Innehållsförteckning för May 2015 från Allure

MUSIC-FESTIVAL BEAUTY Music festivals are about the music, yes, but along with that often come scorching temperatures, high humidity, and a boatload of dust or mud. That’s not exactly a recipe for looking your best. We’ve pulled together a complete music-festival survival kit, including the coolest braids and the best beauty products to slip into your fringed bag. For more tips on expressing yourself at a festival, go to allure.com/festival. LOOK BETTER IN YOUR SKIN Unless you spent your winter doing thousands of burpees (kudos!), you might not be ecstatic about slipping into a bathing suit this summer. But who says taking off your cover-up has to be anxiety-inducing? To find dozens of tips on how to look—and feel— your best when it’s time to strip down, head to allure.com/summer.…

Jeffrey Dover When he’s not seeing patients, Dover is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. He addresses hair removal and scar improvement in “Get a Better Body.” Did you plan to go into dermatology? “The first day of medical school, I told the dean, ‘I’m never going to do dermatology. I don’t want to squeeze pimples all day.’ ” What do most patients want? “Women don’t want anybody to know they’ve had anti-aging procedures. My last three patients had done some fillers, Botox, and laser, but if you met them, you’d just say, ‘This woman ages so gracefully.’ ” What bizarre dermatology questions are you asked? “ ‘How long does it take to become an aesthetician?’ and I say, ‘Well, I’m a dermatologist.’ They say,…

They say that when you really get used to a place, you start dreaming in the native language. The other night, I dreamed that I needed a pedicure. Not exactly fluent French, but I knew I was in Paris, where the real language is beauty. The fact that it was still tights weather and my toes wouldn’t see the light of day didn’t matter. I had to keep up appearances. That Paris has a high standard of style kind of goes without saying. Even if it weren’t for the Eiffel Tower in the distance, I would know where I was by the women. I saw one at lunch wearing a lace gown and a single earring the size of a dinner plate. At a salon, I overheard someone say to…

You know what’s hot this season? Goth lipstick. Stay with us. Dark-plum lipstick is shockingly pretty in the summer. “The stark, gothic look is the appeal,” says makeup artist Dick Page. “It can be very chic, and it also looks great on tan and black skin.” Obviously, this is not a swipe-and-go kind of shade. If you want to commit, start with lip liner that’s the same hue as your natural lip color. Then apply a matte purple lipstick using a lip brush for surgical exactitude. Keep the rest of your makeup simple: “Highlighter, mascara, and that’s it,” advises Page. That way the lipstick is more Saturday night than Wednesday Addams.…

Guerlain’s Terracotta has been the gold standard of bronzers for 30 years, its reputation resting on the sheer powder that blends to an exquisite glow. Now it’s a little easier to take that formula to the beach, given the new colorful silicone case that slips over any Terracotta compact like a wet suit. A girl could summer in Glasgow and still come back toasty and bronzed. We’re tossing it into the tote bag, stat.…

Tip Use an antibacterial spray or wipe to degerm high-traffic zones, like remote controls, light-switch plates, door handles, and drawer pulls— even your doorbell. Even people who regularly clean—and those who have a housekeeper—can benefit from spring cleaning. It’s a great way to take on tasks that need to be performed only a few times a year. Break it down. Start by walking around and jotting down areas that need special attention. Don’t check just at eye level—things that are out of your normal range of vision, like ceiling fans and baseboards, are the spots begging for extra care. Once you have a list, sit with a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) and prioritize three tasks; you can take on the rest another day. Next, sort out…

The orange flower makes one envision lush, sun-drenched landscapes. That’s why it plays a strong role in so many hot-weather scents. But it also happens to be a very generous resource that yields a ton of accords with distinct characteristics. The bloom’s essential oil (neroli) is shiny, vibrant, and super-floral, which makes it an ideal top note. The more heavily concentrated absolute has a waxy quality that’s redolent of honey, and the young stems and leaves produce a spiky, vegetal note that reminds me of French green beans. Orange flowers are also the backbone of the entire white-flower category. Just like a primary color, they can be manipulated to mimic blooms that are traditionally more difficult to distill. A perfumer can re-create the scent of honeysuckle by combining orange flower…

A breast-cancer vaccine is showing encouraging results in a preliminary study. Fourteen patients with advanced breast cancer who received the experimental injection had a slower rate of cancer progression than 12 others who were not vaccinated. A few developed flulike symptoms, but there were no serious side effects. The vaccine may someday have the potential to be used in healthy women for cancer prevention, says William Gillanders, a professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. That’s because it triggers an immune response against a protein (mammaglobin-A) that’s made almost exclusively by breast-cancer cells and is produced in most breast cancers; in contrast, other breast-cancer vaccines in development target proteins that are involved in fewer breast cancers or are also present in normal tissues, he…

Exercise can help people feel thinner and more attractive— even if their bodies don’t visibly change. Women who reported feeling social anxiety related to their body’s appearance were assigned a regimen of either strength training or aerobics. After two months, both groups demonstrated improved body satisfaction, despite scant change in size or shape—especially the aerobic exercisers. Aerobics may be more associated in women’s minds with weight loss and “a thinner ideal, even when the scale doesn’t say so,” says lead study author Kathleen A. Martin Ginis, a professor of health and exercise psychology at McMaster University in Ontario.…

Look, we’re all bad at applying sunscreen. In fact, a study by L’Oréal Paris and the Melanoma Research Alliance found that 52 percent of American women grade themselves a C or lower on their sun-care habits. “I’ve never met anyone who wears sunscreen on 100 percent of their body every day,” says Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston. On average, we apply about half the amount we need to in order to get the SPF written on the bottle. Here are the rules of good sun protection— they’re easier than you think. Watch for grade inflation. The difference between SPF 15, 30, and 50 is quite small; they block out 93, 97, and 98 percent of UVB light, respectively. The FDA has regulations pending that would prevent sunscreens from labeling…

Don’t I need to get vitamin D from the sun? No. In fact, Holman notes that the dietary recommendations for vitamin D intake are based on an assumption of minimal sun exposure. You can get most of it from your diet—especially if you like salmon and tuna—or from vitamin supplements. It’s true that UVB is needed for vitamin D synthesis in the skin, says Herschthal, but you get enough even while wearing sunscreen. Aren’t people who wear sunscreen just as likely to get skin cancer? It’s true that some reports have found that regular sunscreen use doesn’t lower your risk of basalcell carcinoma or melanoma. Scientists suspect this may have several causes: an uptick in early-detection rates, more time spent in the sun because sunscreen creates a false sense of…

Gigi Hadid Natural texture: “A little wavy.” Styling trick: “I book a haircut or blowout the day before an event so my hair is a little dirty and undone. And when I’m not working, I put it in a bun and don’t wash it for several days.” Greasy-root cover-up: “My New York Yankees cap.” MVP: “Every day after I brush my hair, I use a John Frieda serum to make it smoother and less dry.” Miracle treatment: “My colorist does a Japanese conditioning treatment. It works so well that I keep doing it.” Candice Swanepoel Natural texture: “Stick straight.” Styling trick: “After blow-drying, I tie it in two buns, Spice Girl style. When I take it out, it has that messy look.” Greasy-root cover-up: “Thank God for beanies.” MVPs: “I…

4th century B.C. Greek sculptor Praxiteles places Aphrodite’s hand over her genitals. His statue becomes the model for the Venus pudica, the “modest Venus.” 1564 The Roman Catholic Church declares the nude figures in Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment obscene. A succession of artists paint clothes and shrubbery to cover the exposed saints and sinners. 1863 Édouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe is banned by the jury of the Paris Salon. Manet defiantly shows his painting at the new Salon of Rejects, where it causes a sensation. 1930 The Motion Picture Production Code issues a full ban on nudity in the movies. The creators of Betty Boop even lower her hemlines and cover her shoulders. 1990 At the height of the nation’s culture wars, the National Endowment for the Arts vetoes…

Applying moisturizer is usually as routine as brushing your teeth and about as mandatory. But for certain women, it’s a take-a-deep-breathand-just-do-it chore. Maybe it’s because their skin is so oily that they fear compounding shine—and breakouts. Maybe it’s because they hate the sensation. “I’m always surprised by how many of my patients loathe the feeling of moisturizer,” says Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist in New York City. There is an answer to this common problem: a new generation of gel moisturizers. They’re free of the fatty, waxy ingredients that make creams creamy. “Gels are lighter and less greasy than traditional moisturizers and easier to spread on the skin,” says cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller. In fact, you don’t have to spread them at all. “Because gels are water-based, you can just pat…

Ren Clean Skincare Instant Firming Beauty Shot Packed with temporary skin firmers, “this gel takes down swelling and has a tightening effect you can feel as it dries,” says Cincotta. Because it has a high level of hyaluronic acid, it’s a good hydrator, too. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel The Super Soaker of gels gives skin a dewiness we haven’t seen since high school. The source of its magic is a high-tech silicone polymer that stays on the surface and traps moisture inside— without clogging pores. First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Gel This has ceramides to build up the skin’s moisture barrier, plus anti-agers, including niacinamide. As for breakouts? “It absorbs excess oil with zinc PCA,” says Cincotta. Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum This gel feels as light as…

MARIO TESTINO “I was trying to capture the essence of a woman after motherhood, a beauty that needs no decoration,” Testino says of photographing Blake Lively for “A New Life.” Instead of dressing the fashion-minded actress in designer clothes, he and Allure’s creative director, Paul Cavaco, chose a buttondown shirt. “I’ve shot Blake many times, so there is a certain intimacy between us that makes it very easy to work together.” Testino’s favorite image wasn’t for the magazine, however. “I took a portrait of Blake and her family after the shoot. It’s a privilege to have documented this stage of their life together.” NORMAN JEAN ROY Roy has photographed nudes for decades, and he’s honed his approach to the delicate situation. “I always create a comfortable space where people can…

5,000: Number of years ago that Minoan women wore a cupless corset-like garment made of fabric bands that supported breasts while exposing them entirely. 15th: Century in which aristocratic European women wore clothes with low necklines as a status symbol. A firm chest indicated that a woman was rich enough not to breast-feed her children. 1809: Year Dolley Madison’s low-cut gowns—including a velvet one she wore to the inauguration of her husband, President James Madison— stirred controversy; critics called her style too regal. Madison was raised a Quaker and made to dress modestly, and when she left the faith, she embraced flimsy, revealing clothes, according to her nieces. 27: Years’ worth of diaries (from 1789 to 1816) of Gouverneur Morris, the author of the Constitution’s “We the People” preamble, that…

There is now a braid for every season, and this one is our current favorite. The superlow, loose plait (seen at Chanel couture and Michael Kors) starts at the shoulders, making it look appealingly offhand in back—and like a lob in front. Fullness is key; hairstylists got it by spraying dry shampoo through the hair. Then they wove a simple, three-strand braid and loosened the front layers. The result is a sexy, lived-in style that’s perfect for summer and, with a sparkly accessory, evening, too.…

In a world of Uber, Tinder, and Seamless, get ready for another instant-gratification app— for your face. YoDerm provides acne prescriptions in 24 hours, no appointment needed. We asked a patient to compare it with seeing a dermatologist IRL. The problem: Cystic acne on the patient’s forehead, jawline, and temples YoDerm: The patient answered questions and uploaded selfies. She received a doctor’s prescription a day later: antibiotic lotion, oral antibiotics, retinoid cream, and benzoyl peroxide face wash. Appointment cost: $59. IRL dermatologist: Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner asked about her diet and hormones and ordered blood work to see if birth control pills would help. He prescribed antibiotic gel with benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics, Retin-A, and a gentle face wash. Appointment cost: $10 copay (without insurance: $250). Independent opinion: Dermatologist Doris Day…

The product: Coconut oil Myth: It works as moisturizer, eyemakeup remover, and even deodorant. The facts: Coconut oil is really good at moisturizing and at taking off eye makeup without irritating skin. As for the deodorant rumors, it contains lauric acid, which is an antibacterial but not an antiperspirant—and speaking of, it can leave grease marks that look a lot like sweat stains. The product: Aspirin Myth: Crushed and mixed with water to form a paste, classic aspirin acts as a spot treatment for acne. The facts: Aspirin does indeed contain salicylic acid, a proven acne fighter. “But there’s a high concentration of it, so it might burn your skin,” says cosmetic chemist Joseph Cincotta. Dermatologist Ranella Hirsch agrees: “It works, but seriously, just spend the same $7 on a…

If we were to tell you that the breakthrough new moisturizing ingredient is hyaluronic acid, you’d probably roll your eyes. But a skinnier version actually might be a game changer. Two serums—La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster and Kane NY Serum Savant—contain smaller molecules of hyaluronic acid. Instead of sitting on the surface of the skin and attracting moisture, as larger hyaluronic acid molecules do, these can travel deep into the skin and fill in the spaces between cells to make skin firmer and boost collagen production. “Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in the skin. Young skin has lots of it, but you make less as you age,” says cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson. In clinical studies, both serums improved skin in two to four weeks. “These serums give the skin a…

Nothing puts fabric in the starring role of fashion quite like patchwork. Long recognized as a form of folk art and a youth-culture staple, patchwork is everywhere. Prada and Gucci have introduced organic designs into the crazy quilt and liberated patchwork from the geometric constraints of the grid, giving the technique a whole new means of expression. There’s a jean jacket with matching shorts at Tommy Hilfiger, a patterned bag at Coach, and at Tory Burch, a geometric sweater. This season, all the pieces are falling into place.…

When we mention leather jackets, images of sunny skies and palm trees probably don’t come to mind (unless, maybe, you’re a hand-jiving extra in Grease). But when that leather jacket is a summery shade of camel, pale gray, or—yes— pink, it becomes the perfect complement to skirts and sandals, as demonstrated on the Fendi and Prada spring runways. We asked four women to wear Gap’s blush leather jacket with their own spring favorites. Leather jacket, $348, at Gap stores. KATE BRIEN 27, STYLIST AND BLOGGER, VIEW FROM THE TOPP “The jacket is simple and chic. I don’t wear very much color, so I’m pairing it with light neutrals,” says Brien. She experimented with silhouettes, trying a white button-front shirt and black pants, but the loose top made the jacket’s elastic…

Posture has physical, mental, and emotional components, and poor posture is a reflection of how we respond to the world around us. Many of my students find that as their posture improves, their ability to manage stress does, too. Start at the top. Tense neck muscles pull the weight of the head down through the body, but if your head is aligned over your spine, that releases pressure. Tap the top of your skull and imagine that spot aiming up toward the ceiling. To avoid “text neck,” don’t drop your head to your phone. Move the phone up to your face without lifting your shoulders. Don’t go too far. People have heard the tip about tucking your shoulders into your back pockets, but that’s an exaggerated movement. Open the chest,…

When it comes to Korean spas, everyone on Yelp is exactly right. Your experience is going to be one star or five, and no amount of persuasion or Living Social discount will change your mind. They’re as divisive as cilantro. Or Kanye West. And whether you like them or not has a lot to do with your tastes, your expectations, and how you feel about nudity (but more about that later). Pulling up to the complimentary valet at Olympic Spa in Los Angeles at 2 p.m. on a Friday, I’m excited for a soak, a sauna, and a scrub. But as I make my way into the clean, bright lobby, I realize there’s a gaggle of women of all ages and races in the exact same headspace. The place is…

Women who assume that smoking keeps them thin might be surprised by new findings. Although it’s true that people tend to put on pounds after they quit, smoking itself is also linked with increased weight gain, according to a study of young women in which smokers gained three pounds in two years, while those who didn’t smoke gained two pounds. The reasons for this aren’t yet clear, but one possibility is that people who already have an overeating problem may start smoking to curb their eating; alternatively, habitual tobacco use may alter the brain’s reward circuitry in ways that lead to overeating, explains lead study author Eric Stice, a senior scientist at Oregon Research Institute in Eugene. Even relatively light social smoking may be associated with weight gain, he says.…

Do beauty and health go hand in hand? Researchers Joseph L. Nedelec at the University of Cincinnati and Kevin M. Beaver at Florida State University in Tallahassee reviewed the records of about 15,000 people in an ongoing study. During in-person interviews when the participants were ages 24 to 32, surveyors had subjectively rated each person’s attractiveness on a scale of one (very unattractive) to five (very attractive). The better-looking the women were, the less likely they were to be diagnosed with conditions including asthma, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stuttering; similar associations were found for men. Although some other health problems, including cancer and heart disease, had no link to looks, attractive physical traits may serve as evolutionary cues for choosing a mate with a high likelihood of passing…

If you straight-up hate how sunscreen feels: Eau Thermale Avène Mineral Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+. When we wore this chemical-free sunscreen under our makeup, we actually received compliments on our skin. It feels bare but hydrates while minimizing shine. If sunscreen makes you feel extra sweaty: Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. This lotion looks white out of the bottle, but it blends in instantly. The formula allows sweat to evaporate normally, so you don’t feel smothered—or overheated. If you have oily skin and sunscreen makes it worse: SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50. If a sunscreen and a mattifying primer had a baby, it would be this tinted cream. This physical blocker doesn’t interfere with makeup, absorbs oil, and layers seamlessly. If you don’t…

NEW YORK CITY Savor Spa Stephanie Yohe 327 W. 11th St., 212-304-2887 The place: Located on a charming block in the West Village, this spa has an upscale-shabby look, with distressed-wood floors and a chalkboard wall. The technique: Swift and meticulous, Yohe used warm (not hot) soy wax and finished with lavender oil to remove any stickiness. The extras: Disposable underwear, a fresh towel, and a new wooden stick for every dip in the wax—cleanliness is clearly a top priority here. The spa also carries its own organic skin-care line, Om Aroma & Co. Bottom line: The decor could use some polish. But with no damage to our skin, no redness, and no ingrown hairs, everything about Yohe’s wax worked. Bikini wax, $35. For the most authentic experience, Directory reporters…

Color correct. If you can’t find the exact makeup match to a pair of shoes or a favorite shirt, don’t freak out. “A color in the same family will still evoke a matchy-matchy feel,” says makeup artist Rachel Goodwin. To make the discrepancy less obvious, avoid matte finishes and look for shimmery shadows and sheer or creamy lipsticks. Watch the clock. “Think about what time of day it is when you’re looking for colors to match,” says stylist Anita Patrickson. “If you’re wearing something in the evening, it’s easier to match to one of the darker colors in your outfit than during the daytime.” Distance is a good thing. We’re not saying you can’t match your lipstick to your scarf (in fact, please do), but space things out to achieve…

1 As a gateway moisturizer. If you have oily skin, “you can still be parched. Inflammation from pimples and drying acne medications make things worse,” says Day. A gel moisturizer sinks in quickly without adding shine. Use it twice a day, in the morning and evening, after cleansing. (And for that, Day likes gentle micellar cleansing waters, like Simple Micellar Cleansing Water and La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution, because they contain detergent molecules called micelles that suck oil out of skin like magnets.) Then apply a 2 percent salicylic acid spot treatment to any blemishes— gels won’t interact with acne treatments. You can also use gels to balance combination skin: Apply your usual moisturizer everywhere except the oily T-zone, where gel can hydrate skin without making it look greasy. 2…

“Sorry, can I order some food now? Because I’m starving,” says Blake Lively, settling into her seat at a cozy inn restaurant near her home in Bedford, New York. It has been a few years since I last interviewed her for Allure, and a lot has changed. Back then, I had a breast pump stashed under the table, a detail that she remembers well. “You had just had your baby,” she says. Now she’s the one with a newborn: Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, recently welcomed their first child, and breast-feeding has been “a full-time job,” she says. “I’m, like, driving down the road, pumping.” It’s a surprisingly personal comment, considering how carefully the actress guards her personal life. As of this meeting, Lively and Reynolds still haven’t revealed…

Lively loves a good DIY project, including beauty. “I do my own hair and makeup for a lot of events,” says the actress, a L’Oréal Paris spokeswoman. “It’s about trying to figure out the features you’re proud of and want to highlight, rather than just painting on top of it.” What is your favorite beauty product right now? “These days I don’t have time to put on any makeup, really; I cover the dark circles under my eyes. But there’s a L’Oréal Colour Riche lipstick—it’s a watermelon-y color that’s subtle, but it pops.” What are your hair skills? “I do my own hair in real life. I normally put it in a ballerina bun. If I want it to be more full, I’ll first put in some mousse and blow-dry…

How amazing does Kendall Jenner look in the March edition of Allure magazine? And that monkey...! LJD via Facebook Man, this hottie!! Kendall be lookin’ flawless #allure @itsbrenda96 via Instagram Look who’s on my Allure magazine cover the month of March: @kendalljenner!!! Love her makeup—very natural— and that she’s getting more than 5 seconds of attention! @noemic._ via Instagram Allure, I love you and love your very informative guides to staying in shape, what beauty products are best, and awesome selections of perfume. Devoted reader and subscriber for life. Natasha Chavez via Facebook Yep, that’s our March cover star @kendalljenner under there! @allure_magazine via Instagram I enjoy reading my @allure_magazine, but I really love it when you include samples in the magazine. Nice job @allure_magazine and thank you! @like.mother.like.daughter via…

May 4 Pixi by Petra Eye Duo in Rich Sepia & Moonglow Layer away. This rosegold and chocolate liner creates sexy metallic brown smoky eyes. May 5 Matrix Style Link Hold Booster Spritz this on damp hair before styling. Polymers hold hair in place without shellacking. May 6 Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Glow Moisture It gradually tans and softens skin with retinol and alpha hydroxy acids. May 7 FHI Heat Mini Technique Ceramic Styling Iron It’s the size of an iPhone 6 Plus but puts out enough heat to tackle cowlicks, bangs, and flyaways.…

WHAT IT IS: A facial moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin KEY INGREDIENTS: Salicylic acid (exfoliates skin and treats acne); glycerin (moisturizes) HOW IT LOOKS/FEELS/SMELLS: This white lotion feels like a serum that glides easily over skin before quickly drying to a smooth finish. The best part is the grapefruit scent—think freshly squeezed juice, not candy-sweet. WHY WE LIKE IT: Some acne products dry up our pimples so much, we end up with skin that’s raw and flaky—and looks worse than when we started. This lightweight moisturizer minimizes breakouts without causing irritation and smells crisp and fruity, not medicinal. Used once a day in the morning, it completely cleared the stubborn bumps on our forehead and cheeks without causing any redness or flaking. The 0.5 percent salicylic acid wasn’t strong enough…

Glitter and gel polishes are notoriously hard to remove. Here, three new ways to get bare nails without trashing them. HEAT Best for: gel The Steam Off mists warm acetone over fingers in an enclosed chamber, which took ten minutes per hand. We had to remove a few pieces with an orangewood stick, but it was less drying than an acetone soak. SCRUB Best for: glitter Butter London Glitter Scrubbers are individual, acetone-saturated pads with a rough side to wipe off glitter flecks. PEEL Best for: glitter Start your manicure with a peel-off basecoat, like Orly One Night Stand or NYC New York Color Strip Me Off. When you’re ready to remove your polish, simply peel it off.…

EXPERT ADVICE ON IMPROVING YOUR POSTURE, LAUNCHING A SPRING CLEANING, AND MORE Sunglasses are as personal as your lipstick—you wear them with everything you own, over and over. You shouldn’t just like your sunglasses; you should completely love them. Find balance. Start by knowing your face shape. If your hairline is straight across your forehead and you have a strong jaw, you have a square-shaped face. You probably look best in rounded frames, which soften those lines. If your face is round or oval, look for straighter frames—Wayfarers or anything with a squared-off bottom. If your chin is much lower than your jawline, you may have a heart-shaped face. You want frames that mimic this tapered shape, such as aviators. Check the size. A common mistake people make is choosing…

DEPRESSION DIET PLAN As many as half of people who are prescribed an antidepressant don’t benefit from it, experts say, but their diet could affect that. In a study led by Roel J. T. Mocking, a researcher at Amsterdam Academic Medical Center in the Netherlands, 70 clinically depressed people took paroxetine (Paxil) for 12 weeks. The scientists found that those who ate fatty fish at least once a week had a 75 percent chance of improving on the medication, while those who never ate it had a 23 percent chance. Omega-3 fatty acids in these fish are vital to the brain; compared with mentally healthy people, the depressed group had higher blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which breaks down fatty acids and lowers omega-3 levels. Rather than taking…

A new device aims to simplify sun protection by calculating exactly when you’ve been overexposed to UV radiation. The June is a leather bracelet with a metallic, faceted sensor that measures UV exposure based on your skin tone and the UV index at your location. A smartphone app then analyzes your current exposure and suggests appropriate sun protection. Tell it how much SPF you’re wearing and it will alert you when to seek shade and reapply your sunscreen. Though the concept of safe and unsafe sun exposure may be questionable, we like having a friendly reminder to be better about our sun protection. Unlike the Google Glass, it’s a piece of wearable technology we didn’t mind wearing.…

CLARET LIPS The French makeup artists call it bordeaux; the Brits say claret. But just one word described the effect of the rich, plummy red: flattering. (“It’s a color that looks good on every skin tone,” said makeup artist Francelle Daly.) Oh, and one more: versatile. With mascara and winged liner at Dolce & Gabbana (left), it was classic and feminine; it had a Winona-Ryder-in-the-’90s vibe at 3.1 Phillip Lim, where models wore it with just a hint of blush; and at Bottega Veneta, makeup artist Pat McGrath characterized the blotteddown stain as “decadent and imperfect.” LAYERS OF MASCARA Makeup artists loaded so many coats of mascara on the lashes that at some shows, we started losing count—and the models’ lids grew heavy. At Giambattista Valli, makeup artist Val Garland…

The Silky Route You probably know that a combination of exfoliating and moisturizing eradicates scaly winter skin. (If not, welcome to Allure!) What you probably don’t know: how to do both simultaneously when you want smooth skin in minutes. “Apply your usual body lotion with a dry konjac sponge, a rough charcoal-infused exfoliator,” says Ellen Marmur, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. “You’ll get rid of visible flakes while also hydrating the skin underneath.” A BETTER WORKOUT If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome, then sticking to the same exercise routine in hopes of a better body is nuts. Here’s how to mix it up and…