Megan Crane’s hilarious, relatable books include the hit Frenemies and her latest, Names My Sisters Call Me, which I recently devoured and recommend.  She’s also in possession of gorgeous (if occasionally difficult!) curly hair.  Below, her favorite products for corkscrewed gals, as well as a few beauty must-haves:

“I have found the greatest secret to living with naturally curly hair is to live in a desert (read: low-humidity) environment, which is a major reason why I moved to Los Angeles.  Before that I lived in the pouring rain in England for years and my hair, when not sopping wet, resembled that of a wild animal.  I learned from that experience.  Aside from avoiding humidity, I swear by John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon: Flawless Finishing Creme.  It is the only product I’ve found that works consistently, and keeps my curls at a managable and pretty wave rather than a frizzy disaster. 

In a pinch, I have been known to use Lubriderm (yes, the regular moisturizer).  A quarter-sized amount in wet hair is surprisingly useful.  Any moisturizer, when applied to unexpected frizz, can calm the situation, I find.  When forced into humid places, I use various combinations of the above and things like Sebastian Wet or John Frieda Clearly Defined Style Holding Gel in attempts to wrest control.

I am addicted to Chapstick, regular flavor.  I’m currently in love with Almay Blendable Eye Pencils, particularly in brown.  So soft and smoky.  Because everybody loves a little mystery around the eye, right?  And my friend and beauty guru recently introduced me to Chanel products, which, needless to say, I just adore.  Especially the sheer illuminating base– everyone tells me how much I seem to be glowing when I use it!” 

US Weekly can have its Lindsays and LCs; an overexposed starlet doesn’t hold a candle to a Princess. Some of you are probably like me: fascinated by those blessed with the magical initials HRH, appreciative of royal history, charmed by the glamour of it all.  We flip through Hello and Tatler; admire pictures of Kate Middleton and Charlotte Casiraghi; count Grace Kelly as a fashion icon.  Jerramy Fine puts us all to shame.  When she was only six, Jerramy decided that she wanted to become a princess.  And, unlike the rest of us who might randomly and idly dream about it during our youth, Jerramy moved to England in the very real pursuit of that dream, leading to a once-in-a-lifetime, star-crossed encounter with Peter Phillips, her…dare I say it?…soulmate.  Sweet and hilarious, Someday My Prince Will Come is Jerramy’s modern-day (true!) fairy tale, and a testament to the fact that, if you pursue your dreams doggedly, wonderful things will happen.  (People might call you crazy, too, something ol’ Jolie has experienced…but it’s possible to have wonderful things happen all the same!)

As you can imagine, Jerramy’s picked up many secrets of the good life along the way, so I asked her for the ins and outs of Princess-worthy glamour–no tiaras or titles necessary.

Jerramy says: Attaining the effortless glamour of Princess Grace or Princess Diana takes a lot of effort, but the effect is always worth it!  Here is my royal routine:
- Let hair dry naturally overnight
- Beauty takes time; in the morning, I spend 30 minutes with a large-barrelled curling iron (or curling tongs, as they’re known in the UK!), coaxing my Carrie Bradshaw-frizz into smooth Grace Kelly-waves
- Keep locks regally-groomed and sleek; I couldn’t survive the rainy London weather without Jingles Finishing Gloss; it fights British humidity like nothing else!

When it comes to makeup, always strive for a classic, understated look.  Less is more! (more…)

I could have a million dollars, a full-time stylist, and Anna Wintour on my speed-dial and I still wouldn’t possess a tenth of the innate style of California-born, Paris-dwelling fashion designer Ashley Ashoff.  Her sartorial sense has charmed everybody from Jean-Paul Gaultier to Bruce Willis, and she counts Kirsten Dunst as a fan of her mouth-wateringly beautiful scarves, which have been featured in Teen Vogue, Nylon, Daily Candy and New York Magazine.  (She was also proposed marriage to about forty-three times after The Sartorialist posted her picture online.)  All of her confections–scarves and ties alike–are divine, although I’m particularly obsessed with her Billet-Doux line.  Ashley’s unique, whimsical style has turned her into a fast-rising star, so I quizzed her on the beauty products she uses to keep herself looking oh-so-chic.

Ashley Ashoff in Paris during Fashion Week 

SKINCARE: “SkinCeuticals is the only brand I have found that works for my skin, which is extremely sensitive with many allergies.  The Correct line has great serums and I use their cleansers, tonics and lotions–the Clarifying Clay Mask is wonderful, too!  Also an amazing product for the skin is Darphin Intral Baume. It’s great for people with sensitive skin and I try to use it a couple times a week. I put it on at night before I go to sleep. It’s really heavy and oily but by morning it’s absorbed and your skin is like a baby’s bottom!  It makes your skin glow–I love this stuff.”

HAIR:  ”Once a week, I do a hammam–aka steam room–and use 100% jojoba oil for my hair, which has done wonders after dying it back to my natural color. (more…)