Alterna’s caviar serum nourishes, polishes hair

Heredity, stress and general health affect hair growth and quality, and so do the elements. Sun, treated water, heat and humidity all can wreak havoc on hair, which tends to become dry and brittle in summer months. Chemical treatments and repeated washings can do further damage. So, it’s nice when a reputable company comes up with a product that can benefit all hair types on issues ranging from dryness to chemical damage. Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Polishing Serum protects, nourishes and conditions, helping to prevent split ends and fly-aways and leaving an attractive shine. Among the active ingredients are caviar for nourishment and strength, algae extract for hydration and vitamin C for neutralizing free radicals that can damage hair. Click on the image to order.

Summer-fresh air with Creed room spray

Tropical mimosa was the inspiration behind Creed’s Mimosa Soleil room spray. Known for exquisite personal fragrances and candles, the Paris-based company turned its nose in a new olfactory direction. Mimosa Soleil began as a candle created by the fragrance dynasty’s youngest nose, 28-year-old Erwin Creed. Now the light, elegant scent, a blend of mimosa blooms and Swiss talc, is captured in a luxury spray suitable for homes, hotel rooms and cars. It’s $142 at Neiman Marcus and select Saks stores. Other room sprays inspired by Creed’s hand-poured beeswax candles are peony-scented Cocktail de Pivoines and Pekin Imperial, a fusion of incense, ginger, fragrant woods and five rare teas. Green-minded consumers will be delighted to know that Creed eschewed chemical aerosol for recycled glass bottles topped with natural spray pumps.

Sculpt your abs with firming gel by Lab Series

Men’s grooming products by Lab Series have won a slew of consumer awards. That’s because they meet men’s needs. They work - so well, in fact, that some women have become devotees. This season, some women might find themselves reaching for one of Lab Series’s most interesting products: Ab Rescue Body Sculpting Gel. It won’t transform a pot belly into a rock-hard, eight-pack ab set. It does, however, give a tighter and firmer feel to a midriff toned by proper diet and exercise, thanks to ingredients such as caffeine, creatine and soya protein that fight excess water retention and bloating. It’s $30. Click on the photo to learn more and to check out grooming sets and specials.

Vera Bradley has chic new accessories, home accents

Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard were dismayed by the dearth of ladylike luggage as they passed through Atlanta’s airport in 1982. So they started a business to change that. Today, Vera Bradley Designs - named after Baekgaard’s mother - is popular internationally for distinctive, multicolored, soft quilted cotton handbags. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based company has remained fresh and relevant over the years, expanding its offerings while retaining a signature style. This spring’s offerings range from luggage, sunglasses and sandals to housewares and beach accessories. There are even stylish neckties, pocket squares and cuff links for men. Click on the pictures to see more and to get your shop on.

Tiffany’s sleek passport holders in cool colors

Tiffany & Co. has away of taking everything to a luxurious new level, from items as mundane as key fobs to those as unique and intimate as diamond engagement rings. So it’s no surprise that the company’s passport holders transform something utilitarian and incidental into a conversation piece. Take your pick of patent or textured leathers in pink, red, black, white and Tiffany blue ($100) or black lacquered designs with red or black hearts by Elsa Peretti ($125). Great for a gift or personal indulgence. Check them out at Tiffany stores and tiffany.com.

It’s in the bag for fathers at Coach

Pity fathers, whose annual Sunday to be celebrated is but a shadow of Mothers Day. Just ask the folk at Hallmark and the U.S. Postal Service. Or any dad. If you want to step up your Fathers Day gift-giving game this year - and why not? - stun the stylish pop with something practical and cool. If you think he’s had his fill of neckties, power tools and gift cards, send him out of the house with a sleek messenger or cross-over bag by Coach. From the luxury brand’s Hamptons collection are the washed-leather cross-body ($448, shown here in brick and saddle) with discreet exterior and interior pockets, a PDA pocket and zip-top closure. They can comfortably accommodate files and a laptop. It’s a great alternative to the geeky briefcase and the hopelessly adolescent backpack, yet it’s no “man bag” or “murse.” It’s just hip. Available at Coach stores, coach.com and select fine retailers.

Jack Black men’s face lotion nourishes, blocks sun

More men are showing interest in maintaining healthy skin and preventing signs of aging, but that doesn’t mean they want to put a half-dozen products on their face every day. That’s what makes Jack Black’s Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 a great investment. It contains ingredients such as antioxidant-rich blue algae extract and soothing sea parsley extract to nourish and strengthen skin, plus broad-spectrum sunscreen that absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays before they impact the skin. It’s hydrating yet surprisingly lightweight, and free of artificial color and fragrance. And it’s one of those products that a guy might find his girl sneaking to use. It’s $16 for 1.5 ounces and $26 for 3.3 ounces and can be found along with other products from the men’s line at higher-end department stores, getjackblack.com, drugstore.com and beauty.com.

Where goddess meets gladiator: the Amanda Rio

Women of transcendent style understand intuitively that black heels with a little black dress is passé. At best, it’s boring; at worst, it insults the LBD with its mundane, matchy-matchy mimicry. What’s called for is something along the order of the Amanda Rio. The Grecian goddess-gladiator style is tough yet tender with metallic trim, grommet details, buckled T-strap and an appreciably high 3-1/4-inch covered heel. Pictured here, the red and gold, an uptown way to complement an understated LBD. . It’s also perfectly at home with a pantsuit, a jumpsuit or a pair of jeans. The chic shoe also comes in black and pewter. They’re under $50 at Shoe Trader. Click on the photo to shop.

Invicta’s Sea Spider a handsome men’s watch

Women easily win the bling race, many with astonishing collections of rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces. Guys may accumulate a few rings, bracelets, necklaces and perhaps even some cuff links, but the king of men’s accessories is the wristwatch. Not only must it be hefty in size, it must also be flashy enough to attract attention from across a room without appearing over-the-top. That’s what makes the Invicta Sea Spider Chronograph Brown Rubber such a find. The end of its name refers to its clasp strap, which is interwoven with rose gold tone stainless steel inserts that match the case. Bold yet elegant, the Sea Spider sports a mineral crystal face and Swiss-made chronograph sports movement. It lists for $895 but is only $313.99 at World of Watches. Click on the photo to shop.

Bobbi Brown’s beach body oil takes you there

Who doesn’t like a beach? Nothing like strolling, sunning, reading or relaxing under azure skies as gulls cry, a soothing breeze blows and turquoise waves lap at sandy white shores. For those times when you can go only in spirit, just a whiff of the renowned makeup artist’s beach body oil can transport you there faster than you can say “boardwalk bingo.” It’s a light blend of jojoba, olive, avocado and sesame oils infused with vitamins E and C to nourish and moisturize. It’s non-greasy but leaves a sensual sheen, the perfect finishing touch to a woman’s sun-kissed skin. The beach aroma also permeates a suite of items, including a shower gel with sea kelp extract, body scrub with orange peel and shea butter, tan-prolonging body lotion and a 1.7-oz. perfume spray. Click on the photo to get beach and to explore the rest of Bobbi’s  beautiful world.

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