Seaweed, Scents, And Sun
I wish Willa had been around when my stepdaughter was a tween. It’s a skincare line created by Christy Prunier, whose own 12-year-old is its inspiration and namesake. “There are lots of things to treat acne but nothing for girls to use before the damage starts,” Prunier says. Products include a foaming face wash, a lip balm (above), and a salicylic-acid-based treatment pen. After all, says Prunier, “I don’t wait until Willa has a cavity before I tell her to brush her teeth.” ($8–$18, willaskincare.com)
Here’s what I’ll be using to protect my skin, whether I’m hitting the slopes or the beach:
Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Gold Dust: Perfect for giving faces of any complexion—even a wan one like mine—that subtle “just off the yacht” tan. ($90, neimanmarcus.com)
L’Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Liquid Silk Sunshield for Face SPF 50+: After a few glorious days of spring skiing (left) wearing this, the only thing burnt was my ego, due to multiple wipeouts. ($11, lorealparisusa.com)
Fresh Sugar Coral Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15: This might be sheer, but it packs just enough punch for pigment-shy lips like mine. ($23, fresh.com)
Dior Bronze Self-Tanning Oil Natural Glow: It’s those two last words that matter the most to me. Because this spray is superlight, you can avoid dark, blotchy messes. ($38, Nordstrom)
Caudalie Grape Water: It’s extracted from harvested grapes and infused with vitamin C and potassium to help calm my sensitive skin. ($18, caudalie.com)
Estée Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer: If your complexion turns into an oil slick by lunchtime, try applying this light lotion before your foundation; it contains seaweed extract to absorb shine. ($32, esteelauder.com)
Soleil Organique 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 45: Not only does this spray go on white, so you can see where you’ve applied, but it’s also absorbed instantly and leaves skin really soft. ($42, soleilorganique.com)
Julien Farel, the debonair, talented hairstylist and salon owner (left), has a product, JF Restore, that has given my hair a new lease on liveliness. It’s just a light tonic that you massage into dry hair—it’s not messy, and you rinse it out seconds after applying. I could list all the ingredients (many of which are used in skincare formulations), but I’ll cut to the chase: It left my hair feeling so soft and bouncy, I think the stuff is magical. ($33, julienfarel.com)
Four new niche fragrances I’m digging:
Aedes de Venustas: The West Village scent-importing boutique is launching its own fragrance (above)—think fresh tomatoes amid amber and honeysuckle. ($225, aedes.com)
Rodin Perfume: Fans of Linda Rodin’s jasmine-and-neroli-scented face and body oils can rejoice: She’s made a sprayable, non-oily perfume version. ($220, oliolusso.com)
Six Scents Parfums Second Skin: My favorite from Six Scents’ current lineup of collaborations is VPL’s Victoria Bartlett and perfumer Marypierre Julien’s intimate mix of suede, amber, and other natural elements. ($119, six-scents.com)
Providence Perfume Co. Hindu Honeysuckle: There are wisps of coriander and jasmine sambac in Charna Ethier’s mysterious honeysuckle scent. ($115, providenceperfume.com)