Seaweed, Scents, And Sun

Have you heard of barbary-fig-seed oil? Like argan oil, it comes from Morocco but is slightly thicker. The amazing part: It penetrates the skin immediately and gives it a firm and velvety feel—you can use it on hair, too. I found out about it from Jules Stringer and Jessica Richards, the trend­setting owners of Shen Beauty in Brooklyn (left) who have introduced me to more than a few things I’ve come to love. My latest find from them is the organic polish brand Nail Girls, from London, which is available domestically only at Shen. (Oh, and the shop welcomes pets—that’s my standard poodle, Remy, in the photo). (shen-beauty.com)

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)