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
What's the one makeup product women can't seem to live without? Surveys show that it is mascara. I tend to agree because a little mascara can make a huge difference. It only takes 2 minutes to apply and can really open and highlight your eyes more naturally than eyeliner or eyeshadow can.
But the market is so saturated with mascara products these days. How do you narrow down your options? First, I like to start by focusing on paraben and sulfate-free products (like the product recommendations below). In general, try to look for smudge-proof formulas. Save water-proof formulas for the beach because they often peel or clump easily. Many mascara formulas are similar, so it's really all about the brush. Different brushes serve different functions. Most women with normal lashes are looking to boost lash definition. Fine toothed comb brushes like the Juice Beauty Lash Defining Mascara ($19 at Ulta) can help sweep lashes upwards, while depositing clump-free color onto lashes that won't transfer to skin or stick lashes together. Volumized lashes can offer a slightly more dramatic look. I absolutely love the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($19 at Sephora), and it is definitely a fan favorite. It is "clinically proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 424%," and the natural formula is very gentle on lashes. Overall, I like the mascara's light, soft feel and natural look.
For those of you with sensitive eyes...try Almay's mascaras, which are hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist recommended for contact lens wearers. I especially like the Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara ($8 in drugstores). Almay is an affordable and effective brand with products for people with sensitive skin and eyes, and their mascara is no exception. They make specific lengthening, thickening, volumizing, etc. mascaras, but the One Coat Triple Effect is a very general mascara product. It builds, extends, and sculpts lashes in one simple sweep.
For those of you who prefer waterproof products...try the bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara ($18 at Ulta). The formula is waterproof, but it is not as sticky or flaky as many other waterproof products, while the fine bristles help brush lashes upwards and allow you to easily reach all of your lashes. With beautiful shades like Ripe Plum and Espresso, you had definitely a color that goes with any look.
For those of you with sparse lashes...try a thickening formula like the Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara ($33 on dermstore.com). The large brush adds a lot of color with each sweep (you only need 2 coats) while separating lashes. Like all Jane Iredale products, this mascara is good for your lashes too. A good tar-free mascara is hard to find, but this is one of them. Also, it contains seaweed to condition and fortify lashes.
For those of you with short lashes...try a lengthening formula like the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara ($8 at Ulta). I didn't think that the fatter brush on this mascara was going to work well for lengthening, but it's actually really nice! Since my eyelashes are pretty short, this is usually my go-to mascara. The formula glides on really smoothly, and the brush makes for a neat and full application. This product comes in multiple shades, but my personal fave is the Black Shimmer. The "shimmer" is very subtle, but really adds a sparkle to the eyes.
And don't forget about your lower lashes to complete the look. Since they're smaller, they can be harder to reach. If coating the lower lashes is tough for you, invest in the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10 at Sephora). The short brush is designed for reaching all of those lower lashes, and the formula removes easily when exposed to warm water.
Make sure you curl your lashes BEFORE you put on your mascara. Curling them with mascara on can make your lashes brittle and cause them to stick to the curler. My personal favorite curlers are the Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($18 at Sephora) and the Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler ($16 at department stores), which has a cushy pad that prevents pinching and unique compact shape for travel. Also, heating your curler with a blow dryer helps your curler curl (just be careful not to burn yourself because the metal will get hot). You can even buy heated curlers like the Sephora Heated Eyelash Curler ($17 at Sephora). If you have lashes like mine that don't curl very easily, you can use a brush with a curved wand like the Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara ($19 at Sephora) in addition to curling your lashes. As the name implies, the S-shaped wand will help sculpt and shape lashes more effectively than a straight brush. Many drugstore brands make a product with a curved wand, but I like the Buxom one because of the ultra fine brush bristles and the vitamin-rich formula.
Another way to improve your mascara wear is by applying a primer first. This will hold the mascara onto your lashes for a longer period of time and prevent smudging, flaking, and fading. Like your hair, your lashes can get brittle after being coated with mascara day after day. Primers can also protect your lashes from mascara. The Tarte MultiplEYE Clinically Proven Natural Lash Enhancing Primer ($22 at Sephora) is a natural option that nourishes and conditions lashes with HydroPlant peptide to help them naturally appear longer and fuller.
The nice thing about mascara is that there are many great options for wallet-friendly prices. So, picking up your favorite mascara from the nearest drugstore can be a guilt-free treat. After all, there's nothing more elegant than luscious lashes!
What is your favorite mascara?
With all of the new product innovation that has spurred such competition amongst beauty brands, a few cosmetics stand out as being particularly unique. Special effects have given us products that allow us to look flawless while doing the following:
1. Glowing in the dark
Wow everyone at a party or club with fluorescent makeup! These products provide a pop of color both day and night. During the daytime, they provide ordinary pigmented color and react with UV light to glow in the dark. For your lips, try the Stila After Glow Lip Color ($18 at Sephora), which is a long-wearing moisturizing lip crayon that comes in two bright colors: fuscia and tangerine. Then, dust the rest of your face and/or body with the Make Up For Ever Fluo Night ($31 on www.makeupforever.com). This finely milled loose powder comes in a variety of colors (including a translucent white) and can be mixed with other cosmetics to enhance colors and turn them into fluorescent formulas. Both of these products are limited edition products (the Fluo Night is an older product and a little harder to find), so scoop them up while you can! And you can't forget about the nails. The Glow in the Dark Nail Polish ($6 at American Apparel) is a convenient, affordable option.
2. Sleeping
The biggest beauty crime is not washing off your makeup before bed. However, the bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment ($60 at Sephora) changes what we think about sleeping in makeup. It's a pigmented powder that works its magic as you sleep. Formulated with minerals, this powder hydrates, smooths, minimizes pores, and brightens so that you wake up with a more even skintone and a luminous glow. The feature that really differentiates it from other night treatments is that it provides coverage. You fall asleep with a flawless complexion and wake up with a more naturally flawless one as well ;)
3. Swimming
Want to look fabulous from the beginning to the end of your next pool party? Well, with Make Up For Ever's Aqua products you can. It features a collection of waterproof eye cosmetics (shadows, liners, mascara, and eyebrow corrector) and lip cosmetics (pencil and color). The line even contains an Aqua Seal ($21 at Sephora) that allows you to convert any powder eye cosmetic into a waterproof liquid one. However, the Aqua collection is missing waterproof face cosmetics. But don't worry because the Make Up For Ever brand does make a Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($40 at Sephora) to provide waterproof coverage for
the face and body. Since oil and water don't mix, many waterproof formulas tend to be super oily or waxy. However, the Face & Body Liquid Makeup is nice, since it's water-based, so no breakouts! And fix those more specific imperfections with the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer ($22 at Sephora). Feel free to dive, splash, and frolic in the water without worrying about smudging or running!
In general, you should reserve these products for occasional rather than regular use, with the exception of the Pure Transformation Night Treatment (since it's a gentle skincare + cosmetics product). The ingredients that make a product glow in the dark or waterproof can be harsh, but vary based on each product. I usually advocate healthy products only, but some of these products do contain parabens as well as other toxins. But honestly if you're using them once in a while, it's not a huge a deal. Also, there are only 1 or 2 of each of these product types currently on the market, and there aren't any healthy alternatives available. The take away? These products are super fun, and you should definitely use them for the occasions for which they are meant :)
There are tons of environmental factors and behaviors that theoretically can age us. But which ones really do age us and why?
A few case studies have revealed evidence for several behaviors that are thought to expedite the onset of signs of aging. Check it out:
Culprit #1: Not washing your face
Evidence: A woman didn't wash her face for 30 days (left: before, right: after). A dermatologist estimated that it aged her skin by about 10 years.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2380419/What-sleeping-make-does-skin-Our-shocking-experiment-exposes-happens.html
Why? Aside from allowing for skin irritation and acne-forming oil and bacteria to develop on her skin, not washing her makeup off every night definitely contributed to the aging process. Your skin needs a certain amount of oxygen and moisture to repair and regenerate properly when you sleep, which is tough to do with makeup sitting on your skin. In addition, pollutants and free radicals in the air get on our skin from simply walking around outside every day. You need to cleanse your face to not only remove oil, germs, and makeup, but also to remove free radicals, which accelerate the skin aging process.
Solution: Wash your face each night before you go to bed. If you have oily/combination skin, try a gel-based cleanser like the Boscia Detoxifying Black Mask ($28 at Sephora). For normal or dryer skin types, try a creamier formula like the Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus with Antioxidant Complex Moisturizing Cleanser ($22 on amazon.com).
Culprit #2: Sun Exposure
Evidence: A 69-year-old man, who spent 28 years as a truck driver, had much more pronounced signs of aging on the left side of his face, which had been exposed to the sun as he was driving, than the right side of this face.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57446898-10391704/trucker-accumulates-skin-damage-on-left-side-of-his-face-after-28-years-on-the-road/
Why? The UV radiation that is emitted from the sun is extremely hot and so powerful that it can penetrate glass (like car windows). Our bodies in general were not made to be able to tolerate this heat for prolonged periods of time. For example, in addition to feeling tired or dehydrated, the sun can play a part in the formation of cataracts. While exposure to short-term, intense sunlight (like at the beach) can burn us, prolonged and consistent exposure to any sunlight can help in the formation of both sunspots and wrinkles.
Solution: Wear a heavy, physical sunblock like the Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Cream ($28 at Sephora) during your days at the beach. Don't forget that the sun is out every day, so it's important to apply a moisturizer with SPF like the bareMinerals Advanced Protection SPF 20 Moisturizer ($30 at Sephora) every morning. And for those times, you end up exposing yourself to more sunlight than you intended (driving on a sunny day), whip the Murad Essential-C Sun Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($25 at Sephora) out of purse and quickly glide the stick formula over your skin.
Culprit #3: Not Moisturizing Adequately
Evidence: A woman's wrinkles diminished and skin tone evened around the eye area after using an eye cream for a few weeks (absolutely no retouching involved!).
Why? First, your skin needs hydration to retain a natural moisture balance that allows it to appear healthy and undergo processes such as cell regeneration. So when you moisturize, you are allowing your skin to function at its best. Moisturizing also makes your skin more supple and elastic, which can make it more resilient to stretching when you rub it, laugh, etc. Specifically, the skin around the eye area is particularly fragile and thin, so wrinkles can really easily develop there. Lines around the eye and lip can get further exaggerated as we laugh and smile. Eye and lip creams, in particular, can provide a better level of hydration and richer nutrients to prevent wrinkles in this area.
Solution: Moisturize both day and night, so your skin is hydrated 24/7. While your daily moisturizer should be a little lighter and contain SPF, your evening moisturizer should be a little bit heavier because your skin loses moisture as you sleep. Additionally, your evening moisturizer should be packed with nutrients to best assist your skin in the rejuvenation process that occurs during your slumber. For your eye and lip areas, try a more heavy duty product like the Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream ($49 at Sephora).
Culprit #4: Smoking
Evidence: The picture below shows identical twin sisters. The one of the left is a non-smoker, and the one of the right has been smoking for 29 years.
Why? As many of us know, smoking is detrimental to your overall health. The damage that it does to your organs and systems will be reflected in your skin through sagging around the eyes and nose and discoloration of certain areas of the face. In addition, facial gestures during smoking can lead to wrinkles around the mouth and chin areas faster than you would hope.
Solution: Stop smoking!
Culprit #5: Dehydration
Evidence: A woman, who was drinking less than the recommended water intake, began to drink 3 liters of water per day. Just 4 weeks later, her skin looked noticeably healthier and more youthful.
Why? Afterall, our bodies are composed of about 70% water, which is vital to our functioning. In terms of skincare, water helps flush out toxins that make us more prone to blemishes. The natural glow and reduced appearance of wrinkles in the right-hand photo can be explained by the fact that water helps maintain the moisture balance that keeps skin soft, making our skin more supple and elastic.
Solution: It is recommended that we drink at least 8 cups of water per day. Many of us don't actually keep track of how much water we're drinking. So to make sure that you're drinking enough, set aside at least 4 pint-sized water bottles each morning to finish by the end of the day.
In addition, there are a few correlates with aging that haven't been proved with concrete photos like the ones mentioned above. However, there are scientific explanations for them.
Culprit #6: Poor Diet
Explanation: Like the rest of your organs, your skin needs vitamins and nutrients. The foods that are good for your skin are the foods that are good for you in general. Eating tons of fruits and vegetables will help protect your skin and the rest of your body with antioxidants. Specifically, foods like oranges that contain vitamin C can promote skin cell turnover, and foods like turmeric, a part of the ginger family, work to brighten your complexion. Working to incorporate them into your diet as well as into your skincare products can bring on a multi-pronged attacked against aging.
Solution: Sometimes, it can be hard or unappealing to eat these foods in place of others or as snacks in addition to regular meals. The easiest way to work skin-healthy ingredients into your diet is by subtly adding them to your meals. If you're cooking pasta, simply throw in some extra green veggies, add some turmeric powder to your sauce, or squeeze a citrus fruit into your drink.
Culprit #7: Lack of Exercise
Explanation: Mild to moderate aerobic exercise (super rigorous exercise can put a lot of pressure on your skin) can help prevent wrinkle formation by helping maintain a healthy balance of moisture and oil to keep your skin supple and elastic. It also promotes circulation and stimulates new cell growth, which give your complexion a nice, natural glow. Sweating while you work out can help flush your skin of toxins...just remember to cleanse afterwards to prevent acne and odor.
Solution: Exercise doesn't have to mean buying a gym membership or finding an extra hour in the day to jog. Simply take the long walking route to work in the morning or swap the elevator for the stairs :)
Culprit #8: Not Enough Sleep
Explanation: In general, the PM is a night for your body to regroup and recharge for the next day. As a part of this process, your skin is regenerating skin and drying to recover from the damage of the day. If you're not getting efficient and enough sleep, you're denying your skin this opportunity.
Solution: It's definitely hard to squeeze more hours of sleep in with our busy schedules. So, instead try to work on getting quality sleep. Soothing pre-bed routines such as a taking warm bath, drinking herbal tea, or reading a good book can help calm the mind and prepare your body for optimal sleep mode. Also, remember to avoid caffeine in the evenings and staring a at computer screen too late at night (the stimulating lights keep you awake).
Lastly, there is one proposed correlation with aging that has received rather mixed results:
Culprit #9: Pulling
Theory: Some people speculate that consistent stretching on the skin can promote wrinkles. For example, we often hear that it is best to sleep on your back with a silk pillowcase to prevent crease lines and tugging that occurs when your face is on a pillow. There really hasn't been any "evidence" or scientific explanation for this assertion (because it's pretty tough to measure), though many hypothesize that the link exists. In my opinion, it makes sense that constant pulling can stretch the skin, and it's better to avoid it just in case.
Solution: Only use gentle, upward motions when massaging your face or applying products. In addition, use your ring finger to apply cream around delicate areas like the eyes and lips. Your ring finger gives you the least amount of control, so you exert less pressure on it when you smooth cream into your skin. As for pillow wrinkles, you can try a silk pillowcase. The Pond's Institute even recently came out with an Illuminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase with Copper Oxide ($60 at Bergdorf Goodman). Copper is a mineral that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and is embedded in the fibers of this
pillowcase. Not to mention that it's super soft too. If anyone tries it, let me know what you think!
The takeaways? There are multiple factors that contribute to aging, though we don't necessarily know which ones contribute more. The best way to prevent wrinkles and sunspots is to approach the aging process holistically, paying extra attention to "proven" causes of aging like sun exposure and proper skincare. Just remember that fighting aging is about good wrinkle creams AND good general health behaviors.
**All product recommendations are healthy!
When it comes to beauty, I don't believe in rigid guidelines because you should really do whatever works for you. However, one rule that every girl should always follow is removing your makeup at night. Why?
That being said...there are always those times when it's inevitable that you're going to sleep in our makeup - whether you're taking a red-eye flight or crashing at a friend's place after a late night outing. The challenge is finding products that will still look great on your face when you wake up and will cause minimal disruption to your skin's overnight repair process. On those occasions, try these healthy products to keep your skin feeling as healthy and looking as fresh as possible:
The Eyes
The eyes are definitely the trickiest part when it comes to sleeping in makeup. There's no way to avoid the fact that leaving it on when you sleep can definitely make you more prone to eye infections and styes. So the following product recommendations are more based on how well they stay on while you slumber. From
personal experience, I can say that sleeping in a smokey eye look can result in looking like a raccoon when you wake up. So opt for a simpler look with shimmers and mattes only...sparkles can end up all over your face by the end of the night. In general, if you know you're going to sleep in eye makeup, stick to smudge and crease-proof products, rather than products that blend well. This means that you should stay away from pencil or powder liners. A gel or liquid liner will stay on your eyes for longer and won't smudge. I'm all for
drugstore products, but I find that they peel more easily and don't last as long as liners like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20 at Sephora). It has a nice thin tip for a precise and smooth application and does not run or smudge. Or try the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23 at Sephora), if you're more of a gel person. It is also a very long-lasting formula and comes in some really pretty colors like Chocolate Shimmer and Hunter. Similarly, try a cream shadow like the shimmery Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadows ($18 at Sephora). They're light-weight, crease-resistant, easily to blend, and richly pigmented. And don't forget mascara!
Look for long-last mascaras that are smudge-proof rather than waterproof (since waterproof formulas are more likely to peel). The two big long-lasting, volumizing mascaras on shelves are the Maybelline XXL Pro 24HR Bold Mascara ($8 in drugstores) and the Cover Girl LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara ($9 in drugstores). There's even a new, hot mascara product that lasts 72 hours! Unfortunately, the Max Factor Lashfinity 3 Day Mascara has only been released in the UK. I can't wait for it to make it over here!
The Lips
As you sleep, your lips lose moisture, so you definitely need to wear a moisturizing product at night. Your best bet for long-last lip color is always a lip stain because they literally "stain" your lips. The problem with lip stains though is that they don't provide hydration. So products like the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($17 at Sephora) and the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain ($9 in drugstores) have introduced a solution in the form of balm + stains, which are similar to chubby crayons. Balm + stains are the perfect product for beautifully pigmented, soft, kissable lips morning and night.
The Face
Like your lips, your skin will also lose moisture as you sleep, and many foundations even pull moisture from your skin in order to keep from caking. Instead of a foundation, stick to a BB or CC cream for better hydration and coverage that will last. In this case, a CC like the Ole Henriksen Total Truth CC Creme Broad Spectrum 30 ($36 at Sephora) that is suited more for dry skin types will do the job. Or if you're more of a BB person, try the Dr. Jart+ V7 Beauty Balm ($36 at Sephora), which is packed with vitamins to assist with the skin-renewal process when you sleep (so that your skin is supple and radiant when you wake up!). Both products contain hylauronic acid to help your skin lock in moisture. As for your blush, try a gel formula that will stay on without drying out your skin. I've always been a fan of the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee ($22 at Sephora) because it is very natural looking, and the coverage is buildable. Plus, it water infused and formulated with coconut, a super hydrating natural ingredient. Alternatively, you can try a rollerball gel blush, which is also very natural looking. Tarte makes a nice Maracuja Blush and Go ($32 at Sephora) and for a sheerer color, use the Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel ($28 at Sephora) with Smart Color Technology that adjusts to your skin tone. These rollerball blushes are great for sleeping because they're light-weight, moisturizing, and contain beneficial vitamins and antioxidants.
And don't forget to top it all off with powder! One of the most innovative beauty products to hit the market is the bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment ($60 at Sephora), the first makeup product that is specifically designed for sleeping. In fact, it is an overnight treatment that replenishes skin so that you wake up with a luminous glow. At the same, the powder is pigmented, providing coverage to mask imperfections, minimize pores, and even skin tone. Overall, it is pretty transfer-resistant and moisturizes without feeling oily. It's definitely one of the coolest products that I've tried!
To help your makeup last throughout the night and stick to your face rather than your pillow,
check out these tips. The morning following up your night in makeup, your complexion may look a little dull. After cleansing, try a mask that will help renew your skin and restore its natural glow. Simply smooth some JUARA Skincare Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask ($35 at skinstore.com) all over your face and rinse it off with cool water after 15 minutes...your face will be instantly brightened!
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:
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. 
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
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. 
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.
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! 
