Image via Lancôme

Every once in awhile I get a bee in my bonnet and wonder about the big questions. For instance, in these uncertain economic times, do you still use a separate makeup remover and cleanser? I know I have a very specific makeup remover in my cabinet--Lancôme Bi-Facil to be exact--but that's for like, really, really special occasions when I actually wear eye makeup. Is it a sin to wash off your makeup with easy breezy Cetaphil? Should we all be using fancy makeup remover to get rid of the oils and pigments and such that wearing a bit of concealer and blush entails?

Image via Armada

Are you kidding me? I know we've been writing a lot about sunscreen this week (we don't make the news, we just report it), but after getting my hands on the new VMW Hypoallergenics Armada Face Cover 30, I saw something, and well, I just had to say something.

Image via Sephora

When you try a million products every week, you tend to be the first person your friends turn to when they get stymied by the shelves at Sephora. Sure, they could just read the blog (cough) but instead they seem to think that they can get the INSIDE inside scoop. In recent weeks, I've answered quite a few of these types of questions, like so many questions that I've finally clued in that I should just post the answer.

Can I just say that I am so over skin stuff that smells like sweets? I realize that I may be contradicting myself: I love lots of products that contain ingredients you would normally put in your mouth, like extra grapefruity Renée Rouleau AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel, for example, and even ones with the name "food" in the title, like Weleda Skin Food. Overall though, I just wish this tired trend would end. Do women really want to smell like oatmeal cookies and chocolate mousse? Do you?

Sweating has plenty of negative effects on the skin: all that extra sebum production contributes to breakouts. However, it's also good for clearing out the pores, which is what I think just happened to me in Tulum, Mexico. I participated in a temazcal, or Mayan sweat lodge ritual, which involves huddling half-naked in a small, extremely hot, steam-filled hut for about an hour. When I emerged, lightheaded but relaxed, I couldn't help but notice my skin looked clear and bright. Two days later, it looks better than the time I got a facial at Scientifica.