Kit: Got an office mate who’s a little on the clumsy and flustered side? This essential kit contains safety pins, stain remover, pain reliever, and more emergency items. $20

Recycled Windshield Wine Glasses: Stemless and sustainable, these cool glasses are ideal for eco-friendly oenophiles. $22 for a set of 2

We LUVLUVLUV IT, and so will you!

More SMW Gift Ideas
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One of the great things about fashion and this time of year is that layering is a great way to customize a look. Wear this shirt over a long sleeved tissue tee or toss on a pink scarf to really diversify your look. Don’t forget — it’s totally possible to look cute while promoting awareness of breast cancer.

Check out the Katydid Collection for other great clothing items to help the cause.

The winning name is posted in the comments section below and won a free SPIbelt!

Here are some other great ways to support Breast Cancer Awareness month from Cool-It Caddy, SPIbelt, Sporty Chic Designs and Katydid Collection.

SPIBELT

Support the cause with the Breast Cancer Awareness Belt from SPIbelt. Combining the necessities of an active lifestyle for both men and women, the versatile accessories, accommodate lightweight items such as keys, credit cards, iPods™, Blackberries™, cash and identification.  Available in several sizes for men, women and children.  Why not wear this on your next run supporting the cause? MSRP: $19.95 available at www.spibelt.com. SPIbelt uses 20% of its proceeds to contribute a flat donation of $2500 to the Susan G  Komen Foundation every year.

COOL-IT CADDY

Cool-It Caddy has joined the fight against breast cancer by partnering with Rally for the Cure®, supporters of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, to spread awareness about breast cancer and breast health by offering prizes to 2011/2012 season participants in golf, tennis and social events hosted by Rally for the Cure®. Cool-It Caddy is an innovative, fashion forward bag  that protects cosmetics, medications and snacks from the summers damaging heat for up to five hours. MSRP: $40 www.cool-itcaddy.com

SPORTY CHIC

Show your support with this gorgeous sports-inspired bracelet designed by Sport Chic Designs. This jewelry line offers charms to show your support for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. With each pink ribbon purchased, 10% of the purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to support the fight against breast cancer. Sporty Chic Designs creates jewelry is for women who take their game, and style, seriously. Each item has a sports symbol incorporated into the design, striking up conversations when they really count. Choose from a variety of precious metals and stones and three distinct, sports-inspired collections to find that perfect bracelet. MSRP starting at $42 and is available at www.SportyChicDesigns.com.

KATYDID COLLECTION

Staying privy to the latest fashions, Katydid is now offering its Pink Ribbon design on burnout style t-shirts. The Komen inspired design features the iconic pink ribbon on the front and back overlaid with the messages of faith, hope and love, and coupled with the distinctive Katydid Collection motifs of angel wings, rhinestone accents and feminine details in bright pink. With each Pink Ribbon tee sold in the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, $10 will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. The newest addition to the line, the Pink Ribbon Burnout t-shirt (in white) has an MSRP of $33. All Katydid clothing is 100% made in the USA and are available for retail purchase at katydidcollection.com and at boutiques nationwide.

More Information from SingleMindedWomen.com on Supporting Breast Cancer Research
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Breast Cancer Beauty
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Favored by the Hollywood moms (including Tori Spelling), the Strawberry Cream line of necklaces, bracelets and earrings features pink swirls of glass entwined with creamy white with precious gold foil and sparkly copper dust.

The ‘heart’ that started it all

It all started with the Strawberry Cream Heart Pendant, Marco Polo’s most popular Couture Heart. Then, after an employee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, Marco Polo designers went to work, patterning the rest of the pieces in her honor, launching the line the following year. The latest in the line to roll out for 2011 is the Strawberry Cream Cable Necklace, a delicate yet sturdy rendition, featuring  three, hand-crafted Murano glass beads on a multi-strand, sterling silver cable.

Perpetual proceeds to breast cancer research

All year around, Marco Polo Designs donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale of Strawberry Cream jewelry to breast cancer research sponsored by the Komen Foundation. The Strawberry Cream collection is not only stunning, it’s a testament to the beauty of breast cancer survival, an employee of Marco Polo who is cancer-free and going strong!

Pieces of the collection can be found online at Marco Polo Designs.

More Information from SingleMindedWomen.com on Supporting Breast Cancer Research
Fab Fashions Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Beauty
Women Rock: Hard Rock Hotels Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer Research

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to health and wellness I’m not always just motivated by reducing risk for heart disease, etc. I love how I feel when I’m in shape, but I LOVE how I look in my clothes when I’m in shape. And I love for my clothes to always fit. I’ll stay at one weight just so all my favorite pieces still fit well. It’s so annoying when suddenly something is too big or too small … especially when you don’t have the time to shop for something to replace it. And, it’s not always that simple to replace it!

Can you relate?

We’ve all been there. An event is coming up in 5 days and you suddenly realize your dress is just a we bit tight. Good thing you made yourself do a fitting to finalize your outfit (accessories et al!), right?!

There is nothing worse than realizing what you were planning to wear doesn’t fit. So, I decided to enlist the help of an expert. Andie Jones of BeWell Nutrition shared with me her top 3 tactics to lose a few pounds to fit into that dress (and we all know even 1 or 2 pounds can make a difference!):

• Reduce the amount of starchy carbohydrates you’re eating — breads, pastas, pastries of course, but even whole grains and potatoes.  Instead focus on leafy and crunchy vegetables.
• It’s helpful to replace a meal a day with a balanced, protein smoothie that’s filling, yet easy to digest.  This can eliminate belly bloat.
• Eliminating coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages will help reduce bloating and can have a slimming effect.  Instead, replace these beverages with a 2-3 cups of green tea each day, which has a fat burning effect.

I can attest that replacing a meal a day with a smoothie is effective. As someone who loves a glass of wine (or a skinny margarita!) at the end of my day, it’s not my favorite tip, but again, it is effective.

Something that you’ve probably noticed (at least once a month) is that suddenly you feel a bit fuller. Maybe the ‘muffin top’ is more pronounced and you SWEAR you haven’t changed anything in your routine and can’t recall overindulging too much.

Oh, yea. It’s that time again. Brilliant.

Fortunately, as much as we love our monthly cycle and the bloat that comes with it, there is one simple thing we can do to mitigate the water retention that tends to happen around that time of the month. According to Jones, “watch your salt and sodium intake. Instead, spice up your food with other herbs and spices.  Also, chamomile tea is very soothing and has a mild diuretic effect, so it can be helpful to sip this herbal tea throughout the day.”

Style note: If you are feeling the effects of bloat and ‘muffin top’ styling your outfit similar to Sarah Jessica Parker’s is one way to beat it that doesn’t require limiting salt or wine. It’s all about balancing proportions – add a little volume on top to minimize/hide your stomach (just don’t wear a tent, you should still have shape) and balance it with a slim, tailored line on bottom.

Now, back to the wine … again … I love a glass of wine to unwind, so I asked Andie if I really had to give it up.

You will be glad to know that she doesn’t force us to cut it out. In fact, “Drinking a glass of wine a day has been tied to a number of health benefits – red wine especially.” Though, Jones does warn us “that alcohol is sugar and it’s important to have the wine with a meal or snack that includes protein and fats, so that your body is less likely to store that extra sugar as fat.”

Since we don’t want that extra fat (need I remind you of muffin top?), let’s reiterate that last part to really get it to set in: “it’s important to have the wine with a meal or snack that includes protein and fats, so that your body is less likely to store that extra sugar as fat.”

Now, drum roll please … the number 1 mistake women make with their diet?? Eating too little! Jones sees so many “clients skip meals and restrict calories in an effort to lose weight, and that can really backfire.  Most of my clients are surprised when I ask them to actually eat more food and they see that result in weight loss.”

So, the moral of the story is that we get to eat more? Yes, if it’s leafy, green or a vegetable and a balanced mix of proteins, carbs and fats.

Those skinny jeans aren’t seeming so ominous anymore!!

Taking leave of the Corporate Fashion Industry, Catherine Cassidy founded U*styled in 2008 to support busy women everywhere. YOU are our mission. U*styled is dedicated to empowering women and giving you the tools to discover the lifestyle you deserve through personal style. Her unique approach to Personal Styling and Brand Image has had her work across a broad range of industries and career stages including Real Estate, Finance, Consulting, Marketing, Advertising, Entertainment, Entrepreneurs and Celebrity Entrepreneurs.

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“The key is to really accent your shoulders décolletage and legs,” says Alessandra, mom to almost three-year-old Anya Louise. “And the best way to do that is with bronzer and shimmer. It’s the only way to create definition that isn’t really there! “

New mom Adriana, whose daughter Valentina was born on November 15, 2009,  agrees that tanners and bronzers are the way to go this summer. “It’s the perfect way to make you look and feel healthy and get a glow with out damaging the skin. VS Beach Sexy Tan Enhance Shimmer Lotion with Tint is extra moisturizing because it has Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, so I use that.”

As for hair, Alessandra opts for a sexy, loose wave in summer because it looks more natural.  “It’s important to have volume throughout the middle and ends of the hair, not on the top.” Apply a mouse volumizer when hair is wet to really lift your roots for a fuller mane.

What else are these Angels including in their beach bag this summer?

“I love a fruity scent for summer,” says Alessandra. “Right now my favorite is the Bombshell Summer fragrance. The citrusy scent is amazing.

And Adriana says she “can’t live without Facial Cleanser by Johnson & Johnson and Rose Water.”

Adriana Lima celebrates the launch of Victoria's Secret Bombshell Summer Collection

Adriana Lima stopped by the Soho branch of Victoria’s Secret last night to celebrate the launch of the Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Collection – a new line of sexy scents and, lingerie and swimwear. This summer, the VS team has created a new line of summer focused fragrances that range from a romantic coconut based Heavenly Summer  scent to the Sexy Little Things Noir Summer scent that is an enchanting escape full of lush, flirty florals and sheer musk. The super cute bottles are bright and colorful and even have lingerie and swimsuits to match – the perfect set for a bridesmaids summer birthday gift. Adriana proudly showed off the new collection and before she mixed and mingled with some seriously lucky fans, she sat down with SingleMindedWomen.com to share her tips on how to be a bombshell this summer.

“Everyone in Brazil drinks coconut water. It’s the perfect way to stay hydrated and makes your skin look amazing!” she said. Coconut water actually has more potassium than bananas, so it’s also a great post workout boost and does wonders for you the morning after a night out on the town.

Dream Angels Heavenly Summer Limited Edition Mist

“Second, I would say to self tan before going to the beach. A little glow will really boost your confidence. Especially that first weekend at the beach.” Victoria’s Secret’s Beach Sexy line includes everything you need to get that great glow this summer from start to finish. Their adjustable self tanning lotion easily glides on to get that before sun glow Adriana was talking about. The Daily Glow Gradual moisturizer has SPF 15 to protect you while you’re there and afterwards, finish up with the Tan Enhance shimmer lotion to boost the look of your tan for a radiant and flawlessly sexy body.

Her third and most important tip is a simple one. “Choose the right swimsuit. Find one that flatters your body. You want to be confident at the beach. Nothing is sexier than a confident woman.” Her pick this summer is anything from the Victoria’s Secret Miraculous collection. “It instantly gives you two extra cup sizes! That’s amazing!”

Yes, the new mom to one-year-old baby girl Valentina is already in a bikini. “I started working out five months after having Valentina. I do cardio, jump rope and boxing.”

If you want a chance to meet Adriana yourself this summer, check out the Bombshell Summer Tour at VS All Access on VictoriasSecret.com.

A few key trends for Spring 2011 …

70′s Influence

In color and styling we’re seeing 70′s influence big time. Marc Jacob’s show was all about the 70′s. In fact, the bright colors and easy, breezy styling carry over into our other big trends. I’m really loving that this is about easy to wear, flowing pieces, but NOT oversize. A great influence is the maxi length we’re still seeing … as well as the midi-maxi – a skirt that hits above the ankles but below the knees. Instead of heavy jersey, we’re seeing lightweight flowing knits and beautiful silks.

Bold Prints

Instead of pretty florals, we’re seeing statement florals and bold graphic prints. Again, there is definitely the 70′s influence in the graphics AND the colors. And we’re not just seeing prints on dresses and tops … we’re seeing prints on jackets, skirts AND pants! Talk about some fun mixing and matching! The beauty of the majority of these prints is that they have staying power in your wardrobe – both because of the color and the prints – especially on dresses and tops. If you’re feeling a bit more visionary in your style, then definitely opt for the prints in jackets, pants and skirts. Have FUN!

Bright Colors

Color is everywhere! Even in shows that were otherwise sparse or neutral, we saw a burst of color … and often in NEON! And I mean NEON! Yellow, orange and green, oh my! To temper the Spring 2011 color palette for those who aren’t quite into neon, we have luxurious purples, reds, greens, oranges and yellows. This is where I would encourage you to start, unless you’re feeling a bit daring. By all means, be daring … have FUN!

Color Blocking

If you want to stand out this Spring, choose one, or three of these colors. Yes, I said three and, yes, I meant at once! We’re seeing color blocking again this season. Color blocking can be as simple as two unexpected, yet complimentary colors or as many as four colors. Many designers were showing colorblocked prints and dresses, but just as many were also showing color blocked through outfits – a top, bottom, belt and accessory in 2-4 colors. Yes, exciting!

Easy, Breezy

Let it flow! A major fan of comfortable Fashion myself, this trend really makes it easy and effortless. Think flowing dresses, loose yet tailored lines, jersey dresses, flowing silk, silk jackets, maxi skirts. Layer these easy pieces or juxtapose them with something structured. Either way, it’s gorgeous and easy to wear. The key here is to keep the volume in check. Thankfully, most designers are aware of the female form this year and instead of hiding our bodies, they’re gracefully skimming them for a subtle allure.

Neutral Accessories

From golds, to animal prints and skins to classic nude patent leather we’re seeing a slew of accessories that can go the extra mile in your wardrobe. I’ve long since loved all of these accessories for their ability to both pull together an outfit and go with everything. You can never go wrong if you add an accessory that is gold, animal or nude. If you don’t have any of this in your wardrobe, now is the time to invest. This is a trend with staying power in your wardrobe!

So, now I ask you: What is the one trend you will embrace this season that is outside of your comfort zone? And which trend do you already have in your closet? Finally, which trend are you excited to try???