Los Angeles traffic being what it is we arrived for our appointment at Byu-Ti (pronounced “beauty”) Hair Therapy sweaty, stressed and 20 minutes late. But the sunny Santa Monica space, with its white and chocolate-brown palette, is the architectural equivalent of chamomile tea: soothing and serene. And it’s impossible to sustain anxiety in the presence of salon owner and stylist Natasha Sunshine, who is as cheerful and uplifting as her — yes, it’s real — name suggests, as well as a living primer in how to run a beauty salon.

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In the name of beauty, we’ve imbibed collagen concoctions and nutraceutical beverages and considered purportedly age-slowing meals. But could the key to looking good be as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables? According to a U.K. study conducted by researchers from the University of St. Andrews and the University of Bristol, people who consume fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids appear to have a “healthy glow” and are considered more attractive.

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We’ve always loved chatting with Aussie makeup guru Napoleon Perdis and his talented team of artists. And we count several Napoleon Perdis products among our favorites, like his Sheer Genius Liquid Foundation ($59), which offers moderate coverage and a touch of luminosity in a lightweight, easy-to-blend formula, and Mesmer-Eyes Mascara ($25), with its double-sided clump-proof comb — fine-toothed on one side, wider on the other. So, when we were invited to attend a one-day Paparazzi Ready Makeup Academy, we leapt at the chance.

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As winter grinds on, leaving our skin dry and pale, even our simple beauty routine doesn’t seem worth the trouble. But when we heard celebrity makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, founder of organic cosmetics line RMS Beauty, was speaking at Shen Beauty, our new favorite cosmetics store in our Brooklyn neighborhood, we knew it would snap us out of our winter funk.

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Gold statues weren’t the only coveted items handed out on Oscar weekend. Gifting suites popped up at hotels in Hollywood and Beverly Hills to pamper and shower celebrities with free stuff, while balancing all the conspicuous consumption by offering them the opportunity to help others by partnering with various charities. (We love that!)

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Let’s face it: Perfume is probably one of the hardest products to shop for. It’s not something we simply match to our skin tone; it has to resonate with us, and, in a sense, define us. Studies have shown that scent can play a major role in finding and attracting a partner, which makes us all the more picky about what we choose. So when we heard about Ilari ($65), a new perfume available at Barneys, and how it came to fruition, we just had to smell it for ourselves in hopes that it could be our new scent.

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We already know that the right lipstick or mascara lifts our mood a little, but now cosmetics maker Physicians Formula, a “masstige” brand sold in drugstores and big-box retailers, is mixing the happiness right into a new makeup line.

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We battle the winter blahs every year. But if today seems particularly gloomy, it’s because the third Monday in January is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. While “Blue Monday” is of dubious origins, today is the day holiday cheer has worn off, New Year’s resolutions have started to crumble, holiday debt is looming, the weather is getting people down and motivation is generally low. And according to a study from Pacific Health Laboratories, women tend to be more depressed at this time of year — 44 percent, compared to men at 34 percent.

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It’s always a bummer when, after a morning spent meticulously curling our hair, we walk outside and see our sleek ringlets dissolve into frizz. Humidity and wind can turn perfectly coifed hair into a tangled mess, which is why we’ve started consulting the Weather Channel’s Daily Beauty Forecast. The online tool enables you to find out how the elements might impact your beauty routine, and provides tips for protecting skin and hair. Dry weather? Better take your lip balm and a water bottle. Strong winds? Don’t forget the hairspray and hydrating moisturizer.

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Whenever we get our hair cut and blow-dried, we always make it a point to take our new ’do out on the town, because it never looks quite as chic as it does fresh from the salon. So we were thrilled to see that ARROJO Studio in New York City was offering “A Night of Beauty” with one-on-one blow-dry lessons from stylists Tatum Neill and Chuck Olson. We attended the event in search of tips for creating a glamorous look for the new year.

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