When you think "Jessica Simpson," do you think "billionaire businesswoman"?
No, not immediately.
Truth be told, Simpson is far more famous for who she's dating -- and what she's cooking for Thanksgiving -- than for her amazing business acumen. But alas, wipe those smirks away! Because Jessica Simpson, Inc. (not her real brand) is poised to break the $1 billion mark.
Crazy, right? From shoes to bags to jeans to perfume, Simpson-branded products are a massive commercial success. And the star herself is said to be worth $100 million, according to
You heard that: $100 MILLION. Not bad for the recipient of John Mayer's most infamous diss. It's almost like her ho-hum singing and acting careers are go-nowhere, just-for-fun side projects; her new holiday album "Happy Christmas" is a dismal No. 123 on the Billboard 200 chart. And her last film that had a theatrical release, "Blonde Ambition," grossed just $6,422.
But with her lucrative entrepreneurial endeavours, Simpson could retire TODAY if she so desired. Surprisingly, the Texas native's celebrity brand when it comes to fashion and fragrance is more powerful than we gave her credit for -- and the numbers talk. Camuto Group, the company that makes Simpson's wildly popular footwear line, has licensed her name on other merch, which amassed a combined grand total of $750 million in retail sales this year. Simpson's moniker has even outlasted and outperformed product ventures by Jennifer Lopez and similarly glammed-up celebs, WWD.com said.
"She is the girl next door and has great product that surrounds her," exec Vince Camuto told the fashion-news outlet. "People like her. People look at her as a style icon."
Cue the arrival of Jessica Simpson Sportswear, hitting stores in Fall 2011. The line will be sold in junior's departments, and includes jackets, knits and dresses -- all under $150. It will likely sell like hotcakes.
"Her celebrity has created a brand that is more sustainable than many others," said Jack Gross, CEO of jeanswear for The Jones Group, which licenses Simpson's denim collection.
Simpson's fiance Eric Johnson is very, very lucky. No wonder her dad-ager wanted a pre-nup
Don’t forget the sunscreen.
No matter what your complexion, don’t forget the sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology advises to load up with an SPF broad-spectrum lotion or spray that’s 30 or above, and remember to reapply. (We like Aveeno’s Sun Continuous Protection with SPF 55). Want to get Cintia Dicker’s sun-kissed glow the safe way? Try a sheer orange cream blush (like Nars The Multiple in Turks & Caicos) for a pop of sun-kissed color on your cheeks.
Slim your calves (without hitting the gym).
For catwalkworthy legs like Selita Ebanks’, keep them smooth and stubble-free. Ditch your old razor blade after five uses and prevent in-shower slippage, say the Gillette shaving pros, by putting a washcloth on the edge of the tub and placing your foot on top. For gams that shine, says makeup artist Colleen Runne, apply a luminizing product (our pick:Victoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Shimmer Body Powder) to the front and back of your legs, not the sides, for a slimming effect.
Get sexy beach hair, minus the sand.
Even more coveted than Gisele Bündchen’s quarterback husband is…her hair. Want that beachy look minus the sand and surf? Try wrapping hair around a large curling iron from root to ends, says hair pro Gavin. Then divide curled hair into three sections and pin into Princess Leia-like knots for 15 minutes, let down and tousle for texture. No time to style? Spritz in a wave-maker spray (like Sachajuan Ocean Mist) for instant supermodel sexiness.
Opt for sheer makeup with subtle sparkles.
Follow Miranda Kerr’s pretty-in-pink lead and keep your makeup minimal when headed out into the sunshine. Makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, who made up our three gorgeous cover gals for the June 2010 issue, suggests using sheer products to avoid a heavy look. “Besides waterproof mascara, a gold lip gloss with SPF is very pretty on everyone’s skin tone,” she says. We likeClinique’s Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Goldspun. For extra glimmer, use a liquid bronzer (likeEstée Lauder Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer), but avoid chunky glitter. “Look for products that are finely milled—don’t go down the disco road,” she says.
Give your hair a pre- and post-sea treat.
Model Jessica White may look like she has perfectly windblown hair, but for the rest of us, a day at the beach leaves our hair looking anything but! Besides the sand in your swimsuit, salt water takes a toll on your hair. To avoid a color fade-out, spritz in a hair product with UV filters to protect a new dye job (we like Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray), and don’t forget to coat your part with sunscreen to prevent burning your scalp. To pamper post-sea tresses, Gavin suggests using a deep conditioner (like Infusium 23 Repairology Leave-In Treatment) after a day of fun in the sun.
Look sexy all over.
Want a beach bum like Marisa Miller’s? To tighten up your tush, try a lotion with caffeine (we likeSt. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer) and add a few squats to your daily routine. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach places, too! Make your back a zit-free zone come summer with a long-handled bath brush and a body wash with salicylic acid (like Neutrogena’s Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit).
Go for the bronze—not the orange.
Bar Refaeli looks sexy in orange, but trust us, turning this shade all over is definitely not sexy. For streak-free self-tanning, always exfoliate and start with your legs first, says Runne, then work your way up. Try a lotion that gradually gives you a glow so that you have more control over your hue. For an instant sexy sheen that washes off at the end of the night, tryVictoria’s Secret Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray—the same product used on all the models at the VS fashion show.
Treat your sensitive body parts with care.
Don’t forget to pamper all your curves—including your underarms and bikini line. Rehab bumps and redness with an antiperspirant that doesn’t just battle BO but is gentle on those sensitive spots too (we likeSecret Soothing Effects Deodorant). No time for a wax? Get bare down there fast with an at-home system, like theVenus and Olay Bikini Kit, and you’re ready to hit the beach without picking up the phone to make an “emergency” appointment.
Prevent a makeup meltdown.
Get gorgeous like Brazilian beauty Alessandra Ambrosio without spending some serious QT under the South American sun. Skip the self-tanner on your face and opt for a bronzing powder instead (like Victoria’s Secret Pink Pretty Glow Pink Face & Body Bronzer). To avoid streaking, Runne suggests applying bronzer to matte skin by dusting on a translucent powder first. Fake bake and still look natural by using a bronzer that is only one shade up from your existing skin tone on your temples, cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose, and blend into your neckline with a damp sponge.