Let’s dissect Kate Middleton’s princess-in-waiting look at a recent wedding, shall we?

1) A sunkissed tan.  Princesses don’t spend time locked away in windowless offices–they summer.  They’re also blessed with genes that allow skin to bronze the perfect shade of golden…never red…never orange.

2) Expertly coiffed, shiny, subtly highlighted hair.  Because nothing says royalty like the luxury of affording three hour, £650 a pop housecalls thrice weekly.

3) Bright, clear eyes.  It’s those genes, darling.

4) Softly gleaming teeth.  Not too white, of course - that’s for Hollywood.  So gauche.

5) Barely there makeup: light defined eyes, strong but well-groomed brows and–of course–flushed, virginal cheeks.  (The quiet confidence that comes from possessing a huge, life-changing secret?  Well, that’s just gravy.)

I would love to have been a fly on the wall at the meeting between America Ferrera and Blake Lively and their respective agents when they were told they had to make a sequel to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants because of their old contracts.  (”But…but…I’m a big star now!  I’m on a huge TV show!  Everybody knows my name…unlike when the last movie came out!”  “Exxxxactly.”)  Sure enough, at last night’s New York premiere, America and Blake looked Good-Lord-You-Girls-Are-Gorgeous stunning (I could write poems about how shiny and beautiful their hair is)…Alexis Bledel looked pretty, if a little severe…and Amber Tamblyn would probably do well to hire a new team of stylists if she wants to compete.  Alas.

Photo from People.com

Lipgloss and nail polish are all well and good, but I feel about makeup the way I feel about fashion: it enhances and beautifies, sure, but at the end of the day it’s what’s underneath that counts.  As a result, skincare is my true beauty passion–if your skin isn’t glowing, taut and in its best shape, all the makeup in the world isn’t going to do a damn thing.  Luckily, there have been seemingly endless advances these past few years, as beauty companies are realizing the huge potential of the anti-aging market: now you can find a serum or night cream at every price.  But which ones are best…and do they actually work? 

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Yesterday was the biggest social event on the English calendar: Cartier International Polo Day at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.  I’ve been lucky enough to attend the past two years, and it is a seriously massive to-do; the 2006 party remains the best and wildest I’ve ever attended.  (And, believe me, with the pretty polo people, that’s saying something!)

Prince Harry attended with Chelsy Davy last year; this year, spectators were treated to an insanely dapper-looking Prince Charles. 

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Congratulations to the 25 winners of the Nivea Good-bye Cellulite Gel Cream!  You’ll be receiving your tubes soon, and I expect reports back on your progress!  In honor of its “Good-bye Cellulite, Hello Bikini” challenge, I asked Nivea for their best tips on getting a bikini-ready body. 

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No surprise here: Bachelor sweethearts Matt Grant and Shayne Lamas have split.  I thought they seemed visibly strained during their recent “After the Final Rose” appearance, but it’s still always a little sad when “true love” (giggle) fails.  Do you think DeAnna and Jesse will actually make it to the altar?

Future Shayne will be thankful if Current Shayne lays off the tanning–I predict leathery skin and unnecessary wrinkles–but I do love her white blonde, artfully messy Hollywood hair.  On another girl, it would be way too much, but Shayne (she of the makeup compacts and blush brushes on the ski slope) somehow manages to pull it off.  Get your own Shayne ‘do with prodigious amounts of mousse (we’re talking three golf-ball sized squirts here!), long layers, and a deep side part frozen in place with hairspray.

We haven’t gotten around yet to discussing Britney Spears’s recent emergence at a charity event, looking healthy, happy and glowing.  The perfect-yet-not-too-orange tan, the flattering-yet-subtle makeup, the tasteful (well, tasteful enough) dress…it’s all wonderful.  Plus–look, ma!–presentable hair!  It’s not perfection…but it’s ten times better than what we’ve seen in the past year.  Oh, Britney, I’ve missed you.

Photo from Yahoo.com

My darlings!  You know how I feel about cellulite creams: mucho suspicious, of course.  (Yes, they can make a difference in the appearance of skin temporarily, but we’re not talking liposuction results.  When dealing with anything that promises to banish wrinkles or fat for-evah!, realistic expectations are key.)  So, how about the chance to test one of your own, for free?  That’s right, no blowing your hard earned money…and, just maybe, slightly sleeker thighs, too.  Not that anything is wrong with your gorgeous thighs just the way they are.  I know that.  You know that.  (Right?) But, hey, we’re human and we all want to look our best, so no judging!

Nivea has partnered with me to give away 25 tubes of their Good-bye Cellulite Gel Cream, which retails for $12.99 and includes L-Carnitine, which helps convert fat into energy.  The first 25 gals who reply in the comments below with their email address and all-time favorite body product (moisturizing cream!  bath gel!  No!No! hair remover!  Whatever!) will win.  Good luck…