Bazaar offers tips for a modern wardrobe

New York — Glenda Bailey, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, writes in her letter to readers in the January issue that color is “in” for the new year.

(She also cites miniskirts, 1950s ladylike dressing and satin for day as other trends.)

Yet to add bursts of brightness to a 2003 wardrobe, you need to start with a simple canvas — and that’s where these key silhouettes, all in black, come in.

The “building blocks” to create an au courant closet include blouson and fitted jackets, high-waisted pants, pencil skirt and sport-inspired pieces. The following are examples of these classics, which have been softened with subtle changes:

• Batwing sleeves give fluidity to a turtleneck.
• Elastic cuffs lend a sport edge to knit jersey pants or a blouson jacket.
• High waists top both a slim pencil skirt and flowing silk trousers.
• A belt creates an empire waist on an otherwise strict jacket.

Dry skin can be prevented

New York — Inside and outside, winter air is dry, which can leave skin flaky and rough.

Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, a professor emeritus of dermatology at Duke University Medical Center and a consultant to SkinCeuticals, offers these tips on preventing chapped lips, dull skin and sunburn — yes, sunburn.

• Use a richer moisturizer, such as one with marine extracts and natural botanicals. Also consider using a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid.
• Exfoliate arms, legs, chest and back to rid yourself of dead skin cells. Then moisturize your body with a product such as SkinCeuticals Advanced Body Firming Lotion, a blend of soy isoflavones, Brazilian marine extracts, natural botanicals and antioxidants.
• Use a mild cleanser that will clean pores and lift impurities without stripping the skin of natural oils.
• Ultraviolet rays penetrate clouds and snow, which can leave your skin with a sunburn in the middle of the winter. To protect your skin, especially at higher elevations, choose a broad-spectrum sunblock with microfine zinc oxide.

Dark days for hair in 2003

New York — Hair salons across the country are going dark: Antonio Vitale of Boston’s Studio for Hair predicts 2003 will bring darker tresses that more closely resemble one’s natural color.

He says blondes will say goodbye to blinding light in the new year and favor warmer tones.

Overprocessing is out, Vitale says.

Meanwhile, brunettes will be looking to highlight their natural shades with — highlights. Vitale suggests a combination of auburn strands interspersed with blond for a unique-yet-not-overdone color mix.

As for trends, Vitale says forget about them.

He suggests saving money by sticking to colors that are only two or three shades darker or lighter than natural hair because coloring sessions will be less frequent.