Beauty & the Beat

A more sophisticated sunscreen: Stay stylishly protected

The Sephora Sun Safety Kit, $25, makes looking fab and staying healthy thisseason a cinch. It's sold out online but is still available at Sephora stores.
Available in all your favorite Vitamin Water flavors, these lip balms containVitamin E, as well as a SPF 20 barrier.
Photo by Sean Meszaros for Target
Half Moon cover-up from the Target CALYPSO St. Barth's Collection, $36.99 atTarget.
A chic chapeau deflects harmful UV rays. From the Target CALYPSO St. Barth'sCollection at Target.
Photo by Paul Weber for Target

Hot fun in the summer time! Memorial Day kicked off the summer season, and in Texas' toasty climate, proper skin care and sun protection are major musts.

Think you don't have time? Make skin protection part of your daily morning routine. That's right, place that sunblock next to your toothbrush, and never forget again!

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention suggests the following recommendations: slather away liberally over all exposed areas. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, which will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Pssst . . . wanna know a skin care secret? Apply sunblock every two hours, after swimming and working up a sweat. Your skin will thank you, and you'll look mah-vellous for decades.

Overwhelmed by the endless array of suncare products? Check out Neutrogena's comprehensive suncare selection: its website will assist you to select your best sun protection regime. I'm a super- fan of their Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sun Protection (SPF 55), and if I'm poolside, or beachin' it, I enthusiastically atomize Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray (SPF 70) from head to toe.

Certainly during the working day, it is nearly impossible to whip out the SPF every two hours. However, try one of the ingenious powder sunscreens with easy- to- apply brushes. I keep one in my car and reapply sun protection in between my shuttle stops to school, errands, gym and work. Check out the Colorscience Pro SPF 50 Brush, available in several shades, even a "tan" version to create a gorgeous sun kisssed glow. Another option?

I stash Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 in my handbag and gym locker for weightless, convenient and on-the-go sun protection.

Still not sure of where to begin on the never-ending sunscreen aisles? No worries: head to your closest Sephora, as super sun skin care is already in the bag.The Sephora Sun Safety Kit makes looking fab and staying healthy this season a cinch. Sample 11 of the newest and most coveted sun care cosmetic and skin care products available from Shiseido, Ole Henricksen, DDF, Bare Escentuals and more. The collection, which costs $25, comes ready-set-go in a travel and beach-friendly tote, providing everything you need for safe sun fun this summer.

Better yet, 100 percent of the kit's net profits will benefit the The Skin Care Foundation so that you can look good, feel good and do good! I just picked up mine at the Houston Galleria Sephora, but these goodies have already sold out at Sephora.com, so get thee to a Sephora store!

Clearly summer skin protection involves more than just sunscreen, and thankfully this provides loads of stylish fashion opportunities. It's crucial to keep your head, hair, décolleté and shoulders well-protected, and nothing looks more chic than a wide-brimmed hat to do double duty. Also, think ethereal lightweight clothing to shade your birthday suit from too much sun.

Luckily, I've got your one-stop shopping solution: CALYPSO St. Barth, the global luxury lifestyle brand has joined creative forces with Target for summer fashion fun that won't break the bank. Their island-chic resort wear is available now chez Tar-jay, but hurry over, as the CALYPSO St. Barth for Target line is only available in Target stores through June 11.

Stuck in traffic on Loop 610? The entire collection is available online here. Select pieces may be purchased at Target.com through August 15. Happy shopping!

Loving this CALYPSO St. Barth for Target print dress in turquoise for a dose of fun summer chic! Or channel your inner Caribbean queen with several collection options for a chic chapeau to deflect harmful UV rays. CALYPSO St. Barth for Target's Linen Tote will keep your sun protective gear neatly and chicly organized. Remember to stash a pair of sunnies, and protect those peepers from harmful rays with polarized sunglasses!

While you're at Target, Walgreen's or Urban Outfitters, pick up one of these chunky fun Vitamin Water lip balm biggies. Available in all your favorite Vitamin Water flavors, these lip balms contain Vitamin E, as well as a SPF 20 barrier that will tastily keep your pucker protected and moisturized. I'm crushing on the Focus (Kiwi and Strawberry flavor). Yummy!

Happy summer, and stay beautiful!

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LEATHER & LUXE

Heritage leather brand opens appointment-only boutique in River Oaks

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

The heritage leather brand Ghurka recently opened a River Oaks boutique that offers custom clothing for men and women, a rare find in Houston’s luxury market.

For more than 50 years, Ghurka has built a reputation for beautifully crafted leather goods. Now, Houstonians have a new way to experience its collections.

Its new River Oaks boutique, one of only two brick-and-mortar outposts in the country, brings the label’s signature leather collection together with custom clothing and private styling, creating a personal shopping experience.

At the appointment-only store, clients can shop for leather bags and accessories while also working one-on-one with an advisor to create custom tailoring, shirting, knitwear, and other pieces curated to their specific needs and lifestyle. Houstonians will also be among the first to see Ghurka's expanded clothing offering with the debut of the Fall/Winter 2026 custom collection.

“For us, the decision to open in Houston really came down to people and relationships,” Glenn Pollack, chairman and CEO of Ghurka, tells CultureMap. “Ghurka has a meaningful history here and longstanding relationships with people who know the brand and what it stands for. As we considered returning to physical retail, we wanted to start in markets where we had the right talent, the right relationships, and a strong foundation to build on. Houston gave us all three.”

Ghurka Ghurka's appointment-only River Oaks boutique is located at 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 185. Appointments are available online. Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Founded in Connecticut in 1975, Ghurka's main focus is on leather goods designed to improve with time and wear. Its product range run the gamut from bags and backpacks to wallets, belts, and accessories. The brand is now applying that successful philosophy to clothing, with a focus on premium materials, durable construction, and pieces designed around the individual rather than trends.

Clients can work with a Gurkha advisor to decide what they need from their wardrobes before choosing fabrics, silhouettes, proportions, and bespoke details. Each piece is fully custom and finished by hand and according to Pollack, the goal of the appointment-only Houston boutique is to provide shoppers with a complete experience and a personalized level of attention.

“For us, custom clothing is ultimately about the individual rather than a particular gender,” Pollack said. “The same principles that have guided Ghurka for more than fifty years translate naturally into clothing. Offering custom for both men and women allows us to create a much more complete and personal relationship with our clients.”

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Ghurka Houston, 3701 W. Alabama St., Suite 185. Appointments are available through ghurka.com.

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

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