Makeup

As a beauty editor, my skin care routine is a full-on production with multiple products and steps, so I jump at any opportunity to condense. Murad Renewing Cleansing Oil ($32) is one product that combines three steps. The blend of oils includes jojoba, sweet almond, and grapeseed, which hydrate the skin, as expected. However, what's really impressive is this product's cleansing power.

Makeup, even the boldest lip colors, easily rinsed away without leaving that dry, taut sensation many other cleansers leave behind. And while this product works wonders on dry skin, combination skin will reap its benefits. Usually my T-zone is shining by noon, but already I'm less oily than normal. Makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer? It's the skin care trifecta. Head out with sunscreen and a dab of bright gloss, and you're just about covered for Summer.

Remember your younger, more carefree years when you'd go to sleep with wet hair and wake up with it sticking in a million directions (ahem, college)? Well, growing up means getting wiser . . . at least with your beauty routines. There are plenty of things you can do while you sleep to help you arise with a coiffure people will envy. So grab your pajamas, curl up, and keep reading.

It's likely you have a few bottles of clear nail polish lying around in your manicure kit, whether it's a speedy top coat or a full lineup of prep, prime, and polish essentials. Now it's time to expand the horizons of your trusty clear lacquer into other areas, from furniture to fashion.

You'll want to keep clear nail polish on hand because it . . .

1. Makes labels smudge-proof and weather-resistant by sealing in markers and paint. This comes in handy when labeling expiration dates on your cosmetics.
2. Stops runs in stockings right in their tracks when you dab polish at both ends. This way you can get more wear out of your hosiery, even after a tiny tear.
3. Keeps buttons from popping off. Just paint the threads in the center for reinforcement. Clear nail polish also protects shoestrings and other threads from unraveling thanks to its dries-hard finish.
4. Eliminates rings in the bathroom. Simply coat the bottom of metal cans (hair spray, shaving cream, etc.) to slow the progression of rust and keep those unsightly red stains at bay.
5. Reinforces envelope seals so that your most important missives (bills, love letters, and the like) remain safe.
6. Waterproofs matches if you're going for a hike: dab clear polish on the tips to keep them safe from moisture. This is also particularly useful if the hike involves a candlelit picnic.
7. Prevents nail darkening caused by deeper-toned lacquers. While yellow nail polish is cool no matter the season, yellow nails are not. Use clear nail polish as a protective base coat to prevent yellowing. Even better, clear polish preserves your manicure for longer, particularly when applied to the free edge of tips. Think of it as one of those extra beauty steps that's absolutely worth it.
8. Coats splinters in furniture so you don't rip or snag your clothing or worse.
9. Acts as a base for a DIY glitter top coat: just pour in multicolored confetti for an inexpensive embellishment that rivals Deborah Lippmann's genius.
10. Relieves the itch of a bug bite: this tried-and-true remedy isn't quite scientific but it works as long as you don't have any open scratches.

The world of designer fragrance is once again expanding with the announcement that Alexander McQueen will release a men's and women's fragrance, developed by Procter & Gamble. "We believe it's probably the most prominent brand that is not yet playing in the luxury beauty market," P&G Prestige vice president Luigi Feola told WWD.

While this is the first fragrance deal for Alexander McQueen as a brand, the label's late founder, Lee Alexander McQueen, had already taken the first steps into the perfume world. He released Kingdom through YSL Beauté in 2003, as well as the My Queen scent in 2005. When YSL Beauté was taken over by L'Oréal, however, McQueen's fragrances didn't make the cut and have since been discontinued, leaving a hole in the fragrance market that only this iconic brand can fill.

McQueen passed away in 2010, and Sarah Burton took over as creative director. She is expected to "play a significant role" in the fragrance development, according to Feola. No release date has been set.

Half the allure of Summer is all the sweet scents: the ocean's spray, gardens in bloom, and freshly cut grass. While you'll likely get a whiff of all these smells out in nature, the beauty products below mimic the aromas of all the best parts of this season. Even once the warm weather wears off, you'll still be able to hold on to the memories with these fragrant buys.

1. Imagine you are standing in the midst of a botanical garden when the roses are in bloom, and you'll call to mind the scent of Korres 24-hour Wild Rose Moisturizing and Brightening Cream ($35).
2. For the foodie in you, Elemental Herbology Watermelon and Cucumber Body Moisturizer ($48) captures the summery scents of a backyard barbecue.
3. Spritz on Demeter Fragrance in Grass ($39) and you'll recall a picnic in the park on a warm day when the lawn was freshly cut.
4. Perhaps you won't make it to an island vacation this season, but Pacifica Coconut Pearls Luminizing Lip Quench ($9) will inspire you to plan one soon.
5. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($25): the scent really is self-explanatory.
6. Lemonade is a staple this time of year and you can bring that scent to your bath with the help of these Fresh Lemon Sugar Bath Cubes ($38).
7. Remember those water floats that made swimming so much fun? Sniff Oscar de la Renta Sun Protection Stick ($26) to reminisce on unabashedly splashing in the pool.
8. Our favorite scent of them all? Coola's Citrus Mimosa Sunscreen Spray ($32), which plays up a favorite beachside brunch cocktail.

You want longer, healthier hair? Then perhaps you should look into how well you're treating your scalp. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Celebrity Dermatologist Francesca Fusco breaks down how getting gorgeous hair has so much to do with the root of your hair. Plus, she reveals some of her professional secrets to getting the lustrous strands you desire.