Alicia Advice

Alicia Keys gives great advice in the July 2008 issue of Seventeen. She talks about looking for early signs in a relationship that may not be so obvious but can spell trouble. It's important to be alert. Take care of YOURSELF first (see title link). The best thing about Alicia is she discusses her own experiences, and isn't afraid to show her imperfections. That's a real role model.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is a great role model for any age. She's honest and hasn't ruined her squeaky-clean image after years in front of the camera. She is a passionate songwriter, and she's intelligent and generous. Her HIV/AIDS work has helped millions battling the disease (see title link). She's an amazing and beautiful person, both inside and out.

Shady...

Check those shades out. They're by Cutesygirl and are just $6. These Side Metal Accent Business Look sunglasses are what the celebs are wearing nowadays. But you've got it better; they look like $600 shades, but aren't. I wholeheartedly recommend them, especially since they have 400 UV protection (see title link). Yep, practical and cute.

Affordable but Chic

Check out this cute jumper by Derek Heart. It's a beautiful look in grey and is originally priced at $20. However, the sale price is currently $14.99, so grab it while you can (see title link). Coming with goldtone buttons and a flap pocket at the chest and back, as well as scoop pockets at the waist. Made of 60% cotton, it's perfect for the summer.

Mobile Extras

Many companies, like Club 28282, are making bundles of cash by selling ringtones and wallpapers and sound effects each day. My question is, how do they profit when nearly every phone these days is equipped with a camera and voice recorder? Is it really worth paying $10 each month to download a baby laugh (code 22768), when you can just record one anytime on your own (see title link)? Before falling into the trap, think about it.

Persuasiveness: The New Hypnotism

Using words in certain ways can get you what you want. People will listen to you if you know how to talk to them. It's as simple as that (see title link). Look at Hayden Panettiere. She has a great boyfriend and family and always has an entourage of people ready to do anything for her (above, she's with her dad at Whole Foods). If Hayden, a fellow teenage girl, can do it, so can you.

Photo courtesy of celebrity-gossip.net

Love Stinks.

Don't you hate seeing your ex? Can't remember why you broke up? Well, then, maybe you're not totally over him. Find out what guys do in your position (see title link).

Myth? Truth.

There's an Internet myth out there that says that you can't get pregnant by hooking up when submerged in water. This myth is false; if you have unprotected sex, you CAN get pregnant, no matter what kind of environment you're using. You can get STDs, too. Abstinence is always best, but the second best thing is to use a condom and birth control (see title link).

Wrap Your Head Around It...

Another great idea for your hair that doesn't cost you much? A cute floral scarf! This Forever 21 Wild Flower Headwrap is just $5 (see title link), and looks great for any occasion, whether it's a lazy weekend day or an afternoon hiking in the mountains.

Small Pieces of Metal Go a Long Way...

Simple materials can help hair immensely. For example, Conair Bobby Pins come in packs of 60 and cost you just $2, but their possibilities are endless (see title link). Try a side bun, where you can twist a ponytail around itself and secure it with bobby pins. By leaving a few strands out, it'll look cute and relaxed. Try it, and you'll see the potential, too.

Plastic Protection

Yeah, that's a picture of a box of tampons. As much as I myself cringe at the sight of them, tampons are great for certain athletes and those girls who don't want to waddle around during that time of month. So the best product? Tampax Pearl Plastic. It provides great coverage (see title link).

The Best Full Lashes

Ever noticed that Hilary Duff's eyes are always wowing the crowd? Well, it's because of her voluminous lashes, giving her a mysterious look. The secret is applying lots of mascara and curling your lashes between coats. The best mascara? In my opinion, that's Maybelline New York Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara. It can be yours for just $8 (see title link). If you hold the wand vertically and use it lightly for each individual lash, it will give them optimal volume. Sure, it may take a little longer, but when your lashes are looking voluptuous, you'll be thanking yourself.

Green With Envy [not]

If you want a nail color that's bold, don't go for green, like China Glaze Nail Lacquer in In the Limelight. Unless it's pastel, it will appear horribly and make your nails look like they're overtaken by aliens or something. So one tip: Look before you leap and spend $7 (see title link).

Dressy for Summer

With today's economic recession, it's important to get your money's worth. Cutesy Girl has a bunch of clothing that is surprisingly affordable (see title link). I just found a great strapless floral dress there for just $25. What will you find? It's definitely worth it, and their dresses start at just $7.99! Mix and match your pieces to get a bunch of outfits!

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

Personally, I hate razors. Their cuts are terrible and they are unnecessarily primitive. However, Venus Embrace (see title link) is the best of them all because of its gel borders that soothe your skin. Although I don't recommend razors at all, if you must, use this one, by all means.

More Books...

Bras & Broomsticks is a funny, entertaining book by Sarah Mlynowski. It's part of the Magic in Manhattan Series and is all about the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl who happens to be a witch. Call it the written version of Wizards of Waverley Place, a Disney Channel series starring Selena Gomez. $8.95 will get you a great read for a rainy day (see title link).

Light Reading

Summer is wonderful, especially when you can kick back, relax, and enjoy a good book that requires no intellectual thought. Try True Love, which is compiled by the editors of Seventeen. The stories in it are all true and are sent in by adolescent girls. There's drama, passion, and all-around teen love, so you'll be sufficiently happy and dreamy for a while afterwards (see title link). Plus, it's only $4.95.

Who Wears Short Shorts? WE Wear Short Shorts!

Here's my pick for cutest and most comfy; these shorts by American Apparel are bright with their gold color. But they're great for the gym, too, for the athletic type, since they're made of a thick jersey material. You never have to worry about size because it has adjustable ties, and they come for a good bargain at $24 (see title link). I mean, why WOULDN'T you want to buy them?

Product reviews have been great, too. Babykeepsitreal writes that she has "gotten every bit of [her] money out of them." rjt calls them "a step above the basic athletic short, so amazing."

Cute Accessories for Less

Cutesygirl has tons of great accessories that are a breath of fresh air in this horrible economy. The cute butterfly necklace above is only $13 (it looks great in blue). It'll match perfectly with a cool, tye-dye outfit (see title link).

Herbal Hair

If you have a Sally Beauty Supply store near you, go and pick up a bottle of Mane 'N Tail Herbal Essentials Conditioner. It uses olive oil to make your hair naturally shiny and soft without all those artificial chemicals. I find it extremely effective, and wholeheartedly recommend it (see title link).

Bold Statement

Your eyes can make a great statement with the aid of a good eyeshado. CoverGirl has created a new Eye Enhancers line for their Blast Collection. It's totally bold with vibrant colors that last for hours with their simple shades. Blending perfectly, they'll make your eyes pop (see title link).

Disclaimer: I do not personally believe that eye makeup is required for beautiful eyes. Natural beauty is, after all, the absolute best.

Hydrated Hair

Contrary to popular belief, good conditioner is not only available at the salon. L'Oreal makes a great new moisturizing conditioner from their Vive Pro section and just created a new Hydra Gloss line that's available at drugstores. It's called L'Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Moisturizing Conditioner for Dry Hair. It has Royal Jelly, an ingredient that is supposed to give your hair nourishment with its Omega 3 & 6 content and Olive Oil ingredients. Your hair will be so moisturized and glossy that it will completely detangle and be revitalized in seconds (see title link).

Beautiful Makeup

You know those ads that just catch your eye in the most vibrant, exquisite way? Well, MaxFactor definitely fits that description. Its makeup is photographed on models so effectively that I want to go buy some right now. Never underestimate advertisements. Try MaxFactor makeup (see title link)!

CoverGirl

Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers is an amazing line of lip gloss from CoverGirl. It's affordable and gives your lips a fresh feeling with a fruity kick. Instead of giving smoothless to lips by feeling sticky, it pampers them by feeling like a lip balm, feeling weightless and enriching those puckers with a botanical formula. Keeping them moisturized for hours, it'll have you loving them.

For Those OMG Moments...

Tripping in front of your crush or walking into the boys' locker room, as the Degree Girl ad says, is a humiliating scenario every girl fears. But just so you don't do these and smell funny, too, try Degree Girl deodarant in Tropical Power. It smells tropical with fruity and floral scents, so you feel like you're at the beach! In the sun this summer, make sure to slather on that deodarant (see title link).

Luck? Hmm...

Superstitions can often be a powerful things. But really, the real power in luck lies in yourself; if you believe you can do it, you can and will. That's the real lucky trick. Reading Deborah Aaronson and Kevin Kwan's Luck: The Essential Guide (Collins, 2008) made me realize that it was simply important to have faith in myself. Yes, this sounds cliche, but keeping a penny from your birth year in your pocket for good fortune is actually lamer, to tell you the truth. So in all honesty, think twice before spending $20 on this book.

Relationships

As the summer begins, it can seem like a great time to start a new romance. And really, it is. But make sure you know what you want before jumping in; do you want a summer fling or a long-term relationship? Sometimes, guys think it's easy to get into an emotionless relationship over the summer, so make sure you make your intentions clear. Your summer of love could end up in a long-term heartbreak (see title link).