What I'm Running To: Daydream Believer by The Monkees

To say that my mother was averse to change would be a bit of an understatement. Reportedly, when my parents first moved to Long Beach from the San Gabriel Valley in the late 1970's, my mom found the task of finding a Long Beach-based hairdresser so daunting that she drove the 30 minutes back to Alhambra every time she needed a haircut. It allegedly took her almost a year before she felt comfortable enough to try out a local stylist. Flash forward to 1990. While my 5th grade classmates were listening to Dee Lite, Biz Markie, and Vanilla Ice, my sister and I were dancing to The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and the occasional Simon and Garfunkel (my dad's influence). Modern pop music had no place in my house. Thus, it should come as no surprise that my first crush was not New Kid on the Block, Jordan Knight, but Monkee frontman, Davy Jones.

I was pretty convinced that "Daydream Believer" was about me. Even though it was recorded 13 years before I was born and even though I would end up at a high school that didn't have homecoming queens. I was sure that The Monkees really meant "international ambassador," but didn't know how to make that rhyme with "sleepy Jeanne." That's okay. Sadly, my first crush, Davy Jones, passed away earlier today in Martin County, Florida. He was 66 years old.

Rest in peace, Davy. You will be missed.  Pin It

Award Season Winners and Losers: Part 1, The Trends

The day after the Oscars always feels a little like the day after Christmas. Award season is over. It's time to examine the booty, separate the good from the bad and the ugh, and pack up the glitter and sequins and put it all in storage for next year. But before we move on to other things (hello, Hunger Games!), let's debrief. Want to be trendy in 2012? Here's what you should embrace from this past award season:

1. Embrace your inner high school goth.
Black nail polish is not just for 5th period lunch anymore. Kristin Wiig (Bridesmaids, seen below), Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldana, and Kate Mara all sported black nails on the red carpet this year. Interested in embracing the dark side? Consider having a manicurist perfect your polish if you don't have the steadiest hand when it comes to painting your own nails.

Photo courtesy of People

2. Embrace your shape.
Christina Hendricks, take notes. This season's big winner, both in statues and in style, was The Help's Octavia Spencer. Proving that if it ain't broke, you shouldn't fix it, Spencer shined in Tadashi Shoji at the Golden Globes, the SAG awards, the BAFTAs, and the Academy Awards. If you're a curvy girl, you're not going to fool the world into thinking you're a waif. Even if you are packing industrial strength shapewear. So stop thinking "camouflage" and start thinking "highlight." Shoji used ruching, sequins, patterns, and belts to define and spotlight Spencer's waistline. The result is a perfectly proportioned hourglass silhouette.

3. Embrace your age.
I'll be honest, I was pulling for a Viola Davis win in the Best Actress category. However, there is no denying that Meryl Streep looked stunning in Lanvin. Streep was beautiful, sexy, and appropriately dressed for her age (cough, 62!).

Photo courtesy of People

And now for my first award show loser: Jane Seymour. No doubt Dr. Quinn has a rockin bod. If I look that good at her age (cough, 61!), I will kneel down and pledge my eternal servitude to the whims and wishes of the mighty metabolism gods. What I will NOT do, however, is wear the dress she wore to last night's Oscar ceremony. Why? It was the sequined first cousin of the dress that then-20-year-old Jennifer Lawrence wore to last year's Academys! Great on Lawrence, wrong on Seymour. It's too much arm, chest, and slink for a woman in her 60's. Here's the lesson: don't try to dress like a 22-year old if you are not 22! The 22-year old will beat you at that game EVERY SINGLE TIME. Stop buying into our country's obsession with youth and start embracing the wonderful things that come with being 32 or 62 or 82 (way to go, Christopher Plummer!).

4. Embrace your pallor.
It took 31 years, but I am finally en vogue! Pale is the new tan. Here are some of the A-listers that did not take a single step into a spray tan booth this season: Michelle Williams, Jessica Chastain, and Emma Stone. It's hip to be porcelain, so pick up the SPF 70 and start slathering it on, friends!

All photos courtesy of People

5. Embrace your inner frugalista.
Fashion is not just for the rich. Best Actress nominee, Michelle Williams, made headlines earlier this month by wearing a dress from fast fashion powerhouse, H&M, to the BAFTAs. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you have to spend it. It's chic to save!

Photo courtesy of People

6. Embrace your bestie.
No boyfriend? No worries! Rather than stress over not having an Oscar date, single lady (and Best Actress nominee) Rooney Mara rolled with sister and best friend, Kate Mara (American Horror Story). Other award season besties included Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips (Cougar Town), Best Supporting Actress winner, Octavia Spencer, and Josh Hopkins (Cougar Town), and Best Supporting Actor nominee, Jonah Hill and his mom, Sharon Lyn. Best Supporting Actress nominee, Jessica Chastain, also kept it in the family by bringing her Nana as her date to the Academy Awards. The lesson here? Stop stressing your single status. Next time you need a plus one, phone a friend!

The Mara sisters, Photo courtesy of Zimbio

7. Embrace your inner Anna (Wintour).
I still hear people refer to the "Katie Holmes bob" like it was "the Rachel." Sorry Katie, you may have worn the blunt bob with bangs for a minute in 2007, but Anna Wintour has been wearing it since Pangaea.

Ain't nothing like the real thing: Anna Wintour with her signature coif. Photo courtesy of Telegraph.

The "Anna Wintour" made an award season appearance on funny ladies, Anna Faris (What's Your Number) and Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids).

Photos courtesy of People 

8. Embrace your sparkle.
All that glitters is not gold, but some that glitters is. Get back to me when you figure that one out. If it glittered, sparkled and/or was covered in sequins, it went down the red carpet this season. Some got it all right (like E! News correspondent, Giuliana Rancic).

Photo courtesy of People

And some got it all wrong (Melissa Leo, this is two years in a row. Please fire your stylist.).

Photo courtesy of Makeup Talk

9. Embrace the mane event. 
Last night was all about Viola Davis's hair. The Best Actress nominee, who usually wigs it out on the red carpet, wore her brown hair close-cropped and natural. Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding, who sang last night's "In Memoriam" tribute song, "What a Wonderful World," also kept her hair loose and natural.

Photos courtesy of People

 Note: treat your hair like an accessory. When your hair is the highlight, keep everything else minimal.

10. Embrace your Diddy.
Because it's always good to be Diddy.

Photo courtesy of People 

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Happy (almost) Hunger Games: An Education in Who's Who

FINALLY. T-30 days until I can stop talking about watching The Hunger Games, and get to the business of actually watching the movie! I know I'm ready for what is sure to be an instant cinema classic, but are you? If you, like me, are keeping a Hunger Games countdown calendar similar to the ones kept by prison inmates, you have probably already logged on to Fandango and bought your tickets for March 23rd. If you are reading this and thinking "Hunger huh?" clearly you have some homework to do. I can say "read the books" yet again, (le sigh. It's for your own good, really!) but what else can I do? I can lead you to water but I can't make you drink. So, here is some Hunger Games homework of the cinematic variety.

Photo courtesy of Just Jared Jr.

Katniss Everdeen: Jennifer Lawrence

21-year old Academy Award nominee, Jennifer Lawrence, slips into the leather hunting boots of our braided heroine, Katniss Everdeen. If you are unfamiliar with Lawrence's work, WATCH: Winter's Bone. Lawrence plays 17-year old Ree, a girl trying to track down her drug-dealing father and keep her family intact. Lawrence earned an Academy Award nomination for this performance in 2011 (she lost to Black Swan's Natalie Portman). SKIP: X-Men: First Class. It's a totally average big box superhero movie. I can safely say that it is not as bad as X-Men: The Last Stand, but I wouldn't call it good. Spend your two hours and your $1.29 on Winter's Bone instead.

Photo courtesy of The Hunger Games Movie

Peeta Mellark: Josh Hutcherson


19-year old Josh Hutcherson plays one of the most unfortunate lottery winners ever; baker's son, Peeta Mellark. Like Katniss, Peeta is chosen in the reaping to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games. My favorite thing about Peeta? Katniss repeatedly describes him as smelling like bread. Yum . . . . bread. If you are thinking to yourself, Hutcherwho? WATCH: The Kids are All Right. Hutcherson plays 15-year old Laser, the younger son of a lesbian couple (played brilliantly by Academy Award nominees Annette Benning and Julianne Moore. Benning was nominated for her work in Kids in 2011, but, like Jennifer Lawerence, lost out to Swan's Portman. Moore has been nominated for an Academy Award four times over the course of her career but has never taken home a statue.). Laser begs older sister, Joni (Mia Wasikowska), to track down their biological father, Paul (played by Mark Ruffalo). Hijinks ensue. SKIP: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. I want to like this movie. I really do. It's got Michael Caine. And The Rock. And Vanessa Hudgens. Not to mention my newest little crush, Peeta Mellark Josh Hutcherson. But the critical consensus is that Journey 2 is totes forgettable, and I have to agree. Save your $10.

Photo courtesy of Deadline

Gale Hawthorne: Liam Hemsworth 

Liam Hemsworth, most famous for making out with Miley Cyrus all over the tabs, plays Games's resident tall, dark, and handsome brooder, Gale Hawthorne. Assuming Games stays true to the novel, you won't see much of Hemsworth in this first installment. Gale will likely be spending most of his time off-screen brooding it up until Catching Fire hits theaters in 2013. If you have never seen Hemsworth in action, you are not alone. Older brother, Chris Hemsworth (Thor), is the more famous of the Hemsworth brothers. For more on Liam, CHECK OUT: The tabloids. Or Google. SKIP: The Last Song. Forget Liam Hemsworth, Song is two hours of having to deal with Miley Cyrus's voice. And I just can't take it.

Photo courtesy of Pop Tower

Haymitch Abernathy: Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson, perfectly cast as Haymitch Abernathy, plays Katniss' and Peeta's mentor in the Games. Haymitch, best described as a surly and somewhat violent alcoholic, is charged with keeping Katniss and/or Peeta alive in the Hunger Games arena. If you are in The Hunger Games target audience, you are likely too young to remember Harrelson's turn as bartender Woody in Cheers. In that case, WATCH: No Country for Old Men or Rampart. Or White Men Can't Jump. Or maybe not. If you're too young to remember Cheers,  you are almost certainly too young for No Country or Rampart. See if your parents taped Cheers. Like on VHS. We used to do that back in the day. Or check out the upcoming HBO movie Game Change. It is unfortunate that Harrelson has been better known recently for some of his activist activities rather than his filmography because he is an extremely talented actor. That said, SKIP: Seven Pounds. I am used to Will Smith's unabashed attempts to manipulate my emotions (see The Pursuit of Happyness). But Seven Pounds is just too much.  

Photo courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes

Elizabeth Banks: Effie Trinket

Elizabeth Banks may very well be the Ryan Seacrest of Hollywood actresses. You seriously cannot walk 10 feet in any direction without running into something that Banks has worked on. Banks portrays District 12 escort, Effie Trinket. Effie is most widely known for being the pinnacle of Capitol fashion and for uttering the film's famous tag line: May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor. Unless you are a member of a group that prohibits watching movies or television, I guarantee that you have seen Elizabeth Banks before. If, however, you cannot remember where you have seen her before, WATCH: Role Models. Single best movie about LARPing (Live Action Role Play) ever made. Fun fact: I can recite the entire movie line for line from credit to credit. SKIP: Zach and Miri Make a Porno. Like Lawrence's X-Men role listed above, Zach and Miri is not terrible and it's not great. But Banks has made so many films that there is just no need to waste your time on one that is only ah-ight. EXTRA CREDIT: Check out this short film Banks directed and starred in for Go Red for Women. I told you this woman is everywhere. Think you've seen Banks's on-screen husband before? If you watched 2011's Something Borrowed, you have. In Borrowed, Colin Egglesfield plays the object of Ginnifer Goodwin's desire, Dex.

Photo courtesy of IMDB

Director: Gary Ross 

Gary Ross co-wrote (along with Hunger Games creator, Suzanne Collins) the screenplay for and directed The Hunger Games. Ross reportedly campaigned hard for directing duties on Games, and fortunately for him (and us), got the job. Unfamiliar with Ross' work? WATCH: Pleasantville. Not only is Pleasantville well-paced and visually stunning, it also happens to be my second favorite Reese Witherspoon film (favorite: Alexander Payne's Election). SKIP: Dave. Note: Ross wrote and did not direct Dave, but that's of little consequence to me because the film just isn't funny. Skip it.






The world, or at the very least I, will be watching on March 23rd when The Hunger Games opens in theaters. Also, new trailer alert! Now with more Peeta  (and by "more Peeta," I mean about two seconds more Peeta than in the other trailers. What's up with that? It's like they're trying to advertise this movie as Peeta Lite. No one wants that. More Peeta!)!
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What I'm NOT Running To, But Kind Of Wish I Was: Pumped Up Kicks by TayZac Swifron

First, it would be great if I was clever enough to come up with TayZac Swifron on my own, but I wasn't. Entertainment Weekly was, however, so kudos to them. Second, how cute are they?! Oh, how I want my little Taylor to find a nice boy so that she can stop singing sad songs about going Back to December and White Horses (even if she is finding new ways to employ Laguna Beach hottie Stephen Colletti). Rumor has it that Zac is currently wooing Lily Collins, set to star as Snow White in the first of two Snow White films to hit theaters this year (the second stars professional Twilight pouter KStew), but still, don't Zac and Taylor seem just a little too comfortable together here? Rumor has it.   Pin It

"It is the people who follow fashion past the age of 30 who are truly sad. I have met some boring people in my life, but none so boring as the fashion writer in her 30's." -Julie Burchill

Uh-oh. Pin It

First Look: Damsels in Distress

"I don't really like the word 'depressed.' I prefer to say I'm in a tailspin," utters Greta Gerwig's character in the upcoming Whit Stillman comedy, Damsels in Distress.  Damsels is about a group of young women at an east coast college who attempt to "civilize" their male counterparts and help depressed students through tap therapy. And by "tap therapy," I mean tap dancing. Damsels in Distress is slated for limited release on April 6 by Sony Pictures Classics. Take a look.
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2012 NY Fashion Week in Review: Top Trends for Fall

Sashay away. As the tents come down at New York Fall Fashion Week, let's take a quick look at what's trending for fall 2012. You know, because September is right around the corner.

Black and Blue: One of my favorite color combinations, black and blue looks were seen on the runways at the  DKNY (below), Carolina Herrera, and Preen shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Burgundy: I'm not going to say "burgundy is the new black." But I'm not saying it only because Marie Claire already has. Burgundy went down the runways at the Alexander Wang, Nanette Lapore, Tory Burch (seen below), Christian Siriano, and DVF shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

All That Glitters: If it glittered, sparkled, or shined like the sun, you saw it on runways at the Jenny Packham, Carolina Herrera, Reem Acra, and Naeem Khan (below) shows.

Photo courtesy of Glamour

Winter White: White after Labor Day? Si se puede. Winter white went down the runways at the Derek Lam (below), Alexander Wang, and Peter Som shows.

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Military: Don't be surprised if you feel the urge to drop and give someone 20 this fall. Jason Wu (below), Suno, Prabal Gurung, Rag and Bone, Tommy Hilfiger, and Posh Spice Victoria Beckham all featured military inspired designs.

Photo courtesy of International Business Times

Luxe coats and outerwear, reptile prints and sheer designs were also trending on the runways for fall. I'll admit that I am not terribly excited to see military accents get another day in the sun. And I love winter white, but it does not love me. Nor does it love coffee. Sequins and glitter, however? Sign. Me. Up. If it sparkles like a bad Vegas nightclub, I am all over it. What say you, friends? Is there anything you are excited to see this fall?  

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What I'm Running To: Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

If, like me, your favorite thing about Valentine's Day is that it's the one day a year when there is no line for the elliptical machines or those weight machines that tone your inner and outer thighs; this one's for you! 60 minutes on the elliptical burns over 500 calories. That's 5.6 chocolate truffles or 83 conversation hearts. Just sayin. Pin It

All About Chemistry

Let's talk about skin, baby. Let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Let's talk aboooouuuut skin. Let's talk about skin! So 2012 has not exactly gotten off to a stress-free start. Last week this stress decided to show its true colors: all over my face. I woke up one morning to not one, but two massive zits on my chin and the side of my mouth.  My head said, "Play it cool, girl. Grab some concealer and ride it out." My gut said "Eradicate it. Shock and awe. By any means necessary." Guess which instinct won out? And thus, the 8th grade science experiment known as my face  began. For 7 days I repeatedly and mercilessly subjected my skin to random attacks of chemical warfare. $74.97, and one big, red, dry, itchy mess later, I waved my white flag and went back to my skincare basics. And wouldn't you know it, 36 hours later I was itch-free, back to the pallor I call normal, and (almost) completely pimpleless.

So what happened? I threw everything that I knew about my skin and basic skin care out the window in a state of panic. Zits happen. An occasional blemish on the chin does not mean that your skin has suddenly become oily and acne-prone overnight. If you should find yourself in a similar pimple predicament, remain calm. Here's what you need to know to maintain your skin sanity:  

Because you should always check qualifications before accepting advice, here are mine: aside from a lifetime spent reading Glamour, Allure, and InStyle, I worked for a luxury skincare brand for almost a year before attending law school in 2004. Part of my training and orientation included an intense week at skincare school, where I learned how to read product labels and minored in chemistry. Seriously. I'm pretty sure that I retained more information from my one week in Product University than I did from an entire semester in advanced business associations. So let's get started. As a quick disclaimer, this is not one size fits all advice. But it is one size fits most.  

Every good skin care routine contains three elements: a cleanser, an exfoliator, and a moisturizer. Everything else is an add-on. If the product you pick up off of the shelf at Sephora does not fall into one of those three categories, consider it optional. If you have a particular skin challenge, like acne or fine lines, you have my permission to add one treatment item into the mix. Your treatment item will be put on after you cleanse and/or exfoliate and before you moisturize. Keep in mind that I said one treatment item. Not seven. This is your face, not your high school science fair project.   

Step 1: Clean it up! 

I confess, I used to be a complete foaming cleanser junkie. If it did not foam, it did not touch my face. I have since changed my ways. I find that my skin gets just as clean with a non-lathering cleanser as it did with my foams. Whether or not you foam is largely a matter of personal preference, but if you find that your skin feels tight after you wash, consider a switch to a non-foaming cleanser. Need a recommendation?

Foaming: Special Cleansing Gel, Dermalogica, $33.00

If I am in the mood for foam, this is the only foam I'll use. "All skin conditions. A concentrated, soap-free, foaming gel designed to thoroughly remove impurities without disturbing the skin's natural moisture balance. Contains no artificial fragrance or color."

Non-Foaming: Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cetaphil, $18.74 (16 oz. bottle, 2 pack)  

There is a reason this little guy is an award winner (2011 Allure Best of Beauty). This stuff is liquid skin care gold. If your skin is sensitive, dry, or easily irritated, a few days with Cetaphil will put your you back on the right track. "Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is great for daily makeup removal. Originally formulated for dermatologists, this cleanser is gentle on your skin and sensitive to your skin's needs. Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser will not strip the skin of natural protective oils or emollients, or disturb the skin's natural pH balance. This dermatologist-recommended cleanser is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic."

Green: Vegacol Facial Cleansing Lotion, Aubrey Organics, $15.98

I will admit, I have had a tough time trying to green my skin care routine. Either the cleanser doesn't clean, or I end up dry and red. Vegacol is the first green cleanser that has been as gentle to my delicate Irish skin as Cetaphil. As a bonus, this pearly yellow lotion has a pleasant lemon scent. "Custom-made for skin that needs special attention, this extra-mild, low-scent formula soothes and hydrates sensitive facial skin as it cleanses." 

Bonus Tip: If you find that a non-foaming cleanser is not getting your skin as clean as you would like, don't take this as a sign that you necessarily need a "stronger" cleanser. Instead, try cleansing twice. I have been double cleansing at night for years and it has made all the difference. If I am wearing a lot of makeup, I start with a cleansing oil. You can purchase a cleansing oil product, like this one from Dermalogica or this one from Boscia. But the true talk is that you don't really need one. I have found over the years that baby oil and even grapeseed oil (yes, from the grocery store) work just as well as the more expensive specialty products. Word on the street is that castor oil also removes stubborn eye makeup, but I have not personally tried castor oil, so I can't vouch. Start by applying some of your oil on your DRY face. Rub in for 20-30 seconds, making sure to apply carefully to the eye area to remove makeup. Rinse and follow with your normal cleanser. 

Step 2: Take it Off! 

What is exfoliation and why do you need it? Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest layer of skin cells on the skin's surface. As we age, our skin's natural sloughing mechanisms start to slow down, allowing the dead skin to accumulate on the surface of the skin and making the texture rough and uneven. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it:

New skin cells are created in the skin's lower layer, the dermis. Over time, cells migrate to the surface of the skin and become more acidic. During their 30 day journey, they die and become saturated with keratin. Keratin is important because it protects the skin from outside elements. Through the aging process, and after menopause for women, the natural process of skin erosion becomes uneven, which gives skin a dry and rough character. Exfoliation removes the outer layer to reveal the newer skin beneath. This shedding of the outer layer unclogs pores, keeps skin clean, and helps reduce acne breakouts. 

Exfoliation is simply our way of helping nature along. Exfoliation can be mechanical or chemical. Mechanical exfoliation involves physically removing the dead cells by scrubbing them off with a liquid face scrub, washcloth, or skin care brush. Chemical exfoliation involves dissolving the dead skin cells with acids, namely alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs like glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid). 

Mechanical: DDF Advanced Microexfoliation Cleanser, Sephora, $46.00 

If you elect to exfoliate with a scrub, select a scrub that has smooth beads rather than sharp particles. There is a very popular drugstore scrub that uses apricot pieces to scrape off dead skin cells. The sharp pieces in that scrub can actually cause microscopic lacerations on the surface of your skin, which can allow in bacteria. No matter how behind you are in your exfoliation process, think about gently buffing away the dead skin rather than sandblasting it into oblivion. Your face is not a piece of drywall. Save the apricot pieces for your pedicure. This exfoliant from DDF has nice smooth beads that even my finicky skin can tolerate.

Chemical: Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant, Aveda, $20.00  

Don't want to bother with scrubs? This exfoliant was recommended by my esthetician in Portland. Whenever I am feeling a little congested, I pour a little on a cotton pad and swipe over my nose, forehead and chin. Look, ma, no stinging!

Investment: Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Clarisonic, $149.00

If there ever was a skin care game changer, the Clarisonic is it. If I could string a chain around mine and wear it as a necklace, I would. It is just that good. You know that fresh from the dentist clean you get from brushing your teeth with a Sonicare toothbrush? Imagine. That. On. Your. Face. Catch my drift? Seriously. It's like walking around with someone else's perfect skin. If you are double cleansing with the Clarisonic, which I highly recommend, use your hands to wash all of your makeup off first. For your second wash, pour a little bit of your face wash directly on the brush. Hold the brush to your still damp skin, turn it on, and let it do work. 

Step 3: Pour Some Moisture on Me! 

Now some of my oilier sisters may be saying "I don't need a moisturizer. I just need to wash my face and go." Well, you're wrong. You MUST at the very very least slather on a moisturizer with SPF before walking out the door everyday. Personally, I prefer my moisturizer to be the equivalent of my little black dress: simple, elegant, can be dressed up or down, and can handle some serious damage control if things go awry. Heavy fragrances and fussy jars need not apply. Here are my all-stars:

With SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen, La Roche-Posay, $32.95 

Yes, friends, you are once again in the presence of an Allure 2011 Best of Beauty Winner. This sunscreen is so light you will hardly realize it's there. It's also fragrance-free and does not irritate or cause breakouts. Winning!


Note: Mineral sunscreens (sometimes called physical sunblocks) work by physically blocking UV rays from penetrating your skin. Since they sit on top of the skin, you can layer a moisturizer under your sunblock if you are feeling a little dry. Chemical sunscreens must be applied directly to clean skin since they must be absorbed into the skin to work effectively. How do you know the difference between a sunblock and a sunscreen? Check the active ingredients. A sunblock will list zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. Sunscreens should list avobenzone as an active ingredient. If you see a sunscreen that lists things like homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and/or oxybenzone but does not list avobenzone among the active ingredients, put it back on the shelf. You need avobenzone to protect against the UVA rays responsible for skin cancer and wrinkles. If you find that sunscreens irritate your skin or cause you to break out in tiny bumps, you may be sensitive to avobenzone; try switching to a sunblock with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. It's just as effective against UVAs but less irritating to sensitive skin. If you are having trouble finding a sunblock, check the baby aisle. Baby sunblocks are almost always zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide blocks.

Expensive: Active Moist, Dermalogica, $54.00 

Active Moist is light, fragrance-free, and packs a serious hydration punch. When my skin is irritated and angry, Active Moist quickly cools things down. I have also applied Active Moist to sunburned skin and found that it was effective in reducing skin peeling. Dermalogica is one of the few brands that does not put any of its products in jars. Repeatedly dipping your fingers into a product jar can contaminate your moisturizer. For this reason, I consider any moisturizer that has been packaged in a jar to have a strike against it from the outset. I like to moisturize bacteria-free, thankyouverymuch.






Inexpensive: Moisturizing Lotion, CeraVe, Amazon, $15.27 

How I love CeraVe. Let me count the ways. Non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Non-greasy. Non-expensive. In addition to using it all over my face, I have no problems spreading CeraVe over the dry spots on my knees, ankles, and elbows. The bottle is so big that the price works out to less than $1.00 per ounce. Yes and yes.












Green: Super Sensitive Every Day Lotion, California Baby, $11.49 

Is this product intended for use on baby humans? Yes. Can you use it too? Absolutely. I am not generally a huge fan of green moisturizers as many have tacky and/or greasy textures and tend to separate quickly. California Baby is the closest I have ever seen a natural product come to replicating my beloved CeraVe. The ingredients in California Baby are organic and grown sustainably. What I love: it's hypoallergenic! Added bonuses: it's gluten and nut free. You can find California Baby at Target. Check the baby aisle, not the grown-up aisle. While there, check out the Overtired and Cranky bubble bath. I have turned down dates with some  totally average guys in order to spend the night with Overtired and Cranky bubble bath and a good book. And I have not once regretted it.   

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Remembering Whitney

By now you have probably heard that Whitney Houston passed away yesterday at the age of 48. According to her website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums over the course of her career. I, personally, have sung along to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" approximately 154 million times over my 31-year career as . . . well, myself. If you have a facebook page, it is likely that you have posted a YouTube video of your favorite Whitney song, or that you know someone who has. If you have not yet listened to Whitney's isolated vocal track on "How Will I Know," click here to gain a new appreciation of just how talented she really was.

But what really was Whitney's "Greatest Love of All?" She had skyscraper highs and seemingly bottomless lows (anyone remember Being Bobby Brown?), but I believe her greatest accomplishment is probably the one we have heard the least about: her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, pictured below with Whitney in 2011.

Photo courtesy of the Bert Show.com

Perhaps I just have a soft spot for other motherless children. Perhaps it is because Houston once said of her daughter, "She encourages me and inspires me. When I look at her eyes and I see myself, I go, 'Okay, I can do this. I can do this.'" As you remember Whitney in all of her triumphs and troubles, take a second to think of Bobbi Kristina as well. Her road will long and hard. It will only be made worse by the fact that her grief will be public. Best of luck, Bobbi Kristina. Your mother was an unbelievable talent and the world is a little less melodious today. Pin It