Dove released a “Real Beauty Sketches” Ad campaign which questioned whether or not women viewed themselves the way a stranger viewed them. Are we too hard on ourselves? Do we focus on the negative features?

Apparently so.

Dove sent seven women to describe their facial features to an FBI-trained forensic artist so that he could sketch them. As expected, the women generally focused on qualities they pay the most attention to- the negative ones. Afterwards, a stranger was asked to describe the same person and the two separate portraits were hung side by side for comparison. The tagline for this ad campaign? ”You are more beautiful than you think.”

Oils have long gotten a bad rap. Oil on the T-zone, oil in the Gulf, partially hydrogenated oil on any ingredient list — all these no-no oils have made us a society terrified of oil.

And yes, while an oil slick on the face or in natural habitats are to be avoided at all costs, there are good oils, just like there are good fats. (Recent studies show certain types of good fat actually help you burn more fat — who knew?!) And a diet high in olive oil and other good oils also helps one keep the weight off.

So oil can’t be all bad. Even on the face.

Hair stylist Ada Garcia used MoroccanOil to smooth out cover model Annie Maki's strands on our summer cover.

We’ve been hearing a lot about MoroccanOil and every hair stylists’ and beauty editors’ obsession with the antioxidant-rich, argan oil-based product. In our Summer 2010 issue, hair stylist Ada Garcia recommended MorocconOil to get the smooth strands featured on our cover model Annie Maki.

Padma Lakshmi.

Padma Lakshmi, the Indian American model, award-winning cookbook author and Emmy-nominated host of the popular Bravo TV series Top Chef, is such a big fan of oils she put out a press release recently in connection with Dial NutriSkin‘s new line of fruit oil-based body washes, spilling her oil-based beauty secrets. (Apparently, she keeps blemishes at bay with a face steam of boiling water and a few drops of pure tea tree oil, then slathers her face with pure honey to suck out impurities from pores.)

After years of avoiding oil-based products on my T-zone like the plague, I’ve become a recent convert, thanks to Marie Louise’s Cleansing Clear Gel. Never have I enjoyed removing my makeup so much — even the stubborn, expensive waterproof mascara that, until now, wouldn’t completely come off unless I pulled it off with my fingertips.

I also recently discovered the joy of oil with Boske Oil-dissolving Cleansing Oil. I know — how ironic. Sometimes it takes oil to get rid of oil, and this little gem not only removes makeup and sunscreen, but it dissolves blackheads with its lipid-soluble solution.

Juara Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel.

My ultimate little oil luxury, though, is Juara’s Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel. Made with candlenut oil, a traditional Indonesian beauty oil known for its hydrating and skin-healing power and velvety feel, the gel is sulfate- and paraben-free and uses active botanicals for gentle cleansing. And like all their products, the scent of the shower gel is amazing — their signature candlenut scent infused with lush greens, delicate freesia, jasmine, bergamot, rose and a hint of coconut. Mmmm.

Metta Murdaya, one of the four Asian American women behind the beauty and skincare line Juara.

You love your denim. You know you do. You own like 200 different pairs (hey, a skinny dark wash is completely different from a straight leg indigo — I feel ya). But sometimes you feel … maybe, just maybe … you’re getting into a denim rut.

That’s when you go out and get yourself Voom by Joy Han’s “Dove” off shoulder dress. It’s made of your favorite material — denim! But it’s a light, easy denim, in the perfect hue. Completely do-able for a 24-7 denim aficionado. And with a sassy off the shoulder neckline and artsy-crafty embellishment, you may … just may … forget your vintage wash bootlegs.

Voom by Joy Han "Dove" off shoulder dress.

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