Favorite Find Friday: L’Occitane Eau Captivante Cologne
OK, so L’Occitane Eau Captivante Cologne isn’t gym bag-friendly by any stretch of the imagination, but indulge us: The green-tinged, light-as-air spritz smells addictively like freshly cut mint and basil muddled with lime and orange, warmed up with a bit of lavender (yes— it somehow manages to be earthy, tart, sweet and soft all at the same time). The stunning, hefty art deco-esque etched-glass bottle reminds us of a vintage heirloom and instantly becomes the focal point of any vanity. Plus, at 10.1 fluid ounces, it’s like a Costco-sized bottle off perfume, and as such, should last you far beyond summer.
Tell us: What’s your favorite warm-weather fragrance?
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Favorite Find Friday | Tags: fragrance, fresh, L'Occitane, L'Occitane Eau Captivante Cologne Fraiche, light, perfume, Scent, summer
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Senior Editor Bethany Gumper’s DIY Nail Art!
When Senior Editor Bethany Gumper came by our desk showing off her DIY nail art, we had to share: The dual-toned mint green and purple manicure is perfect for late spring/early summer, and looks intricate but is super-easy to do. She modified these simple instructions from Julie Kandalec, a celebrity manicurist in New York City in our May 2012 “Nail It!” feature:
- Paint on two coats of a base color, like mint green, and let your nails dry.
- Using an accent color, such as lilac, swipe two more coats over half of your nail.
- Finish with a topcoat for shine and staying power.
Categories: Beauty On the Go | Tags: at-home, Bethany Gumper, celebrity manicurist, DIY, Julie Kandalec, manicure, nail art, nail lacquer, nail polish, Nails, summer, two-toned
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Favorite Find Friday: MAC Cosmetics Paint Pot in Groundwork
Our summer makeup bags house only the toughest humidity defenders— think mattifying primers, cheek stains, and tubing mascara. MAC Cosmetics Paint Pot in Groundwork is sure to maintain its makeup bag real estate through Labor Day. The double-duty eye primer/eye shadow combo doesn’t budge: Not even a hot yoga class can make it crease (we’ve tried!). The taupey-nude creates a veil of subtle definition over our lids while the slightest hint of shimmer brings out the tiny flecks of color in our irises. Best of all, our 6PM touch-up ritual is no longer needed.
—By Cody Marick, Beauty Intern
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Favorite Find Friday, Makeup Musts | Tags: eye, eye primer, eye shadow, Favorite Find Friday, humidity defender, MAC Cosmetics, MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork, makeup, mid-tone neutral taupe, multitask, primer, summer, summer makeup
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Olay’s Handy Guide to Navigating the New SPF Rules
Our friends at Olay just shared this fun infographic explaining the FDA’s new sunscreen rules— plus protection tips— right in time for Memorial Day weekend. Here’s to a happy, safe summer!
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Skin Savers | Tags: chart, FDA rules, infographic, Olay, SPF, summer, sun, sunscreen
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Shaving Secrets
Last week we got a chance to chat with Gillette Venus dermatologist Ellen Gendler, M.D., clinical associate professor at New York University School of Medicine who answered our burning questions about shaving. She has seen and treated every hair removal issue under the sun during her 26 years practicing in New York City. Check out our interview:

- What type of razor is the best choice for dry skin? If you have dry, sensitive skin, choose a razor with a have pivoting head, rather than a straight head, which has harsh angles that can damage skin. I like the Gillette Venus ProSkin Moisture Rich Razor because the head moves with the contours of your body, plus it has a shave gel bar built right in. It’s easy to travel with because you don’t even need to carry shaving cream.
- Is shaving before or after a workout better for our skin? I would say that there’s really no difference, as long as you shave in the shower. Never dry shave!
- Is it bad to leave a razor in the shower near the running water in between uses? You should not leave your razor in a wet area because harmful bacteria can build up on it and rust can form, which warps the blade, risking nicks and cuts. Many razors come with cases that can be suctioned to the shower wall to help keep the razor dry when not in use. Also, if you expose razors with built-in shaving cream bars to water when you’re not using them, the shave gel will disintegrate.
- How can we prevent painful nicks and cuts from shaving? Be careful to contour the razor to your skin. Different people may need different razors, but stick with one that pivots rather than a straight edge, as previously mentioned. A pivoting head makes it easier to glide over areas like the knees and ankles without catching on the skin’s nooks and crannies.
- Does shaving make a self-tan fade faster? Shaving will definitely make your self-tan fade because you are exfoliating a layer of skin where you’ve applied the tanner. Be sure to moisturize skin before you shave and use a hydrating shaving cream to minimize the exfoliating effect.
—By Amanda Downs, beauty intern
Categories: Beauty On the Go | Tags: Gillette, hair, Moisture, razor, shave, summer, sun
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The Heat is On!
Regular jog sessions in the scorching summer heat (the temp reached 100 in NYC last week!) can be tough on our skin, so Aquaphor and Chris Carmichael, CEO and President of Carmichael Training Systems, shared some simple tips to prevent chapped lips, chafed skin, and blistered feet during your weekly training:
Feet first. To avoid injuries, replace those worn-out running shoes every four months or 400 miles. Slather on a salve like Aquaphor® Healing Ointment before you run and after showers to keep your feet free of blisters and cracks.
Stay hydrated. Keeping your body water content up means less stress and increased performance. But how to drink on the run? Practice grabbing cups of water from tables so you’ll be ready to hydrate on the big day. Just pinch the top of your cup to avoid spills as you go.
Prevent chaffing. Keep your thighs, underarms, and more from being rubbed raw with a moisturizing ointment. Spread it on any areas that chafe before you hit the pavement, including under bra straps and waistbands.
Stretch out. Flexible muscles in your legs, hips and torso are a successful runner’s secret weapon. Give them a good stretch both before and after you hit the pavement.
To keep track of your fitness goals, join the Aquaphor online training community here.

—By Kelly Garner, beauty intern
Categories: Beauty On the Go | Tags: Aquaphor, Chris Carmichael, heat, moisturize, running, summer, training
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Favorite Find Friday: Burt’s Bees Radiance Body Lotion
Our pasty limbs have just recently been exposed to the light of day after months of hibernation, so we’re relying on shimmery Burt’s Bees Radiance Body Lotion to impart the subtle (and sun-free!) glow our skin is missing. We smooth a bit of the fast-absorbing formula over our bare legs and arms before stepping out the door: Mineral mica in the lotion reflects light, blurring imperfections. We love that it’s less commitment that a sunless tanner, and there’s no risk of staining clothes. How do you prep your body for its summer reveal?
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Favorite Find Friday | Tags: body, body lotion, Burt's Bees, shimmer, skin, summer
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Tried-It Tuesday: Bright Ideas
Winter is long gone (finally!), meaning it’s not only time to tuck away our heavy coats but also to switch up our nail color. And luckily for us, sporting bright polish isn’t just for schoolgirls anymore. Deborah Lippmann‘s sophisticated new summer hues are the perfect shades for sunny days. We like the carefree coral for fingers, and the playful periwinkle and yellow on toes. What polish shades do you switch to for summer?
From left: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, I Know What Boys Like, and Yellow Brick Road
—By Maite Gonzalez, beauty intern
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Tried-It Tuesday | Tags: bright, Deborah Lippmann, hot, lacquer, nail polish, Nails, polish, spring, summer
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Happy Summer!

It finally feels like summer here in New York City—and Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to our favorite season. Grab your SPF, get outside and have a wonderful holiday weekend!
—The FITNESS Beauty Team
Categories: Beauty On the Go | Tags: SPF, summer, sun
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Bright On!

FAIR: You can pull off a bright pink, such as cult classic NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap.
MEDIUM/OLIVE: Go for a juicy tangerine or coral hue like Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in (13) Le Orange.
DARK: Choose a brown-based brick red such as Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Burnt Red.
Most important of all: Find a hue you truly love, and you’ll have the confidence to rock it. And remember to turn down the volume on the rest of your face (read: keep your eye and face makeup neutral), since you want your lips to be the star. What’s your favorite bold lip look?
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Makeup Musts | Tags: Bobbi Brown, bold, color, lip, lips, NARS, spring, strong, summer, tangerine, young, Yves Saint Laurent
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