5 Terrible Weight Loss Tips to Stop Using Immediately

While we're not fans of the pervasive and harmful "diet culture," and we believe women of all shapes and sizes are gorgeous (and make the world more beautiful), it's also every woman's prerogative if and when she does want to lose a few pounds. Whether you call it dieting or simply making a few lifestyle tweaks, there are some things that work and some that don't—but it's not always easy to suss out the good advice from the just plain wrong.

You've heard that you should eat lots of fruits and veggies and whole foods, and not overdo it on caffeine, sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol. That stuff is basic. What I wanted to find out is which tips are actually myths that experts wish more people knew the truth about. I talked to nutritionists, doctors, healthy cooking experts, and even a personal trainer, who let me in on some of the worst diet advice out there—the tips that, if you take them to heart, could actually harm you more than help you. Below, find out five bad diet tips that you should disregard ASAP, and tell all your friends to ignore, too.

Juice Cleanses Are Good For You
As a veteran of failed juice cleanses, I can't pretend I was totally disappointed to hear that it's not the best idea to restrict your diet to liquids to detox. "Sipping green juice five times a day and ducking out on all other foods sounds like a great idea to lose weight and improve your health—for about one hot second," says celebrity nutritionist Keri Glassman. "When you juice-to-lose, you're missing out on the fiber in the vegetables you're drinking, which can cause constipation and disrupt your gut flora. You're also likely missing out on calories. All this, plus the lack of chewing, can lead to irritability, fatigue, yo-yo-dieting, and mental distress. The end of a juice cleanse can be synonymous with a big ole junk food binge, leading to weight gain. So if you want to get your green juice in, make it a part of your diet, not your whole diet."

Heather Marr, a Manhattan-based personal trainer, says that the number-one thing she tells model and celebrity clients who are trying to lose weight is not to juice. "When you eat fruits or vegetables, the body has to work to break the food down, which burns calories and keeps you full," she says. "When you juice, the fruit or vegetable is already broken down for us, so the calories we use to digest is lower, and leaves us feeling hungrier and more likely to eat more food and calories. Instead of juicing an apple or carrot, just enjoy the food whole."

Eat Everything in Moderation
While this old adage might be comforting when you decide to indulge in a little chocolate at the end of a long day, it's an excuse that prevents us from losing weight, says holistic nutritionist Esther Blum. "Thinking we can eat everything as long as it's in moderation is what has made 66 percent of Americans obese," she says. "We can no longer afford to write checks our bodies cannot cash. Moderation can either mean a little bit every day, or once per week—but it should really mean once every two weeks to once per month. For instance, eating a scoop of ice cream every day can bring in an extra 875 calories per week, or 3,500 calories per month, of mostly fat and sugar—the equivalent of one pound of weight gain per month that will likely hit your midsection. Small habits still make a BIG difference in the long run." Sigh.

Don't Drink While You Eat
Some food gurus claim that it's a bad idea to sip water between bites of your meal because it can dilute your natural digestive enzymes, making it harder for your body to break down food. Don't buy it. "This is awful advice that makes no sense to me," says Ilana Muhlstein, nutritionist for Explore Cuisine. "All the foods we eat are made up of water. Some fruits and vegetables contain up to 96 percent water. Cheese contains up to 37 percent water, beef contains up to 70 percent water, and even butter contains 15 percent. Therefore, as you're eating these foods, you're literally taking in ounces of water with every bite—and water actually helps prevent overeating and can help digestion. As long as you don't have an issue with gastric emptying, you should take sips of water throughout a meal for optimal weight and portion control."

Eat Lots of Small Meals Throughout the Day
Some conventional wisdom dictates that you should graze on a series of five to six small meals during the day to keep yourself full and prevent overeating out of hunger—but that's not necessarily the case, says Blum. "Recent research has shown that eating six meals per day has no metabolic advantage over eating three meals per day," she says. "What you eat can have a much bigger metabolic impact than how often you eat. A great way to lose weight is to focus on protein, veggies, healthy fats, and fruits during the day to keep your blood sugar stable, and then have a higher carb meal at dinner to help you sleep well that night." So much for the myth about not eating carbs passed 4 p.m.

It's Smart to Cut Fat Out of Your Diet.
This myth, at least, has been starting to get more attention and is being busted more often these days, kind of like the myth that you shouldn't eat any carbs. (Quick refresher: It's about eating the right kind of carbs, meaning nutrient-rich complex carbs like quinoa, potatoes, beans, or squash, rather than bread, crackers, cookies, or cereals.) Similarly, cutting out fat entirely is not the wisest way to slim down, says Glassman. "One of my favorite things to tell my clients is, ‘fat is your friend!' On the flip side, low- or fat-free foods can be your love handles' worst nightmare. When fat is removed from food, it's often replaced with sugar for flavor and additional chemicals—such as thickeners and additives—to retain the fatty texture. You end up with a product that's higher in calories and sugar, and packed with chemicals. Ditch the extra sugar, and go for the less processed version even if it's higher in fat." Here are a few reminders of which kinds of foods contain good-for-you fats, and all the benefits they have, from better skin and losing weight to helping keep you full (a pro for any dieter).

Sephora is Having an Epic Sale on Eyeshadow Palettes Right Now

The holidays just keep on giving. Just two weeks after Black Friday, Sephora has come for our wallets and credit cards again. But with no day to mark on the calendar, Sephora slid under the radar and marked down tons of their eyeshadow palettes—good, high quality ones, too.

The price range is pretty wide, but there's a good chunk that are close to 50 percent off. We have no idea why this sale is happening, but we're certainly not complaining. Take a look at some of our top picks below and head over to Sephora ASAP before it ends.

If the season for buying has got you in a bind, these sale prices could be your saving grace. A quick scroll unveils heavy discounts on palettes like Tarte's Limited-Edition Buried Treasure Eyeshadow Palette  ($25), Fenty Beauty's Galaxy Palette ($39), BECCA's Après Ski Glow Collection: Eye Lights Palette ($45 now $29), and over 30 more.

A floral dress in winter

Wearing a floral dress only in the summer months is a bit like watching a TV show for an hour at the same time once a week: life just isn't that regimented in 2017. You don't have to be dictated to by fashion convention any more than your viewing has to be governed by 9pm appointments with the television.

I would go so far as to say that it's not just that you can wear floral dresses outside summer, but that outside summer is, in fact, the best time to wear them. A floral dress in summer is almost too neat. It is so appropriate that it feels a bit literal, and I am not a big fan of literal dressing. That thing where you wear, for instance, a strawberry-print dress to Wimbledon makes me kind of itchy. To me, an outfit that makes such ploddingly obvious connections does not sell the wearer as a scintillating conversationalist. Is that mean? Sorry.

Christmas, by the way, is the exception to my anti-literal fashion diktat. For December, I operate an amnesty on basic. I am all for a full-fat festive look. Head-to-toe festive red? Count me in. Novelty, mistletoe-themed hair accessory? Not ruling it out.

When you wear a floral dress in the summer, you mirror the world around you; when you wear one in winter, you challenge it a little. You are creating your own aesthetic. It helps that there is no basic styling option open to you when you go down the flowery dress route on a chilly day. You can't default into a sandal and a neutral blazer, unless you intend to freeze. You are going to need a dress with a long sleeve, or to layer a turtleneck under your dress, either of which takes the floral dress to a more interesting place. And you are going to need tights or, may I suggest, boots, which instantly stop even the floatiest dresses from looking flighty.

Floral dressing in the cold months has been made easier with the arrival of the winter floral print in every high street near you. A winter floral – you've seen it, even if you didn't know the name – is a pale, spriggy flower against a dark background. Which isn't, the observant among you may well have noticed, the kind of floral I'm wearing in the picture to the right promoting the wearing of florals in winter. Because as discussed, why be obvious?

5 Signs You're Using The Wrong Face Wash

When it comes to face wash, one size does NOT fit all. With so many types of skin, sensitivities, and issues, how do you even know if you're using the right kind for your complexion? In fact, the one you're using now may actually be causing you some major problems—like irritation, oiliness, or excessive dryness.

That's why we asked New York City dermatologist Marina Peredo, M.D., for the top warning signs that you're slathering on the wrong one for your skin. But relax, our trusty doc also explains what to replace it with, so we've got you covered—and clean—either way.

Whether it's warm and muggy or cold and dry, if your skin needs a blot not too long after cleansing, you're probably not using a formula meant for your oily skin. Peredo says to look for oil-free formulations with ingredients that have shine-absorbing properties, like salicylic acid, naicinamide, and clay. These pore-suckers will help your skin feel more comfortable and look matte for longer. "Make sure all of your makeup is oil-free, too—that's just as important," she adds.

Every time you leave the house, your skin is exposed to all kinds of pollutants from car exhausts, forced air in buildings, and the outside environment, says Peredo. This can have a cumulative impact on already-sensitive skin, and the abrasiveness of many cleansers—especially anything scrubby—can turn skin raw and make it hurt. Make your face wash as gentle as possible to avoid any further irritation. Paredo recommends picking a cleanser formulated for sensitive skin that is sulfate-free, (the common ingredient is harsh on sensitive skin). And look for soothing ingredients like oats and panthenol, the latter of which is a calming form of vitamin B.

If you're breaking out regularly, it's a sign that your cleanser could be doing a lot more work on your behalf. Look for washes containing benzoyl peroxide ranging anywhere from 2.5 to 10 percent (depending on your frequency of breakouts), and use white towels so that the ingredient doesn't cause bleach stains. "If your bumps are always on your jaw, this is a sign of hormonal acne," says Peredo. For this type of acne in particular she recommends a formula containing papaya extract. Papaya is anti-inflammatory, which helps calm the swelling of acne. It also contains papain and chymopapain, which are two naturally antibacterial enzymes that exfoliate clogged pores, along with the antioxidant lycopene, which Peredo thinks is especially helpful for jaw zits.

Does your face feel like it's one size too small after you cleanse? That's a tell-tale sign that you're using a wash that's way too drying for your skin type, says Peredo. You should never feel tight immediately after washing. Look for a creamy formula rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid, advises Peredo. Ceramides help repair the skin barrier, and a healthy skin barrier means that hydration stays in while dryness stays out. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid is one of the most powerful humectants available, meaning it draws water many times its weight into skin and protects against hydration loss. Within seconds of patting your skin dry, apply moisturizer so that your dry skin absorbs as much as possible. You may even want to skip cleansing in the morning to preserve natural oils on skin and just cleanse at night.

If your skin always looks like you're blushing, and you flush even redder after you cleanse, you may have rosacea, says Peredo. Symptoms include persistent redness across the nose and cheeks, visible blood vessels, and a thick, bumpy texture that is sometimes peppered with acne-like bumps. Look for fragrance-free formulations with ingredients that reinforce healthy skin, like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Peredo also highly recommends that you see a dermatologist to discuss options that can keep your rosacea in check.

People Are Obsessed With This Lip And Chin Hair-Removal Gadget

Removing facial hair is scary. Will you singe a brow? Will you burn your face and create an even worse problem? How freaking bad will it hurt?

That's why we're all for anything that promises to take hair away painlessly sans irritation—and effectively. Enter: Finishing Touch Flawless. The small battery-operated device is designed for fine hair around your lip, chin, and cheeks, ensuring no pesky peach fuzz or stragglers are left behind.

It's consistently ranked on the top of Amazon's best sellers in the entire beauty category—no small feat.

You can also use it daily without worry of angering your skin. Oh, and though it's not designed as a body hair remover, you can use it as a touch-up for rogue hairs if needed, especially around your bikini line. (Those are the worst.)

With more than 1,000 glowing reviews, the question is if this passes the dermatologist test. It does. "I would compare this to dermaplaning, a procedure in the office that we use to exfoliate skin and remove fine hairs, though this only does the hair removal part," says dermatologist Sarah Cenac Jackson, M.D., of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans. For safety, she suggests using it on your lower face or upper lip, avoiding the eyebrow or eyelash area. "Accidental removal can occur quickly," she adds.

The device is also super sleek and pretty, all 18K gold-plated in rose gold. And, you can take it with you wherever, even being TSA-approved for travel, the company says.

The Best Fall Nail Color For You

Few things are as customizable-to-your-mood and changeable as nail color. When you get tired of one polish, you can just use remover and move on to the next. And with new shades coming out for fall, it's time to get your manicure game on.

Not sure what color to choose? Let your skin tone be your guide. Because while you can of course rock any shade, regardless of your complexion, certain hues are especially complementary to certain skin tones, says Angel Williams, a celebrity manicurist and nail care expert.

One neat tip from Williams: To find your skin tone, look at the inside of your wrist. If you see blue veins, you have a cool undertone; if your veins are green, you have a warm undertone.

"People are taking more risks with their nail color," adds Katherine Dorn, a makeup artist from Pierre Michel salon. What's most important is that you're sporting a shade that you feel comfortable with, she adds. And if you tend not to be adventurous with your makeup or hair, you can be with your nails. Because, hey, if you don't like it, all you have to do is break out the nail polish remover and start over.

But we're sure that you'll like these six just-launched shades for fall 2017. We've included neutrals and berries, greens and metallics in the mix. Basically, anything you could ever want. They're perfect for a fall pedicure for those peep-toe booties and will make your hands totally pop.

You have a pale complexion

Go for neutrals, advises Williams. Sheer shades of pink let light in, boosting brightness and complimenting blue undertones in light skin. "Choosing a creamier pink helps with covering up imperfections," she adds. One option is Essie Mix Taupe, a cool tone pink that's perfect for fingers.

You have light to medium skin

Opt for a berry color for fair skin tones. "Most all shades of berry act as a pop of color, glamour and versatility to this complexion," says Williams. She likes Essie Knee-High Life, which has purple undertones. Slick this one onto fingers and toes for a fun pop of color.

You have olive skin

A coral, orange, or bright pink work especially well for you, says Dorn. New to OPI's Iceland collection is I'll Have a Gin & Tectonic, a coral pink shade in a gel-like formula that's made to stick around sans all that annoying chipping. (Up to 11 days.) What's more, you can count this as a wear-it-everyday shade—you'll never get sick of it.

The most extreme nail trends of 2017

The most extreme nail trends of 2017, from the mesmerising aquarium craze to bizarre nipple nails – would YOU be brave enough to try them?

WHEN it comes to nail art, it seems the options are endless.

Vagina nails were the latest trend to explode on social media, but what do you think of these nine wacky crazes from the year so far?

Succulent nails

In a trend which goes way beyond nail art, women are actually sticking live plants on their nails.

Succulents are drought-resident plants and they are pretty hardy.

But that doesn't mean they will survive very long stuck onto your acrylic nails.

Seashell nails

Given the recent obsession with everything to do with unicorns and mermaids, it's hardly surprising that seashell nails are now a thing.

With gems and pastel hues, they look pretty stunning - but we can't imagine the ridges and bumpy texture are very practical.

Vampire fang nails

If you're looking for Halloween inspiration, this is probably the trend for you.

The burgundy-coloured, razor sharp claws have taken gothic chic to a whole new level - and only the bravest among you will be able to pull this look off.

Werewolf nails

Having been created by the style director and founder of trendy CND Jan Arnold, these furry nails are any thing but a joke.

They would look great with a werewolf Halloween outfit, but you would probably turn a few heads on public transport.

If you're a fan of the furry nails, but not the wolf-like look, there are subtler versions in white and other colours available.

Lego nails

Lego nails is the trend all 90s kids have been waiting for.

To recreate this look - simply paint your nails in a block Lego colour, add six pieces of glitter or small round gems while they're still wet, and paint over the top.

Aquarium nails

Like a snow globe at your fingertips, aquarium nails are all about the liquid glitter which moves up and down the nails.

They are decorated with gems and stars, and made using two separate fake nails - with a water-filled 'aquarium' between the two layers.

Nipple nails

Back in June, women started 'freeing the nipple' by displaying them on their nails.

With a spiral design and 3D dots in the middle, this has to be one of the most bizarre looks of 2017 so far.

Manicurist Mei Kawajiri is the brains behind the design, which even includes piercings, and the picture of her original creation immediately went viral on social media.

Spiral nails

Not to be confused with the handy DIY item, spiral nails are super-long and incredibly eye-catching.

To create the look, cover a long acrylic nail with paintable acrylic, and then use a straw to remove the long nail when dry.

Pom pom nails

Pom pom nails are every cheerleader's dream come true, and they do look very cute.

Sadly they're "completely impractical", according to nail art photographer cassmariebeauty - who's sported the look herself.

Retro clothing styles from '80s, '90s are back in fashion

Students may be savoring every second of their final weeks of summer vacation, but they're still stocking up on essential school supplies, like pencils, erasers and notebooks. All of that, plus back-to-school clothes.

Some students like to walk into the first day of school showing off new clothes. Others are prepared for the long day ahead and stick to the more comfortable attire. For Sarah Gammill, who will be attending Tahlequah High School for her first time this year, it's a little of both.

"I'll probably wear some type of jeans, but with a hoodie to stay comfortable," Gammill said.

Students headed back to classes should be aware of their schools' dress code policies. Sequoyah High School students can't wear dresses shorter than to the tips of their fingers when their arms are held to their sides. And Cashmere Lane has got the dresses for that.

"The majority of our dresses are actually school-appropriate length," said Mikayla Martin, sales associate. "The brands we buy are really great for that. We have a fun plaid one that we just got in. You can either roll the sleeves up to a quarter sleeve or keep them long, so that would be good going into fall. We have another dress that we call our tie-dye dress, and it kind of fades from a burnt orange to a lighter orange."

A common phrase heard in the summer might be, "sun's out, guns out," but once school starts, muscle shirts are frowned upon. So instead, kids can pick up T-shirts at Southern Bling.

"Our T-shirts with the different sayings are really big," said Pam Benge, owner. "That's the way everybody dresses their kids now. It's casual now. We try to stay with the trend. Last year, it was all vintage and lace. It doesn't sell anymore, so we have to go with the casual now."

As time goes on, fashion trends are continuously changing.

"High-waist jeans are really popular with cropped-top shirts," said Kristin Kimble, manager at Rue21. "As the shirt hem is getting shorter, the waist on the jeans are getting higher."

Everybody needs a good pair of jeans, and Kimble said Rue21 has some good selections.

"Jeans are always a big deal," she said. "This year is all about the ankle detail on jeans. There's frayed cuffs. There's distressed detail. There's relaxed hems."

Although it may be 2017, '80s and '90s clothing is becoming popular again.

"Grunge is coming back," she said. "With the men, it's distressed fit jeans. We have a lot of quilted detail on our guys' jeans, too. Camo is also popular right now."

Tribal citizens who received their vouchers from the Cherokee Nation's Clothing Assistance Program can visit select Stage department stores across northeastern Oklahoma.

There's likely no better time to go back-to-school shopping than this upcoming weekend, as the sales tax holiday is Aug. 4-6. Gammill said she already has a lot of clothes, but it'll hard to pass up this weekend's opportunity.

"I'll most likely go get some more just for the tax-free weekend," she said.

The tax-free weekend is important for businesses, too.

International fashion comes to Tieton

Comme des Garçons translates to "like some boys," which is open to many interpretations. As Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, says, the fashion designs of Rei Kawakubo are "open to interpretation, but not one interpretation."

On exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until Sept. 4, "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between" examines nine expressions of "in-betweenness" in her collections. Rei refuses to define her work. She once said "the meaning is — there is no meaning."

On Friday, Mighty Tieton is bringing the fashion of Rei Kawakubo to Tieton in an exhibit titled "COMME to Tieton | Comme des Garçons Fashion and Design." The 11 Kawakubo-designed ensembles on display are from the collection of Cynthea J. Bogel — many with shoes, from sculptural to flat, abstract to velvet and lace — and will be on display until Sept. 3.

Visitors are encouraged to attend a free reception that's open to the public from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at Mighty Tieton's new event space, 617. Bogel will be on hand.

"Comme des Garçons fashion in Tieton? Sure. Why not?" says Ed Marquand, founder of Mighty Tieton. "The art and design world is big in some ways, and small in others."

"For me, having this opportunity to show the brilliant, radical and highly influential work of Rei Kawakubo here is big," Marquand says. "Having access to the work through a good friend and occasional Tieton resident, Cynthea Bogel, reminds me how comfortingly small that world can be. The fun part is sharing it. Who knows what it might inspire?"

Bogel, who usually rides her bicycle to the subway station in Japan wearing Comme des Garcons, says, "Someone once wrote, 'If they are going to stare at you, at least make it worth their while.' This has nothing to do with my reasons for wearing Comme des Garçons. Although Rei Kawakubo's clothes may be difficult for the observer to understand, when you wear them, they are easy to understand.

"I wear Comme des Garçons because of the feeling the clothing elicits in me, not on me. The clothing feels intentional — and it brings out the creative and philosophical in me. Comme des Garçons is also extremely well crafted and — with the exception of recent runway pieces that are, as Kawakubo said of her spring 2014 collection, "clothes that are not clothes" — very comfortable to wear. Other clothing feels thoughtless."

How Android Wear is clawing its way back from the dead

Google's Android Wear smartwatch platform isn't dead. It's just pivoting from a do-everything experience on your wrist to one that's better customized for your own fashion and lifestyle.

That's good because I don't want a world where the Apple Watch is the only smartwatch that matters. It'd be too dystopian.

No matter how much you might adore your Apple Watch, the Samsung Gear S3 or LG Watch Style smartwatches can be described in a single word: disappointing.

The smartwatch market declined by 51.6 percent in Q3 of last year, resulting in a year-over-year drop in volume, according to IDC. The only one reportedly thriving is Apple Watch. But still, as a product category smartwatches simply haven't lived up to expectations.

Tech companies are giving up

Tech titans that were first to champion Android Wear and challenge the Apple Watch have largely given up on making smartwatches.

Motorola and Huawei both announced they have no plans to release new models soon. Huawei's CEO Eric Xu Zhijun said in April that smartwatches are essentially pointless. "I am always confused as to what smartwatches are for when we have smartphones." This is the company that released the Huawei Watch, the first promising and fashion-oriented Android Wear smartwatch.

Asus, one of the last of the well-known consumer electronics companies that supported Android Wear, is reportedly planning to axe its ZenWatch smartwatches altogether.

And Samsung hasn't supported Android Wear since its one-off Gear Live in 2014, instead choosing to iterate on its Tizen-based Gear S smartwatches.

LG's the only one that's still batting for Android Wear, but it can't save it. The company's Watch Sport and Watch Style released last year haven't moved the needle at all.

With everyone tossing in the towel, you'd be forgiven for thinking smartwatches are over.

Hitting the reset button

Android Wear will get better — 2.0 brings some useful updates — to its software, but having a variety of smartwatches is also key.

"It's a platform we're very committed to and investing in and the rest of Google is as well," David Singleton, Vice President of Android Engineering, told me.

"This is a pretty important and in some ways a potential breakthrough year because we're seeing more sticky experiences than we would have seen years ago. We're definitely seeing the number of people purchasing devices in the category has grown very significantly, but then we look at what people are actually doing with them — are they still active with them several months down the line? — we've seen that change positively pretty significantly as well so we're excited about that."

While most of its consumer tech friends have turned their back on the platform, Google's not worried at all because it's got new buddies that are keeping the flame alive: fashion brands.

In the last year, fashion labels have gone crazy with their Android Wear offerings. Brand names like Fossil, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Guess, Diesel, and even Movado have embraced Android Wear. They're flooding the market with dozens of styles and sizes to cater to their fashion-conscious customers, and it's working. People are buying them. And they've got even more smartwatches in every size imaginable coming out this summer and fall.

Fashion first, tech second

Whether it's got a processor in it or not, a wrist-worn accessory needs to be stylish first and tech second.

"One of the big things for Fossil Group is that we take this fashion-first approach. We don't really say design is a second thought and tech comes first," says Hannah Liu, Director of Wearables Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Fossil Group. Like other fashion labels, the brand's got a handful of Android Wear-powered smartwatches like the Fossil Q series. "For us, we've flipped that model where we're saying we'll never compromise on design and style because we know that's why customers buy our products and what kinda differentiates us from others.

"Android Wear 2.0 allows us to have these limitless options of what our customers care about. We did a study of our own — consumers trust in the tech because of a name like Google and Android and they know that it's a good platform — but what was really important to them was style and brand. Those were the two biggest purchase drivers."

Choice is arguably the most attractive thing about Android Wear compared to an Apple Watch. Sure, you can customize the Apple Watch by swapping out different bands, but you're still stuck with the square screen and limited watch faces. Like the hundreds of Android phones to pick from, Android Wear offers variety.

"That's why our play is actually going style first. You pick on style, you pick on some brands you love, and so the choices aren't as overwhelming because you're able to cut through all the diversity pretty quickly," Liu says.

I got to take a look at dozens of fashion-first smartwatches from Michael Kors, Fossil, Tommy Hilfiger, Movado, and more, and the sheer amount of choice is dizzying, but in a good way. Android Wear is not one size fits all and that's great for people who like to express themselves through what they wear.

Being true to the brand

"You have to make it familiar," a Michael Kors spokesperson told me. "For Michael Kors and Fossil Group, all of our smartwatches are based off of existing models that have been in the line for years and are tried and true styles that either have been constant or have stayed in the line and have evolved since then."

Style is important, but so too is the smartwatch software experience. Android Wear hardware has always come in all shapes and sizes, but the software has mostly been the same across the board to the point where it felt generic.

And that's where fashion brands are also mixing things up. Their smartwatches still run Android 2.0, but they're adding watch faces and features that are true to the brand and why people love them.

West Nile found in Wayne, Macomb mosquitoes

The Wayne and Macomb county health departments reported finding mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile virus.

The announcement follows Oakland County Health Department's finding of a pool testing positive in July.

No confirmed cases of West Nile virus in humans have been reported in Michigan.

Macomb County warned residents Wednesday to protect themselves from the deadly virus.

According to a news release, the county said it was the first time the virus was detected this summer in two separate samplings of mosquitoes gathered in Macomb County. The location of the finding has not been released.

Carol Austerberry, division director and deputy health officer of Wayne County, confirmed the county's first positive finding of West Nile virus in a mosquito. The mosquito was found in a Westland mosquito trap.

"The Wayne County Health, Veterans and Community Wellness Department has actively trapped and tested mosquitoes for many years," Austerberry said. "Every year, our agency has had mosquitoes that test positive for WNV."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus spreads to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. There is no West Nile virus vaccine currently available.

Most people infected will not show severe symptoms. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 people infected will develop a fever with a headache, body ache, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.

Recovery could take months and about 10 percent of people who develop neurological infections due to West Nile virus will die, the CDC said.

HBO chief says emails were not compromised in cyberattack

HBO is still trying to figure out the extent of the cyberattack on its computer systems — but so far there is no evidence that employees' emails were stolen, the company's top executive told staff.

"At this time, we do not believe that our e-mail system as a whole has been compromised, but the forensic review is ongoing," HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler told staff members in an email sent Wednesday afternoon. The note was an effort to calm the rattled nerves of employees and provide a brief update on the review of the hack.

Emails purloined during the massive hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2014 became the source of much grief for top executives at the Culver City studio. In addition to the exposure of employee contracts, phone numbers and personal bank information, countless embarrassing exchanges between employees as well as former film boss Amy Pascal and producers were made public.

The contents of the emails weakened Pascal's standing, and she was eventually forced out of the studio. The U.S. government blamed North Korea for that particular break-in.

HBO confirmed Monday that it experienced a breach that compromised some of its programming and is working with law enforcement. The network has not said who might have been behind this particular hack, which became public last weekend. The hackers sent email messages to news organizations, including The Times, to announce their break-in and the theft of a script for an upcoming episode of HBO's blockbuster fantasy drama, "Game of Thrones."

HBO has confirmed that proprietary information, including some of its programming, was stolen during the cyberattack. Some reports have suggested that episodes of HBO's "Ballers" and "Room 104" also were taken.

Hollywood studios increasingly are ripe targets for hackers trying to get access to unreleased TV episodes and films. HBO's "Game of Thrones" episodes have long been among the most coveted treasures for hackers.

"We are also in the process of engaging an outside firm to work with our employees to provide credit monitoring and we will be following up with those details," Plepler told employees Wednesday.

"Meantime, continue to do the excellent work which defines this company across all departments and know that the appropriate teams are working round the clock to manage our way through this difficult period," he said.

Thousands gather to celebrate 'St. Croix Crossing'

After decades of discussion, years of construction and countless delays, the St. Croix Crossing Bridge is finally set to open to traffic at 8 p.m., Wednesday night.

An estimated 3,000 people showed up for a ceremonial ribbon cutting on the Minnesota side of the bridge in Oak Park Heights at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

"That bridge probably cost a lot of money to build," said 7-year-old Will Persico, who attended with his family.

Though the bridge project did cost roughly $650 million, the price was just one hurdle the project has faced in the decades since it was first discussed.

"Today is the day which many people thought would never arrive," said Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, as he addressed the crowd.

Both Dayton and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said the bridge, which will effectively replace the Stillwater lift bridge, took years of hard work that spanned states and political parties.

"Any governor that can get Michelle Bachman and Al Franken together on the same subject has done a remarkable task," Walker said. "So thank you Governor Dayton."

They, along with local mayors and elected representatives, also thanked the thousands of people who helped build it.

Lowell Schmoeckel was one of those people. In the 1990s Schmoeckel helped lead boat support as crews tested the bedrock below the St. Croix. In the past four years he operated boats and barges for construction efforts on the water.

"In 2015 I had a little over 1,000 hours of overtime," Schmoeckel said.

As a Stillwater native, Schmoeckel said the bridge gives new life to the area and represents an important turning point. A moment he's proud to be part of.

"Very (proud), and to be a part of the history of it is crazy," he said.

Crazy that the massive project is finally reality.

"Imagine how much hard work it took them to build this bridge," Persico said. "It's like somebody sewed Wisconsin and Minnesota together."

When the St. Croix Crossing opens on Wednesday evening, the Stillwater lift bridge will simultaneously close to traffic. The historic structure will reopen to bike and pedestrian traffic only in two years.

Monica Warren Wants to Give You A Makeover

"Classic Chic with a love of bold accessories" sums up Monica Warren's style.

"I love a classic jeans and t-shirt or a little black dress with trendy bold accessories -bright shoes/bag and statement jewelry," she says.

Her friends describe her as owning a risk-taking style and attitude.

"I am the person that takes risks in fashion whether that's by mixing prints or by wearing a pair of bright yellow shoes," she says.

Now she wants to help others develop their personal style and feel their best. Warren is hosting a makeover contest through her website Jewels With Style.

"I love the makeover process because it can really change someones perspective of themselves," she says. "When I show someone how they can look and dress their best and they really begin to gain confidence, and see all their good qualities… that feeling is priceless. In a society where women are constantly being critiqued and judged for their physical shortcomings, its great to bring some balance to that by showing anyone that they can look & feel their best."

Warren grew up in Columbus and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Mass Communications, finding a career path as a case worker. While she loves her job, she longs to keep her creative side engaged.

"My true passions are jewelry design, writing, and fashion," she says.

She began making statement jewelry after taking a Jewelry 101 class at the Cultural Arts Center.

"After that class, I taught myself techniques for working with gemstones," she says. A few months later she launched M Renee Design as a platform to sell her creations.

Jewels with Style came next, combining her love of writing with her love of fashion.

"My friends and family would always ask me for style advice and I was always giving people tips on how to dress, shop, and wear different trends – so I thought it would be a good idea to make my fashion sense and style advice available to everyone."

Offering makeovers gives Warren a chance to concentrate on a new complete look for someone, unlike the bits and pieces of advice she was currently offering.

Her first makeover helped Johari Mitchell, a new mom who had lost her style-sense, gain confidence with a new look.

"With all of the changes in my life, I feel I need to evolve along with my life, and my closet has not been evolving," she says in the video. She's looking for a style that shows she loves life, is creative, and celebrates femininity.

Warren evaluates a client's current look to get a feel of where they are today and where they want to be.

After the makeover, Mitchell is pleased with her new look and not sure why it took her so long for the change.

"I tend to look for big, monumental events, but there's never a wrong time to make a fresh start," she says as a takeaway from her makeover. "Each day is a new day to enjoy life -how about that being enough of a time marker."

Mitchell's excited to debut her new look to her family and be a model for living a vibrant and full life.

Along with her makeover videos, Warren continues to offer style tips for someone who wants to try their own makeover. Here are three of her tips for new moms who feel they've lost their style:
1. Try something new
2. Dress for your current body
3. Don't be afraid of shape wear

Key pieces Warren advises are good in every woman's closet include: a great fitted pair of jeans, a button up shirt, a blazer, a nice every-day handbag, a pencil or A-line skirt, jewelry, a neutral colored trouser, and a black dress.

Warren is looking for mothers, caretakers, or someone who feels they have lost their style and is interested in entering a chance for a makeover. Send your name, a picture of yourself, and a few short sentences explaining your story and why you feel you need a makeover to her.

Warren is offering her services of wardrobe consultation, hair and makeup advice, free of charge. The Clothes Mentor has partnered with Warren for the new looks. For Mitchell, hair was by Kweli Burton, and makeup by Danyae Person.

"I want to give local women an opportunity to look and feel their best," says Warren about why she is offering this contest. "I especially want [makeovers] on video so that everyone can see that regardless of your starting point, being stylish & feeling good about yourself is possible for anyone regardless of age, money, or size."

Classic Americana in Las Vegas

When Ryan Shorosky graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 2014, he decided to drive an 18-wheeler around the country for a year, photographing truck drivers along the way.  That was when he first went to Las Vegas.He returned there once a month over the course of that year.

On his latest trip, in May, Mr. Shorosky wanted to capture the variety of people who work in Las Vegas, especially those with unconventional jobs. "In other cities you might work as a barista, but in Vegas really strange opportunities exist for people that live there," he said. He saw these two women outside the Bellagio hotel. The woman on the left has a tattoo covering most of her thigh. "There is a dichotomy that exists in Vegas where, from afar, things kind of look like they're meant to be, but when you dig in closer, you figure out that there are a lot more layers to the people or the place," the photographer said. 

"I had this idea on my first day about exploring the iconic things of Vegas — Elvis, of course, being one of those things," Mr.  Shorosky said. Not that everything in Las Vegas is as it appears.Zach Brewer, shown above, is not a professional Elvis impersonator. He and a friend, visiting from Houston, were part of a bridal party and decided to dress up. "He was in costume and just drinking a lot," the photographer said.

Toni James has been a figure in the Las Vegas drag scene for 30 years. "No matter where I went or who I talked to, everyone knew who Toni James was," the photographer said. He first met Mr. James at the Double Down Saloon, a dive bar where locals hang out, and decided to photograph him there. "He was in this punk bar bathroom putting his makeup on and getting ready," Mr. Shorosky said.

Mr. Shorosky met Marrion and Marlon Amos at First Fridays, a monthly art festival where people bring their wares to sell. He was drawn to their sense of style. "I think Vegas is just enough removed as a culture that you are able to explore yourself," he said. "These two brothers were a perfect example of that."

Jace Thorstenson, 14, competes in national junior rodeos. This time he was in a doubles roping competition at the Little Britches Rodeo, which took place a half-hour southwest of the city. "He had the mannerisms and character of someone who could have been in his 40s," the photographer said. "I wanted to capture that facade of adolescents who are growing up in an environment where you're expected to be a lot older than you are."

This photo was taken in Paradise Palms, a midcentury modern-style community that hasn't changed much since the '60s. "In the past couple of years, it has had an influx of younger people, so you have these 30-year-olds sort of pushing the historic relevance of this area," Mr. Shorosky said. Here, from left, are Jaede Mansfield, Denise Heximer and Jasmin Rodriguez, all vintage enthusiasts. "It's sort of a fascinating idea to try to relive that aura of classic Vegas," he said.

The photographer met Elia Lucio, who works as an exotic dancer, walking around Fremont Street. "She grew up in Vegas, basically in and out of homelessness," he said. "She supports herself fully in what she does and takes a lot of pride in the fact she can support herself."