What women in their 30s want

As a child, my summers were spent off the coast of Massachusetts on Cape Cod. In addition to collecting seashells and making sandcastles, my sister and I would develop golden tans – by-products of swims in the Atlantic Ocean, intense games of paddle ball and lunches on our matching Mickey Mouse towels – that would make Donatella Versace proud. This was in spite of the fact that my mother applied sunscreen to our bodies and faces religiously, a practice which was often met with protests and gawking at the white streaks left behind on our arms and calves. We, with olive skin and freakish Eastern European genes, simply didn’t burn, freckle or peel.

That was then. Fast forward to 2009, where natural skin is in, glowing orange faces are out, and applying sunscreen is the norm for January through December – never mind June through August. I spent this past weekend in Manhattan enjoying the (finally) spring-like weather decked out in a t-shirt and sandals as I enjoyed a patio brunch in Murray Hill, shopping on Fifth Avenue and people watching in Central Park. Six sunscreen-less hours later, I discovered I’d developed a mild sunburn on my face, chest and arms.

With an overwhelming amount of products, from liquid foundation to body lotion to lip balm, containing copious amounts of SPF 15 and higher and a bevy of self-tanning products to fake a bake, there was no excuse for my renegade behavior. And, with the promise of warmer weather (finally!) on its way and a wardrobe shift that includes more skin exposure, now is the time for a small public service announcement to The Vogue City readers about sun safety. Thanks to the American Cancer Society for the following tips:

-Cover up (this one can be tough on scorching days in the city when temperatures can push past 90 degrees, but it’s pretty much the most fail-proof way to avoid UV damage)
-Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (I’ll cover some of those previously mentioned products in next week’s beauty post – but, really, SPF is available in just about everything)
-Wear a hat (and let your fedora fetish shine brightly)
-Wear sunglasses that block UV rays (even the $5 Gucci aviator knockoffs on Canal Street carry UV protection; check the lens for a sticker indicating UV protection)
-Limit direct sun exposure during midday (this can be another tough one with our extremely finite summer season; ain’t nothing wrong with sitting in the shade, though)
-Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps (duh)

Besides, tan lines are so 1987.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you’d better make sure your peepers are looking their best.  A good eye treatment, whether it be a cream, a serum, or Mother Nature’s favorite remedy – beauty sleep – can work wonders on the delicate area around the eye.  Unfortunately, this also the first area to show age.  While we can’t promise to turn back the hands of time, let The Vogue City show you how to have a good time with these tried-and-true eye treatments.

My first stop:  Cosmedicine’s Eye Specialist ($45 at Nordstrom and Sephora), which promises to “lighten and brighten under eye circles, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten skin around the eyes.” 

It didn’t mention anything about curing my Sunday morning hangover from the five or six dirty martinis I’d consumed the night before, but I was curious to see if it would have any effect on the cruel set of bags under my eyes I’d also awoken with.  The cream, which is dense from a combination of botanical extracts, Vitamin C and anti-inflammatories, sank into my skin without a greasy residue that some eye creams are notorious for.  It also performed under the pressure of the three coats of concealer I’d applied, setting the pigment without creasing, which inspired me to celebrate with three more Bloody Marys.

Next up:  Best Bath Store’s Intensive Under Eye Treatment ($34.95 at bestbathstore.com). 

This treatment was more like a mousse, delightfully whipped full of minerals, chamomile and soy peptides, and produced a cooling sensation when applied.  It felt so great that I didn’t read the instructions to apply it only at nighttime – as in when you go to sleep, not when you go to disco – and decided to wear it under my normal cloak of makeup armor which caused some smudging of my mascara.  Such is a risk one must take as queen of the dancehall.

Last, but never least, comes a product from my favorite wallet-friendly line:  Burt’s Bees and their Healthy Treatment Royal Jelly Eye Creme ($14 at drugstores). 

 Not only is this product 97 and some odd percent natural, it also smells delicious.  The creme is just that – a heavy creme full of royal jelly, an extract that is, oddly enough, also used as a weight loss supplement; Vitamin E and aloe vera – use sparingly for best results.

The Vogue City’s verdict is in:  whether you’re 25 or 95, save fine lines for pinstriped pants, and stick with a good eye treatment to handle the rest.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

April showers supposedly bring May flowers. On the East Coast, however, April showers often bring a continuation of questionable precipitation (is that rain or – gasp – snow?), flooded sewer grates and a miserable congregation of New Yorkers who would give anything for a healthy dose of sunshine and relief from their respective Seasonal Affective Disorders.

The bright spot in any rainy day – no pun intended – is the selection of adorable, “Not your grandmother’s rain slicker” wet-wear accessories available to turn even the heaviest downpour to downright darling. And, dare we mention, dry?

Pare*Umbrela, an online specialty boutique that specializes in – you guessed it – fancy umbrellas, uses the motto “Stylish outfits meet stylish umbrellas.” Their Mod Battic umbrella, $65, available in purple or orange undertone, is sleek, cheerful – and bears a striking resemblance to a certain Italian design house’s (cough, Missoni, cough) signature print. I think the intent to knock off our favorite horizontal design maven is unintentional, though question the double digit price tag of an item meant to protect a girl from the elements that’s described on their website as “fragile and delicate.”

Hunter’s Wellington boots, $115 at J. Crew, are perfect for splashing in puddles, fly fishing and reminiscing about the days in the bayou.

Okay, fine – maybe I have a secret agenda against girls who rock ‘Wellies’ over elasticized skinny jeans on days where there’s not a single drop of rain in sight (save for the crocodile tears I cry at witnessing such a fashion faux pas). Trendy or not, these boots will keep your feet dry and happy. And while I’m not one for copycats, I give replicas – available everywhere from Target to department stores – the green light on this style.

Crisp, clean and structured, this white cotton trench by JCPenney’s in-house brand, east5th, will have you singing in the rain, on sale now for $89. The best part about this coat, aside from its cut and detail that suggest a much steeper price tag, is that it’s machine washable. Just don’t blame us when your dry cleaner serenades you in the street, begging for forgiveness and bi-weekly cleaning fees.

Looking stylish while springing forward no matter what the weather brings – now, that’s what we call a bargain.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

 April showers bring May flowers – and with them, floral prints on gauzy skirts, perfectly prim tops and a host of other fashionable, adult-friendly florals. Whether you’re on a long-stemmed budget or that of a mixed bouquet, The Vogue City will pluck a basket of fashion picks that will bring your wardrobe into full bloom – while nipping overpriced duds in the bud.

Spring wouldn’t hold such a mild temperament without picnics, bike rides, and the epitome of preppy prints, Lily Pulitzer. Their Ollie dress, $248 at LilyPulitzer.com, is a fresh blend of white and yellow:

The ruffle at the hem adds a demurely sweet-yet-age appropriate touch (is there anything worse than a woman over the age of 5 stricken with ruffle overload?), while the combination of yellow and white looks crisp and fresh. Pair now with a lightweight cashmere cardigan in a contrasting color, like a light plum or kelly green, neutral peep toe pumps and a silk clutch for dinner downtown; transform it into a summer staple come June with strappy metallic flat sandals and an oversized straw tote.

Missoni splays a delectable blend of sunwashed floral plus the eponymous Missoni hexagonal signature print in their silk Ethel dress, $1975 at Neiman Marcus:

Nevermind picnics and bike rides – with a dress (and price tag) like this, you’re better off spending April on a yacht off the coast of Capri with men named Carlo and Maximo feeding you prosciutto-wrapped melon by hand. Buon giorno!

Old Navy hits a home run with their maxi dress, $32 at Old Navy stores (a steal like this is not surprisingly sold out online), in hues of mixed cobalt, aqua and cream:

Add flat sandals of your liking (heels with a maxi dress spell trouble, unless you’re Diana Ross and it’s 1975) and top with sprinkles, and you’ve got yourself one tasty springtime treat.

As a rule of thumb, small prints – whether they be floral, herringbone or polka dot – work best with small body shapes, while larger prints help to balance a fuller frame.

-Karyn Polewaczyk