The Best Bet
In our anti-UV era, pale skin is virtuous, healthy—and very lackluster under a halter top. Nuxe’s subtly floral Sublimating Golden Dry Oil ($67 for 100-ml. at Barneys New York) is infused with just enough gold dust to give your skin a beachy midsummer shimmer, even if you’ve spent the weekend on the couch with the shades down. And the lightweight oils it uses (camellia, borage, sweet almond) leave no grease.
A Lightweight Summer Robe
The hot months are no time for terry cloth. Cotton is lighter, cooler, and, courtesy of John Robshaw, comes in wonderful block-printed patterns ($165 at John Derian Dry Goods, 10 E. 2nd St., nr. Bowery; 212-677-8408).
The Ultimate Trash Can
Oxo’s Good Grips steel bin has a motion-control device that closes the lid smoothly, a lock to hold the bag in place, a removable plastic liner, and a carrying handle cleverly hidden in the back ($90 to $120 at the Container Store, 629 Sixth Ave., at 19th St.; 212-366-4200).
Outdoor Furniture That Looks Good Indoors
Loom Italia’s outdoor line looks like wicker, but is made of resin-covered woven wires, so it won’t fade or deteriorate in the elements (Sunshine chaise, $1,395 at Butter and Eggs, 83 W. Broadway, nr. Chambers St.; 212-676-0235).
A Smoother Powder Brush
Napoleon Perdis Cosmetic’s new pony-hair Boudoir Brush is flat, which means it distributes powder more evenly than round brushes ($43 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St.; 212-753-4000).
Test Paint Without the Mess
Finally, a way to try a new color without having to paint anything. Glidden’s Color @ Home Peel & Stick Paint Samples (shown next to real paint; $2.99 at Home Depot, 40 W. 23rd St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-929-9571) can be stuck anywhere, like Post-its, and peeled off afterward.