Sunscreens that multitask as much as we do

Each summer, the shelves at my local drugstore practically groan from all the sunscreen. Every year, there seem to be more SPF lotions and sprays, more SPF face powders and lip balms.

I've tried so many different formulas and brands over the years, and been disappointed so many times, that my expectations were fairly low when my editor handed me a bag of new sunscreens asking me to test them and write up a story.

As a former tanning salon junkie, recent basal cell skin cancer diagnosee and all-around pasty white girl, I was particularly intrigued by the broad-spectrum sunscreen and self-tanner from Supergoop!

The box promised to give me a golden glow and to protect me from the sun without the paraben, oxybenzone and other nasties or leaving residue on my clothes or towels -- all of which sounded too good to be true.

But I've used it. I love it. And I will be buying more throughout the summer. The tan looks natural and it didn't rub off on or destroy my clothes.

Read more about multitasking sunscreens in this Sunday's Image.

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-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Supergoop! SPF 20 self-tanning sunscreen mousse. Credit: Supergoop!

Fashion: Jason Wu's Target kitten. Jessica Chastain's Oscar news.

 

A mischievous cartoon kitten wreaks havoc in a YouTube video (above) promoting the Jason Wu for Target capsule collection, due to go on sale Feb. 5.

Jessica Chastain heard about her Oscar nomination while she was attending the Armani Privé show in Paris. [The Cut]

For the first time in 55 years, Disneyland employees, er, cast members, will be allowed to sport beards under a revision of Disney's stringent grooming policies. The new rule allows neatly trimmed beards no longer than 1/4 inch. (Mustaches have been allowed since 2000.) One would think this change would be considered a boost for workers' rights. But the head of a union that represents about 4,000 Disney food and beverage workers doesn't see it that way, telling the Orange County Register, "I see it as a way to lower their standards to keep wages down." [Los Angeles Times] [O.C. Register]

Kim Kardashian's ShoeDazzle shoe-of-the-month retail site is pulling out of Britain -- after less than six months of operation there -- to focus on its "core" U.S. market. [The Cut]

Fujifilm is taking what it knows about processing film and launching a range of anti-aging creams. It's all because of a special collagen used in film processing to stop old images from fading. The substance also blocks skin-damaging ultraviolet rays, the company says. [Daily Mail]

Our Jenn Harris wrote recently about the dearth of sartorial style among the Republican presidential candidates. The same holds true for President Obama, Simon Doonan says in a video interview with Slate. Politicians can't be too fashionable because it would make them seem self-absorbed, when they are supposed to be worrying about us. (And I say thank goodness for first ladies such as Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan and Jacqueline Kennedy for those of us who want to see some elegant clothes in the mix.) [Slate]

Alessandra Ambrosio modeled two outfits in the Colcci fall collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week, strolling the runway even though she is five months pregnant. She stopped at the end of the runway to show off her baby bump. [Daily Mirror] [Fashionista]

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: Alessandra Ambrosio, five months pregnant, stopped to give her belly a pat on Sunday, when she walked the runway for Colcci during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. Credit: Andre Penner / Associated Press

How to avoid the sun, tanning bed and harmful UV rays? Self-tanners to the rescue

With all the concern about skin cancer and other sun-related skin damage, there seems to have been an explosion of self-tanners on store shelves promising a bronze summer glow without exposure to harmful UV rays. Celebrities, like Lindsay Lohan and the Kardashian clan, not only sport their own summer glows, but market their own name-brand products too.

Self-tanners are topical treatments -- think cream, mist or all-out goop -- that can change skin color temporarily. Even though the concept has been around since the 1960’s, it still sounds almost too good to be true.

Well, to be fair, the formulas from the '60s had notoriously orange-y results, bringing the “fake and bake” stigma to self-tanners. But products have advanced considerably since then, with towelettes, lotions and sprays available now that can give skin a pretty, just-got-back-from-vacation glow.

In the Image section, we take a closer look at how these products work and even test drive a few to see what is effective and what’s better left on store shelves.

Whether you’re already an avid self-tanner or just thinking about trying one of these products, check us out to read all about the ingredients, possible allergies and potentially positive results of various tanners.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Members of the Kardashian clan, which markets a self-tanner among many, many, many other products and endeavors.  From left, matriarch Kris, Kylie (Jenner), Kim, Kendall (Jenner), Kourtney, with baby Mason, and Khloe.  Credit: Toby Canham/Getty

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2011 Sunscreen Guide names most safe and effective sunscreens

Just 20% of sunscreens are safe and effective at protecting against sun damage, according to the 2011 Sunscreen Guide, released Monday by the Environmental Working Group, an environmental research group based in Washington.

"To be on our list, you have to avoid vitamin A ingredients and oxybenzone. You can’t have SPF above 50 and you need to be free of ingredients that are hormone disruptors," said EWG senior analyst, Sonya Lunder.

Of the 600 beach and sport sunscreens her organization tested, 128 "ranked well," Lunder said.

The sunscreen report says 50% of beach and sport sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzene, which is linked to hormone disruption. About 33% include retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that the group says may hasten the development of skin cancer.

Lunder said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had allowed the proliferation of misleading SPF values and inaccurate claims about sun protection. She called on the agency to strengthen its standards.

In 2007, the FDA proposed a rule for broad-spectrum sunscreen testing, or testing for effectiveness against both both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays. The current test is for UVB only.

"We are working diligently to publish final testing requirements for both SPF and broad-spectrum testing," FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said.

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-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Discounts for teachers? We think that idea deserves an A-plus

 
Graduation season is here and while cards, gifts and attention are lavished upon students who’ve managed to muscle through their classes to completion, it’s also an opportunity to say “thank you” to the teachers who helped them.

And teachers, if you’re ending the year feeling unacknowledged, stressed or tense, there are places in the world of beauty and fashion that are ready to give you a break.

With proper identification, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft and the Limited all offer teachers a 15% discount -- just call to confirm whether an individual store participates.

Some spas and skin clinics also offer teacher specials. Here are a few of the good deals we found:

Glen Ivy Hot Springs
25000 Glen Ivy Road
Corona
(888) 453-6489
The admission rate per person is regularly $39, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; $52 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Teachers can receive 15% off admission any day when they show valid ID.  Later this summer, Glen Ivy plans to offer programs and classes with a “back to school” theme, including hair, makeup and skincare workshops and tips on stress relief, work/life balance and lifestyle. The teacher-friendly beauty programs and classes are complimentary with admission this summer.

Kalologie Skincare
317 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles
(310) 276-9670
Teachers receive 10% off facials, massages and products Monday through Thursday.

La Quinta Resort
49-499 Eisenhower Drive
La Quinta
(800) 598-3828
Teacher Appreciation package valid June 1-Sept. 30, includes two-nights starting at $99 per night, no resort fee, $25 resort credit that can be used toward spa treatments.

If none of these works for you, don’t be shy about calling your local spa or salon to see if it offers discounts. They just might want to say thank you, teachers.

-- Alene Dawson

Photo: Guests relax in a pool at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Why Princess Beatrice wore that hat to the royal wedding.

Before Kate Middleton's walk down the aisle in her gorgeous Sarah Burton gown, the house of Alexander McQueen had made a handful of other wedding dresses. Among the brides dressed in McQueen were Vogue contributing editor Plum Sykes; stylist Katy England; public relations gal Amie Witton; Kate Winslet; Liv Tyler and Sarah Parker Bowles (daughter of Camilla.) And the late McQueen also dressed Burton, then his assistant, for her wedding in 2004. [Vogue]

Perhaps the most talked about fashion oddity at the royal wedding was the fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice of York (at right in photo), daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The hat looked like antlers stuck to her forehead, as one of my friends described it. But don't blame the princess, says hatmaker-to-the-royals Philip Treacy. Neither she nor her sister Princess Eugenie told him what they wanted. "They trusted me to make them. Gorgeous and beautiful can be open to interpretation. ... I thought they looked gorgeous and beautiful," he said. [Hollywood Life]

Some celebs really do have what it takes to succeed in the fragrance world. Halle Berry and Fergie will both be honored at the Fragrance Foundation's annual awards ceremony, scheduled May 25 in New York. Berry is to receive the Fragrance Celebrity of the Year award for her success in building her brand, which launched in 2009. Fergie will receive the New Fragrance Celebrity of the Year Award, in recognition of her debut scent, Outspoken. Meanwhile, John Paul Gaultier is slated to receive the group's 2011 FiFi Hall of Fame Award. [WWD] 

Natural skin care line California Baby -- which makes products for babies and moms --  has opened a shop/showroom in Culver City. It's open by appointment, and you can call (310) 815-8201 to make one. [Mondette]

Speaking of skin care, French sunscreen maker LaRoche-Posay has a free iPhone app called My UV Check, which uses location-based services to help you assess the strength of UVA and UVB rays -- the ones that cause skin to age and burn -- wherever you are. [BellaSugar]

You've heard that the devil wears Prada? Monsignor Domenico Mogavero, the bishop of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily, wore Armani for the inauguration of a new church on the tiny Mediterranean island of Pantelleria. Giorgio Armani has had a vacation home on the island for 40 years. The designer decorated the bishop's pale green robe with embroidered symbols of the island, including starfish and shells. [Telegraph]

Tommy Hilfiger's beach-cottage pop-up shop opened in New York, the first stop on a tour that will take it to Los Angeles, London, Madrid and Milan.  [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Hilfiger, by the way, received Philadelphia University's 2011 Spirit of Design Award over the weekend. The award was presented by reality TV's Carson Kressley. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Lanvin plans to roll out a children's line in June. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Jos. A. Bank -- the menswear chain notable -- in my mind, at least, -- because both Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and my spousal unit wear its suits -- is going global. The Maryland-based company is opening its website to international sales. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Princess Eugenie of York, left, and Princess Beatrice of York at the wedding of their cousin, Prince William, to Kate Middleton. Credit: EPA

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Lindsay Lohan's courtroom dress sells out, but her fashion line isn't doing so well

Lindsay Lohan, now charged with theft of a necklace on top of her substance abuse and other problems, has retail woes, too. Her clothing and accessories line, 6126, has "quietly receded from the shelves of department and specialty stores," Women's Wear Daily reports. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

But meanwhile the skintight white $575 Glavis minidress, above, that Lohan wore to court Feb. 9 to answer the grand theft charges has sold out online, says a rep for designer Kimberly Ovitz. Not sure whether there is a cause and effect here. [StyleList]

Everybody has been speculating about what Kate Middleton will wear when she weds Britain's Prince William on April 29, but what about the man himself? There's a new clue. The prince has been named a Colonel of the Irish Guards in the British army, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday. So perhaps he'll wed in the ceremonial uniform of the post, a scarlet jacket and black trousers with piping to match. [People]  

Kirsten Dunst will be the new face of Bulgari's fragrance Mon Jasmine Noir. [People]  

Vogue creative director Grace Coddington says her memoir is going to be delayed awhile because her co-writer Jay Felden has to get settled in his new job as editor of Town & Country. [New York Post]

Oscar de la Renta has taken over control of his fragrances from YSL Beauté (which had held the license) with plans to reinvigorate the brand. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Fresh from buying skincare line Ole Henricksen last week, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has acquired another natural luxury line, Nude skincare. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

--Susan Denley

Photo: Lindsay Lohan on her way to court wearing the white minidress. Credit: Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times.

L.A. skin-care guru Kate Somerville launches six new products

Kate Somerville, the facialist-to-the-stars turned skin-care tycoon, hosted members of the press at her Melrose Place skin-care clinic Thursday to introduce six new products that she said further her mission of creating formulations "with a high strength of active ingredients coupled with elements that are calming."

The brand debuted a new version of its enormously successful facial exfoliator, ExfoliKate (the No. 1 selling exfoliator at Sephora) for acne-prone skin, called ExfoliKate Acne ($65).

Packing a much softer scrubbing bead (jojoba), an impurity-drawing clay base and a medicinal dose of pure tea tree oil, the new formulation, which recently launched, "won't take the top of a pimple off — it will clarify the skin without any danger of scarring," said Somerville, who started out in skin care 20 years ago working in a doctor's office treating pre- and post-operative skin.

Another standout product — set for a March release — is Clinic-to-Go ($48), a proprietary disposable facial pad with a slot for your fingers that comes preloaded with the product on the pad. Boasting 20% lactic acid (a great sensitive skin-friendly exfoliator) and a huge dose of skin-brightening vitamin C, "This really mimics the lactic acid peel we do here in the clinic," said Somerville.

The skin guru also introduced a bigger box of her popular self-tanning towelettes, Somerville 360 ($64) — a product she created in response to clients, including Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, who would come into the clinic with self-tanners on that had faded into dirty-looking stains (out in March). 

CytoCell eye cream ($75), a product based on Somerville's Cytocell cream that will be released in April, claims to diffuse light and reduce puffiness through the use of stem cell technology; while KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair ($195), also out in April, is "the most powerful anti-wrinkle cream I've ever used," said Somerville, noting with a wink that she wanted to call it "The Big Heavy."

Complexion Correction ($48 to $80) — a three-product system out in June — claims to reduce brown spots and redness, though "I have to say you're going to look worse before you look better with these products," said Somerville. "The cells will turn over and discoloration will darken, then it will lighten dramatically.... It will really change your complexion."

Kate Somerville products are available at all Sephora and Neiman Marcus stores and at the Kate Somerville clinic in L.A.

--Emili Vesilind

Photos, from top: Multi-Active Repair cream and CytoCell eye cream from Kate Somerville. Credit: Kate Somerville.

Food for Thought: Can you eat your way to beautiful skin?

The phrase “you are what you eat” certainly resonates when flipping through “Feed Your Face” a new book by dermatologist Jessica Wu. The L.A-based doctor and skin care guru to Kimora Lee Simmons, Katherine Heigl and Maria Bello has penned her first book revealing a 28-day plan to better-looking skin and a slimmer figure.

“The condition of your skin has at least 50% to do with the food you eat,” says Wu. “Even simple things have tremendous bearing on how puffy you are and how large undereye bags are.” She explains that a primary culprit is sugar, which is extremely inflammatory to the skin and can aggravate a rash as well as break down collagen and elastic tissue even faster than Mother Nature would, well, naturally.

“Everyone is always so focused on what you can’t eat, not what you can,” says Wu, who also doesn’t claim that one needs to starve for good skin. In fact, just the opposite. Her No. 1, go-to good food isn’t celery sticks or raw broccoli florets, it’s pizza.

“My must-eat is pizza!” she says “Ask for whole wheat, thin crust, go very light on the cheese and pile on lots of green and yellow veggies, which fight wrinkles -- especially crow’s feet. And add tons of tomatoes, which fight sun damage.”

Wu also targets common skin problems and lists food recommendations to help fix them as well as a list of what good-for-your-skin foods to eat when out at chain restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory or California Pizza Kitchen.

But perhaps the most helpful hint Wu shares is that chocolate does not cause pimples -- great to know for the millions of chocoholics out there. “It’s the sugar in chocolate that causes breakouts,” she says. “But dark chocolate is actually great because it has no milk and less sugar. If you’re craving a sweet, go for dark chocolate-covered almonds. Those are the best.”

“Feed Your Face” will be out Feb. 1.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: “Feed Your Face” by Dr. Jessica Wu / courtesy of St.Martin’s Press