Can Your Skin Tell Time?
According to Dr. Neal Schultz of DermTV the answer is no. “Just like a New York City taxicab your skin’s sun damage meter is always running – and cumulatively,” says Dr. Schultz, “which means it can’t tell the difference between a 10 minute stroll in the sun and a day at the beach.” So the bottom line is you should be wearing sunscreen every time you step outside (but you knew that already, right?). And while it’s easy to choose the right products for your bod, it’s tough to find just the right facial moisturizer with SPF to wear under your makeup -- most are either too thick and greasy or don’t contain nearly enough SPF to do the trick. That’s why we couldn’t be happier that Elizabeth Arden has reinvented their classic 8 Hour Cream (a beauty editor favefor years) in a new Sun Defense formula with SPF 50 ($30 exclusively at www.elizabetharden.com). This latest oil-free formula delivers the same 8-hour moisturization women have loved since the 60s but with enough SPF to prevent burns and skin damage.

Post-Swim Style
We love the way our hair looks when we’re just stepping out of the surf (or the pool) -- so smooth and slightly tousled. But it never seems to stay that way does it? After just a few minutes in the sun most gals tend to look like they’ve been electrocuted. That’s because salt water and chlorine zap moisture from hair leaving it fried and frizzy. So what’s a beach beauty to do? Run a little Zero Frizz Corrective Serum through your hair while it’s still damp. Over the years we’ve tried just about every leave-in, spray in, frizz-fighter, but nothing compares to Zero Frizz. It’s lightweight and oil-free (so you never look greasy), provides UV protection for your crowning glory and leaves it looking luminous -- not dull and washed out. Plus at $7.99 we love the price! Pick yours up at your local drugstore or Wal-Mart.

Plump your pout….without a Needle

“Fuller lips, please” is one of the biggest requests cosmetic docs hear these days. But if you’re needle averse (or simply budget conscious) you can still get the lip look you long for. First, reach for a plumping lipstick like Physician’s Formula Needle-Free Plumping Lipstick, $9.95. Then take this tip from celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip: “To make lips appear even fuller, apply gloss in the center of your lower lip – this will create the illusion of an Angelina pout.


Fashion Find
If you’re anything like us, you love your low-rise jeans, but hate how they gap at the waist causing you to constantly hike them up or worse, wear a bulky belt that bulges out of your favorite fitted top. Well, even though we’re a beauty site, we just had to share this little bit of fashion news with you – the Invisibelt. Created by a former beauty editor (and pal of ours), the Invisibelt, $19.95, is a smooth, undetectable belt that keeps your pants in place with a flat clasp. And because there’s no bulk you’ll even look slimmer – and who doesn’t want that! Click here to buy it now!

Busted by the Bronzer Patrol?
Now we don’t like to be snarky, but we’ve been seeing a lot of gals getting carried away with their bronzer lately. We know you want to get your glow on for summer – but there IS a right way to do it. One of the best bronzing techniques we’ve encountered comes from A-list makeup artist Sam Fine (who’s worked with the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Iman). "Bronzer should be dusted around the outer perimeter of the face, creating a halo of glow,” says Fine, “never in the center of your face." For more of Fine’s foolproof makeup tips, snag a copy his video, The Basics of Beauty, $24.99, available at Amazon.com.

pH Perfect
A recent study in Asia discovered that slightly acidic skincare products (which means they have lower pH levels) are actually better for your complexion. Here are the facts: Our skin has a relatively low pH of 5.5 and when testers used products with similar pH levels, their complexions were healthier. But when the same testers used products with high pH levels they noticed increased damage from external factors and decreased moisturization. So what does all this mean to you? It means shopping for cleansers and moisturizers that are pH balanced to do your skin the most good. But buyers beware – not all companies that promise this perfect pH balance actually deliver. That’s why we’ve been charmed by Zia Natural Skincare’s line of cleansers, moisturizers and treatments. Not only are they truly pH balanced, but they’re also paraben-free, environmentally friendly and not tested on our furry friends. We especially like the Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask, $24.95, which is gentle enough for even sun-damaged skin (ideal for après beach damage control). Click here to buy it now!

The Glycation Sensation!
New from the scientists at Dermal Renu, a skincare system that essentially acts like a transdermal patch for your skin, delivering nourishing, anti-aging ingredients 24/7. The system specifically addresses the process of glycation, which is a major factor in skin aging. Glycation is a natural part of the aging process. However, when excessive glycation (lifestyle factors like a diet high in processed carbohydrates, grilled meats or anything that's browned like toasting a bagel, for example) compromises the skin's capability to perform in a healthy manner and reduces its ability to renew itself. The Dermal Renu system includes two cleaners, a day and night treatment as well as an exfoliating gel all for Beauty Editor Rx readers for a limited special introductory price of $89.95. Click here to buy it now www.dermalrenu.com.

Beauty Editor Rx Introduces: Ask The Expert
Now you can bring your most pressing beauty questions right to the people with all the answers. On hand this month is beauty biz veteran John Doucette, Director of Student Salon Operations for Empire Beauty Schools, one of the largest cosmetology educators in the US and Canada -- which means he’s the pro that teaches tomorrow’s pros.

John has offered to address the hair, makeup or nail care conundrums of five lucky users, so for a chance to have your question answered simply e-mail us by Monday July 6th and be sure to put “Ask The Expert” in the subject line. Then check back with Beauty Editor Rx over the next few weeks to find out which lucky users scored John’s attention.

Beauty Editor Rx Recession Buster
During tough times trips to the salon can certainly put a strain on your budget, but you don’t have to go without. In fact, you can get all the salon and spa services you love for up to 75% less. Just make an
appointment at one of Empire’s 90 school salons where an up-and-coming student stylist can help you get gorgeous for a fraction of the cost. Visit www.empire.edu to find a school near you. Check out these mind-blowing prices (which are subject to change): Shampoo and cut for only $8, color for $17, foil highlights for $37, spa manicure for $6, spa pedicure for $15 and (our personal favorite) a spa facial for only $18!

Fancy Footwork
It’s officially sandal season and that means bringing your feet out of hibernation. Just in case your peds are less than pristine, the Borghese Nail collection has everything you need to expose your toes. Start by sloughing away rough calluses with the Satina Smoothing Callus Remover, $15, which dissolves thick calluses with a blend of tea tree oil and aloe while the gentle file whisks them away. Follow up with the Delicato Exfoliating cleanser, $15, to smooth and deodorize feet before moisturizing with your favorite lotion.

New Sunburn Solution
Although we know you’ll be using sunscreen religiously all summer long, burns are a fact of life. So if you or someone you love gets fried ease the pain with this surprising old fashioned remedy -- lavender oil. “You can use lavender oil directly out of the bottle onto a burn (which is great if it’s very bad) or you can add a few drops to a cool bath or some Aloe Vera gel,” says Kayla Fioravanti, Certified Aromatherpaist and Chief Formulator for Essential Labs. Of course if you’re pregnant, check with your doctor before using any essential oil.

Score Some Beauty Booty

Walk your fingers over to esteelauder.com and with ANY purchase of $39.50 or more, you will receive over $100 worth of free products -- and the BEST part? YOU get to choose the products you want!

First, you get to choose a 14-day supply from their best-selling moisturizers:

Time Zone (2009 CEW winner for Best Moisturizer)
DayWear Plus
Hydra Bright
Resilience Lift Extreme

And then choose which color collection suits your skintone best!

Warm Shades include the following Estée Lauder products:
High Gloss in Honey
*Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Coral
Double Wear Stay-In-Place ShadowStick in Golden Peach
8 Estée Lauder Eyeshadows in shades Peach, Apricot, Chocolate, Praline and Amber Honey Quad

Cool Shades include the following Estée Lauder products:
High Gloss in Rose
*Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Tiramisu
Double Wear Stay-In-Place ShadowStick in Pink Shell
8 Estée Lauder Eyeshadows in shades Mulberry, Lavender, Sugar Cube, Berry Ice and Smokey Pink Quad

Plus, every gift includes a sample of Aerin Lauder's Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia fragrance and a chic City Square cosmetics bag!

Click here for more information!

This offer is available until June 14th or while supplies last! No offer code required.
* = Full Size Product

State-of-the-Art Self-Tanner

With more than 1 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year, an artificial tan (and we don’t mean tanning beds or booths) is the only truly safe way to get glowing. But let’s face it, applying self-tanner can be, in a word, messy. That’s why we’re thrilled about ModelCo’s latest launch, SunSponge Custom Self-Tan, $39 (available at www.modelco.com.au) a hands-free sponge tan application. Imagine – no more stained hands and ruined manicures! The best part is SunSponge contains a fruit cocktail of Wild Rose, Apricot and Palm Tree extract to not just moisturize skin but also keep you from smelling like a chemistry experiment once you’re done. After you apply your faux glow should appear in about 4 – 8 hours and last up to five days.

Beauty Editor Rx Tip: To minimize streaking when you tan be sure to exfoliate in the shower first. Check out our step-by-step exfoliating guide in the Beauty 101 section of the site.

Fabulously Frizz-Free
If you’re anything like us, you couldn’t be happier that the warm weather is here. But as the mercury (and the humidity) rises we all have to go the extra mile to keep our hair looking gorgeous and frizz-free. And it’s not just curly girls that fall victim to frizz, straight haired gals can get it too. Now over the years we’ve heard a lot of frizz-fighting tips (A LOT), but here are the ones that really do the trick:

- Use a deep conditioning treatment or hot-oil treatment at least once a week (more if you’re hair is really dry or coarse) to help seal tresses against the effects of heat and humidity. Apply the treatment before you shower and cover with a plastic cap. As you bathe the heat from the shower will help the conditioner penetrate.

- After showering, while your hair is still damp run a frizz-defying styling cream through your hair. Cosmetic companies are constantly improving on these offerings and the latest crop of products is better than ever. We were especially impressed with Ojon’s new Tunu Elastik Hair Tamer, $25 (available at Sephora or sephora.com) since it works equally well on straight or curly coifs, so you can style your hair however you like. If you blow-dry regularly, pick up an ionic hair dryer (there are several good ones out there for less than $30) which minimizes the electric ions that cause static and frizz when you heat style.

Lash out!

Just when we thought something as basic as mascara couldn't get any better two new ones hit our desks. For fuller, thicker looking lashes: Try Avon's SpectraLash Mascara, which features three different settings to let you create three different looks. Click once for a full lash look or twist the tube up to three times to increase the intensity. The innovative formula contains silica powders so lashes look dense without clumping or flaking. Available in four shades: $9.50. Click here to buy it now!

Beauty Editor Rx Tip: For the best results when applying mascara, start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the wand up toward tips. Let product dry for a few seconds between coats.

Shopping Chic
We love that everyone is doing their part by bringing their own reusable bags when shopping and were thrilled when we discovered these gorgeous reusable shopping totes from Mixed Bag Designs. Available in three sizes in a variety of logo-free mix and match prints, they’re perfect for any kind of shopping trip, a trip to the beach, an afternoon in the park or even use one as your everyday carry all. Plus, they can hold over 40 pounds! Click here to buy them now!

White On
We want to share a little secret with you…when a beauty editor watches celebs giving interviews or gliding down the red carpet she’s looking at more than what fashions they’re sporting, she’s looking for the next best beauty trend as well. And this year we spotted one you’re guaranteed to love. We noticed celebs, like the winning Kate Winslet, wearing black from head to toe with a white metallic nail – gorgeous! A-list manicurist Deborah Lippmann created the look for Winslet (and for other starlets like Faith Hill and Hayden Panetierre) using a shade from her collection called Rhapsody in White and had this to say about making the trend work for you: “A bright white works well on women with fair skin,” says Lippmann, “while women with more medium skin tones should choose something warmer, maybe with a gold pearl in it. Women with dark skin are especially lucky, since all shades of metallic white look great on them,” she adds. To apply metallic nail colors without streaking, Lippmann always uses two coats, letting each coat dry for at least two minutes in between. Click Here to Buy It Now!

The Razor That Loves Your Curves
Finally a razor that doesn’t knick your knees. We love the new Venus Embrace ($11.99 at mass retailers for the shaving system with a refillable razor, two cartridges and shower storage pod), which has a spring-mounted head that adjusts to your contours and curves (wherever they may be). Here’show: the five blades are positioned tightly together so they sit flatter on the skin giving you a closer, more comfy shave. Plus the soft grip handle stays securely in your hand even when you’re wet and soapy. And all just in time for bathing suit season! Click Here to Buy It Now!

Night and Day

Ever find a moisturizer you loved, but had no idea how to use? Was it meant for nighttime or daywear? Once a day or twice? Well, Avon came up with the answer in their Solutions collection. The line features unique dual chamber packaging so you get a cleanser to use in the morning and at night, a moisturizer with SPF for day and a rich treatment cream for bedtime as well as an eye cream for each time you treat your skin. The products are even customized for your goals – if you have normal or combination skin choose the Total Radiance line to fight dullness and uneven skin tone, if your complexion is dry there’s the Maximum Moisture group to replenish precious hydration and if fighting father time is your main concern there’s the Ageless Results line. Plus with prices ranging from $12.50 – $17.50 it’s a real recession-buster! Click Here to Buy It Now!