Blog Posts by Vogue Magazine

by Sarah Brown, Vogue

So far this summer, my skin is having a major moment. Not in a good way. My complexion is shining in all the wrong places; my pores are clogged; my T-zone suddenly looks bumpy, instead of smooth. On the weekend-what should be a carefree brunch-and-beach no-makeup zone-I look at myself in the mirror, frown, and glumly reach for the foundation (which masks the red but doesn't solve the texture issue). As a beauty editor, I have (a) an arsenal of cutting-edge products available to me, and (b) the phone number of every skin expert in town. Since I am clearly using (a) all wrong, let's start with (b).

I phone dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D., in semi-panic. I tell him that in an effort to unclog the blocked pores along my forehead, nose, and chin, I have been rigorously using multi-acid peels and salicylic treatments at night. Plus, I have been making the classic amateur mistake of scrubbing energetically with yet another exfoliant each morning in the shower, hoping

There are those of us that love to "fly and flop"-use summer vacation to sleep off stress and get lost in a good book-and there are those who hanker for a little more adventure, be it exploring the depths of a volcano, checking out the source of the Nile, or abseiling a waterfall virtually untouched by human hands. Tom Marchant falls into the latter category, and his passion for intrepid travel was the impetus behind Black Tomato, a bespoke travel outfitter he cofounded with friends Matt Smith and James Merrett seven years ago. Still looking for ideas for where to flee during the second half of summer? Below are Marchant's picks.

When thinking about the ideal presents for our hostesses, we couldn't help but be inspired the beguiling lyrics from The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (the Broadway production, starring Audra McDonald in one of her Tony Award-winning roles, is on stage until September 30). Whether for morning yoga on the pier, picnicking at the polo match, or cooking up a culinary storm, we have selected the perfect gifts to help make summertime easy.

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Adele: One and Only

by Francesca Gilberti, Vogue

With female boxers making their debut at the 2012 Olympics (and America's most fiery contender, 22-year-old boxer Marlen Esparza, profiled in our July issue), it's clear that-from New York to Los Angeles-women are ready to lace up their gloves and get in the ring. Here are Vogue's picks for cutting-edge gyms and boutique studios across the country that specialize in teaching the age-old sport to a brand-new generation.

See also: 100 Under $100 Summer Finds

NEW YORK CITY:
Gotham Gym
For an alternative to the better known Aerospace in Greenwich Village and Punch Fitness on the Upper East Side, boxing devotees, new and experienced, can make their way to the hidden West Village gem Gotham Gym. A no-frills place, with New York intensity but a feeling of California calm, Gotham offers a wide variety of boxing and yoga classes, as well as personal training from a super-attentitive staff.

Gotham Gym
600 Washington Street

by William Norwich, Vogue

Rain or shine, it is high season for weekends away, but being a houseguest (and being a host for that matter) can be a minefield, can't it? Here, then, are eleven "Do's and "Don'ts" to help negotiate your holiday weekend.

-Do ask what time your host wants you to arrive and always be punctual. Also, determine when your host would like you to leave (usually after lunch on Sunday so your host can enjoy some afternoon downtime before heading back to town) and keep to that schedule, too. Bring a house gift with you but nothing perishable, including flowers-you can send those after you know what doesn't already grow in your host's garden-but instead, something delicious (that can be stored for a later date) or a wonderful picture book. Aerin Lauder suggests bringing along cookies, jams, or nuts, and her favorite go-to shop is Dean & Deluca. "They have great items perfect for any season," she says. If you'd prefer a book, Nostalgia in Vogue is an excellent

Photo: Courtesy of Bare Minerals by Chioma Nnadi, Vogue

As a woman of mixed race, my skin tone sits exactly between my father's chestnut-brown coloring and my mother's pale-white complexion-a shade my Italian grandfather used to call café au lait. While my freckly cousins were slathered in sunblock as children, I spent my days happily running around the garden without so much as a sun hat for coverage. So last year, when my dermatologist asked me if I'd ever had a skin check, I threw her a befuddled look. After all, I'd long reformed my reckless childhood ways and always wore sunscreen as an adult-at least where summer vacations were concerned. It wasn't until a friend spotted an unusually dark mole on my left index finger at dinner one night that I started to reconsider my doctor's orders. Had I been too dismissive? Was it even remotely possible that I was a candidate for skin cancer?

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According to new research from L'Oréal, the answer is yes. The fact is,

by Meredith Melling Burke, Vogue

Independence Day kicks off the biggest holiday weekend of the summer, and so here our editors tell us where they will go, what they will do, and, most importantly, what they will toss in their suitcases and beach bags for the celebrations.

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Taylor Swift: The Single Life

Angelina Jolie Throughout the Years in Vogue

Vogue Olympians

Adele: One and Only

by Ginny Graves, Vogue

Prozac (Paxil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor) Nation, take note: Some doctors now warn that our national epidemic of lackluster mood-10 percent of women in their 20s and 30s and 23 percent in midlife take antidepressants-may be driven partly by an under­recognized and somewhat controversial health issue: subclinical hypothyroidism, a less intense version of full-blown low thyroid that can cause depression-like symptoms.

When researchers from Boston University recently reviewed the literature on low-grade thyroid problems and mood, they found that treating the condition, which affects about 8 percent of women overall (and as many as 15 percent of older women), revived those who were downcast, possibly because thyroid hormone affects parts of the brain that help regulate mood.

See also: Jennifer Lopez in Scorching Summer Swimsuits

Psych meds are undoubtedly helpful for those who are truly depressed. "But you certainly don't want to take them when you actually have