What women over 40 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

Your 401k has hit the skids.  Your job security is about as certain as finding a needle in a haystack.  And your forehead, once a marked beacon of smooth-skinned bliss, is now wrought with worry lines. 
 
With the economy deflating faster than you cay say “Recession,” a girl deserves a pick me up – or in this case, a plump me up.  We’ll review a handful of the latest and greatest plumping glosses – from tinted to clear, vitamin-infused and downright addicting – and spill the skinny for The Vogue City readers.

Huge Lips, Skinny Hips, $20 at Scoop and Space.nk (available mid-April) 

Purple Lab, founded by beauty expert Karen Robinovitz, launches their Huge Lips, Skinny Hips gloss line mid-April at Scoop and Space.nk.  Infused with Vitamin B3, your lips will pout without the bite of traditional plumping agents; hoodia, an appetite suppressant, will work its magic on your metabolism.  I tried all six colors – which slicked on smoothly and without the ineffable gloss gunk that can build up with some plumpers – and swear by Worship Kate, a gold-flecked mauve that looks great alone or paired under a lipstick. 

Du-Wop Lip Venom Second Sin, $27 at Sephora 

Those who dare wear Lip Venom; those who take it to the edge wear Lip Venom Second Sin, a more potent formulation of its lip loving predecessor.  Packed with pomegranate, white tea and cooling extracts, Second Sin promises to deliver more antioxidant-derived benefits to in turn, deliver a healthier looking pucker.  Even tough-lipped gals will have trouble ignoring the tingling effects (as in, is my mouth set on fire?) after application; test a small area for sensitivity before taking the plunge. 

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Full Color, $18 at Bare Escentuals 

A one-two punch of pigment and pout, this third variation of the Buxom Lips line eradicates the need to layer a plumper with color.  While mineral formulations guarantee bold, intense hues – no small feat for any lip gloss – they’re all loaded with shimmer, and can turn a lunch meeting into a disco brunch without proper discretion.  Carmen, a golden plum, looks especially fresh with spring’s lilac eye.

A beauty boost and a boost to our wallets by avoiding complicated lip enhacing surgery?  We’ll take it any day. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Size aside, there’s something refreshingly simple about statement jewelry.  With consumer attitude shifting away from the “More is more and less is bad” attitude of yesteryear, there’s no wonder that complex necklaces, bracelets and rings are standing their own this spring.  Whether you’re adhering to status quo or just don’t have the time to fuss with accessory overload, consider a cuff bracelet to complete your look – and let The Vogue City show you how to do it well.

Fendi gives a new meaning to bondage with their perforated suede cuff in aqua, $465 (Get Out of Jail Free card not included).  While this bracelet isn’t particularly busy, it’s loud – what else would you expect from an Italian design house? – and should be worn with something remarkably understated, like a neutral tunic and cigarette pants. 

This Luc Kieffer resin cuff, $286, is both demure and daring.  Golden floral details radiate warmth through the clear resin, while Swarovski details highlight the bracelet’s shine.  Resin, a durable plastic, scratches easily; consider leaving this at home while clawing through your next sample sale.

Of course, a trend isn’t a trend unless Forever 21 fornicates a version of their own.  In this case, they’ve done surprisingly well with their jewel burst cuff for less than $7.

With Saint Tropez-inspired design and a choice of (faux) gold or silver base, you’ll forget you’re dredging through the last bite of winter’s arctic blast as you march uptown with visions of little pink drinks with umbrellas pouring through your head. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

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