Catch the Havaianas mobile van for some custom flip flops

With summer in full swing, the flip-flop sandal is an essential for keeping feet cool and comfy on the beach. Sometimes, the only problem is finding just the right color to match your new maxi dress or shorts ensemble.

Havaianas, the popular Brazilian flip-flop brand has launched its first ever "MYOH" Mobile van, serving up custom sandals. Customers can choose from 10 different straps and bottoms to create their own Havaiana color combinations. 

The van, which was modeled off a retro VK Kombi, is easy to spot in bright red and features a psychedelic rainbow pattern and the classic Havaianas logo. It's slated to make appearances Thursday, July 19 in Santa Monica (Third Street Promenade at Arizona Avenue from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Friday, July 20 in Venice Beach (Abbot Kinney Boulevard between Palms and Venice boulevards from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Saturday, July 21 back in Santa Monica (Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Boulevard from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).  At the Venice Beach stop, style expert, author and former Los Angeles Times market editor Melissa Magsaysay will be on hand to offer style tips, help customize shoes and give away a limited number of signed copies of her new book "City of Style."

Want the van to make a trip to your side of town? You can petition for an appearance through the Havaiana's Facebook page.

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twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

Photo: The Havaianas custom flip-flop van. Credit: Havaianas.

NBA, Quiksilver partner for team-branded board shorts

The National Basketball Assn. and Huntington Beach-based surf brand Quiksilver have inked a multiyear merchandising deal that will put NBA team logos, designs and colorways on Quiksilver men's board shorts, both companies announced Thursday.

The initial collection includes eight designs featuring seven of the NBA's 32 teams. That's one style each for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, and two versions (yellow or black with purple) for the fashion-forward Los Angeles Lakers, on 22-inch outseam boardies that incorporate Quik's "Diamond Dobby" fabric technology (basically a weave that uses a raised-diamond pattern to decrease skin contact and cut down on rashing and chafing while surfing).

The NBA Quiksilver board shorts retail for $65 and are available through Quiksilver's flagship stores and website, and will eventually also be sold through the NBA's online store (which currently has team-branded boardies by G-III on offer). Quiksilver also makes pro football-branded board shorts through a partnership with the National Football  League.  

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Photos: The first team-branded board shorts rolling out to retail as part of Quiksilver's multiyear deal with the NBA includes designs catering to fans of (from left) the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. The initial offering also includes the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic (not pictured).  Credit: NBA  

Sunscreens that multitask as much as we do

Each summer, the shelves at my local drugstore practically groan from all the sunscreen. Every year, there seem to be more SPF lotions and sprays, more SPF face powders and lip balms.

I've tried so many different formulas and brands over the years, and been disappointed so many times, that my expectations were fairly low when my editor handed me a bag of new sunscreens asking me to test them and write up a story.

As a former tanning salon junkie, recent basal cell skin cancer diagnosee and all-around pasty white girl, I was particularly intrigued by the broad-spectrum sunscreen and self-tanner from Supergoop!

The box promised to give me a golden glow and to protect me from the sun without the paraben, oxybenzone and other nasties or leaving residue on my clothes or towels -- all of which sounded too good to be true.

But I've used it. I love it. And I will be buying more throughout the summer. The tan looks natural and it didn't rub off on or destroy my clothes.

Read more about multitasking sunscreens in this Sunday's Image.

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Photo: Supergoop! SPF 20 self-tanning sunscreen mousse. Credit: Supergoop!

Lost sunglasses? Dizm's will biodegrade

Most SoCal lifeguards who rush into the water for a rescue end up losing their sunglasses in the water -- inadvertently adding to the Pacific Trash Vortex. But Dizm Eyewear is hoping to change that with its new eco-collection of biodegradable sunglasses.

"The concept is that if you lose your sunglasses in the water, they'll turn into fish food once they're decomposed. If you lose them in the forest, in five or 10 years, they'd turn into biomass and be completely gone," said Jonas Lee, general manager of Dizm Eyewear in Hermosa Beach.

A sunglass line designed to bridge the gap between action sports and fashion, Dizm makes about 70 styles, 18 of which have biodegradable frames. Dizm is still working on a biodegradable solution for its polycarbonate lenses, which present a challenge because of the need for optical clarity. Before the end of the year, Dizm hopes to switch all of its frames to plastics made from wood, cotton and palm oil.

"Our entire team is working to develop the best processes for recycling and repurposing glasses as well as to take good care of our playground," said Dizm founder Linda Larson, who recently sponsored a beach cleanup at the American Pro Surfing Series contest in Huntington Beach and is currently developing a collection program for its glasses to either rework and donate them to people in need or to dispose of them more ecologically than the landfill.

If composted with a backyard system, the biodegradable sunglass frames will break down over the course of several seasons, Larson said.

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Photo: Dizm Eyewear eco-collection sunglasses. Credit: Dizm Eyewear.

Beauty Report: Strong eyebrows on spring 2012 runways

 
The soft side of the spring 2012 collections is getting an interesting juxtaposition seen in the hard-edged and heavily defined eyebrows created on model's faces at shows like Derek Lam and Victoria Beckham.

The most extreme case (thus far) was at Altuzarra, where designer Joseph Altuzarra referenced  Elizabeth Taylor’s signature strong brows and makeup artist Tom Pecheux translated them to look almost vinyl, they were so extreme. 
Models at Thakoon sported cotton candy-looking hair and glow-y skin. Makeup artist Diane Kendal said that she focused on a strong, classic brow because the collection was so colorful. She kept the face natural, with a little pink on the cheek for healthy color.

At Victoria Beckham, makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury used Le Crayon Poudre brow pencil to create the arched and full effect. She stated that she wanted models to look “sporty” and “handsome.”

Fluffier, caterpillar style brows abounded at Derek Lam, where Tom Pecheux darkened brows using pencil from Estee Lauder. The severe brows struck a nice contrast to the lemon yellow eye shadow that was swept across models' lids.

But regardless of whether strong eyebrows were part of the beauty concept or not, it’s clear that full and almost angular brows are what are big in fashion. Even with just a little combing and light pencil,  brows are basically looking bigger, meaning you can give the tweezers a rest and channel your inner Brooke Shields.

But for those of us who plucked them all out during our "grunge phase" that might be much easier said than done.

--Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: Top left, Thakoon spring/summer 2012. Photo credit: Nars

Bottom left, Derek Lam spring/summer 2012; photo credit: Estee Lauder. Bottom right, Victoria Beckham spring/summer 2012; photo credit: Lancome

 

 

Your Stylist: Traveling in style this summer

 
  

With summer in full swing and about a month and a half to go until the long Labor Day weekend, many people are doing or planning some warm-weather traveling. 

Whether you’re going on a multi-week vacation to a far-off locale or just a quaint long weekend nearby, a chic piece of luggage adds to the exhilaration of taking time off and reduces confusion when you're trying to determine which piece is yours on the overcrowded conveyer belt at baggage claim.

A cute and identifiable bag doesn’t have to have a loud and graphic print. Try a sleek model in a vibrant color. For example, actress Diane Kruger loves her Rimowa Salsa Deluxe suitcase, which spins, glides and comes in a protective hard case (in Oriental red, left, $650; in violet, right, $450-$575). The bold suitcase adds a punch of color to Kruger’s off-duty airport look, and the way the case rolls with minimal effort makes traveling with a lot of luggage far less cumbersome.

The Salsa suitcase from Rimowa also comes in a less fiery, but just  as fun blue hue, in case you prefer cooler colors.

For something decidedly beachy, this aqua roller duffle from Halsea (above right, $400) is perfect for a long weekend getaway. It’s a nice size for a few nights' worth of clothing and a few days' worth of bathing suits and cover-ups, plus you have the option of rolling it along with the pullout handle or carrying it. For the hipster teen or anyone who favors an '80s-esque neon print, Burton ($169.95, above left) has an angular print carry-on roller that’s easy to spot even in a crowded terminal.

This leopard-print pony trolley from Jimmy Choo ($4995, right) certainly makes a statement. It’s perfect for the chic traveler who wants her travel gear to reflect her love of high-end accessories.

And for light and versatile packing without losing any style, Mulberry’s fold-up large clipper bag in this fuchsia and gray cheetah print ($450, above left) is the perfect carry-on or long weekend size, plus it folds up neatly into its own little pouch. Or bring it along folded up and expanded it and pack it with souvenirs and shopping finds on the way back home.

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Top photo: Diane Kruger totes her Rimowa Salsa Air 22-inch multi-wheel carry-on. Credit: VT/DK/Splash News

Credits for the other photos: Beverly Hills/Rimowa; Halsea; Burton; Jimmy Choo; and Mulberry

Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial needs in her Your Stylist blog column every week.

Diane Kruger's neon brights adds some spark to a summer look

The fireworks of Fourth of July may be behind us, but now that temperatures are soaring the sizzle and pop  of neon bright accessories feel completely right to liven up a summer wardrobe.   

 Neon accessories aren't just for teens, just look at how Diane Kruger wore a yellow-green Alessandra Rich dress with an unexpected pop of neon orange to the Liaisons Au Louvre charity dinner in Paris recently. It was a fresh and interesting way of wearing color to a formal affair.

For an everyday look, neon bangles mixed in with gold or leather bracelets look cool whether you're wearing a swimsuit or cut-off denim shorts and a striped T-shirt. Ettika makes some super flashy bangles with rhinestones wrapped in neon string. And as we mentioned in a previous post, Braced-lets are basically the elastic part taken from braces, but done in the most vivid shades. When put together with equally bright brackets, one would never know the components were meant  for the mouth.

Christopher Kane's exclusive clutches for netaporter.com bring his laser-cut leather is front and center, this time done in eye-popping hues like neon yellow, green and pink. These would be the ultimate accessory to an all-white poolside ensemble.

 These strappy neon yellow platforms from Electric Blue feel part disco, part Tron, and the unexpected combo of dark blue suede sole with bright yellow straps isn't for the person who merely wants to blend in.

For incorporating a more subtle pop of neon into your summer look, try a bangle like this one from Asos. It's primarily wood, but with a super bright yellow stripe on  one side. The electric blue watch from Nixon is also an easy flash of color. It's sporty and sleek and works with athletic wear as it does a beach look.

To keep neon looking ultra-feminine, this pop of pink necklace from Adia Kibur  looks polished and playful at the same time. And the retro-style shades from Karen Walker have a florescent yellow lucite stripe that jumps out against the primarily black statement frames.

With summer now in full swing, throw on some acid brights and sporty shades of neon to savor the sizzling Southern California climate.

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Photos (from top): Diane Kruger. Credit: Getty Images.  Ettika neon string and rhinestone bracelets, $230 at www.ettika.com. Braced-lets, $4.99 each at www.bracedlets.com.  Christopher Kane laser-cut leather clutch, $530 at www.netaporter.com.  Electric Blue neon platform sandals, $120 at www.topshop.com.  Asos wood bangle, $77.58 at www.asos.com.  Nixon watch, $100 at www.nixonnow.com.  Adir Kibur neon pink necklace, $68 at www.shopbop.com.  Karen Walker sunglasses, $180 at www.lagarconne.com.

Another chance to shop for a cause -- this time, it's Heal the Bay

 
There's no doubt that shopping therapy is a boon to many. But when your shopping benefits a cause -- well, some of us believe that practically earns the shopper a place in heaven (or, at the very least, a reprieve from that other place). 

This time out the beneficiary is Heal the Bay, an organization dedicated to keeping the waters off Southern California safe and clean.  The vehicle is a sale titled Buy the Bay, and the items include:

-- A miniature hourglass necklace that "holds local beach sand to remind us not to take for granted the precious time we spend in our beaches" ($100).

-- "Day at the Beach" scented candles ($30).

-- A "Sounds of the Sea" glass shell  (at right)  crafted to capture the sounds of Southern California’s greatest acoustic venue -- the beach" ($150).

-- "Beach Babysitter" bubble set ($10).

-- "World's Tallest Sandcastle (Starter Kit)" ($15).

It seems our beaches need all the help they can get. A report released Wednesday said the number of times the nation's beaches were closed or posted with warnings because of polluted water jumped last year to its second-highest level in 21 years.

Just something to think about as we head off into the July 4 weekend. Besides, Christmas is coming ... eventually.

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 Photos: Hourglass necklace and glass shell. Credit: Buy the Bay

Beachy bikes and surfboards at Juicy Couture

Anyone who’s a fan-bordering-on-collector of Juicy Couture’s ultra-girlie wares will find the new beachy merchandise in the renovated Malibu store pretty drool-worthy. The Malibu and East Hampton locations are carrying limited-edition beach cruisers and surfboards emblazoned with the Juicy Couture logo in bright and splashy shades of teal and hot pink.

Only six bikes and a handful of boards were created, with the bikes retailing around $425. Prices on the boards are provided upon request; the boards don’t seem like something that would ever hit the water but, rather, adorn the wall of a Juicy girl’s (or guy’s) office or bedroom.

The bikes, however, seem a bit more functional and relatively low-key when it comes to logos.

Regardless, it really doesn’t get more summery and Southern California than Juicy-branded beachcombers and surfboards.

Juicy Couture Malibu, 3900 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, CA 90265

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Your Stylist: Makeup that won’t suffer a hot summer meltdown

As the weather gets warmer, a lot of women will start thinking about switching out their daily foundation for something lighter (and possibly with a higher SPF), as well as integrating a few new items into their makeup bags to help keep skin cool and oiliness at bay.

Sun protection is the most obvious and important component of summer cosmetics -– every time you step outside, not just for all-day excursions. “We all think that we can just get into our car and run a quick errand for half an hour and it’s no big deal,” says Tina Prande, esthetician and co-owner of Piele Skin Boutique in Beverly Hills. “But it’s so dangerous, not even just because of skin cancer, but also aging. I can definitely see a difference from the right side to the left side of my clients' faces. The left side has more sun damage from being exposed when driving.”

Prande recommends a product that does double duty as an effective sun block and as a lightweight summer foundation. Solar Protection Formula Tizo3 SPF 40 (right, $37 at Piele Skin Boutique) provides sun protection to the face and evens out skin tone, so you won’t have to wear any concealer or powder on top. The silicone base gives this product a silky consistency and the formula has light reflecting particles that Prande says leave skin looking really dewy. She advises layering the tinted SPF on top of your daily moisturizer, since the silicone prevents it from soaking into skin. Nude Skincare makes a good face moisturizer for oily skin or anyone who plans to spend some time in hot or humid weather. Their Moisture Balance face lotion (above left, $68 at Space NK) is specifically formulated to control excess oil due to humidity and balance the skin’s moisture levels.

If you still love using a powder, even though you may be sweating through it, MAC Cosmetics' Magically Cool Liquid powder (below left, $29.50 at maccosmetics.com) is a light and soft loose powder that goes on with the feeling of a cool breeze. The powder also has light-diffusing pigment in it, so skin looks glowing, not matte, and fine lines are blurred out a bit.

If you have naturally oily skin that gets even slicker during summer, makeup artist Annie Ing recommends  layering a mattifying primer underneath foundation or tinted SPF. Ing likes Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying primer (above left, $27 at Sephora) and advises applying it to especially shiny areas to keep glare down.  She is also a big fan of MAC Blot Film sheets for absorbing oil and shine throughout the day.

If oiliness isn’t your issue during summer and it’s dryness due to heat that plagues you, a refreshing mist of moisturizing elements might be the best and lightest way to go. Rather than slather on a face moisturizer that’s hydrating but heavy, the Instant Boost Skin Tonic spritzer (above right, $28.50 at us.lizearle.com) from Liz Earle does wonders to restore moisture as well as give skin a nice refreshed glow. Aloe vera, calendula and vitamin E work to add moisture back into skin without the weighed down feeling a cream or lotion can give, especially when it’s scorching outside.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: (Top left) Nude skincare Moisture Balance face lotion (Top right) Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic spritzer. (Middle left) Laura Mercier Secret Finish mattifying primer. (Middle right) Solar Protection formula Tizo3 SPF 40/Solar Protection. (Bottom left) MAC Cosmetics Blot Film. (Bottom right) MAC Cosmetics Magically Cool Liquid powder