First and foremost, reading labels is a pain.

Short of running through an open fire hydrant or walking really close to stores in the hopes that someone will open the door and blast you with some AC at the exact moment you walk by, it's hard to stay cool in a heat wave like the one that's plaguing the East Coast now. Luckily the beauty industry has a cure for your overheated, red, stressed out, sweaty face: Face mists. We've long been fans of these refreshing spritzes, and if you haven't yet tried one, now is definitely the time.

The invites have been sent out, the seating charts are being filled, and fashion folks everywhere are resoling their Manolos (and setting their DVRs--can't miss Girls!): Fashion week is upon us!

Yes, you do need them actually.

Ed's Note: Meet our new beauty columnist! (No, that's not her at the left. That's Lindsey Wixson.) Contessa Schexnayder is a makeup artist and has been shackled to the beauty industry for over nine years, working for such lines and retailers as Nars, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Blue Mercury, and Space NK. She is a self-proclaimed ingredient know-it-all, and likes long walks on the beach. When faced with hundreds of bottles of lotions and potions, the drugstore aisle and department store can be overwhelming places. Do you need a seven step facial regimen? How worried should you be in your 20s about an anti-aging treatments? Should you just give up in your 40s? We’ll attempt to answer these questions with a handy guide for every age group, complete with product recommendations. Click through for some advice and pointers.

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, the official kick-off to summer and beach season. Are you and your adorable new beach bag fully stocked and prepared for any eventuality? If not, we’re here to help. Here are our picks for the must-have items (most new, some tried-and-true) that should find a place in your tote before you hit the sun and sand. (Need a tote? We love this stupidly expensive yet ridiculously cute Jil Sander silk twill style with a detachable pink strap.)

Yesterday, I walked into the most magnificent apartment overlooking the grounds of the American Museum of Natural History and was greeted by a vision of loveliness, Tata Harper. Tata has launched a 100% natural skincare line. If she could bottle her own essence and sell it, she would make a fortune. She just had a baby three months ago and looks more stunning than Gisele did postpartum. Besides being green-eyed and blonde, she is also brainy; she was an industrial engineer in her native Colombia. Tata conceived of and started the line five years ago after being unable to find products that she wanted to use. She wanted potions that were luxurious and 100% natural. She was “tired of putting cancer juice” on her skin. Now, while that is mildly sensationalistic, I'm totally on board with her concept of non-synthetic, plant-derived, almost entirely organic ingredients.