Tips For Summer Beauty

Yay!  Summer is on its way, and it's certainly getting warmer.  What does that mean for your skin?  Since there's more moisture in the air, it's probably feel less parched than it did in January.  In addition, your makeup may feel a little heavy and sticky in the heat.  Check out these tips for summer beauty:

Tip #1:  Swap your moisturizing creams for moisturizing gels. 
I don't know about you, but I can't stand the feeling of moisturizer on my body on a hot summer day.  So one of my favorite beauty products of all time is the L'Occitane Citrus Verbena Sorbet Body Cream ($36 in department stores).  It's a non-sticky, gel-like body cream that melts into your skin, provides hydration, and cools skin.  Plus, the light lemon scent is perfect for the summer.  Another refreshing summer product is cooling gels, which provide just enough hydration for your face in the midst of summer heat.  Use the Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel ($38 at Sephora) as your evening summer moisturizer.  This gel disappears into skin, but keeps moisture sealed in, brightens, and minimizes pores.  And it's much more light-weight than a traditional moisturizer. 

Tip #2:  Boost the SPF
SPF 15 for daily wear is okay for the winter, but kick it up to SPF 30 during the summer when rays are more intense.  Remember that mineral sunblocks are ideal for sun protection.  Just dab a generous amount of bareMinerals Advanced Protection SPF 20 Moisturizer ($30 at Sephora) on your face every morning.  It hydrates and provides mineral-based sun protection.  And don't leave the skin on the rest of your body defenseless against the sun!  You may not care about wrinkles on your arms, but you can certainly get skin cancer there.  Rub some Vaseline Aloe Fresh Body Lotion SPF 15 ($8 at drugstores) on any exposed skin - neck, shoulders, arms, hands - before you go about your day.  I like this Vaseline product a lot because it's affordable, easy to find, and most importantly, healthy.  For more information on SPF, mineral sunblock, and sun protection for the beach, check out: http://beautyforlife127.blogspot.com/2013/06/summertime-means-sunscreen-time.html

Tip #3:  Rethink your coverage 

Heavy foundations can feel and look worse in hot weather.  Increased oilyness, perspiration, and humidity can make your makeup feel sticky on your face and cake more easily.  I know my foundation looks like a mess at the end of a 90 degree day...liquid foundations can sometimes feel as if they're melting off your face.  Stick with a BB/CC/DD cream or tinted moisturizer if you can.  They are a little bit lighter than an actual foundation and get absorbed by skin more easily.  The Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel ($28 at Sephora) is a BB gel that is light and ideal for summer weather.  If you really prefer fuller coverage, try a mineral makeup like the Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Powder Foundation ($40 at Sephora), which often stays better through perspiration and heat.  The powder foundation type will also help control humidity-induced shine. 


Tip #4:  Repack your purse

There are three items that you should add to your purse during the summer.  First, remember to pack your sunglasses.  Not only do they protect your eyes against developing cataracts, but they also protect the area around your eyes from wrinkles from the sun.  Second, I find myself brushing some Alison Raffaele Transparent Finish Powder To-Go ($46 on dermstore.com) on my face at some point during the middle of the day.  It's a weight-less, clear powder that absorbs excess oil and sets makeup.  This to-go version comes with the brush and mirror attached to the powder.  The powder dispenses into the brush for easy application and storage in your bag.  Lastly, keep some Evian Mineral Water Spray Duo To Go ($14 at Sephora) handy to spritz your face throughout the day.  The cold mist will feel so cool and refreshing on a hot day.  The water formula also sets makeup, restores hydration, and helps remove sweat.

Tip #5:  More vitamin E, less mineral oil
As I mentioned, you have an added sun stressor on your skin during the summer.  In

addition to protecting your skin from the sun during the day with SPF, it is also important to

assist with repairing any damage related to sun exposure during the night.  Using a vitamin E treatment can help with the recovery process, provide antioxidant protection against the sun, and soothe sunburned skin.  The Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light ($48 at Sephora) is a summer must-have.  This product is a pure oil, and argan oil is rich in natural vitamin E.  You may be thinking that the oil may feel too greasy in the summer, but Josie Maran makes a "light" version that is fast absorbing and super lightweight.  On the other hand, mineral oils (baby oil, petroleum jelly) attract sunlight and can cause burns.  Remember in the 1970's when people used baby oil to tan?  So make sure you're not using mineral oil or products that list mineral oil (or derivatives of it) as an ingredient in the morning.

Tip #6:  Tone down the deeps and have fun with brights.

Put those deep shades away.  Dark eye and lip makeup can get magnified by sunlight and often looks too heavy during the summer.  Ditch the ruby lipstick for a more natural looking shimmery peach lip gloss like the Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Amber ($19 at Sephora).  Shimmer is nice in the summer because it reflects the sunlight and gives off a pretty glow.  Another part of summer fun is bright nail colors.  The brightest pinks, oranges, blues seem more "acceptable" in the summer so take advantage of it!  I personally love the new Sally Hansen Triple Shine in Pixie Slicks ($5 in drugstores), an ultra shiny bright pink color with a hint of coral...super fun and pretty for summer!

Enjoy the warm weather everyone!

**All product recommendations are toxin-free