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

When Should You Be Changing Up Your Beauty Routine?

Have you had the same beauty regiment for the past 10 years?  Or do you change it up every day?  You can actually get away with using a lot of the same products for a long time.  At the same time, there are some "optimal" times when you should change it up.  Why?

The facts:
 
The truth is that your skin won't get used to the ingredients that you're using for the most part.  For example, if you've been using a vitamin C moisturizer in the evenings for the past few years, your skin won't get "immuned" to the vitamin C to the point that the effectiveness of it diminishes.  It's similar to ingesting vitamins and minerals - eating an apple every day won't necessarily make an apple less healthy for you after a while.  Your skin simply uses the nutrients from your skincare products to assist in cellular processes. 

While your skin doesn't get used to ingredients, it does respond to environmental stimuli and can therefore adapt to some of the products that you're using.  Mostly, your skin adapts in terms of moisture and sebum (oil production).  If you deprive your skin (and your lips) of moisture, your skin will eventually respond in the long-term by producing more oil to keep

skin elastic.  Similarly, if you overmoisturize, your skin will respond by producing less oil, since you're doing the job of keep skin moisturized.  The overproduction of oil can lead to breakouts, while the underproduction of oil can lead to the development of a dry skin type.  Thus, make sure that you are moisturizing your face just the right amount...in the morning and at night only.  To prevent overmoisturizing, start with a light moisturizer like the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream ($27 in department stores).  If that does the trick and seems to keep your skin soft for the rest of the day then great!  If not, try a more heavy duty product like the Philosophy Hope in Jar Night ($50 at Sephora).  For the daytime, try the Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer ($29 at Ulta), or the thicker Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer ($38 at Ulta).  Of course, you may have to adjust

this routine depending on how dry/moist it is outside, but for the most part, this should be enough moisture for your face.  The skin on your body isn't as delicate as your face, you should be fine using a light body moisturizer a few times per week.  Additionally, the same rules apply to cleansing.  If you wash your face too many times per day, you will strip your skin of good oils, causing you to overproduce oil.  Limit face washing to night time, and mornings (unless you have super dry or sensitive skin).

What does that mean?  Well, you don't need to be changing up your products frequently to keep them effective.  However, you should be changing up your beauty routine during the following times:

• Seasonally:  When the weather is hotter and/or more humid, your skin needs less moisturizer, since there is more moisture in the air.  And don't forget that it tends to be
  
  sunnier when it's hotter, so boost your level of sun protection.  Wearing a moisturizer with mineral SPF of at least 30 like the Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 ($38 at Sephora) on a daily basis is your best defense against sun-induced aging and melanoma.
• As you age:  Your skin changes with time.  You develop sun spots and wrinkles, collagen production slows, cells don't regenerate as efficiently, and your skin gets drier.  On the bright side, your skin gets less shiny and acne-prone.  So gradually, you will be transitioning from oil-free products that mattify shine, minimize pores, and medicate pimples to products that provide more intense hydration, brighten, firm, and increase elasticity.  You can wait to see what your more specific aging needs are (dark spots? wrinkles?) as the signs come, or simply switch it up from your 20's to your 30's to your 40's...
• To treat any skin conditions:  This is pretty much common sense.  But sometimes during dry weather, using new products, or randomly, your skin can develop allergies, become irritated, or develop conditions like eczema.  In these cases, you probably have to switch to gentler, hypoallergenic products geared toward sensitive skin.

What changes to your routine have you made recently, and why?

Healthy Nail Art

Nail polish can be full of toxic chemicals, but that doesn't mean you have to opt for colorless nails.  A healthy solution to getting trendy nails?  Try nail appliqués!  These are nail stickers that you place over your entire nail.  You then file off any excess sticker with a nail file and you're done.  No dry time, no fumes, and no nail polish left on your skin.  And you can get great looks that are difficult to do with regular nail polish!  When you are nail, you simply remove it with nail polish remover.

I really like the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips ($7.99 at drugstores).  They have some really nice styles ranging from animal print to glitter to plain colors, and they last up to 10 days. 

I tried the Sally Hansen stickers in their "Wishnets" pattern.  What do you think?

Swapping ChapStick for EOS: Healthy Substitutes for Popular Unhealthy Beauty Products

I'm sure many of us have stumbled upon those Shape Magazine or Weight Watchers articles that suggest healthier substitutes for popular snacks.  I thought...why not the same guide for beauty products?  As I always mention, choosing healthy beauty products can be just as important as choosing healthy foods.  So, here are some healthy substitutes for some common personal care products that you may be using:

1.  Walgreens Aloe Vera Replenishing Body Gel ($6.79 at Walgreens stores)
As one of nature's most powerful natural skin-care ingredients, aloe can be a great daily skin treatment.  Its hydrating, soothing, calming, antiseptic, healing, and anti-oxidant properties make it useful for treating burns, acne, aging, and a variety of other skin conditions.  Be careful of aloe vera gels on store shelves.  Many of them like the Walgreens Aloe Vera Replenishing Body Gel contain a paraben to preserve the product.  
 
Instead, try Lily of the Desert 99% Aloe Vera Gelly ($8.49 at Whole Foods). 
Lily of the Desert makes really great paraben-free aloe products.  Their 99% Aloe Vera Gelly is just as easy to apply as generic drugstore brand aloe products with all of the same wonderful skin benefits. 

2.  Vaseline Spray & Go Moisture ($7.99 at drugstores)
Moisturizing your body everyday can be a time-consuming task.  The Vaseline Spray and Go Moisture tackles this problem.  You simply spray the product on your skin, and the fast-absorbing formula means that there is no need to rub.  Another advantage is that it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy like other lotions often do.  Unfortunately, this spray-on moisturizer contains two types of parabens.

Instead, try Solar Recover Save Your Skin Spray ($13 at Whole Body).
The Solar Recover Save Your Skin Spray works similarly.  It hydrates skin and absorbs pretty nicely too.  One bonus is that this spray contains natural skin conditioners and protectors like natural vitamin E and lavender oil that are not in the Vaseline spray.  Great as a daily moisturizer!

3.  Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Oil-free ($43 at Sephora)

The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is definitely a fan favorite.  The light-weight moisturizers offers sheer coverage with a dewy finish and even blends smoothly over fine lines.  Too good to be true?  Sadly, yes because the formula contains two different types of parabens.
 
Instead, try Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15 ($55 at Sephora).

The Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer is a paraben-free version of Laura Mercier's oil-free moisturizer with SPF.  Many natural, oil-free tinted moisturizers can have an unflattering drying feel and look.  But the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer provides sheer coverage with a subtle, natural glow that is similar to the effects you would see with the Laura Mercier moisturizer.
 
 

4.  Clinique Almost Powder SPF 15 ($25 at Sephora)
For those of you, who have oily skin like me, shine control is a must, and powder is an important step in the makeup application process.  With hint of color and SPF 15 sun protection, the Clinique Almost Powder is a best-seller.  The downside to this product?  Parabens.

Instead, try Bare Minerals Ready Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($22 at Sephora).

Like the Clinique powder, the Bare Minerals Ready Touch Up Veil uses minerals to create light coverage and to reduce shine on the face.  It also has the same level of sun protection.  But the best part about this product?  No parabens!

5.  Clearasil Stayclear Daily Clear Daily Pore Cleansing Pads ($5.50 at drugstores) 
Those of us, who have tried to treat acne with over-the counter products (myself included), have probably used cleansing pads and/or Clearasil products at some point.  You simply wipe the pad over your face 1-2 per day after washing.  However, the Clearasil Stayclear Daily Clear Daily Pore Cleansing Pads contain two types of parabens.  
 

Instead, try MyChelle Clear Skin Clarifying Pads ($9.99 at Whole Foods).   
Just like the Clearasil ones, these pads have a ridged, exfoliating texture, but with safer ingredients.  If the Clearasil pads were effective for you, chances are the MyChelle ones will be too because both products use salicyclic acid as the key acne-fighting ingredient.  MyChelle uses naturally derived salicyclic acid from willowbark and even incorporates other natural acne-fighters like tea tree oil.      

6.  Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula ($6.29 at drugstores)

Nourishing cocoa butter can be really beneficial to your skin by providing hydration and lightening scars and stretch marks.  Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula has become quite recognizable with its yummy chocolate scent, but did you know that its formulated using petrolatum, mineral oil, and two types of parabens?
 

Instead, try Jason Softening Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Lotion ($7.79 at drugstores).
The Jason Softening Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion is a great alternative to the Palmer's product.  You get the same hydrating and lightening effects without the parabens or mineral oil.  Jason products are also distributed by many of the same retailers that sell Palmer's lotions.

7.  Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion ($8.29 at drugstores)

Most of us have some kind of daily moisturizer lying around in our bathroom, in our car, or on our desk at work.  Next time you reach for the Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion on the store shelf, consider this:  This product contains three different types of parabens along with mineral oil.
 

Instead, try Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($8.49 at drugstores)

Aveeno products are generally available in the same places in which you can find Lubriderm lotions.  The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion has the same effect as the Lubriderm version and has no harmful ingredients.  Don't worry about breaking the bank because the two lotions are practically the same price!

8.  Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads ($73 at Sephora)
Retinoids can be great for fighting signs of aging like sunspots and wrinkles in addition to skin conditions like acne.  One of the most popular retinoid treatment products on the market is the Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads, which has an oily serum-like consistency.  When deciding whether or not to use this product, consider the fact these pads contain BHT.  
 

Instead, try REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate ($60 at Sephora).

All REN products are made with clean ingredients, and the Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate is no exception.  Like the Philosophy retinoid pads, it is one of the few retinoid treatments (rather than a retinoid moisturizer) on the market and has an oily serum-like consistency.  Just remember that retinol products make your skin extra sensitive to the sun, so pile on the sunscreen!

 

9. ChapStick Classic ($1.59 at drugstores)
ChapStick has definitely grown to be the "go-to" brand when it comes to lip balm.  It's been reliable, cheap, easy-to-find, and easy-to-carry.  But did you know that Chapstick products not only contain two types of parabens, but also petrolatum and mineral oil? 

Instead, try EOS Lip Balm ($3.29 at drugstores).
Lately, EOS Lip Balms have been the latest craze with their cute, ball-like shape.  Why should you jump on the EOS bandwagon?  Their products are equally as effective as ChapStick products are and without the parabens or petrolatum.  And you can find many of the same lovable ChapStick flavors in the EOS line. 

10.  The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Scrub ($20 at The Body Shop stores)

Nut body scrubs are a great treat for your skin.  Scrubs remove dead skin cells, stimulate circulation, and soften skin.  I especially like the calming effect of nutty scents.  Like many of their other body products, The Body Shop Brazil Nut Scrub is made with two different types of parabens.
 

Instead, try TreeHut Brazilian Nut Shea Sugar Body Scrub ($5.99 at Ulta).

TreeHut makes some really great, affordable personal care products.  One of my favorites is the Brazilian Nut Shea Sugar Scrub.  It does the same job as The Body Shop one and has the same sweet scent, but without the toxins. 


What healthy substitutions are you making?