I’ve written before about my approach to greener, cleaner beauty: I aim to lessen my so-called chemical burden by slotting in formulas free of questionable ingredients when I can without compromising on performance. For me, this means natural deodorant (Schmidts), physical sunblock (Drunk Elephant), lipsticks (Kosas) and simple cleansing balms (Naturapathica, Emma Hardie, GOOP). What I won’t give up: self-tanner, Retin-A, most hair products, and traditional Eau de Parfum.

Years ago at a Bobbi Brown press event, Bobbi told us she considered a colorful scarf akin to makeup—that loosely wrapping pink or coral cloth around your neck was as face-brightening as blush. I agree and have relied on vibrant scarves on a number of occasions to make me look well-rested and pulled together when I felt neither. This week, I discovered another easy, instant, and uber-chic way to polish up my act stat: a vivid Evie Marques “The Jane” necklace. (Even better, unlike a scarf, it won’t exacerbate a heat flash. Hah.)

I was at Book Club last week, and we got on the topic of bike racing. (I don’t ride bikes that aren’t stationery—this was someone’s else’s pursuit.) But one woman asked, in all seriousness, “When you compete in something that intense, it’s challenge after challenge after challenge: Hey there’s a steep hill, whoah now we’ve got rough, bumpy terrain, yikes here’s a hairpin turn. But where’s the joy? You’re riding a bike for hours at a time, yet you never coast and just take in the view.”

As part of a regular series, I’ll be asking inspiring, in-the-know women to share their best tips and favorite products. The point? As always, to find out what works. Today's beauty insider: Barbara Close, Founder and CEO of Naturopathica

Last June I went on a press trip to Calistoga, California hosted by Perricone M.D., the wellness brand launched twenty years ago by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.. You know him: He’s the dermatologist whose bestselling book The Wrinkle Cure first introduced us to the skin-aging impact of inflammation—and he’s the guy who got us all eating salmon.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I’ve been a Lash Boost user for nearly two years. And while I’m pleased with the lash length I’ve achieved, my eye fringe has never gotten super full.

Women often ask me which noninvasive treatments are “worth it.” And I almost always respond...depends on what you want to tackle: Wrinkles? Botox. Sun spots? IPL—or a pigment-targeting laser. Slack skin? Strategically-placed filler. The point? In-office treatments are typically not one-service-fits-all. With one exception: the HydraFacial

Today in Ann Arbor, it’s sunny, 93 degrees and feels like mid-July. To me, this signals it’s time to start spritzing Bobbi Brown Beach again—and indulging in these warm-weather finds:

In case you missed the news, a class-action lawsuit was filed last month against Rodan + Fields, contending that Lash Boost, the brand’s $150 lash serum, violated consumer protection laws. 

Regular readers will know I rarely wear foundation anymore, having downshifted to tinted moisturizer (a.k.a. BB Creams or CC Creams—similar products, different marketing.) I find lighter, sheerer formulas to be more flattering on my aging skin, as they don’t sink into pores or lines—or cling to dry patches.