keep your cool

I've been so busy lathrering up my son with the Anthony for Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash that I forgot about the company's mini bottle of The Cool Fix ($25) I had stashed away in my weekend bag. Just in time for Labor Day--the last official day to wear my swimsuit! As the debut product in a new brand called Shaveworks from Anthony Logistics, this all-in-one gel lotion soothes ingrown hairs, razor burn, irritation, redness and everyday common hair removal concerns. The Cool Fix prommises instant gratification. Yeah, right, I thought. But when I needed it most, I dabbed some on some razor burn and was quickly relieved. The best part: A percentage of all sales will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The second best part: The palm-sized bottle fits inconspicuously inside your beach bag for easy access. Available at Sephora stores nationwide and www.sephora.com.

just add oil

It sounds and looks like a suntan oil for your body but Moroccanoil is actually an intensive regime for your hair. Salma Hayek, Katy Perry, Renee Zellweger and Debra Messing have all used it so why shouldn't I give it a try? Moroccanoil Treatment ($39) is a weightless finishing, styling and shine product in one, which protects against UV damage and other environmental hazards. The patented Argan Oil-based formula is rich in Vitamins A, E and F (omega 6) as well as phenols and tocopherols to nourish hair and scalp, promote healing and relieve dry, itchy conditions. I smoothed it on my damp hair after a shower and watched it absorb instantly. After blow-drying, I was left with a silky feel (I couldn't stop touching my hair!) and brilliant shine (who wouldn't want that?). All of the products in the collection strengthen and recondition the hair strand while adding lustrous shine and a polished, frizz-free, static-free finish. Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream ($30) promises to eliminate frizz and add definition and shine. And it delivers. Just a drop in the palm of my hand was easily rubbed into my damp hair before styling. When dry, my natural waves were accentuated and stayed put for the rest of the day. Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask ($31)--my favorite--is a deep conditioning treatment that gives hair moisture and protein. The recommended weekly dose does the trick and makes you feel like you're feeding your hair a healthy snack. The new Moroccanoil Gold Glimmer Shine ($24) didn't really do much for me. It's designed to deliver an invisible veil of shine and protect hair from UV rays and free radicals but the scent was a bit too powdery and it made my hair look a bit stringy. Still, I won't give up the weekly mask or the styling cream which helped me go from maniac mom to a semi-sane female in time for my husband's birthday dinner. To find your favorite Moroccanoil formula, go to www.moroccanoil.com.

sunscreen you can count on

Just because summer is almost over, doesn't mean you should bag the sunscreen. But who can remember the SPF when you're slipping into sweaters and boots? Cosmedix comes to the rescue with three great products designed to give you all the protection you need whenever you step out into the great outdoors. One of my favorites is Hydrate + Daily Moisturizer SPF 17 ($46). I love the rich, creamy formula that smells a bit like a nourishing clay mask. If you can't get to your local day spa for a treatment, smooth this on and you'll feel hydrated throughout the day. For straight-on sun protection, try Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen ($44). It's extremely lightweight (you'll barely notice you're wearing it!) and comes in a spray-on bottle that helps you distribute it evenly (the other products come with pump applicators). Plus, it leaves your skin feeling smooth and dewy. For even more protection, try Serious Protection SPF 28 Sunscreen ($42), a thicker formulation that smells slightly citrusy and smooths into skin easily. Try one or rotate them all! If you like the brand, check out the rest of the Cosmedix collection--designed to treat oily skin, hyperpigmentation and photo damage--on www.cosmedix.com.

the dark side

Put away your pearly pinks and powdery peaches...the latest lipstick shades for fall are dramatic, vampy, even goth-inspired. Sounds like something you used to stash in your jeans pocket in another life? Maybe so. But thanks to the latest versions from Mattese Elite, the latest versions are chic enough to make their way into your handbag. My favorite, believe it or not, is called Porn Star. This bright pink shade takes me back to the Eighties when the Go-Gos ruled and Cyndi Lauper was a household name. But today's version is more sophisticated... instead of bubblegum pink, think toned-down fuchsia (if there is such a thing). Another favorite, Ecstasy, is a tomato (not fire-engine) red that you could actually get away with wearing when you're 21+. But the best part is the texture: these new lipsticks are ubermoisturizing and leave a sleek wet finish. And they feel as creamy as it gets. Granted, Slippery, Provocative, Deep and the practically-black Bite Me are seriously darker than I would dare to venture but, hey, it's the trend this season so have fun with it. Order yours at www.RickysNYC.com, then prepare to pucker up.

mario badescu at ulta

One more reason to love Ulta stores: They now carry the renowned Mario Badescu skin care collection--in 282 of their stores nationwide. That means you have even more access to more than 200 amazing Mario Badescu products--including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, masks, scrubs, eye creams, night creams, serums, body washes and acne treatment products like the celebrity cult favorite, pink Drying Lotion (as well as my personal favorite: Mario Badescu Super Rich Olive Body Lotion!) Ulta, the one-stop-shopping spot for prestige, mass and salon products is giving Sephora a run for its money and now carries a slew of exclusive beauty brands, in addtion to Mario Badescu. Go to www.mariobadescu.com or call (800) BADESCU for more info or to place your order or www.ulta.com to see the store's complete product selection.

double duty

Just as my staple bottle of moisturizer with SPF was nearing its final days, I was sent a bottle of Biore SkinPreservation Dual Fusion Moisturizer + SPF 30 to try out. The short story: It hydrates and defends--it says so right on the package. But it's pretty unique. My first impression was that I love the packaging: It fits right into my hand and a specially designed squeeze pump on the side of the bottle dispenses just the right amount of product and leaves no mess. Featuring Biore's Botanamide technology, a ceramide-based technology with botanicals and natural antioxidants, it offers non-greasy moisture to improve dryness, fine lines and uneven skin tone as well as SPF 30 for broad spectrum protection. So if you can't decide whether you need to hydrate or protect, you don't have to choose. I love the silky feel and the fresh, clean scent as I smooth it all over my face. My biggest gripe: At 1.7 fl. oz., I'm sure I will go through the bottle pretty quickly. Thankfully, it's only $14.99 at select food, drug or mass merchant stores. For more info, go to www.biore.com.

i'm addicted!

So you're up with the trends but don't really know how to translate them? Beauty Addicts' Motivate Collection is a fool-proof answer. The company's assortment of compacts for eyes, cheeks and lips matches the colors for you--so there's no guesswork when it comes to making a trend work for you. RelationLIPS ($28) features a quartet of classic, natural shades. Designed to shimmer, shine, and offer sheer or satin coverage, each gloss provides total lip protection. I love the texture and look of the shimmer but smooth it over one of the berry hues and the results are dazzling! The SolutionEYES ($35) eye shadow quad features four blendable shades in sheer matte to subtle shimmer textures. SleekCHEEKS ($28) boasts antioxidant-rich Velveteen Creme, a creme-to-powder texture with a hint of shimmer, and Build-a-Blush, an ultra sheer matte powder that offers flawless coverage. Choose the texture you're most comfortable with and apply. The most unique product, GLIMMERSheers ($28), is designed to highlight and luminize eyes, face and cheeks. It features Glimmer, a soft luminizer (in a cool lavender/silvery/metallic shade), and Sheer, a crystal clear luminizer (it looks like it might feel sticky but goes on smooth and dries quickly). Don't be shy! Use a combination of both to create glowing skin; the effect is subtle but glamorous. Go to www.beautyaddicts.com to make your purchase.