Your Hot-Weather Guide to Combatting Oily Skin

   This time of year (with its melting temperatures & wayward weather) seems to be when we all need beauty products the most!!! When getting out of your cool snuggly bed & preparing to brave the elements, a little push by way of a much-needed beauty boost can make all the difference. And nothing's better after a long day in the heat than to enjoy a night of pampering.

   As you may have noticed, I take beauty very seriously. Therefore, each of these beauty products has been selected with care to combat one of the most obnoxious side effects of summer: oily skin. I know that while you're focused on finals & trying to get in & out of the heat as quickly as possible, perfectly smooth hands might not be your top priority. However, achieving smooth skin in summer is doable without going too much outside of your regular routine: I promise!!

   1. Cleanse!!!

   Not more than twice a day, with a gentle cleanser, suitable for oily skin. Avoid alcohol based cleansers.

Left to right: Neutrogena Facial Cleanser/ Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser/ Lancome Deep Purifying Cleanser

   2. Moisturize!!

   Oily skin makes its own lubrication but you should also want to moisturize it as well. Use water based moisturizers. Moisturizing is crucial if you've combination skin.

Left to right: Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer for Oily Skin SPF 25/ Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream/ Lush Enzymion Moisturizer for Oily Skin

   3. Cover!!

   Make sure to use makeup that doesn't clog the pores & is oil-free. There're really good foundations for oily skin these days that control the shine & keep the skin matte.

Left to right: Lancome Adaptive Foundation for Oily Skin/ Revlon Colorstay Foundation/ L'Oreal Paris True Match Natural Mineral Foundation

   After following these 3 steps, you should be well on your way to having the best skin around. Now I wanna know your thoughts. So let me know: what're your secrets for good summer skin??? Which products are your favorites???

Freshen up Your Fragrance: 8 Perfect Scents for Spring

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   Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it warmer temperatures, sunshine, fun new trends to try & a chance to forget the doldrums of winter & welcome a more blissful state of mind.

   One of the best ways to embrace a new season is to try a new fragrance: wearing a new spring scent can be a fun way to put a little sunshine in your step, even if the weather isn't exactly there yet. Below're my top 8 suggestions for perfectly spring-like fragrances to try.

   Spring Fragrances

From left to right: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Dior Dune, Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Chloe L'Eau de Chloe

   While these fragrances may not be new releases, they each bring a wonderful splash of spring with their unique scents.

   Chanel's 'Coco Mademoiselle' is great for spring, it's very light with floral notes like morning rose. Perfect for a beachy girl, Dior's 'Dune' is a perfume laden with water notes that beautifully compliment with notes of amber & wallflower.

   Victor & Rolf's 'Flowerbomb', with notes of rose, orchid, jasmine, freesia & patchouli evokes the essence of springtime with every spritz. If the bottle alone didn't have you lovestruck, Chloe's 'L'Eau de Chloe' is made with notes of peach, grapefruit, cedar, patchouli & amber.

   On a Budget?

   Of course, we can't all afford to buy an expensive new bottle of perfume every season. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a lot to score a great new scent!! Not only do many perfumes, particularly designer fragrances, come in smaller, less expensive travel sizes, but many times you can find spring scents for less at stores like The Body Shop & Lush.

   Here're 4 less expensive fragrances that still scream spring.

From left to right: BCBGMAXAZRIA, Voyage a Cannes Florascent, Lush 25:43, The Body Shop Love Etc...

   If sweet & flirty fragrances're your thing 'BCBGMAXAZRIA' could soon earn a place among your favorites. Voyage a Cannes' 'Florascent', a sexy combination of violet, coriander & bergamot, conjures visions of sultry summer nights in the South of France.

   New from Gorilla Perfume at Lush, '25:43', a citrussy scent, is both refreshing & comforting. 'Love Etc...' from The Body Shop has a rich, sexy scent that combines sandalwood, pear & jasmine. It's one of my personal favorites for spring!

   What's your favorite spring fragrance??? Do you change fragrances for the different seasons??