Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Out of nowhere I've developed a sensitivity to fragrance: I get madly itchy (and unpretty) hives wherever I anoint myself. Fragrance, it turns out, is one of the leading causes of this kind of dermatitis, says New York CIty dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD. So you can imagine my thrill at discovering Lisa Hoffman's collection of bracelets and earrings, each with a filigreed charm (plated with antiqued silver, bronze, or yellow or rose gold) that holds a few little wood beads saturated with one of five transporting scents (fig, neroli, agarwood, sage, and orchid). The beads' fragrance is supposed to last up to two weeks, but the ones I've been wearing still smell divine after two months. And no itch, ever. ($65 for bracelet or earrings and one jar of refill beads; lisahoffmanbeauty.com)

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Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Q: After I had surgery about six months ago, my hair got extremely frizzy. How can I get back my beautiful waves?         

A: The older I get, the more intrigued I am by the mysteries of the cosmos. You have an operation, all goes well (at least I hope it did), you resume your normal life...and one day a glance in the mirror reveals that your hair is a completely different texture. Yikes! Why?
            
I e-mailed David Kingsley, PhD, trichologist (explainer of all things hair related), who said that though it's very common to see hair loss about three months postsurgery—anesthesia can temporarily disrupt the hair growth cycle—he hasn't heard of anesthesia changing hair texture. He points out, though, that frizziness is a sign of dry hair, which could mean the oil glands on your scalp are less active than they were presurgery. Kingsley suggests that you switch to a shampoo for dry hair, condition after every shampoo, use a prewash deep conditioner at least once a week, drink lots of water to stay well hydrated, and take a primrose oil or omega-3 supplement.

Keep in mind: While you're waiting for your waves, a good antifrizz styling product will be very helpful. 

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Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

Q: On a tight budget, what's the most effective skincare routine?            
            
A: I'm always happy when I see a question with the words skincare and tight budget, because it's easy to put together a simple, effective, and inexpensive routine. Here, according to Arielle Kauvar, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, is what you need:
           
1.    A gentle cleanser for morning and night. Skip any that contain treatment ingredients—they only get washed off.
2.    A serum or lotion with an antioxidant (like vitamin C, E, polyphenols, or CoffeeBerry), to be applied after morning cleansing.
3.    A moisturizer with sunscreen to be applied after the antioxidant.
4.    An exfoliating scrub or a microdermabrasion-type brush (to be used with cleanser) to smooth the skin once or twice a week (or less frequently if your skin is sensitive).
5.    A moisturizer and/or retinoid treatment product for bedtime.
            
Keep in mind: All the products Kauvar suggests can be bought for a reasonable price at the drugstore.

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Photo: Patrick Andersson

A tip for my fellow leg and underarm shavers: The new Schick Hydro Silk razor gives the closest, easiest, nick-free shave-in-the-shower experience I've had. The razor is loaded with a water-activated moisturizing serum along with five individually mounted blades; I use it without shaving cream. I've never been sharp about razor technology, but I can tell you this thing works ($10; drugstores).







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Photo: Robert Trachtenberg

Q: Is it my imagination, or does my dandruff get worse in the cooler months?

A: Dandruff might worsen when it's cooler, says Jeffrey Benabio, MD, voluntary clinical assistant professor of medicine at UC San Diego. Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff, to you) seems to be triggered by an overgrowth of the yeast malassezia, says Benabio; washing your hair less frequently (as you might in cool months) can lead to more of the yeast. Also, low humidity can increase dandruff, while sunshine seems to reduce it. So the dry air and loss of sunlight in fall and winter might be contributing to your problem. 

Keep in mind: Shampooing daily and using an anti-dandruff shampoo at least three times a week (try Pert Plus Dandruff Plus 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, $4; drugstores) should keep flaking under control.

Having recently been graced with a delightful (and gorgeous) Japanese daughter-in-law, I proudly admit to a bias toward all things Nippon. I share this bias, evidently, with Nicky Kinnaird—founder of the beauty apothecary Space NK. Inspired by her frequent trips to an onsen (hot spring) in the Japanese Alps, she worked with Japanese skincare chemists to create the Sai-Sei collection, including a bath and shower gel, body cream, and purifying soap, all aiming to capture the therapeutic benefits found in the hot springs. The company has donated $10,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society and, in an effort to support the country's struggling economy, will continue to produce and distribute the Sai-Sei collection from Japan.

Photo: Gregor Halenda

Just between us, the fuzz on my upper lip has gotten out of hand: If it were dark instead of blonde, I'd look like my uncle Alfonse. So I was game to try OLAY's new Hair Removal Duo, which involves a two-step process using a skin guarding balm and hair removal cream. Because my skin is sensitive, and I was concerned that I might be trading a fuzzy lip for an alarmingly irritated one, I did the 48-hour patch test and followed the directions very carefully. After smoothing on the protective balm, then coating it with the removal cream, I waited exactly six minutes before gently wiping it all off. No problem! No redness! No fuzz! ($25; drugstores)