Get the best of everything Hydramax: sun protection SPF `5, the benefits of Hydramax Active and a tinted foundation in  HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE TEINTE Active Moisture Tinted Lotion SPF 15 $55.00 1.4 fl. oz.  Read the Advice Sisters Blog Post about Hydramax + Active Teinte. A few columns ago we introduced you to Mat Lumière Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup SPF 15 $52.00 by Chanel. This amazing, oil-free formula gives your skin a matte, but natural (semi-matte) finish. We're suggesting it again for Summer, not just because the coverage is so versatile (matte and opaque or blended to a more luminous and natural look), but also because it has SPF 15. This luxurious, liquid foundation won't show breakthrough shine and it won't clog your pores. I have tested this even in the hottest, most humid conditions and the color stays true and long lasting and in 11 shades from light Ivoire and Clair, to Walnut--and worth it! These days, when I travel, I prefer to take along a solid foundation (less chance of breakage and no problem taking it on the plane) and I demand one that gives me the same, luxurious, long-lasting, flawless application as a liquid!   Luckily, Chanel's Teint Innocence Naturally Luminous Compact Makeup SPF 10 $55.00. The cream to powder foundation slides on easily and completely,  leaving skin looking flawless and protected with SPF 10.  I'm not usually a fan of cream to powder foundations as they are often too heavy, too greasy, or too dry, but Chanel got this one just right. Light-reflecting pigments help diffuse fine lines, imperfections and wrinkles, while hydrating ingredients help moisturize and keep skin looking natural (coverage is adjustable with the included, sponge applicator) and your skin won't look dry or cake-y as it might with some solid foundations. One of ten shades including two deep tones ("Soft Honey" and "Walnut") will suit most everyone. There's also that intrinsic little thrill one gets when they slip the compact out of it's velvety travel bag and flip open the top of the shiny, black, mirrored compact with the iconic, Chanel, crossed "Cs" logo. When the product inside is also exceptional, that's a beauty experience that's hard to beat.

Looking for a multi-tasking product that will pamper and protect your skin while it beautifies? Estée Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer SPF15 Sheer Tint Release Formula $38.00 is your new love! Appropriate for all skin types, this amazing, no-color, smells deliciously like fresh cucumbers. The light lotion transforms before your eyes into a sheer tint that evens and illuminates your skin tone, effortlessly.  Even better, a blend of antioxidants help prevent lines and wrinkles. I love the silky feel (not greasy, just soft and luxe) and the light-reflectors that diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. But while my skin looked better and smoother, it was also being protected from UVA/UVB rays on a daily basis , with SPF 15. What more can you ask from a tinted moisturizer that to be lightweight, pleasant to use, with a nice smell, and it makes skin look better while it pampers, protects and improves skin?  These are all great reasons to make this your must-have every day. Interestingly, this product was one some of our guys really liked, too (who would have thought???) .

Years ago,  we reviewed Shu Uemura UV cream SPF 31 Foundation and Shu Uemura UV Power Foundation SPF26 for Normal and Oily Skin, but a lot has changed since then.  New and wonderful right now is Shu Uemura's Powder Foundation Natural Glow Finish SPF 22 $32.50.  This simply wonderful powder foundation was developed with anti-sebum and sweat-proof ingredients derived from the deep sea. It comes in eight colors (buy the companion, refillable, black, mirrored empty Compact $12.50 with included sponge applicator--adhesive strip holds it fast to the bottom of the compact).  Some powder foundations can look dry and/or settle into fine lines and wrinkles, but this (buildable) foundation simply glides over imperfections, leaving skin glowing with long-lasting color that won't turn when the temperature heats up.  Our skin looked and felt natural and glowing. Just as great was the knowledge that our skin was being protected with SPF 20. You may have to fork over a bit more for the foundation and compact, but it's well worth the money.

The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 $35.00 by Philosophy has both great packaging and a unique product inside. Crushed mineral powder foundation is housed in a shaker jar (with a mirror on the top and a twist-off bottom) attached to a soft, round, sponge applicator that lets you apply this multi-tasking foundation/concealer/sunblock without touching the product. The powder is buildable, with sheer to medium coverage, and it is fragrance free and hypoallergenic. You'll get a natural, matte finish, and the protection of SPF 15.  But what makes this so great is not just that it is a good foundation--you can also use it as a spot concealer and as a finishing powder, too.  The clean and easy packaging and the fact that it's not a liquid, will make it perfect for travel or toting to the beach. We tried "Beige" which will suit most medium skin tones as the product is fairly sheer, but the Supernatural is available in seven shades of neutral, warm and bronze to suit just about everyone.

For years, Lisa Hoffman, traveled frequently with her husband, Dustin Hoffman, when he was on location making movies. Lisa couldn't find a good way to pack her beauty products, so she developed a system of portable skincare and named it Lisa Hoffman Skincare. She found an ampoule system with air-tight, single-use containers that are sized, named and numbered for single use day and night use. The products stay fresh and since they're , so the product is lab-fresh when you use it. The products--five for day and five for night--come in one packette, and they're named and numbered. I loved the Lisa Hoffman Day Cream SPF 15 $75.00 1 fl. oz. The super rich, luxe moisturizing cream comes in a super-slim while column with shiny silver accents and a silver pump top. This product is included in the Lisa Hoffman 24 Hour Skincare Packette *the bath & body versions are reviewed in this column.  This product is formulated for normal to dry skin. It feels amazingly soothing, but it absorbs quickly, and leaves nothing but softness behind. We like the fact that is has SPF 15, but it also has a wealth of anti-aging ingredients that are so clearly spelled out with such amusing names, we are including them all: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract. To be sure, the cost is on the high end, but if you love a product that does more than one thing to help your skin and protects with SPF as well, you'll be motivated to use it. That, is priceless! You will look forward to treating yourself every day and your skin will reap the benefits.

Pur~lisse was created by Jennifer Yen when she couldn't find the type of skincare she wanted to help her with her own skincare issues. The actress and model formulated her own products for delicate skin, based on Chinese beauty secrets. Pur~lisse doesn't contain any synthetic fragrances, dyes, animal products, known allergens, petrochemicals, and parabens, and features five key ingredients that help keep skin young and healthy-looking: Lupine peptides (leaves skin oxygenated and revitalized), Blue Lotus Flower (stimulates circulation/soothes and calms skin), White Tea (defends skin against stress), Soy Proteins (anti-irritant/aids moisture retention) and Sea Silk (firms/reduces appearance of wrinkles, protects skin). Since it's so important to keep skin protected from the sun's damaging rays as well, we were very excited about Pur~ lisse Protect SPF 30 $55.00 1.7 fl. oz. To be sure, this is a high-end protectant, but this amazingly lightweight, totally non-greasy, absolutely unscented sun block with good SPF 30 is a product so good, you will be motivated to wear it--and keeping your skin protected from the suns' damaging rays and also helpig to protect it from premature aging caused by daily sun exposure ---well, that's priceless. This moisturizing cream has Lotus Lupine Peptide Complex and Hydra-Shield Complex (UVA/UVB Protection) to provide good full-spectrum sun protection and guard against sun damage. But while you're getting a goodly amount of sun shield, your skin will also be getting benefits, thanks to Vitamin E and Soy Proteins. My skin didn't burn, and it felt hydrated and soft....and as someone who hates sun blocks I can tell you that this is one I actually want to use!  For those who simply won't use sunblock, there's another solution:  Pur-Lisse Essential Daily Moisturizer $50.00 1.7 oz. This light and gentle moisturizer is not only good for normal, dry and sensitive skin types but it also has a whopping SPF 30, enough to provide some real protection from the sun on a normal day. To get a great multi-tasking product with good UVA/UVB protection in one travel-friendly tube is reason enough to love it, but the product is also easily absorbed, and with minimal scent.  Pur~lisse products are simply impressive--worth the cost.

I first fell in love with Korres products when I discovered them at a luxury hotel in Tokyo, of all places.  One product I really like is the Ginger & Vitamins Foundation SPF 10 $28.00.  This lightweight but mighty foundation is packed with Vitamins C and E, plus ginger extract, in a water-based formula that tones and moisturizes, while it protects skin from the sun's damaging rays. The foundation comes in six shades from light to dark, and is fairly sheer (you can layer on more if you wish) so it looks natural, but covers flaws (and it won't clog your pores, either).  With roots in the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, Greece, Korres doesn't use synthetic ingredients, but instead uses plant extracts and it's color collection has nature-inspired shades made from organically-grown, botanical ingredients that are good for your skin, and make your skin look good, too. Another plus? The foundation  comes in a portable-friendly tube so it's a great choice for your travel tote, too.

If you love the scent of roses, you'll find it easy to love Vitamin E SPF 15 Moisture Lotion 2.5 fl. oz by The Body Shop. This rose-scented facial cream is not just a sun block with SPF 15, it's a great moisturizer with Vitamin E  and wheat germ oil for extra conditioning. Good for all skin types, it'll protect you against UVA/UVB rays as it does good things for your skin.  Wear it under The Body Shops'   Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation SPF 25 $22.50.  There are six shades of cream-to-powder, long-lasting, sun-protecting foundation in shiny, silver, mirrored compacts that look sleek and elegant. The product applies with a sponge, and gives you medium to full coverage that blends easily so that your skin looks smooth and flawless, and happily protected with a mineral defense shield. I tried this one in the lightest shade: 01 which will work on medium-light to medium complexions (if you're super-pale, this one will warm you up just a tiny bit).  I was out in direct sun for some time wearing this foundation.  While it isn't a substitute for a traditional sun block, my face didn't burn, either. That's pretty great!

We are great fans of products that multi-task and are travel-friendly.  One such product that is tailor-made for the season, is the Susan Posnick ColorFlow $64.00.  It's pricey, but it does a lot of good things for your skin and your beauty routine. For starters, it's a loose powder mineral foundation with a good SPF 26 (micronized zinc and titanium dioxide).  It's housed in an all-in-one brush/container (refillable!) and comes in 13 shades plus a bronzer and a shimmer powder. The coverage is natural and matte, but you can adjust the size of the bristles on the brush by simply pushing the clear, plasti sleeve/cover up or down to pick up and diffuse more or less color. You can also unscrew the bottom of the container and dip in a concealer brush to cover blemishes. The gentle, minerals powder has Vitamins A and E help skin to heal, and it's hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and antibacterial. It's also water and sweat-resistant, so it'll stay on your face even if the mercury is rising and it is humid. The hardest decision you will have is what color to choose. There are barely-there pales, medium tones, and 4 very deep shades. You can even use this one on your body!  We also like the Susan Posnick ColorME $32.00 that adds a bit of natural color back to your cheeks.  It's also made of loose, natural mineral powder, but the company isn't claiming the same SPF (so use the ColorFlow first, or add a sunblock). There are six colors named for actresses, and what we love (beside the natural blush tones) is the all in one container with attached sponge puff (and even a mirror on top) that makes it easy, neat and clean to artfully apply loose mineral makeup at home or on-the-go. The color colors range from peachy pink to mulberry and deep rose. We tried the lightest, "Lilly," a soft rose that looks like your own faint blush (inspired by Natalie Portman).

Tinted moisturizers with SPF are a great alternative to wearing sunblock or foundations with SPF, especially if you want to enhance your complexion with just a bare cover.  But not all tinted moisturizers are created equal, one that I've fallen in love with is Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 $30.00 by Smashbox. The moisturizer is amazingly easy to apply, but it's totally oil free and feels immediately dry on your skin, without drying out your skin! It stays true to color, gives you a moistly matte look, and protects with SPF 15, but while it looks natural, it does cover some imperfections and makes skin look better than bare. For all these reasons, it's a great product to use daily. But the tiny tube of tinted moisturizer with flip-top cap does more than just protect and make skin look good. it actually has unique citrus honey ingredients for long-lasting hydration and oil absorption, Vitamins C and E (for protection against free radicals) and anti-aging peptides (to improve skin's elasticity). Also nice to know is that this product is paraben-, and fragrance -free. It comes in five colors from light (Luminous) to dark, and since it's sheer and so blendable, one of these five will look absolutely natural with your skin tone. For me, this tinted moisturizer is a must-have all year long.

Stila SPF 30 Oil Free Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer $36.00 offers medium coverage in an oil-free formula that easily evens out your skin tone, reduces the look of flaws, and protects with a very impressive SPF 30. If you are the type of person who refuses to use sun protection but you love high quality, multi-tasking products, this new Stila SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer will make your day, your week, your Summer! The product is blendable and lightweight, with white willow bark to add a bit of a glow, Silk amino acids help to moisturize and smooth skin, while pomegranate extract (a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant). soothes it...even if you've been in the sun a bit too long. Eight shades of fair, light, medium and several darker tones make it easy to find a perfect match. This new SPF 30 version is twice the protection of Stila's original, but it's a fast, fabulous way to look great and protect your skin from the sun, made even better now.

Thibiant Beverly Hills Day Spa offers eight unique lines of luxurious spa and skin products. No wonder creator Aida Thibiant has earned the title: "face saver to the stars." You can purchase the spa's high end products and create your own skin-saving, spa-type experiences. There are lots of products, so we are just touching on a few in this column. One I like is the Thibiant Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 $45.00 for daily wear, and for those times when you just don't want to wear a sunblock or a foundation with SPF. The lightweight, oil-free, sheer, tinted moisturizer comes in three colors: light beige, tan and deep tan but the colors are so sheer and blendable I found I could even use the tan, when I'd usually just select the "light." The product subdues imperfections and makes skin look just a bit more glowing and smooth, but it protects with SPF 15.  Tinted moisturizers come in all prices, but you don't need a lot of this one so it goes a long way. You'll feel pampered, protected, and the jewel-green bottles with fancy, light and dark green caps make a statement of elegance on your dressing table.

Face Stockholm Tinted Mineral Moisturizer SPF 20 $42.00 comes in a really nice, white tube with silver-y pump cap, so you can really take this anywhere and keep your fingers, clean. There's nothing better than a multi-tasking product that gives you color, sunscreen and moisturizer all in one. This one is rich and blendable, and gives you medium coverage with light-diffusing benefits. You'll get enough color to cover, but your own natural skin will still be the star. We loved the full spectrum SPF 20 protection that gives you beauty bennies and skin-saving bennies in one.  And while the product is soothing and rich, it is oil and fragrance free, so you can wear it in the Summer and not worry that your face will become an oil slick. I also like the fact that this product has a " Multi Mineral Complex" including Copper, Gold and Sodium as well as a collection of rich antioxidants, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng and Vitamins A, C and E to shield, hydrate and nourish. If this isn't enough to convince you to buy it, consider that it's good even if your skin is sensitive. This Summer, your skin can truly be happy. 

A new line that's really good and also affordable is Liiv Botanics from Avon (Wellness). For example, the Liiv botanicals Rejuvenating Facial Cleanser $7.50 2.5 fl. oz. comes in a pleasing, frosted, plastic flip top tube with soft, delicate, grey graphics of leaves. Inside is a lovely, clear, cucumber scented gel facial cleanser that features super-oxygenated water and powerful botanicals.  The product is gentle on the skin, but it cleanses and invigorates and detoxifies. For those who feel it's important, you'll be happy to know that this is also free of preservatives, dye-free and suitable for sensitive skin. The product is supposedly scent free, but we were baffled by this as it has a truly delightful, light, fresh fragrance of cucumbers.  I guess the scent is just from the natural ingredients.  In any case, a cleanser's main purpose is to clean. Liiv Botanicals Rejuvenating Facial Cleanser make our skin feel totally cleansed, refreshed, and with a softness we could really feel. I also really loved Liiv Botanicals Vital Day Cream with SPF 20 $15.00 1.7 fl. oz.  The fresh smelling, super-light cream feels like a whipped mouse in the jar. The product is supposed to be fragrance free (but there's a delightful, fresh scent that probably comes from the natural ingredients) and it's also, dye and preservative free. The cream also has Avon's  exclusive "Plant Essence Technology", featuring  complex plant extracts, such as portulaca, to help your skin receive oxygen, and protect it's collagen and elasticity. Natural green tea polyphenols soothe the skin, fennel extract helps to increase collagen, and crape myrtle acts to increase cellular metabolism. The press literature says "1 day of use, skin is noticeably fresher and smoother. In just 3 days, skin reveals a healthier clarity and improved texture and tone."  I did think my skin looked better, but it is hard to see a huge improvement in just a few days. With regular use, this product really could make skin look and feel improved. And, of course, the thing I really like is that while you're improving your skin, you're protecting it too, with SPF 20  (those ingredients include: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Oxybenzone 4.0% and Avobenzone 2.0).  Although the product doesn't have preservatives, it will be good for long while.  However, you'll probably use it up in a matter of months because your skin will look and feel better, and you'll also know you're protecting it properly and on a daily basis.

There are a number of excellent products in the Chanel "Hydramax" line.  Here is a quick rundown of some of our favorites: 

Hydramax Active Sérum $75.00 1 fl. oz by Chanel  is a light as air, light aqua-colored serum with a very light, fresh scent, that sinks into skin so quickly, it's almost magic. It has a complex of moisture-boosting components that immediately turns dry and itchy skin into smooth, soft, hydrated skin....especially good after those beach days when your skin feels flaky and dry. Hydramax products contain two important, active ingredients:  extracts of French lavender and samphire, to help reinforce the skin's barrier and keep moisture in. Our reviewers loved the way the serum did it's job and didn't make it's presence continuously known with too much fragrance, and too much "grease." It's particularly great for combo skin. And there's also  Hydramax Precision Hydramax Moisture Boost Cream $65.00 1.7 oz, a rich cream that also helps to stave off skin cells' loss of water. The prices are reasonable for high-end products, and believe us, hydration never felt (or looked) so good!  ....and for a serious skincare splurge,  Sublimage Sérum Essential Regenerating Concentrate $375.00 1 fl. oz  is the new addition to the Chanel Sublimage line. Chanel's own description is technical, but when you're purchasing a pricey cream, you want to know everything you can about it.  "This lightweight, silky serum maximizes the all-around age-fighting benefits of the original — combating wrinkles, loss of firmness, dehydration, lack of radiance, and uneven pigmentation — through an exclusive Polyfractioning technique. Planifolia PFA, the customized precious oil extracted from the powerful botanical fruit at the heart of SUBLIMAGE, is now at twice the concentration of the cream. In addition, 100% of the water contained in the serum is distilled Planifolia Concentrated Water for unprecedented results," Says Chanel. To be sure, the cream is crammed with good-for-your-skin benefits that will make you feel like a star  (Chanel makeup artist, Angela Levin, uses Sublimage Serum, before applying foundation on the likes of stars like Nicole Kidman) to make their already amazing skin, look even smoother. You may also find that you use less foundation because you won't need to cover up so much.  I had just a small sample, so I can't tell you how great my skin would look using this product regularly, over time, but my skin did look and feel great.  And,  the experience of applying a high-end product should be lovely, and it is--the serum has a light, slightly spicy, vanilla-y scent (it's not intrusive) and the packaging of the full-sized product is classy, weighty, precious-looking.  An added bonus?  You'll be using just a tiny bit of the product as it goes a long way, so your "splurge" will be a long-time, "gilty" pleasure!

  If you live in England and are a Harrods shopper, you probably already know about M Lab from Milabar Laboratories. M Lab, is a truly luxe line of anti-aging skincare products with high amounts of clinically active ingredients. Since the line is in the higher range for cost (e.g the Anti-Aging Treatment Cream is $260.00 12.4 oz; the Eye Cream is $170.00 .5 fl), I highly recommend trying the line with the M Lab Travel Collection $130.00. I loved the collection and reviewed it as the Advice Sisters Product of the week a few months ago. Read the entire blog review.

Do you have deeply clogged pores?  Do you want the benefits of a Vitamin A product without the peeling?  Do you want some of the effects of Retin-A without the harshness or a prescription drug? Would you love to have a deep cleansing facial while you sleep?  If the answer is "YES" to any or all of these, Help Me $45.00 1.05 fl. oz by Philosophy will help you reach those skincare goals.  This little tube of night-only treatment is a retinol product for fine lines, discoloration and large pores. It has a patented "Microsponge" system with Retinol, that does the work of the "big gun" skin creams without the amount of irritation some people experience with Retin-A. You won't turn back the hands of time and the more gentle formula won't give you the same results, but you won't have the peeling, dryness and irritation, either.  You will see smaller pores and reduced fine lines, over time. If you aren't a candidate for the stronger stuff, have skin conditions like rosacea. and/or you just don't need so much treatment, this is a perfect product.  TIP: you can use this just on the T-zone where large pores and rough skin tend to be most noticeable, if you don't need or want an all-over treatment. 

I personally love Biotherm's skin and bodycare products. They are available online, they're effective, pleasant to use, and they're the highest quality with lots of cutting-edge ingredients. Two new products for the face launched in June, from their Flash Recharge line:  a Flash Recharge  Concentrate $49.00  1.1 oz  and a Flash Recharge Mask $22.00 2.53 fl. oz. Both of these products multi-task benefits for your skin and help reduce the signs of stress on your skin.  The Flash Recharge Concentrate is really excellent and has a light, herbal (green tea-ish) scent. If you wish, use it solo, or mix it with your favorite day or night moisturizer (use one with SPF to get even more benefits) to pump up skin loving bennies even more. Two ingredients are key to this product: Pure ginseng to help pump up the efficiency of other ingredients and to increase energy for your skin, and Pure Thermal Plankton, a compound found in all Biotherm products, to help your skin protect itself, while helping your skin to look and feel more youthful and revitalized.  If your skin is dull, stressed, and not it's best, this product can really make a difference in the way it looks.  I saw an immediate different and experienced immediately softer skin, but over time, the product really could make a huge difference.  There's also a new, Flash Recharge Mask that very pleasantly and effectively, moisturizes, energizes, and gives your skin a revitalizing boost.  White Willow Extract and aspartic acid help protect your skin from further fatigue and help shield your skin from environmental saboteurs, while fruit acids slough away dead, complexion-dulling skin cells, and biolipids and botanical oils help strengthen, moisturize and hydrate that glowing, new skin.  The mask is lightly, herbally scented, and it's a clear gel (although it looks orange in the tube) so you won't scare anyone if you answer the door wearing it.  Even better, it mostly absorbs and you don't have to wash (or scrape) off lots of goo at the end of the treatment.  Simply apply it, wait five minutes, and massage in any remaining product---genius! I think these are a great idea for anyone who is stressed out, and even if you're fortunate enough to be tranquil, all the time.

The spa-style, Thibiant Silk Sense Glide on Cleanser $30.00 6.7 fl. oz feels like a treat, in it's jewel-green plastic bottle with light and dark green pump cap. The lightweight gel smells refreshing and clean and it's just a joy to use. It effectively and thoroughly whisks away that days dirt grime sweat makeup and sunblocks, but doesn't dry out your skin.  The product is so soft and silky when you apply it, and it leaves your skin feeling that way as well when it's washed away! This ultra-luxe cleanser is a pampering treat, but when the sun's heat has really scorched your skin, it might also be one of your must-haves,  to soothe it back to "good" again.

Good for all skin types but especially sensitive skin prone to redness, the new Intral Collection by Darphin is a gentle, luxurious product line offering soothing comfort to irritated skin.  We tried a sample of the INTRAL Soothing Cream $90/00 1.7 fl. oz.  This cream provides skin the moisture it craves, but gently.  Key ingredients include a "Calm Complex" :  Chamomile reduces skin sensitivity, Hawthorn Extract helps protect capillaries, Panthenol rebuilds and repairs the skin barrier, Peony Extract acts as an anti-irritant and anti-oxidant, and Polysaccharides reduce irritation. Other Key Ingredients: Bisabolol, Orchid Extract, and Vitamin E. We also tried the new,  Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum $110 1 fl. oz.  This light pink serum is very lightweight, but it soothes and softens the skin with a powerful, fast-acting concentrate that reduces the appearance of redness. They're not for drugstore budgets, but after a windburn, sun burn, or for any other time your skin feels tight and irritated, or if you're just tired of products that irritate your skin,  they are heavenly!

If your skin is looking a bit dull, it's time to pep it up with  powerful peel such as the REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask $55.00. This one is good for all skin types (not for those with skin too sensitive for glycolic acid). Reviewers liked this golden-colored gel mask that has a high-tech bio active fruit acid complex that makes this a powerful and effective skin peel, It has not only glycolic acid, but also lactic acid, citric acid, and papain (from papayas) to exfoliate, simulate cell renewal, and unblock pores. OMEGA 3/6/7 essential fatty acids (from sea buckthorn berry and blackcurrant seed oil) help to reduce skin inflammation and help with healing and repair. What this all natural mask does not have is Petrochemicals, Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrance, Synthetics Colors, TEA, DEA, Glycols, Silicones, & PEGS.  I have sensitive skin so I didn't use it for a full 10 minutes, but even after a few moment the tingling began, and when I removed the mask my skin already looked refreshed. I  have always been impressed with REN products and think they are worth that little extra. If you have blemishes and blackheads, and your skin can manage a mask like this one, use it once a week and you may soon find that even fine lines and wrinkles are fading away, as the look and tone of your skin, is enhanced. Guys will like this one too, because it multi-tasks and shows immediate results, Make sure he gets a treatment during your next spa night!

Tammy Fender is an aesthetician, well known among Hollywood celebrities to her local Palm Beach clients, who appreciate the results of her treatments and custom-blended products based on holistic medicine. Her Tammy Fender Quintessential Serum  Formula No. QS-9 $175.00 1 oz. is exciting--a highly concentrated, preservative-free, deep-penetrating, ultra moisturizing serum in an amber glass bottle with stopper. The serum looks like any other, but this one is really exceptional. it replenishes, restores, and weatherproofs the skin.  Call it: "food for the cells" combining essential fatty and gamma linolenic oils, multivitamins, and the anti-aging properties of Rose, Chamomile and Frankincense to repair and rejuvenate. This serum instantly makes skin feel smooth and the look of even dry, blotchy skin seems improved.  Serums are highly concentrated, and a little goes a long way (a good thing since they are often a bit pricey).  I personally dislike products scents with essential oils of rose and  frankincense (the scent does dissipate quickly on your skin). But what smells good is so subjective, and I know that so many people really adore these classic scents so the smell will be a big "plus." Seeing is believing, however, and I saw instant improvement with it. The product line is interesting and laudable, and we hope to review more Tammy Fender products in future What Works columns. 

I couldn’t help but love Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar 2 oz.  (for dry, sensitive skin) and it’s tag line: “You can’t change the weather but you can change your moisturizer.”  In fact, you really do need to reconsider the same old-same old standby you generally use in cooler months and lighten up a bit. This lightweight, fresh smelling moisturizer is lighter than a cream, but more dense than a lotion. It is 99% oil-free, with .01% calming lavender oil. It can be used morning and night, so you don’t have to lug two jars with you when you travel, and it’s a great product if you’ve had too much skin, wind, chlorine, or your skin is just normally sensitive and dry. I don’t know whether or not it’s the perfect moisturizer—it depends upon your skin, but there are other “Hope in a Jar” varieties, including Hope in a Jar for all skin types, and Hope in Bottle for congested skin. Of course, Philosophy has other skincare products too, but Hope in a Jar could make your Summer skin, super.

When I like the smell of a product, I'm much more likely to use it, and one that smells delightfully like my herb garden is the Nourishing Face Lotion 95% Certified Organic $42.50 1 fl. oz  by Origins. Origins Organics is the first full line of skin, body and hair care products to be certified by the USDA National Organic Program. The products are created with ingredients grown without the use of toxic or persistent chemical pesticides or herbicides.  So the product is "green," and that's good...but what does it do for your face?  That's easy to report:  For starters, it is food for all skin types. It moisturizes, softens your skin, and protects against additional moisture loss and free radical damage.  The light, quickly absorbing lotion uses big (organic) "guns"  to soothe and soften in dry, rough, irritated skin: organic shea butter (extracted from naturally harvested Karite Nuts) blended with organic cocoa butter, plus organic glycerin from vegetable oil and organic sunflower oil (also to soothe and hydrate) plus organic coconut oil. The lovely scent comes from organic clove, lavender, patchouli, and red thyme essential oils. Honestly, I'd pick it as a "fave," just for the scent, but it is so pampering and effective, we pick it also because it is really good.

The new, Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief $32.00 1.7 oz or $43.00 2.5 oz by Clinique is perfect for travel (airplanes and air conditioning really dry out skin) and it's like a huge drink of water for your skin that lasts up to 12 hours (taking into account changes in temperature and humidity). It’s a new version of Clinique’s original Moisture Surge, that so many people already know and love. But this new moisturizer, arriving just in time for the heat of the Summer, not only understands not only what your skin needs, but the conditions under which it is operating at every moment. The peachy gel-like cream absorbs quickly leaving no sticky or greasy feel, but it leaves skin feeling soft and smooth, while it works to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. There are lots of interesting ingredients in this Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief, including Trehalose and Sorbitol (sugar-derived to penetrate deep into the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). to help your skin attract moisture from the environment). Hydrolyzed Extensin (naturally found in carrots) helps your skin to adjust to changes in humidity so that moisture levels in your skin are optimized. There are lots of ingredients to help you skin attract and retain moisture, including: Hyaluronic acid fragments; a new botanical blend of betula alba extract and lady’s thistle Fruit Extract; Hydroxyethyl Urea; Glycerin; and an activated (+/-) Water made with Aloe Barbadensis leaf water (the infused aloe also provides soothing and calming bennies).  Also packed into this powerful jar of cream are antioxidants, and skin conditioners.  This 100% fragrance free and allergy tested product is a perfect companion for Summer,  when your skin will be facing a variety of environments.  TIP: you can even use this as a five minute facial mask…just spread it liberally over your skin, then blot off excess or gently massage it into your skin for added moisture.

Redken has so many professional products we love, but if your hair is dense, dry, coarse, or sensitized, you need something special. Redken comes to the rescue with real help via Real Control, a line of products that moisturize and repair “high maintenance” hair. Formulated with a “Care Adjust Complex,” the products have catatonic conditioners to deeply nourish and condition, protein and ceramide to add strength and protection, and shea butter to smooth and control. As someone whose hair is a bit coarse, curly, porous and also dry, I just love this new line of products. The Real Control Shampoo $11.95 10.1 oz and Real Control Conditioner $13.95 8.5 oz cleanse and moisturize beautifully, leaving hair soft and easy to style, but not a bit heavy or greasy. The Real Control Intense Renewal $14.95 8.5 oz is a once-a-week (more or less) deep conditioner that you leave on your hair for 5-15. It’s worth the wait, because when you wash it out your hair will really look and feel “reborn.” There’s also Crema Care (a daily leave-in conditioner) , Thermal Resist (to protect and strengthen hair) and a Chemistry System Real Control Shot, for salon-only use. Dry, parched, frizzy hair transforms almost like magic, and you don’t need a magician's wand or a load of cash to get it in shape. Whether your hair has one of these issues, or all of them, the products will make a huge difference…they’re well worth the investment! 

Do blondes have more fun? Maybe, if they're using Redken Blonde Glam Dream Whip $15.95 5.4 oz. This whipped mousse styling product in a golden bottle with black pump cap gives thickness and shine to blondes with fine hair. The product also protects blondes from the sun (blondes can turn green or brassy) and helps to strengthen thin or fragile hair.  It's created with lightweight polymers, sunflower seed extract with UV filters, polypheonol oil (anti-oxidant shield), protein amino acids (strengthens hair) and grapefruit extract. It smells as great as it works. Simply apply to towel-dried, blonde hair, Leave in and style any way you want. Lucky blondes!

Hair can flop fast in Summer's heat and humidity, but the Root Amplifier $16.00 4 oz by Privé gives hair the boost it needs to beat the heat. The lightweight spray add volume and control to thin, fine hair that would otherwise sit flat and defy styling. Quillaja (extracted from a soap-bark tree that grows in Chile) protects against environmental stresses and rosemary softens and volumizes. Reviewers reported good results that lasted and loved the light, naturally herbal scent. Shine Serum $18.00 2 oz. is one of the nicest hair shine products we've tried, featuring jojoba for moisture, and safflower for soothing bennies Sun-parched hair will appreciate. Just a few drops on we or dry hair will give back the glow, and it's not a grease magnet, so you can combine it with other styling products for added benefits and even more shine. A nice benefit is additional control of frizz and fly-aways...great for beach days and any day.  Styling Gel $18.00 8.5 oz is a clear gel in a tube that you can tote anywhere, to give your style medium to firm hold.  It's perfect for "bed head" styles and for sculpting, spiking and slicking back hair in Summer --just add to damp or dry hair and use your fingertips as a styling tool (or blow dry at home).  Comfrey soothes and softens, and lemongrass acts as a toner to help promote healthy, shiny hair.  It's a luxurious styler that guys will like, too.  When all else fails and your style won't stay put, a hair spray is a must have.  We all really loved the  Privé Herbal Blend #41 Firm Hold Hair Spray $25.00 10 oz.  Spray it and your hair knows you mean business.  The spray isn't wimpy, it holds hard and fast while providing UV protection (thanks to calendula), shine (thanks to pistachio nut oil) and even offering protection from hot tool styling.  We tried this in humid conditions and it kept hair right where we sprayed it...and that's exactly what a great hairspray should do! *DO GOOD AND LOOK GOOD:   for every 10 oz. can of Firm Hold Hair Spray purchased through September 2008, Prive will donate one dollar to Breast Cancer Research.  Note the special can with pink ribbon right on the front!

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner $2.99/ 12 oz. are inexpensive but effective care for long hair. We loved the red packaging and the pearly, slightly fruity scent that's actually a mix of jasmine petals, berry, red orchid, cherry wood, violet, and plum. The shampoos and conditioners help protect and manage split ends and breaks, so your hair stay strong, and can grow long. You'll also get great lather and your hair will be soft, healthy, and have real shine.  Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship proves that you don't have to fork over a bundle to have hair that "looks like a million!"

If you hair tends to frizz, the chances are that you've already heard about the fabulous (and affordable) Frizz-Ease products by John Frieda. Big hair isn't a great look, but dealing with frizz can full frustrating.  Weather-Proofing Daily Shampoo $5.99 10 fl. oz and Weather-Proofing Daily Conditioner $5.99 10 fl. oz give you a running head start. These feature an exclusive "shielding technology" that uses a new silicone and mineral oil to resist humidity and keep moisture in (and frizz, out), plus a UV filter helps shield hair from the sun's damaging rays. There's also a Sealant Creme $5.99 4 fl. oz in a pump bottle, that provides a third barrier against humidity and frizz.  Reviewers reported good results. Hair felt soft and shiny. Another product that helps fight frizz does so while you sleep!  It's the John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease Crème Serum Overnight Repair Formula $9.99 1.69 fl. oz.  Simply pump out a bit of this serum and apply to your dry hair prior to bedtime. Chamomile extract and "damage-mending technology" (can't tell you exactly what's in it, but it absorbed quickly, didn't feel greasy or stain the pillows). When you wash it out in the morning, you will find that your hair looks smoother, softer and able to withstand the humidity. You use overnight creams to soothe your face, why not your hair? You can use it a couple of times a week, or every night if your hair is deeply damaged. It's a great product at a great price!

Curls are “in,” but it’s hard to keep them looking shiny, bouncy and not frizzy. Curly Cocktails from NaturallyCurly.com  feature yummy scented styling products (in sets)  for girls with curls of different types (you can visit the site to find out what type of curls you have). The “Adult” Cocktails (there are some for kiddies, too) come with cute “recipe” cards telling you just what (and how much) product to uses for your hair type. Curly Cocktails  range from $50.00-$80.00. You can mix and match the five different cocktails to suit your personal needs. We tried the Curlaccino (for Hair Type 4B--the most curly). The “Recipe” for this hair type is: Curly Hair Solutions Curl Keeper, Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, and my favorite, Curl Junkie Coffee Coco Curl Crème (smells like coconut and leaves even mildly curly hair soft and shiny), and Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue. Although this is a lot of products, the recipe gives you just the right amount to use for maximum results, and curly hair does need special TLC to look really great. Pick just one or two if you wish, too. 

If you are fortunate enough to be a patron of the Warren-Tricomi Salon, you know that you'll be walking out with hair that looks healthy, shiny, and totally under control. Luckily, Warren-Tricomi has their own line of haircare and styling products that let you work some salon magic on your hair, at home. For Summer, we particularly like the Warren-Tricomi Organic Hair Shield 4 fl. oz  from their "Protect" line.  This leave-in conditioner applies easily from a cool-looking, white column with all-in-one-pump top. It's good for all hair types, but especially wavy or unmanageable hair. Spray it on lightly before you go out in the sun (it washes out with your next shampoo) and watch even dry, frizzy hair smooth out and feel soft. This is a true multi-tasker that protects hair from the sun's damaging rays, protects your hair color from fading, helps keep hair from drying out, and creates a very lightweight, invisible shield around the hair shaft that instantly protects from environmental damage. Apply it before you hit the beach or the pool, and you'll feel secure that your hair is really protected from chlorine, salt, and other nasty things. Your hair will look and feel great,  even if you're not going to a pro stylist that day/evening.

For curls, or for straight styles, SET $20.00 8 fl. oz. by Hair Play can help you get the look you want. Developed by hair stylist Fritz Clay for his HairPlay Salon in San Francisco, this weightless detangling and moisturizing foam is a multi-tasking miracle. It comes in a simple, clear, pump top plastic bottle, but the product inside is as workhorse to make any type of style, work. The foam/lotion helps you blow-dry curly hair (or any type of hair) straight and shiny, or add shine and bounce to air dried or diffused curls. It de-frizzes, adds shine and control, and body --all in one product. Oh, and did we mention that it has sunscreens, too? Use it as a leave-in conditioner and enjoy your fun in the sun and look great. Get either light hold or medium hold. There is so much you can do with this one product that we are amazed. We watched Clay blow dry a curly woman’s hair stick straight and scrunch another woman’s cork-screw mop into a controlled, shiny halo of curls. To put it simply, we really, really like it. Apparently we’re not the only ones: Diddy, for example, who can buy anything he wants at any price, ordered an entire case of SET (not sure if it’s just for him or all of his friends, but he obviously is a fan). There’s also SEAL, to help seal the deal .If you have naturally curly hair, these products help you make peace with your mane, whether you wear it straight or curly.

Hairdo 14" Layered Flip Clip-In Extension $90.00 (human hair $500) from Jessica Simpson and celebrity hair stylist Ken Paves, can boost your confidence and make your hair look good again, without cutting, crimping, sweating, or swearing! These reasonably priced (hair extensions are re-useable) items let you add length and/or volume to your own hair, or if you wish, give it a longer/shorter look. Depending on where you place if on your head, the layered flip falls to or just below your shoulders. I couldn't believe how easy it is to add these without fussing.  You just anchor the all-in-one piece  (read the illustrated guide first) with 7 pressure-sensitive clips around the perimeter. You also get 2 extra clips and  2 "duck-bill" hair clips to aid in attaching the extension). One of my problems in the past with hair extensions is that they tended to be all one color, and only in the most basic shades, so they never matched anyone's real hair color. This "hair" is soft, synthetic modacrylic fiber in 11 color choices from black to dark red, and comprised of up to a dozen, different shades. The faux hair can easily be washed, and it's shiner, smooth and nicer than natural hair, actually. The clips were easy to use, and didn't tangle in my real hair, but I think this length works best with short hair that you want to give a longer look, and it helps to have some shorter layers around your face to tie the look together. You can pin up your hair underneath and make longer hair look shorter, but again, you need enough shorter layers around your face to tie the look together, or tightly curl the sides of your own hair so that it looks shorter than it really is.  If your hair is misbehaving, it's thinning, you want a new look for a special occasion, or you just want to try a style without commitment, these HairDo extensions are fun, easy to use, and do the job, nicely.

I was a bit worried about trying Streekers Instant Liquid HairColor $9.95 by HairMark LLC. The box says: "easy washout" but I've heard stories of other brands of temporary hair color that just refuse to say "sayonara." Gingerly, I opened the cap and applied one, bright red,  streak of color to my hair with a kind-to-fingers, clean, sponge-tipped wanded applicator. The color dried quickly, and didn't fade or flake off. Later, when I shampooed my hair, I held my breath but to my relief, the product washed out. Streekers uses an innovative technology (not shared with The Advice Sisters) but the point is, you can add fun to your hair in an instant, with eight vibrant colors: pink, blue, ultra violet, red, green, yellow, orange, and purple--and then wash it out quickly when "playtime" is over. This is the type of product you buy for the pure fun of it, and express your personality at the beach, parties, or just because. Like a one-night stand, you can love the one you're with, and yet there's no commitment past the next shampoo. Young or old, feel like that "cool kid" again. TIP: if your hair is super light or Bleached blonde you might need a bit more muscle to remove all the color--maybe 2-3 shampoos.

Just when we thought there couldn't be anything new in mini flat irons, we found one! The T-Ion Travel Iron $149.00 by Metropolis Technology  is unique, as it's a 1" flat iron that folds down to 6 1/4" and weighs just 12 ounces.  It is much smaller than the full sized flat irons, but it has slightly larger plates than the super-minis, but it has something we've never seen before--retractable ones!  This travel iron doesn't have heat settings, but it heats up hot and fast. It's high-tech tourmaline plates give hair all the benefits of tourmaline ceramic and far-infrared technology that helps make hair smooth, soft, shiny, and less susceptible to frizz without using as much heat. When you pull up the plates, an indicator light shows you that the unit is automatically turned on, and when you push the plates back down into the handles, it shuts off. Since this one is a travel iron, it has dual voltage (110/220) and a nice, padded, thermal pouch with velcro closure that allows you to immediately pack your iron without fear of scorching anything. What I love most about this effective flat iron is that it's the perfect size to smooth your entire head of hair within minutes, without any struggle or effort. It's big enough to handle even a large, thick head of long hair, but small enough to put into a pocketbook. Now that's what we call an iron that is meant to be your #1 travelling companion. It's a great product--we think you'll definitely want one.

Peppermint is one of those scents that you can't help but love. It just makes you feel tingly, energized and happy. The new, peppermint-infused Mentha Hair Collection Shampoo $12.00 12.0 fl. oz.  and Conditioner $12.00 12.0 fl. oz from C.O. Bigelow gives you a big hit of minty aromatherapy, along with a very tingly, cooling, nourishing, shine-boosting experience for your hair. The cool-looking, clear, green, Mentha Shampoo lathers really well, and the 1% peppermint oil and extract makes hair feel super-clean.  The Mentha Conditioner moisturizes, while it keeps the tingly, happy mint scent, going a bit longer. It also helps detangle and add shine to hair.

Even if you have a full head of hair, you run the risk of sunburn when you go out in the sun without a hat.  And scalp burn not only leaves your skin irritated and flaky, a sunburn on your scalp can damage the hair follicles and result in compromised hair health, too. An easy way to safeguard your scalp, is with the limited edition Scalp Guard Sun Block SPF 20 $13.50 3.4 fl. oz by Nioxin.  The slim, orange pump bottle sprays a clear, non-sticky, slightly minty-smelling liquid mist that gives your head full spectrum sun protection. It's like an umbrella or a hat for your head and hair!  While there doesn't seem to be color protectors in this product (so you'll need to use something else to keep your color from fading), we think a bottle of this product is a small price to pay for making sure you hair and scalp stay healthy and protected.

Hair spray isn't a really sexy product, but Being Sexy Hairspray  $14.99 10.6 oz. by RUSK comes in a slim, pink, metallic container that looks girly and fun to use. The product inside is all serious and powerful, however. It's good for any type of hair, and that's a plus.  This extra-firm-hold hair spray adds volume, and it literally locks in and freezes any hair style, even when hair is "blowin' in the wind," yet hair will still be touchable. You can mist this on damp hair and then style it with a blow-dryer or other tools, or you can go traditional.  Style first, then mist over your finished style to keep it where you want it all day and night. You don't need a lot of product for a lot of hold, and the product will work with hair of any type regardless of texture, condition or ethnicity.  This product from Rusk, rocked, and our reviewers, raved!

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Hydrate Conditioner can help keep your color from fading or turning brassy, but it also makes every type of hair feel softer, and look shiner.  I like the fun, tall, flat, lavender flip-top bottles. But what I like most of all is the nicely lathering shampoo that kept my hair so clean but yet so soft, I delayed washing it a few days longer.  And, you can even use it as a body wash!  The Purelology Hydrate Shampoo $25.00 10.1 fl. oz. helps keeps color more vibrant for a longer period of time, thanks to a special, anti-fade complex. It's an exclusive blend of antioxidants and UVA/UVB full spectrum sunscreens.  Soy, Oat, Wheat and organic  botanicals such as rose, sandalwood and green tea plus an aromatherapy blend of anise, bergamot, ylang ylang, and a hit of patchouli make cleansing hair,  spa-like. The Pureology Hydrate Conditioner 425.00 8.5 fl. oz is also wonderful.  It has a nice, minty scent, thanks to three different essential peppermint oils, but it also has jojoba esters and shea butter of hydrate hair without making it heavy or greasy, plus the anti-fade complex.  A little goes a long way, and it helps to soften, de-frizz, detangle and add shine, too. For a special, conditioning treatment, try a jar of HydraCure Moisture Hair Masque $45.00 5.02 oz.   This intense hair therapy treatment has the same, anti-fade complex as the other products, and also an anti-age complex to smooth and strengthen hair. The thick cream is pleasantly fragranced with allergen-free rose, plumeria, sandalwood, amber and vanilla. A plastic comb with wide teeth is included to distribute the product throughout your hair. Wait 2-5 minutes and enjoy the light scent, as shea, jojoba, mango and avocado butters, plus certified organic botanicals (including three types of antioxidant rich mushrooms (Mucor Miehei, Shiitake, and Mannentake)  penetrate deeply to condition, repair, add lots of softness, moisture and shine. moisturize.  If your hair is dry or damaged from coloring, or from the sun, or just because....these products can make a huge difference. Great hair care doesn't always come cheap, but a little of these products go a long way. And, if you care about the look and health of your hair and you've invested time and money on good color, it makes sense to invest a few dollars to maintain the color and keep your hair (and you) looking great. These 100% vegan products are not tested on animals--another reason to buy and love them!

For a shine product that also treats dry, split ends, you can't go wrong with Advance Techniques  Daily Results Dry Ends Serum $4.99 1.7 fl. oz by Avon. The clear liquid in a pump bottle with new leaf green pump spray just looks like it'll be fresh and clean (and it is).  Pump one or two times into hand and distribute through damp hair before styling, or on dry hair to calm frizzies and help keep a shine, glowing. This easy, simple-to-use product also has  UV-filters for added sun protection, so take it to the beach and use it daily. Our reviewers reported that her dry, split ends were calmer, less noticeable, and less dry. We also liked this multi-tasker for it's ability to boost shine.  For all these reasons, and the reasonable price, it's a must-have for Summer.  White Sands, new to our reviews this column, has a number of salon-style hair products. One we like for summer, especially because it has UV protection that will instantly shield hair color from fading, while it offers a very effective, firm hold for your style, is White Sands Designer Gel  8.5 oz, $15.00 - $17.00. The alcohol-free gel holds hard for volumizing, spiking, and even hot roller, but you can brush it out without literally tearing your hair out with the product! The clear, unscented gel comes in a fun, purple plastic bottle with "space age" push-button flip top.  White the product is meant for volumizing and keeping serious styles in check, it also helps to minimize saboteurs like humidity.  I found that if I rubbed a bit on my hands and then passed them lightly over my hot-ironed hair, it stayed straighter with less frizz, lots longer. This is an inexpensive multi-tasker you'll definitely want for your beach bag, travel tote, and for home..

White and linen go together like sun and Summertime. That's why we have always liked Pure White Linen Eau de Parfum Spray $45.00 3.4 fl. oz. by Estee Lauder.  It is a modern classic scent that's perfect in the warmer months. There are more than 22 different notes in this fragrance, making it feel sophisticated, special, rare. Open the powder blue box trimmed with white of the  Pure White Linen Body Lotion $36.00 6.7 fl.oz. and it makes you anticipate the scent before you ever apply the scent.  Body Lotion is so important to keep skin soft and hydrated in the Summer, and this one is lightweight, easy absorbed, silky, and body-pampering body.  The scent seems at first a fruity floral, but at the drydown, it gets just a wee bit spicy. The top notes are: grapefruit, Italian mandarin, iced rose tea, raspberry, pear, Granny Smith apples, lily, white freesia, white ginger, cardamom , the heart is floral, including red tulips, rose absolute, wild honeysuckle, gardenia, tuberose, jasmine, soft iris, osmanthus , and the drydown gives the sophistication of white Cedarwood, patchouli, white heliotrope and green scent with just a hint of spice. This is one of those scents that everyone likes. It is light on the skin but long-lasting. It'll help you feel pretty, pampered and cool, all summer long.

Created by Firmenich’s Annie Buzantian and Alberto Morillas, the fragrance called: "Pleasures" has been one of the top sellers for Estée Lauder since it's debut in 1995.  The sheer, green and floral blend has romantic top notes of white lily and violet leaves, a heart of black lilac, karo-karounde (a floral herbal woody green scented flower), baie rose, and (the inspiration of the scent),  white peony. The base notes are simple and warm: sandalwood and patchouli.  We absolutely adore Estee Lauder Pleasures Eau de Parfum Spray (Atomiseur naturel) $45.001.7 fl. oz for Summer. The scent starts out feeling just like a fresh floral but as it dries down it lets some of the woody/herbal notes shine through, making it the type of scent that makes you feel good--uplifted--happy, every time you smell it.  The day/evening scent can certainly be worn year-round, but it really blends with an individual's skin to make the most of Summer's heat. The lovely, rounded column of glass with matte pewter top feels cool and light in your hand. It really is one of life's pleasures!

Also from Estee Lauder is a sensational new scent: Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent $49.50 3.4 fl. oz. The Advice Sisters blogged (and raved) about this limited edition scent earlier in the Spring.  We think it's a perfect fragrance to "let the sun shine in" every single day. Read the Blog Post for the entire lowdown on Bronze Goddess and Bronze Goddess scented Body Oil Spray $29.50 3.4 fl. oz.

The Perfect Scent, a Year Behind the Scenes of the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York by New York Times Perfume Critic Chandler Burr chronicles two unique perfume launches: one in France for Hermes (Un Jardin sur le Nil) from Hermes in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena), the other, in the U.S.A.  (Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker). Sarah Jessica Parker is not just an actress, she had real input into the concept of Lovely. The result is lovely, literally and figuratively. Lovely Eau de Parfum $49.50 1.7 fl. oz, $65.00 3.4 fl. oz. by Coty Prestige is a modern floral with top notes of Mandarin, Bergamot, Rosewood, a hint of Lavender and something surprising - crisp Apple Martini.. The middle notes are feminine, classic floral -- Patchouli, Paper Whites and creamy Orchid. Bottom notes tame the sweetness with exotic and sultry Cedar, White Amber, and exotic Musk and Woods. And who wouldn't love the feminine, pink, curved, polished glass bottle with personal touches--a grosgrain ribbon and the initials "SJP" on the gold tone spray activator, peeking demurely through a large, round, faceted clear cap?  Even the carton is feminine blush pink, with contrasting gold lining and the signature "SJP" on the seal. The second Sarah Jessica fragrance for Coty Prestige,  is Covet Eau de Parfum Spray 468.00 3.4 fl. oz, $52.00 1.7 fl. oz. It has a different feel, but it's really  pleasing to wear. A chunky cube of green and gold metallic cardboard has a large, gold plaque embossed with the Covet and Sarah Jessica Parker logo. The box is lined in lime green, opening to reveal a "jewel"-like bottle--clear, chunky, squat and rounded glass.  The spray cap is the star: a rosette of eight "smoky topaz" glass petals surrounding the small, gold spray diffuser like a halo or wreath. You can remove this piece, run a piece of velvet or a lovely ribbon through the center, and wear it as art jewelry! The presentation is truly stunning...covet-able for any fragrance collector. The fragrance was created with Sarah Jessica Parker, fragrance consultant Ann Gottlieb and Firmenich's Frank Volkl, It's a modern, clean, fresh smelling fougère that beautifully mixes feminine notes with some found in unisex and men's fragrances.  The top notes are wet greens, geranium leaves, Sicilian lemon, lavender and chocolate. The middle notes are the girl ones: floral honeysuckle, magnolia, muguet and something I have never heard of before:  michelia yunnanensis NP (it looks like a large sage plant with berries). Base notes add balance: musk, vetiver, bois de cashmere, teakwood, and amber. These bring the fragrance to a more sensual level, while still leaving a fresh feeling. The scent stays with you, mellowing into your own skin, beautifully. Once you've seen Covet you will want to own it, but once you smell it, you truly will covet it!

Eternity by Calvin Klein Fragrances is already a modern classic that has spawned new variations of the scent. The latest is Eternity Summer. Both the tall women's clear glass bottle and the squat, rounded men's version have the recognizable, silver, all in one silver spray atomizer top. The women's in the shape of a "T" and the men's a solid silver rectangle. this limited edition scent also features a delicate design of what looks to be beach grass on the front of the bottle, which looks lovely and calming, with the faint, light blue tinted juice peeking through. Eternity for Men Summer limited edition Eau de Toilette Spray $52.00 3.4 fl. oz is a delightful, unique take our reviewers really loved. It is masculine, but not the typical herb-y, musky-y or woods-y scent. this one stats out green with refreshing notes including juicy kumquat, chilled citrus accord, mimosa and blue fresh accord, and gets a bit more intense at the heart, featuring herbaceous complex, living juniper berry, and vintage lavender. The bottom notes are masculine and sensual, but lightened up: guaic wood, spicy cardamom, sheer patchouli and melted amber resin. Taken at face value, it might sound as if you'll be wearing a forest, but the effect is refreshing, light, a bit fruity, but never sweet or heavy. When it mixes lightly with a mans skin it become incredibly sensual--a whiff of manly scent surrounds him, but then it subsides a bit, making you want to move in, closer. It will meld with each man's body and personality to translate into something special. Eternity for Women Summer limited edition Eau de Toilette $52.00 3.4 fl. oz is also a light, get-up-close-and-enjoy scent that's perfect for warmer weather, since it is neither too sweet, too spicy, or too fruity. The balance is just right to blend with an individual's body chemistry and product a fresh green floral scent. The top notes are wet bamboo leaf, crushed basil (to lend a hint of green spiced) and golden mandarin, to give an uplifting vibe. The feminine heart is created with romantic notes such as lily of the valley and hydroponic midnight-blooming jasmine, and neroli. The drydown has orris (one of my personal favorite notes) along with spicy ginger root and airy musks. The intended effect is breezy, green, fresh. As with the men's scent, this one allows the wearer to personalize how the scent will really smell, mixing beautifully and in a sensual but not overbearing way with your body chemistry. We wish these weren't limited edition as they are wonderful...but hopefully the next, limited edition of Eternity will be wonderful, too!

Tommy Girl Summer Cologne 2008 for Women by Tommy Hilfiger $48.00 comes in a limited edition set of Cologne and Body Lotion. I am adding a review as a last-minute item, because it's such a  welcome addition to your warm weather scent collection. What I like about this latest version of Tommy fragrance is that it’s warm-weather-worthy, light, fresh and just a bit like fruity, like a picnic at the beach. I think of Tommy Hilfiger’s audience as being fairly young,  but this scent is so light and fresh, it would appeal to everyone. It’s casual enough to wear without having the scent overwhelm, but it works with more than just shorts or a sundress, and it's also a way to introduce a younger girl to a special event, scent.   It features "shimmering, sun-warmed notes, offset by a sparkling twist of Nantucket cranberry."  If that's too fanciful a description, I'll just add the other notes include: pineapple, lemon, lime, orange blossom, coconut milk, magnolia, and warm sand accord. The men's limited edition cologne features Key West orange blossom, coconut, fresh sea air, and wild bergamot, grapefruit, mint leaves, violet, lavender, and jasmine plus a base of coconut milk and driftwood. They sound dreamy, don't they?

Also from Calvin Klein is a limited edition take on another modern CK classic--Calvin Klein CK One Summer Eau De Toilette spray $42.00 3.4 oz.. This fresh, bright, fruity scent makes you want to smile--I really like this scent--a lot. It is categorized as a "watery, woody" scent, but it's not wimpy--there is sassy tartness as well. It starts with top notes of waterfall accord, watermelon, and fluid hedione accord that smells fresh and green. The heart is watermint, cucumber and cardamom and you can really smell that refreshing cucumber. The heart is musk, blond woods, and moss, making this at once fresh and clean, but subduing the freshness at the base, creating a sensual surprise. This is a unisex sent that I think will appeal to young perfume connoisseurs most, but it's a fun vacation scent to share with the special someone, too. The bottle is the classic "flat flask" type that lets the Mediterranean turquoise blue juice shine through. Bright, bold yellow graphic letters stand out beautifully. there's also a metallic blue spray diffuser, but no cover over it, giving the entire presentation a casual, carefree feel. The scent is also packaged in a turquoise plastic presentation box, the actual spray diffuser at it's side until you unscrew the holding cap and put the atomizer in (or not, as you please). This is the perfect scent to leave for your guests in a summer home bedroom, too (but they might not want to leave unless they take CK One Summer with them)!

Some months ago we first reviewed Can Can by Paris Hilton $55.00 3.4 oz, $45.00 1.7 oz. for Parlux Fragrances, Inc. The fragrance is a flirty, girly fragrance is worthy of note again for Summer wear. The packaging is eye catching, the outside cardboard wrapper featuring the blonde heiress herself in a surprisingly modest Moulin Rouge style red dress against a background a lighted hearts and red roses. The white box underneath is a pristine s textured white with metallic maroon print and a wispy feather seemingly floating to the bottom of the box. One would guess that the scent is also demure from one angle, a saucy show-stopper from the other. Indeed, keep unwrapping and out of the box pops a voluptuous, clear glass bottle that tapers to a slim, top with the silver spray diffuser topped with a clear angular column of plastic colored hot pink at the tip. And the clear juice is a surprise too: fruity, sugary, almost the scent of cotton-candy--but not sickeningly sweet, soft and ladylike, but also a bit wild, . The top notes are clementine flower, juicy cassis and nectarine, mixed into a heart of wild orchid, orange blossom, and at the bottom, soft musk, sensual amber, and sexy woods. This is the type of fragrance that will smell just a bit different on each wearer depending upon body chemistry. The "cotton candy" mixes with your own chemistry to become fruity for some, creamy for others. We see this as a nice first serious scent for a younger woman, for PH fans, and a lighthearted warm weather scent for all who, like Paris Hilton, "just want to have fun."

 I have always adored Cynthia Rowley's imaginative runway shows, and I loved her makeup collection for Avon last Fall.  But now Ms. Rowley and Avon have teamed up (with  perfumers Richard Herpin and Frank Voelkl of Firmenich) to create unique mother and daughter scents: Petal and Flower. I have certainly seen my share of "His" & "Hers" scents, but never one for female bonding. And Avon has done a great job teaming up with high fashion designers to create scents that hold their own with department stores brands.  Flower Eau de Parfum $30.00 50 ml is the women's scent. It's housed in a truly adorable, vintage-y, white glass bottle pressed with dots on the bottom half, and a slim, black ribbon tie around the neck.  It's really unique.  The fragrance itself features feminine freesia, cashmere woods, and warmer and more sensual vanilla, skin musk, velvet woods and sandalwood. But is also has Casablanca lily, a sweet floral that reminds me of paper whites. The effect is floral, but the musk and vanilla tone it down and make it sophisticated.  Petal Eau de Toilette $15.00 30 ml (photo)  is a young girl's scent, but it also makes a pleasing, light and feminine daytime scent for women. The bottle has a thin white ribbon around it's neck, and the design is the same, but smaller, and clear (to showcase the hot pink juice) It's simply all girly and fun! The fragrance is a "fresh green floral" that centers around Lily of the Valley--a scent that both Cynthia and her daughter (and I) really love.  These scents just make you want to play "dress up." Layer them together or use them separately.  Flower shows your feminine side, and Petal reminds you why it is magical (and fun) to be a girl!   With Mother's Day coming, the duo is a sentimental gift for mothers and daughters to share.

When I think of Summer parties, I often think about frozen margaritas.  Always flavorful, refreshing, and colorful in a classic, margarita glass, it's a drink that's hard to forget. Just in time for summer,  Demeter Fragrance Library introduces a version of the drink that you can wear: Frozen Margarita $20.00 1.0 oz. It smells like fresh-squeezed limes, with a subtle hit of tequila. I guarantee that people will come in close for a sniff and then simply smile, without knowing quite what the scent is. Like the drink, it's citruss-y, refreshing, and it makes you happy, a party in a bottle, but without the hangover. This is a delightful, fun fragrance!

Vicky Tiel earned a degree from Pratt and FIT in New York, started her career as a film costume designer, and in the 1976's moved to Paris to operate her own fashion biz. She designed several fragrances with amazing, "Lalique" style sculptural bottles. Years later, Ms. Tiel is back with a new collection called "Vicky Tiel Paris" with three new fragrances:  Couture, Sensuel and Destine eau de Parfum 44.99 /each 3.3 fl oz. (sold exclusively at Perfumania). The outer box is elegant, a simple rectangle in pristine white with a delicate, gold trim and a pink, black and gold square logo. I loved the collectible perfume bottles of Tiel's other scents, but the new collection has a sleek, modern, square glass bottle with rectangular, clear plastic cap, that looks like an oversized version of a classic French perfume bottle. I was delighted by the fragrance (I tried Couture). It's a classic, soft floral featuring Italian bergamot, Egyptian cassie, fresh aldehydic accord, otto of rose, violet leaves, iris, vanilla, musk, Haitian vetiver and sandalwood. It's light floriental,  complex, and really pleasing. It's first a floral, then upon drydown, a bit woodsy and spicy. My first impression was: "this smells like an expensive, French perfume"  (without knowing that much about Ms. Tiel or that these fragrances are a nod to her days in Paris). The fragrance is ladylike and elegant, light enough to wear to the office, substantial enough to make it's presence known if you are close enough. The scent just blends with your skin and lets you make it your own, just as a great fragrance, should.

Fabulousity Eau de Parfum $45.00 1.7 oz., $55.00 3.4 oz (Body Souffle $ 30.00 4 oz, Bath Diamonds $30.00 4.0 oz) by Coty Prestige is a fragrance that really is a precious gem, just like the huge, faceted "diamond" bottle (with Baby Phat logo etched on the top) it comes in. The inspiration for the design of the Fabulosity bottle came directly from Kimora Lee Simmon’s passion for diamonds (their power, brilliance, and rarity).  The luxe, diamond shaped bottle is a gem every woman can afford, and if it were real, it would be over 3,000 carats! To add to the glam factor, there's a purple carton, embossed with holographic "diamond" accents. Ms. Simmons is larger than life on her reality television show, and she's a glamorous star, but she's also a powerful,  savvy businesswoman creator of the designer brand Baby Phat,  She knows what makes women feel fabulous. I can see her wearing this scent, which is subtle and sexy, strong and girly, just like she is. My original thought was that anything associated with Baby Phat would be more for the "hip hop" crowd, but I was totally wrong.  So what's the fragrance really like?   It's a sophisticated, elegant, unique,  woman and man-pleasing scent that gets attention, as Kimora herself might enjoy, but not in a self-conscious way. Not surprisingly, men seem to really love it. My own walked in the door and seconds later said: "wow!  What are you wearing? It smells great!" This, from a man who barely notices the hundreds of scents I personally try and wear  each year!  I'd categorize this fragrance as a "fruity-floriental" with a subtle, "gourmand" vibe. The actual notes are a top of of juicy plum, orange blossom, tiger lily and mysterious forbidden fruit. A heart of Chinese osmanthus, coconut milk and purple violet sweeten, soften, and seduce the senses. Finally a prismatic, intriguing dry down has a gourmand feel, with Tasmanian honey,  vanilla absolute, and a spicy blend of patchouli and amber. It really is a fabulous scent that is unique, attractive, and appealing.

When I think of “woodsy” scents, I generally associate them with men’s fragrances, but the soft, smooth, warm smell of woods mixed with other sensual notes works particularly well with a woman’s unique chemistry. Estee Lauder has taken the lead, with a sensational new fragrance.  Sensuous Parfum $90.00 .25 oz, Eau de Parfum $69.50 3.4 oz, $49.50 1.7 oz., $39.50 1 oz  is a fragrance that’s designed to be for all woman, all the time. I personally loved this scent, and I blogged about it on the AdviceSisters Blog when the fragrance debuted in June. Read the entire blog review.

A few seasons ago, Bobbi Brown launched a fragrance called Beach that was so popular, it sold out in a nano-second, sending women who wanted the scent, into a virtual frenzy.  I predict that Bobbi Brown's newest, Almost Bare Eau de Parfum $60.00 1.5 fl. oz is going to get the same reaction from discerning women who love fragrance. This Summery blend of fruit and floral features Italian Bergamot blended with violet leaves, a distinct note of soft muguet (a scent that reminds me of the very first fragrance I ever fell in love with) and jasmine petals, soft cedar, and warm amber. The effect is fresh, light and cheerful, but with a drydown that hints of a woman, blending with her skin, enticing you to come in closer.  It's subtle (almost bare) but that's deceptive. When you come close, it packs a gratifying punch in the sex appeal department. The clear, square glass bottle with shiny silver cap also looks deceptively simple, but like the fragrance, has a depth you appreciate only after you've taken a close look and admire it's rounded corners and clean, black lettering that looks elegant and sophisticated. This one's a winner that will please just about everyone.

You aren't planning an excursion to the South of France this summer? At least you can bring a bit of Provence to your bathroom.  We suggest washing with Farmhouse Triple Milled Soaps $5.95 by Sweet Grass Farm. New to our reviews, this company is a New Hampshire based manufacturer of all-natural, hand-cut soaps and herbal home and body products. They'll feel like a Summer escape, and they're a lovely, affordable splurge.  Thick rectangles of gentle, creamy, moisturizing, French-milled soap are infused with olive oil, shea butter, vitamins and moisturizers that soothe all skin types. They're infused with essential oils in three fragrances:  Lavender, Fresh White Lilac, and Lemon Verbena. What I like so much about these bar soaps are the authentic, lovely scents that permeates the air as you wash. My favorite, the lilac scent, captures that fresh fragrance that only occurs when lilac trees are in bloom in the Spring. With this particular soap, you can keep the memory of that lovely time going all year long. Even better, the large cakes of comforting cleanser produce nice lather. TIP: Use these in the kitchen as well as the bath.