Side Show

Posted by Elizabeth

Before the spring fashion shows, the notion of wearing anything on the side of my head -- be it a ponytail or bun -- always conjured up images in my mind of Chrissy Snow (played by Suzanne Somers) in Three’s Company or Princess Leia of "Star Wars."

Leia, and one of her notorious buns

Suzanne Somers sporting a ditzy side ponytail

But after spotting several low-slung side ponytails and buns, I love this idea for spring -- particularly the small slightly askew knots. They look chic and fuss-free and are a cool, easy update to the classic chignon. The key to avoiding the aforementioned dingbat look (or worse, the Star-droid), is to create a tight little bun and wear it directly behind the ear. Anything smack on the side still looks silly to me (yet entirely appropriate come Halloween or for a '70s-themed party).

Charlottle Ronson

At Charlotte Ronson, Sandra Yu, the artistic director for Rusk, created this fun, flirty version and set it with Rusk W8less Plus, an extra hold hairspray. And at Narciso Rodriguez’s show, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman created this neat deconstructed version by making a low side ponytail and flipping the ponytail ends up and around and attaching them around the base.

Narcisco Rodriguez

But if you love the look of something higher, we saw that too. Check out this version at Catherine Malandrino, created by Odile Gilbert. It’s growing on me, but I prefer them worn more casually and low and to the side, thoughts anyone?

Invisipins hair elastic

P.S. One of the best ways to secure a ponytail or bun is to use one of these small elastic bungees with hooks. You can wrap them around a bun as many times as necessary before hooking the ends. And they don’t get all blown out or weakened like normal elastics. Hairstylist Oscar Blandi turned me onto them years ago and I’ve seen them backstage and on photo shoots ever since. This version is made by Invisipins and available at Ricky’s.

Brand New Blue

Posted by Bluelines

As promised, Bluelines has undergone a facelift (the fun kind). It might seem subtle but we've made some big additions. Here's a rundown of what's new.

If they're not already drawn there immediately, direct your eyes upward and you'll see six cool new banners by the incredibly talented artist Keith Shore. (More about him later.) We'll be rotating the artist behind our banners every month so if you'd like to be considered or want to suggest someone, please email us.

We've got a new list of contributors who'll be blogging about what inspires them, makes them laugh, and generally makes them weak in the knees. There are a few familiar faces, and a couple of new ones sprinkled in. We hope you come to like them all.

On the top left, we've tweaked our navigation, so play around with it and discover the archived treasures that lie within. Here, you'll find all of the previous Bluelines posts archived.

Navigation button No. 10 deserves a paragraph of its own. We've created a source book full of our favorite websites, blogs, artists, and resources. Here you'll also find all of Blueprint's beloved 100 Reasons To...  -- which contain a bevy of links, facts, and inspiration. We'll be adding to that list constantly, so check back often.

You'll also notice that we've created home tours of our favorite Blueprint features. Take a virtual tour of Suzanna Bierwith's Chicago row house, and watch as Sarah Humphreys's tiny Manhattan apartment goes from claustrophobic to chic. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also rife with great decorating tips and ideas to steal. And, of course, we'll be adding more of them.

New ideas, a new look, and new contributors -- we hope that's what you've been hankering for.

Just some of what's to come

Best Of Bluelines

Posted by Blueprint

While we're looking forward to our retooled blog, we've also been looking back at the posts over the past year. Here are just a few of our favorite posts:

120 Days Later

Too Much Of A Cute Thing

A Madman In The Heath

Creative Currents

The Writing's On The Wall

How Swede It Is

Go Ahead Jump

Making My Case

Ottoman Empire

Studio Tour: Binth

Family Trees

The Art Of Reduction

Do you have any favorite posts?

Blueprint's Legacy

Posted by Blueprint

We're so glad to see that you're excited about the new additions to the blog come March. And now we have another announcement: As of Friday February 29th, the Blueprint main page on MarthaStewart.com will cease to exist. It sounds intense, but here's what it means: If you come to Bluelines via blueprintmag.com, or through the Blueprint channel on MarthaStewart.com, please bookmark the blog's main page so you can come back. You can also still get to Bluelines via our Community and Blogs pages. (And all of those nice people's blogs who've linked to us.)

We know it's a little bit rough, so before anyone freaks out, please rest assured that all of your beloved Blueprint content will still be available online -- in fact, we've listed all the ways to find it below.

Home & Decorating

Take a peek at home ideas -- great and small with a Blueprint twist.

Also don't miss our Organizing Tip of the Day

Crafts

You'll find great DIY jewelry (a la Katie),  Page's flat-screen tv cozy, and our Craft of the Day (which includes many Blueprint ideas)

Entertaining

Find all of the Blueprint party menus, to-do lists, playlists and prep stuff here

Food

Blueprint recipes -- from soup to well nuts (...like Blueprint's roasted almonds)

roasted almonds

soup recipes

Health

Need ideas for a healthy & quick breakfast?  Want to take up jogging? Need a new makeup palette? Look no further.

and lastly...

Simply type "Blueprint" in our SEARCH box on MarthaStewart.com or any page to be directed to those great blue ideas in the sky.

*But most importantly, come here for your daily "blue" content.

Egg On My Face

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

Although it isn’t the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done, I did feel kind of silly buying a $17 box of Victoria Scandinavian soaps simply because the box made me smile.

The adorable egg soaps box

When I brought my impulse buy home, I promptly set it on a table in the bathroom to make the cracked sink and peeling walls feel shabby European rather than just shabby. The box sat there, making my daily routine brighter for months. Then, one day, I ran out of face wash and reached for a bar.

It turns out, the egg white and lanolin combination was perfect for my sort of dry, sensitive skin. My face felt smooth, firm, and smelled clean in a way I’ve never known before or since.

It goes to show that being shallow and all about looks isn’t always such a bad thing.

Feel free to reap the rewards of my petty behavior by ordering this amazing soap set (beautiful box included) from NexTag or Amazon .

Guest Appearances

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

Before I blog on, I want to thank all the loyal Blueprint and Bluelines readers. The outpouring of support here and elsewhere is amazing.

Times are changing: the dollar may be tanking, Britney isn't "well," and, well, enough of that end of the year speculation -- let's talk about partying instead! After all, 'tis the season of revelry, and that means parties, which means hostess gifts -- hopefully good ones. Here are some hostess gifts that I've given, and a few that I've been very happy to receive.

Fresh Petit soap

Fresh's Petit soaps always make a nice hostess gift. They're beautiful on their own, but Fresh also makes great ceramic accessories. A soap presented on one of their dishes (and simply wrapped with a ribbon) feels special and costs no more than a decent bottle of wine. Another idea: A friend of mine, an avid antique collector, once gave me a vintage hand-held mirror with two linen hand towels. It was really thoughtful, and she said she "always just keeps things like that on hand for this reason."€ I wish I had half her planning skills.

Origins Organics organic cotton tote

And then there are hostess gifts that are fun to assemble and give. As Sarah Humphreys recently mentioned on the MARTHA show, I once gave her a hostess "day after" kit. I used a basic white canvas bag (inexpensive and ubitquitous these days), but check out this new one from Origins Organics: On one side it reads, "I'm Re-User Friendly" while the other reads, "I don't get wasted" (a nice paradox for the hostess of a cocktail party). I filled the bag with fresh bagels, good spreads, orange juice, and some sweets -- all the elements of a good breakfast -- as well as a few hangover cures. The trick is to keep the refrigerated offerings small, so they fit neatly in a party food-filled fridge. Offer to place those items in the fridge yourself -- the hostess will already have her hands full.

All that remains of my caviar

The last gift is something that was given to me, and not holiday specific, but it stays in my mind after several years. When I moved into my own apartment in NYC, my godmother and a friend came over bearing a tin of caviar, blinis, crème fraiche, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. It was such an over-the-top treat for a not-so-over-the-top setting: My new place was cute (postage-stamp tiny) and charming (nice moldings coated in 75 years of paint). But we had the best time eating and drinking while surrounded by unpacked boxes. We talked about all the grand possibilities of the place. And let's face it, drinking pricey champagne has a funny way of making you believe anything is possible. Today, I still have the caviar tin, which I now store earrings in.

Do you have a good hostess gift idea that you've given or received?

Curly Temple

Posted by Shira, Editorial Assistant, Art

Inheriting curly hair means building and maintaining an armory of curl-controlling products. I’ve tried substances from liquid to solid, with every possible texture in between. I’ve ruled out anything that leaves my hair sticky, and most gels and sprays with alcohol (they leave my hair dry and scuzzy). I will try anything once unless it smells funny, because my hair holds onto scent like Wilson Phillips held on for one more day. Sometimes I reach for the mousse, sometimes the gel, and sometimes I reach for a few things hoping to stumble on a scientific formula for luscious locks. I’ve narrowed it down to a few tried-and-true potions like the shaping milk, mousse, and heat tamer spray from TRESemmé and the curl shaper from Pantene. After several experimentations and variations in procedure (different times of day, blow-dried versus air-dried, sleeping in an oh-so-chic silk cap) I have a new product to add to the arsenal. 

Miss Jessie’s Unscented Curly Pudding -- the scented one is a bit too grape-flavored Pez smelling for my taste -- comes in super-cute packaging and works wonders. A healthy dollop gave me bouncy, minimally crunchy curls that I couldn’t stop playing with. There wasn’t a stringy strand in sight, only natural-looking spirals with plenty of life. My quest for the holy grail of curl control continues, and I’ll still dip into old standbys, but for now, I’d like to thank Miss Jessie for a November of good hair.   

French Evolution

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor, Beauty, Health & Fitness

Many a heart has shattered upon receiving the news that a beloved fragrance is being discontinued, and the only possible wound-healer is a key-word search on eBay with crossed fingers (and a wide-open wallet). But if you are a bereft devotee of Parfums Givenchy, it’s your lucky autumn. In September, the renowned fashion and perfume house re-released ten of its classic fragrances to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Only seven of them are available in the United States, and four are available at Nordstrom.

In 1957, Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy created his first scent, L’Interdit, for Audrey Hepburn. Their mutual affection is well-known but was actually the result of a slight misunderstanding. When they first met in 1953 -- a time when Hepburn was relatively unknown -- Givenchy thought that his appointment was with Katharine Hepburn and was surprised by the scrawny gamine who showed up. 'L'Interdit' stems from Hepburn's response to modeling for the campaign: "Je vous l'interdis!" ("I simply forbid it"). She relented, and the resulting fragrance is as complex as their relationship: it folds pink pepper and clover into jasmine, Bulgarian rose, and violet, with a base of vetiver and incense. (If only smell-o-vision was a reality...) With L’Interdit, Givenchy also released Le De, which has a dominant lily-of-the-valley note mixed with coriander and different types of jasmine.

The Blueprint office’s discerning noses liked Eau de Givenchy, which launched in 1980, the best. It's top and middle notes combine strong florals (honeysuckle, water jasmine) with a soupçon of citrus (grapefruit), but the base note is sandalwood, which gives it a sharp and distinct contrast that ties everything up in one neat little olfactory package.

If these re-releases smell a little different than what you remember, your nose ain’t foolin’: certain ingredients that are no longer available were sourced from different locations, and formulas were tweaked slightly. But the essences remain largely the same, and all the scents evoke a sense of femininity—an old-world, ladylike (but not 'Eau de Old Lady') charm, if you will —and confidence.

Are there any perfumes you wish a manufacturer or perfume house would raise from the dead? 

Small Wonders

Posted by Sarah, Associate Fashion Editor

Traveling for work is a nice break from the fluorescent light bulbs in the office but it can be a terror on my skin and hair. Does anyone come back raving about the soap or conditioner from a Holiday Inn?

So before Katie and I recently headed to Las Vegas to attend a fashion trade show, I decided to BMOT (Bring My Own Toiletries) -- preferably the gentle, great-smelling kind that make me forget I am in a "who knows who's been in here" shower.

My first stop? The West Village travel store, Flight 001. There, I scooped up a Malin + Goetz 1oz. Essentials Travel Kit.

 

I've always loved Malin + Goetz for its minimalist packaging and natural ingredients, so I was excited to get a set with six products, including a few that were new to me.

I loved the gentle Grapefruit Face Cleanser and was thrilled that my super sensitive-skin had no reaction. And I depleted the entire bottle of Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer as the desert air sucked moisture out of my skin!

I highly recommend the $30 set for anyone who travels a lot or simply wants to shake up the daily morning routine.

Another perk? The bottles are small enough to comply with FAA regulations and leave ample room in your suitcase for more important things…say, an extra pair of shoes.

Bon voyage!

Beauty Bound

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor for Beauty, Health & Fitness

A couple of weeks ago, I attended an event for Hairdressers Unlocking Hope, a campaign to continue bringing awareness and funding to post-Katrina rebuilding efforts in the New Orleans area. There, I had the pleasure of meeting hairstyling legend Vidal Sassoon (yes, he is a real person!), who is helming the initiative. Sassoon was especially moved by the plight of displaced New Orleanians, as he lived in an orphanage in his youth and knows firsthand how it feels to be without a home.

With the participation of Habitat for Humanity and hundreds of stylists nationwide, Hairdressers Unlocking Hope raises money for rebuilding through a combination of t-shirt sales, donations, and fundraisers held by individual salons (think raffles, "cut-a-thons," and tip donations). 

Some of the styles available for $30 each on the site.

When I had the chance to shake Sassoon’s hand, he asked how I liked covering beauty. “Fun, but it’s a beast,” I joked. “Yes,” he nodded, “That word describes it well.” This project, however, shows a different side to an industry that tends to be cutthroat: Hairstylists from competing companies have united for a noble cause. And while Sassoon modestly makes the point that “we’re just a bunch of hairdressers,” they have, to date, raised enough money to build 12 homes in November, and plan to build seven more in the spring, surpassing their original goal of 18 homes.

You can do your part to support the cause by going to whodoesyourhair.com to find a salon near you, or check out some of the other merch they're selling (with 100% of profits going to rebuilding). What better excuse do you have for scheduling an extra blowout?

Not-So-Forbidden Fruit

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor for Beauty, Health & Fitness

You’ve probably tried mangoes, but have you ever tried a mangosteen? It’s a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, where it’s dubbed the “Queen of Fruit” (the stinky durian is the “King”). A while back, I came across an article and a photo of the small, purple-rinded, white-fleshed fruit in a newspaper of record, and the discovery quickly evolved into an obsession.

Why obsess over fruit? Is it that delicious? For all the fuss I’ve created, I don’t know; I’ve never tried it. (I know, boo). It has long been illegal to sell or buy mangosteens in the United States, because they may harbor pests. The good news? The fruit is now being grown on farms in Puerto Rico, and mangosteens are slowly arriving on the mainland.

I dislike the word “exotic,” but here’s an unfamiliar fruit, supposedly fragrant and tasty, and therein lies my obsession: I can’t believe that in my almost three-decades-long existence on Earth, there is a fruit I haven’t tasted. It makes me feel so sheltered. It makes me yearn to eat my way across the continents, one plucked fruit at a time. It makes me feel bored with bananas and strawberries.

So imagine my excitement when Fresh, the purveyor of beautiful, modern fragrances (and much more), effectively married one of my obsessions with another and sent over its new Mangosteen perfume. I’ve never sniffed a Fresh scent that I didn’t like, so I knew it wouldn’t disappoint, but I wasn't sure what to expect. Most fragrances with a fruit focus have notes of things I’ve eaten, like grapefruit, mandarin oranges, or plum, which, however enjoyable, are too familiar.

Here went my first spritz: It was one of the two times in my life when a fragrance made my mouth water. It hit me with bright notes of lemon bergamot and freesia, but there was something ineffable, a juicy sweetness I couldn’t place (well, ta da!). After an hour or two (my only complaint with Fresh fragrances is that they never seem to last long enough), it dried down to woody musk.

So if you want the thrill of experiencing a mangosteen, just head to a Sephora store (or the website). And maybe, sometime soon, you'll even come across actual mangosteens on a menu or in a market near you.

New Kid On The (Sun)Block

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor for Beauty, Health & Fitness

My friends and family often refer to me by the endearing moniker “Sunscreen Nazi.” If I can prevent a sunburn in any way -- even by physically slapping sense into a friend who says, “But I look good with some color!” -- I’ve fulfilled my duty. It’s a tough job being a pale nag, but someone’s gotta spread the word that you don’t have to be tan to be beautiful.

My sun-protection arsenal now includes a new weapon, one that I have bathed in from head to toe every day this summer: Vichy’s Capital Soleil 15 with Mexoryl SX, an ingredient that filters out short UVA rays, which cause signs of aging and may contribute to skin cancer. (A quick lesson in UVs: A causes Aging, B causes Burns.) Most sunscreens offer ample protection from UVB and long UVA rays -- using tongue-twisting ingredients like avobenzone, Parsol 1789, or octocrylene -- but don’t have short UVA rays covered. Vichy solved that problem by adding three-percent Mexoryl, which is the highest concentration of the ingredient you can get here in the U.S.

This face-and-body formula absorbs quickly, and it isn’t sticky or greasy. It's also fragrance-free, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin, and for those of us who can’t bear anything mucking up our signature scents. While the packaging says it’s water- and sweat-resistant, I’ve dutifully reapplied when running around outdoors or getting in and out of the surf. So far, it’s prevented any rogue tan lines, and hopefully it will prevent early wrinkles. And, of course, it should benefit my ongoing sunscreen-outreach efforts.

Universal Appeal

Posted by Valerie, Senior Editor

There's no shortage of unisex products on the market these days, from fragrances to jeans (such as the universally unflattering ones from Cheap Monday, which aren't doing men or women any favors, from what I've seen -- sorry, CM). Even Calvin Klein keeps going back to tweak his seminal gender-bender. Such products often seem to fall short of their sex-specific counterparts -- which often work well for both him and her, without being advertised as such. Of course, that lack of marketing makes these gems even harder to find.

My own gentleman-friend tends to dismiss most female-oriented beauty and grooming products into one of two scent categories: "baby powder" or "old-lady flowers." But once in a while, when I bring home freebies from work (yes, we actually test things before writing about them!), a product's scent will fall somewhere between those diapered bookends of life, and thereby pique his interest.

There are three in particular that he reaches for over and over, to the point that I want to tell him to buy his own. First is Thymes Gardener replenishing hand cream. The response to this one is, "You're wearing the lettuce stuff!" (his idea of a compliment). It's the only lotion of mine that he'll touch.

The second one: Basis So Refreshing facial cleansing cloths. He blows through more of these than I do. They're that good. (Or, we're that lazy about walking all the way into the bathroom to wash faces.)

The third is a classic: Cetaphil facial cleanser. He whines whenever I run out of it and switch to any of the more exciting foamy/tingly/flavor-y face washes that I've brought home.

So what about you girls and boys? Got a product that your opposite-sex partner loves even more than you do?

Curls Gone Wild

Posted by Rachel Lexier, Style Intern, who comes from Colorado and is having trouble adjusting to the serious lack of nature in New York City. But the giant Scoop store on 73rd Street helps.

A die-hard blow-dryer devotee, straightening my unruly locks has been a full-time job since I was 12. But soon after my move to New York in May, I discovered a whole new kind of humidity. I had two choices: Persevere with my futile attempts at mane management, or embrace the frizzy ‘fro I was born with. I knew what I wanted: soft waves that would only flourish more in the summer sauna. Knowing how to get them was the challenge.

Then, Profound Beauty's Desert Sand product caught my attention while I was doing some important intern research for Elizabeth (our beauty, health, and fitness editor).

This brilliant concoction promises to turn humid summer hair into smooth, separate strands by chemically convincing your hair that humidity is a figment of the imagination, rendering the steamy summer weather utterly powerless. It works great as a straightening agent, too, so those sleek nights out on the town are still possible. And, it also comes in an Arctic Chill variety, which ups the shine factor even more. You can refer to the website for stores, or buy them from this salon.

My other great find is PhytoDéfrisant.

The chemical-free, alcohol-free formula relaxes your hair, leaving it smooth and moisturized. Another benefit: The more you use it, the better it works.

Of course, if you’re on an intern’s budget, like me, I'm guessing that splurging on hair care is not at the top of your list. However, to get a good, frizz-free hold minus that greasy, sticky feeling that so many styling products leave you with, you’ll have to spend a little more cash. Trust me, it’s worth it.

So what have I learned in my three weeks in New York? Simply put, it’s better to go with the flow than against the grain.

Face Invaders

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

Last week, even with a schedule jam-packed with beauty events, I was excited to go to the opening of the Space NK Apothecary in SoHo (99 Greene Street). This British beauty boutique, which debuted in 1993 in London, has finally landed on our shores. Five more stores are set to open in the New York area, and there are plans for more across the country in the coming years (until then, out-of-towners can check out spacenk.com, which will debut momentarily).

One of the cool things about Space NK is that it’s well edited. It isn’t big or overwhelming, and you don’t have to worry about tripping over (or wanting to trip) the scent-strip lady. Even when I returned as a regular customer, I felt relaxed and able to peruse the cosmetics and skin-care tables without being accosted. When I did ask questions, everyone was extremely knowledgeable (and as a beauty editor, it’s easy -- and depressing -- to catch a salesperson in a lie).

The store has had a cult following abroad, largely because of Nancy Kinnard, the founder and name behind the “NK." She has an amazing eye, nose, knowledge base, and, above all, b.s. detector when it comes to the beauty world. She looks for things that are unique and effective, and her discerning taste has led the store to carry many exclusives lines, including Eve Lom (shown above), SheerinO’Kho (a wonderful organic line free of parabens, fragrance, and artificial color), and Huiles & Baumes (another organic, paraben-free line with a Gentle Dry Oil that I have a growing addiction to -- I’m not keen on body oil, but a dry oil, and one like this, is another story entirely). Many are also just new to the States.

Space NK also has its own line of bath and body products, hand-poured candles, and fragrances based on scents from Kinnard’s travels -- from the gardens of the Palais Royale in Paris to the hot springs around the foothills of Mount Fuji. In a world of less-than-unique scents, it’s nice to find something you know not everyone is wearing. Well, at least until the rest of the country gets Space NK, that is.

 

Shinefree Happy People

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

I love summer. I love being outside. I love the sun-drenched afternoons, the light-filled evenings. I love it right up until I find myself standing on a 100-degree subway platform with moisturizer melting off my face. Fortunately, a few months ago I discovered Clarins' new Truly Matte Hydra Matte Lotion ($38), which doesn’t allow my skin to become a glistening mess at the first hint of heat coming off the pavement. I started using it in April and liked that it really did balance the bipolar nature of my skin (part dry, part oily, part sensitive/psycho). But this past weekend, it was put to the test -- the hot subway platform test, that is -- and I emerged shine free.

I also particularly love the new line’s Truly Matte Blemish Control. You get not one but two lipstick-size roll-on sticks in each carton, for $21. Leave one tube at home, and use the other to treat blemishes on the go (while stopped in traffic, at the office, on vacation, or any other time that blemish needs the skin-care equivalent of a talking-to). And like all Clarins products, these natural wonders use effective botanicals in lieu of chemicals ingredients -- making them not just potent treatments, but shining examples, too.

Passage to India

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

Everyone has that person whose lifestyle they aspire to, even though it will most likely never come to pass. Mine is India Hicks, and the lifestyle is living barefoot on Harbour Island, Bahamas.

Although the former model's background is decidedly blueblood (goddaughter to Prince Charles, daughter of famed interior designer David Hicks, Ralph Lauren muse), her time now is spent running a popular inn on the island and writing a series of books on design and beauty.

While living like India may still be a conch-shell pipe dream for me, at least I can buy a bit of the experience, thanks to the new line from Crabtree & Evelyn called Island Living -- inspired by Ms. Hicks. The collection includes candles, fragrances, and bath products. I recently bought the Spider Lily Shower Gel, made from an indigenous white flower, and the light and breezy fragrance makes me forget I have a subway train awaiting me, not a long stretch of sugary beach. Well, almost.

Spring Cleansing

Posted by Shane,  Senior Home Editor

I love the shower. It's the only place I truly check out for 10 minutes. So I'm very particular about my soap. Every spring, when the temperature begins to rise and I begin to return home at the end of the day a bit sweaty, I switch from creamy winter bar soap ...

... to Dr. Bronner's organic peppermint liquid soap. It's the most refreshing soap I've ever tried, almost like Listerine for the entire body. Nothing beats a hot, sunny afternoon and a splash of this in the evening.

The Fairest of Them All

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

I recently attended the CEW Beauty Insider’s Choice Awards at the Waldorf Astoria. Much as the Oscars recognize the best movies of the year, the Beauty Awards recognize the most innovative beauty products of the year. As at the Oscars, there is often laughing, a little crying, and a few too many long-winded acceptance speeches. Movies or moisturizers, people are passionate about what they do, and we like that.

More than 620 new products were entered this year, and then voted on by 4,000 beauty industry experts, and I thought I’d share some of the results. Next time you’re staring at the beauty shelves, weighing this cream over that, consider these winners. 

 

After the MC, Mario Cantone (of "Sex and the City" fame), yelled out, “HEY B**CHES!” to a slightly stunned crowd -- we knew a little of what to expect, he did MC the awards show last year, after all -- he went right into the first category: best acne treatment. MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross All-Over Blemish Solution won for the best treatment over $10, while Neutrogena Rapid Clear Pads won for the best treatment under $10. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55 also won best sunscreen under $15.

 

As far as anti-aging treatments go, Wexler Intensive Night Reversal & Repair Cream snagged the award for best treatment over $30, and Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer took it for best treatment under $30.

 

In the “Cleansers & Scrubs” category, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap was the winner in the $12-and-over echelon, and Dove Energy Glow Brightening Facial Cleanser (drugstore.com) took the fancy Lalique bust trophy for the under $12 cleansers.

On the CEW website, you can check out a list of all the winners — from mascara to perfumes and nail products.

A New Leaf

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

Some of the best skin-care ingredients got their start as health drinks. Just consider green tea, which was imbibed for years before cropping up in wrinkle creams. And prior to pomegranate juice’s debut in a sunscreen, it was the healthiest rationalization for drinking a specialty cocktail. The thinking being, what’s good for your body -- specifically all those powerful antioxidants -- is also great for your skin.

Now yerba maté, a centuries-old energy tea derived from the leaves of a South American plant, is the latest health drink to evolve into a starring skin-care ingredient. Kiehl’s just launched the Yerba Maté Tea Skincare line, which includes a cleanser, toner, and lotion.

They chose yerba maté because it contains more than 24 vitamins and minerals, and nearly 90 percent more antioxidants than green tea. And antioxidants, as we know, neutralize those crazy free radicals (or at least I imagine them to be crazy) in the environment that lead to skin damage, dullness, and even cancer.

The line is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, and it’s oil-free, so it’s won’t clog up your pores and give you a whole new set of problems. I personally like the toner and lotion, since with cleansers, it always seems like all those great ingredients are just getting washed down the drain (and frankly, I'm still loving the new Stella McCartney Care cleanser). But this toner/lotion combo leaves my skin moisturized and supple, and though I can’t actually feel the antioxidants fending off those crazy free radicals, I like to believe they're fighting the good fight. After noticing a few subtle changes in my skin (less oil, healthier complexion), I also like to think they’re winning.

Here Comes the Sun

 

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

The old saying, “you can lead a woman to water, but you can’t make her wear sunscreen” (well, something like that), is true. We know sun exposure is directly linked to skin cancer. We know it’s the number one cause of premature aging, creating wrinkles, spots, and splotches. And we know we should wear it every day -- even in the winter, even when we’re just going from car to office. But we don’t.

For me, the challenge has been finding the right formula. Sunscreens can be thick. Some make my face break out. And others leave me with a ghastly dull complexion, making me feel like the kid who got grounded inside for the entire summer.

But one product finally has me applying my daily sun shield: Laboratoire Remède Translucent UV Coat SPF 30. It's so super-thin and water-like that it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all. And its ever-so-slight tint (there are three shades to choose from) deposits just the right amount of subtle color, so I look healthy, not tan.

I’m also a big fan of the company’s Soft Focusing Lotion. Everyone needs a little soft focus from time to time. On the face, it diffuses wrinkles and pores with its light, opalescent liquid. But as the weather warms up, it’s even better smoothed over the arms, chest, and neck. It makes skin look toned and dewy -- especially important when you go to bust out a tank top for the first time this year. Think of this shot-sized bottle as liquid courage.

Worth-It Salt

 

Posted by Petra, Staff Writer

Spring won't be official until the following occurs: I'm people-watching with some friends from an outdoor table, and I take off my cardigan to let the sun hit my shoulders for the first time in months. A frothy frozen margarita arrives, and before I sip, I savor the salty edge of the glass against my lips. This is the moment when I know that winter has passed, and it's also the moment that comes to mind whenever I use Ocean Salt, from Lush. This scrub blends sea salt, grapefruit, lime, and vodka, making it the bottled version of an afternoon on the beach (or a downtown sidewalk) with an exotic cocktail.

I know the ingredients sound like they'd sting, and the electric-blue hue looks far from soothing, but even to my fairly sensitive skin, this scrub feels nothing but exhilarating. They add avocado butter and coconut oil, so maybe that's what offsets the acidity (my thoroughly unscientific speculation). It's the perfect way to wake up your complexion after a long winter and to polish your body before this year's bikini debut. Massage it onto your feet, and they'll be as smooth as they are after a long walk along the edge of the surf. The big jar is 30 bucks, but it will last months and months. Unless you're using it several times a week, which you might be tempted to -- at least until the sun hits your shoulders.

Bang for the Buck

 

Posted by Valerie, Senior Editor

Closing our May/June issue has meant late nights at the office. And late nights at the office mean I'm only too happy to go a couple of days without washing my hair. It generally looks better unwashed anyway, with one exception: the bangs. After a day of getting pushed around my forehead, and just generally handled a lot more than the rest of my hair, they can look a little ... tired. Fortunately, while researching a story a couple of years ago, I ran across a genius product from Stila -- the Creme Bouquet Hair Refresher.

At $28, this powder costs more than pretty much any beauty product I own, but I've had my current bottle for well over a year and it's still half-full. Just squirt a couple of puffs into your hand and run it through greasy, limp, or malodorous hair, and it'll suddenly be full and clean-looking (and clean-smelling). So much better than baby powder -- no residual white streaks (or diaper associations).

Rockin' You to Your Core

 

Posted by Rory, Contributing Editor

I love the show CHiPs for a few reasons: First, obviously, the in- to the -sane way that they spell CHiPs (try it! It's a typing exercise!). Secondly, the hunky lead's name is Ponch. So unapologetically like paunch, a bad thing, a muffin top. Which brings me to my latest obsession and attempt to build up my core strength: the GoFit wobble board.

Balancing on it is more challenging than the Bosu ball, but let me be  clear: It's still kinda boring. But as a way to force myself to do it, I keep it in my home office, place it on a scrap of carpet (a wood floor would be too slippery for it to be safe, I think), and every single time I am on a personal call during work hours, my rule is that I have to stand and balance on the wobble board.

Stella to the Rescue

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

Any dermatologist worth her salt will tell you it’s a lot easier to prevent dry skin than to alleviate it once the cycle starts. So every fall, I switch to a creamier facial cleanser. This winter, however, my trusty wash left my skin parched, and even my most potent moisturizer couldn’t compensate for it (I found myself eyeing any face cream that had the consistency of Crisco).

Enter Care by Stella McCartney, a skin-care line that just launched at Sephora. In truth, I was skeptical of a fashion designer’s foray into skin care, but McCartney’s people did their homework and spent several years developing the line. I tried the Gentle Cleansing Milk and was surprised to see (and feel) that my dryness issues were solved.

The rich cleanser—as with all products in her line—is formulated with 100-percent active organic ingredients and without petrochemicals or parabens. It has a super-luxe feel to it, and contains skin-saturating sesame seed oil. Even better, the Care line is Ecocert certified, which ensures that its ingredients are organic and that every product's development—from conception to packaging—is environmentally responsible. Papa Paul must be proud.

California Curls

Posted by Ian, Assistant Managing Editor

My fiancée Erin (who has crazy-curly, Irish red hair) has always complained about how New York City water makes her hair dry and frizzy (she's from California, where the waters apparently contain magic conditioning agents). Even I had to agree that her hair looked better when we were on the West Coast. Out there, her curls form into these long, thick ringlets, whereas here it was all frizz, all the time (man, I’m gonna be in trouble later).

Anyway, I mentioned this to Elizabeth (our beauty, health, and fitness editor), who instantly ran to her supply closet and pulled out bottles of Dr. Hauschka stuff: the Apricot and Sea Buckthorn shampoo and Jojoba and Marshmallow conditioner.

Well, they worked. Erin almost cried for joy after she started using it—and I'm not even exaggerating. Apparently, it's the only stuff able to cancel whatever it is in NYC water that kills curly hair. She is now firmly convinced that Dr. Hauschka is a magic magician, and she won't use anything else.