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

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

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

If winter has left (that's right, past tense — we're ready to spring forward, here) your skin feeling parched and pasty, then you know how crucial a really good, super-intensive moisturizer is right about now. As for us, we're official residents of Flake City, so we were pretty excited to try the new spa line from local skincare company Shea Radiance. Based in Columbia, the brand specializes in luxe, eco-friendly products, and has partnered with eight Nigerian communities to harvest and produce the shea butter that serves as the basis for the products.

The spa line includes a baobab oil, ivory palm seed sugar scrub, shea-and-baobab antioxidant cream, and a whipped shea butter with kalahari melon seed oil. The latter two are our faves, because they manage to zap dry spots without leaving us feeling greasy or sticky.

The antioxidant cream disappears into the skin instantly, leaving behind soft, smooth skin with a light, refreshingly earthy scent. We'll definitely slather this on come summer, should we be unlucky enough to get a sunburn.

The whipped shea butter is deliciously fluffy in the jar, and has a thicker, more substantial feel on the skin — it's ideal for dry knees, elbows, feet, and hands. The scent is darker and smokier than the melon oil would suggest, so if you like richer, more exotic fragrances, you'll dig this. One thing's for sure — we're treating ourselves to some serious shea-buttering before we slip into any spring dresses. (For your sake, as much as ours.)

Shea Radiance Shea & Baobab Antioxidant Cream, $32, and Whipped Shea Butter, $34, available at Shea Radiance and area Whole Foods Market stores. See more locations here.

A multi-step beauty routine can be a pleasant sort of ritual — cleansing, toning, moisturizing, priming, concealing — but sometimes it's nice to keep things simple, too. This is especially true for the fellas in our lives: They're into looking well-groomed, but they want the process to be as effortless as possible. So, we were happy to make like Christmas elves and introduce them to Alterna's Bamboo line of 2-in-1 products, especially the shampoo-body wash and conditioner-shaving cream.

We've long been fans of the sustainable company's hair products, so we were especially curious to see what they've cooked up in the men's arena. The verdict? These multi-tasking goodies are definite musts. The scents are just earthy enough to be warm and inviting, and when used as shaving lotion, the conditioner left skin soft and smooth. Made from organic bamboo and hemp seed oil, the line is ideal for a man (or a borrowing babe) with eco-conscious tendencies and an aversion to overdoing it in the grooming department. Now, if we could just make our own daily routines this easy...

Alterna Bamboo Invigorating Shampoo & Body Wash, $18, and Nourishing Conditioner & Shaving Cream, $18, available at Folica. Find products at a local salon here.

The obvious answer to that question? Well, duh. Of course that heady emotional mix of infatuation, devotion, and attraction can change your life. But what if the object of your affection isn't exactly, um, human? Is it still love? In our case — absolutely. We're head over heels for Davines Love Smoothing shampoo and conditioner, because over the past few weeks, it's given us the longest hot streak of good hair days we've ever seen. This, coming from hair that is adamantly against bouncing, curling, shining, or any other verbs normally associated with shampoo commercials. We've got bounce, people — bounce, body, shine, the works — and our tresses actually look freshly washed even after a few days. If this is what being in love is all about, sign us up for a lifelong commitment.

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, $9.50 each for 75 ml, available at Barneys and at one80 Salon, 1275 K Street NW; 202-842-9113.


Photo: Via Barneys

Scent is an integral part of our lives — from your daily spritz of perfume to the aroma of a home-cooked meal, there's no denying the fact that a whiff of something wonderful can transport you. That's why we get so excited every time a new season — and a new cadre of fragrances — debuts. Where will this bottle take us? What about that one? Will this one be The One — you know, the scent we'll wear forever, that signature smell our friends will always associate with us?

We had a blast spritzing and splashing some of spring's best new fragrance offerings. Now, we're giving you the lowdown on our faves, including the scoop on which kinds of ladies will like each one. Click through to get a little spritz-happy with us!