The last thing you want when it's hot and sticky outside is a fragrance that's equally oppressive — the ideal summer scents are always light and subtle, offering up just a whisper of olfactory intrigue. In fact, on some truly steamy days, we just want to smell clean and freshly showered (probably because we feel anything but).

Our new go-to for that just-washed aroma? Soap & Glory's new Foam Call body wash. The rich, creamy formula lathers up nicely and works well as a shaving cream in a pinch, and the new "Fruitigo" fragrance, with its notes of yuzu, orange oil, green fig, and pomelo, leaves skin lightly scented with a tropical essence. Even though we don't typically go for fruity fragrances (we're more the musky-woody type, if you're asking), we've found this one to be pretty irresistible. The best part? It'll last all summer and it's a multi-tasker — two things we can really respect in our beauty goodies.

Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash, $16, available at Sephora.


Photo: Courtesy of Soap & Glory

Whether you have a tiny tot of your own, are expecting, or are simply in that phase of "all my friends on Facebook have babies," you're probably aware of the intoxicating power of clean-baby smell — it's right up there with fresh laundry, just-cut grass, and homemade chocolate chip cookies in terms of powerful olfactory experiences. Which is why we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Santa Maria Novella, our go-to perfumery, just launched a grooming line for babies.

The collection comprises a mild cleanser, protective cream, and shampoos and scented creams tailor-made for boys and girls, and it's basically the best gift you could bestow on a new mom or an expectant BFF. Free of parabens, allergens, and alcohol, the products are laden with coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, as well as essences of ylang ylang, rose, and mallow. Yep — you just scored the title of Best Godmother for life.

Santa Maria Novella children's line, $55-$65, available at Santa Maria Novella, 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase; 240-743-4949.

As balmy and beautiful as spring has been, don't be fooled — even the rookies know that summer in D.C. is no joke. The heat and humidity that blanket our fair city can make you feel like you're actually going to melt, right there on the sidewalk. And your makeup? You need a task force of the lightest, sheerest, smartest products on the market to end the day with your fresh-as-a-daisy face intact.

Naturally, we've got a great starting point for you: We've gathered up the most airy, non-sticky lip glosses out there, all in some of the most seriously enticing shades you've ever seen. After all, it's hard enough to look breezy and carefree when you're sweating and schlepping around town — so, offering up some no-brainer beauty must-buys is the least we can do.

We admit it: We're powerless when it comes to cheap beauty buys. We actually have to ban ourselves from the beauty aisle during routine drugstore runs — it's the equivalent of grocery shopping on an empty stomach. So, you can bet we were pretty stoked when we discovered our new go-to tinted moisturizer on the shelf at Target.

We've been diehard fans of Boots No7 since our first visit to the U.K. pharmacy chain (talk about a moment of zen!), and the Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturizer is the newest addition to our regimen of must-haves. Ringing up at less than $12, the formula is light and breathable, and doesn't leave our already-dry skin parched by the end of the day. It's available in three shades, and we don't feel the least bit guilty about scooping up two (you know, one for our current pasty state, and one to use after we get a little summer glow).

Boots No7 Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturizer, $11.99, available at Target.

Sometimes, you just need a second opinion from an expert — maybe it's Mom, maybe it's your BFF, maybe it's a stranger in a fitting room. But when it comes to beauty Qs, you should go straight to the source, and preferably a source who knows her stuff, to get the best advice.

And with warm weather headed this way, we're guessing you've got a few burning questions about what should be in your cosmetic kit. So, we tapped some of the area's savviest makeup artists to tell us all about the products they can't live without come spring, and offer up some easy-to-follow advice on how to use these lotions and potions like a pro. Read on for an insider's look into some of the most well-stocked kits in town, and get ready for Beauty School — any exams you face there, you'll ace, we promise!

Abigail de Casanova

Graftobian Hi Def Glamour Creme Foundation
"Extremely versatile, and it meets the modern standard of HD makeup application for photography and video. If you are planning to spend a night out taking photos, this is a great choice. It can be as thick or as light as you want it; just add moisturizer to liquify it a bit. [It's best if] used with an HD foundation brush, and remember only to use as much as you need for coverage — spring calls for fresh-looking skin."
$14.99, available at Graftobian.

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector
"[This is] my new favorite product. Pick a color a little lighter than your eyebrow color; only a tiny bit is needed, and it needs to be applied with an eyebrow brush. The key here is not to be heavy-handed — just try soft strokes with very little product, I promise it will go a long way. It is waterproof, excellent for rainy, humid days, and will be really useful when hitting the beach this summer."
$20, available at Sephora.

Almay Liquid Line Eyeliner
"If you think you are not good at making a straight line, this eyeliner might change your mind. The brush handle is very short and easy to use. I recommend black for a more defined cat-eye look, and brown for natural lines. For a spring twist, just add a colored line on top of it — lately, I have been adding a coral liner on top to warm things up, but it can also be green, blue, purple. It is really up to how adventurous you feel."
$7.29, available at Almay.

Inglot Cosmetics Face Blush
"My favorite is AMC Blush #58. I have found that this rosy color warms up many complexions. It has a long wear and gives a natural, flushed color, which is perfect for spring. Use a medium blush brush, dip it into the blush, and always tap to get rid of excess product. Place it softly on the cheeks and blend — the key with blush is to blend it enough so that it looks soft, but not blend it so much that it takes the product out. Tap a tiny bit on your forehead, tip of your nose, and chin, just for balance."
$12, available at Inglot.


Photo: Courtesy of Abigail de Casanova

Changing hairdressers is a bit like changing boyfriends — it can be difficult, stressful, and while you're between loves, you tend to look a little bedraggled. But all that hardship isn't a good reason to stick with the same salon (or the same guy) if it's just not working — it might be time to start fresh, and lucky for you, a new hair oasis just opened in Georgetown.

Luigi Parasmo — a direct-from-Rome stylist who has worked backstage at Tory Burch, Valentino, and Versace — opened his namesake salon earlier this month, and the airy, exposed-brick space feels like a welcome respite from the bustle of Wisconsin Avenue. The salon offers a full menu of treatments, from basic cuts and color to texturizing, nail care, and bridal beauty services. So, if you're looking for greener pastures (or prettier tresses, as it were), we suggest stopping in and seeing if your new main squeeze could be of the extra-handsome Italian variety.

Where: 1510 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202-333-2244.


Photo: Courtesy of Luigi Parasmo

Can't live without your trusty bottle of Creme de Corps? We feel you — and so do the execs at Kiehl's Since 1851, who will open the brand's newest location at Tysons Corner Center tomorrow night. During the opening fete, you can mingle with company prez Chris Salgardo and the Newsbabes (a group of local female journalists who raise funds for breast cancer awareness), and treat yourself to sweets from Georgetown Cupcake.

If you're one of the first 100 guests, you'll snag a Kiehl's gift bag. Not an early bird? You can also enter to win a $500 Kiehl's gift box (yes, please!) and lunch with the Newsbabes. We think a swag bag of to-die-for beauty goodies is well worth the trip to Tysons, don't you?

When: Tuesday, April 24, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Kiehl's, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-893-9400. RSVP here.


Photo: Courtesy of Kiehl's

One of the most common beauty queries we've heard from readers is this: Why can't I find a great black hair salon in D.C.? If you don't believe us, just take to Yelp and Google to see for yourself. Whether your hair is natural, pressed, relaxed, or somewhere in the middle, finding a person you trust, who really understands your hair, is essential. And finding that person can be tough.

So, we took it upon ourselves to track down four local hairstylists who really get it — they've earned reputations for being savvy with all types of textured hair — and jumped at the chance to pick their brains for the dos and don'ts of their trade. The result? Our first-ever pros' guide to styling, protecting, and maintaing your gorgeous tresses, no matter how you wear them. Just click through for tips straight from the stylists, as well as the scoop on all their fave must-have products.

We've already professed our love for the gorgeous, blush-colored blossoms that give our city an instant facelift come March, but — like all good things — the blooming season is coming to an end, as bright green leaves start to replace the precious petals.

Lucky for us, L'Occitane's Cherry Blossom collection helps extend our obsession with a light-as-air, ultra-femme fragrance inspired by the spring landscape. Packaged in a lovely, pale pink bottle and spiked with cherry extract, the soft floral fragrance is available in an eau de toilette, bath gel, shimmer body lotion, hand cream, and soap (a steal for your guest bathroom at $5). Not devoted enough to swap your go-to scent for something new? We think it'd be lovely to spritz this clean, sparkling fragrance over bed linens, a lingerie drawer, or a stack of stationery for an oh-so-Washington touch.

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom collection, $5-$50, available at L'Occitane stores and online.


Photo: Courtesy of L'Occitane

Catchy slogans and memorable graphic designs are key aspects of any political campaign. You probably remember phrases like "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" and "I Like Ike" from elementary school history classes, and things like Shepard Fairey's iconic "Hope" image and of course, "Change We Can Believe In," from more recent memory.

And, as the election gears begin to grind this year, the Obama campaign is again trying to inspire the youth vote in a way that goes beyond the same old buttons, lapel pins, and posters. In fact, we recently heard that the POTUS has teamed up with cosmetics company Le Métier De Beauté to create a set of three mini nail polishes — in patriotic red, white, and blue, of course — plus a simple black carrying case, all emblazoned with the horizon symbol from 2008.

While various outlets have been quick to jump on the fact that these cost a cool $10,000 to produce, we have to point out that this kind of cash is actually chump change when it comes to election spending, and the sets are being sold for $40 a pop, recouping the expenses in a pretty neat way. And we have to say, with spring and summer being home to a few of our country's most patriotic holidays, we're kind of liking the idea of sporting some flag-inspired nail art this season.

Then again, the lacquers are also obviously an attempt to cull the female vote, and while we definitely want women to be expressing their opinions this election season — especially with women's rights being such a hot issue, of late — using nail polish to do so can seem kind of, well, belittling, instead of empowering. So, what we're saying is: We're torn. But, we're very curious to see how well these babies sell, and also curious to know if we'll spot the First Lady wearing these shades sometime soon. (Beauty High)

Now, you tell us. Are you into the Obama campaign's lacquer set, or is political polish not your shade of patriotism?



Photo: Via Beauty High

There are a few key phases of life when time goes by so slowly, you'd swear the earth had stopped rotating: when you're anticipating a first kiss, waiting to hear back after a job interview, or counting the days until a loved one returns. Another stress-inducing period that fits the bill? When you're growing your hair from a short cut to something shoulder-grazing or longer. It can take months until your mane is legitimately long enough to pull off an elegant updo. But don't panic—and don't do what we've done many times, and reach for the scissors in a moment of weakness. (Impulsive bangs have never helped a bad situation.)

Instead, click your way through our handy tutorial to create three so-easy (and super-cute) hairstyles for medium-length hair. We collaborated with Jacqui Davis, stylist and partner at Metro Center's PR at Partners salon, to whip up some classic looks that you can master in minutes, with only the bare minimum of supplies. The great thing about these styles? They're meant to appear a little messy, so it's okay if you've got a few loose strands or regrettable layers to grow out. Plus, each ultra-versatile 'do can take you from work to weekend, no sweat. So, grab a can of working spray and get styling!

With cherry blossom season right around the corner, themed events are popping up everywhere. From food and drinks to fashion and art, we don't discriminate when it comes to spring soirees, but we will say this: We're most excited about a cherry blossom-inspired excuse to visit the spa. After all, it's 70 degrees out, flowers are a-bloomin', and we could use a little TLC before we debut our fresh-out-of-hibernation bods.

Luckily, the spa at the Park Hyatt Washington has three deliciously pink treatments guaranteed to put, well, a spring in your step. Exfoliate and renew those footsies with a Cherry Blossom and Honey Pedicure ($90); put your freshest face forward with a Cherry Blossom and Honey Facial ($149); or detox and moisturize with a Cherry Blossom and Honey Body Wrap ($149). All three treatments use the spa's special Cherry Blossom mud — an all-natural antioxidant powerhouse made from wild cherry extract and green tea, plus shea butter, aloe, and cherry kernel oil (for extra-supple skin).

Haven't you always wanted to bathe in the scent of those intoxicatingly sweet blooms? The treatments are on offer through April 27, so make a full day of it by hitting up the spa and then picnicking among the fluffy pink blossoms. You'll smell as good as your surroundings, and the tourists won't know your little secret.

When: Now through Friday, April 27.
Where: The Spa at The Park Hyatt Washington, 1201 24th Street NW; 202-789-1234.


Photo: Courtesy of the Park Hyatt