I packed many moisturizers in anticipation of the incredibly dry air on my Colorado vacation, but the only—and I mean only—product that actually helped was
Josie Maran’s
argan oil stick. The small stick form made it through security with no problem, and it completely cured all my dryness, plus it gave my skin this glowiness that lasted for hours.
More from Luckymag.com:
Lucky Sunblock Obsession: Korres Watermelon Suncare StickArsenic and Old FaceThe Fashion-Editor Frizz Solution!
The 24-hour news cycle had its 24 seconds of fascination with the fact that tanning beds
should be considered a poison, like arsenic. While I was surprised that this patently obvious news was suddenly... news, I was thrilled that even a few blithe-but-leathery spirits might be saved. I was also thrilled because I got to write the above headline.
I would be remiss if I did not recommend a product to fill in for the beds o’ arsenic: This will be very old news to those who know me, BUT. Lancome Flash Bronzer for Legs — yes, it says for legs but I use it all over, including my face — is the best-ever self-tanner and will change your life.
More from Luckymag.com:
A Pleasant-Smelling Self Tanner (It Does Exist!)Celebrity Product Rave: Mally Roncal of Mally BeautyTan in a Can
Perhaps spurred by fashion assistant Ray Seigel’s
blog last week, Will Ferrell’s
new sunscreen line (Sexy Hot Tan, Sun Stroke and Forbidden Fruit SPF 30) has now sold over 10,000 bottles, with 100% of the proceeds going to
Cancer for College.
-Jean Godfrey-June, beauty director
My summer-sunscreen advice has always been to get the biggest, highest-end tube of sunscreen for the beach/pool you can find: The bigness and the fanciness both conspire to get you to apply more, more frequently. Here is my summer-of-budgetary-concern/green-awareness edition: The new
Burt’s Bees big fat tube of SPF 30. It looks fantastic despite its relative-to-department-store-brands low cost. And it’s green and it’s big. And yes, you do need a new tube of sunscreen, even if you are in the sodden Northeast like me.
--Jean Godfrey-June, beauty director
When you do
Shakespeare in the Park, you have to do your makeup yourself. So with a big bag of
Lancome, AH has been making it all happen--and she looks fantastic, especially her skin. Which is most likely a combination of
Secret de Vie Eye Ultimate Cellular Reviving Eye Creme,
Nutrix Royal Body Intense Restoring Lipid-Enriched Body Lotion and
Soleil Ultra Expert Sun Care SPF 50 Sunscreen.
-- Jean Godfrey-June, beauty director
Q: I've been getting light chemical peels at my local spa about once a month for the past year, and for the first time in my life, I have beautiful skin! The problem is, I can’t really afford it anymore. I love the results so much that I can’t give them up completely, but I want space them out more and do at-home peels in between. Can you recommend a really effective (i.e., strong) at-home peel?
A: For those of you who haven't tried them, peels make your skin glowy and clearer and firmer, and work on everything from fine lines to acne to discoloration. And the best ones aren't complicated: You wipe one medicated pad over your face, wait a few moderately tingly minutes, and then use a neutralizing pad. Done.
And the "peel" part isn't as gory as it sounds: at-home peels are much more superficial--that is, less harsh--than what you'd get at a dermatologist's office. (If your skin is easily irritated, look for one designed for sensitive skin, like
Clarins Gentle Facial Peeling, or use a more potent peel less often. Either way, wear SPF outside.)
Questions?
--Cat Marnell, associate beauty editor
***Attention, wonderful readers! E-mail us YOUR beauty questions at beautydept@luckymag.com
Reader Erin Martin from Los Angeles, CA writes:
“I recently discovered this amazing wand from Laura Mercier, and I LOVE it. Just a small wipe under my eye makeup brightens my perpetual dark circles. It's also great as a highlighting wand for adding subtle shimmer to the eyes, cheekbones, etc. It’s my favorite thing in my makeup bag. Try it!”
Want to rave about a fantastic product on our blog? Email us at beautydept@luckymag.com
Back from Vietnam, sans mosquito bites
(thanks guys), and I have to report that ALL the ladies of Hanoi are wearing a
flu mask—usually while maneuvering motorbikes straight into oncoming traffic in mega-high heels. Impressive. At first I thought it was evidence of serious health conscientiousness (also impressive), then it occurred to me it might instead be an antipollution measure, and then finally someone told me: it's primarily for blocking the sun.* Flu, motorbike exhaust, and skin damage protection, all rolled into one. Sadly, I don't see myself adopting this any time soon, but still—food for thought.
—Cristina Mueller, senior beauty editor
*In case you're wondering: If you're riding a motorbike in Hanoi, helmets are mandatory (thank god), and most helmet models that I saw have a cute, tiny little brim that conveniently shades the top half of your face.
I packed many moisturizers in anticipation of the incredibly dry air on my Colorado vacation, but the only—and I mean only—product that actually helped was Josie Maran’s argan oil stick. The small stick form made it through security with no problem, and it completely cured all my dryness, plus it gave my skin this glowiness that lasted for hours. 
Q: I'm 22. If I use eye cream now, will it actually delay wrinkles/improve that skin area/do anything preventative, or am I just wasting my time?
When you do Shakespeare in the Park, you have to do your makeup yourself. So with a big bag of Lancome, AH has been making it all happen--and she looks fantastic, especially her skin. Which is most likely a combination of Secret de Vie Eye Ultimate Cellular Reviving Eye Creme, Nutrix Royal Body Intense Restoring Lipid-Enriched Body Lotion and Soleil Ultra Expert Sun Care SPF 50 Sunscreen. 
If I were a fashion person, when I clasped my bejewelled hands and made a pronouncement about this chicly enormous, perfect-trenchcoat-khaki hat from Lauren Moffatt, I might say something like the above (probably something better, since I’d be a fashion person). The reason I say Howard Hughes is in reference to extreme health paranoia, which I have in relation to the sun (and feel is utterly justified). You can and should bathe in sunscreen, but a real hat is the additional step needed when near a pool/beach/garden etc. This one, besides its unstoppable elan, should be purchased because 100% of the net proceeds go to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
