Summer Proofing Your Summer Style
Nothing says summer like lounging poolside while sipping a strawberry margarita, taking picnics in the park with your honey, or going on a day trip to the beach with your girls. Summer, like winter, requires special beauty tricks. To keep you looking your summer best, here are some head to toe fixes for the hot season.
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection too. The sun, wind, chlorine, and salt water can fade your color and severely damage your hair, causing frizz and a straw-like texture that can sometimes be irreversible.
What you need to do is create a sun shield. Nothing beats a hat as a protective barrier, but if that's not for you, spritz your damp hair with a spray-on sunscreen. Try Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Hairtherapy Sun Guardian UV-Protection Spray, or get more use out of the sunscreen you already have by diluting 2 teaspoons of sunscreen with one cup of water. Using a spray bottle, spray the product into your damp hair before styling. For additional protection, you can mist the solution on throughout the day. Don’t forget to do your part. Use full strength SPF directly on your scalp where you part your hair. The scalp's direct exposure to the sun in that manner can burn and peel! Even if you’re using UV protection, it is still a good idea to use deep conditioning treatments once a week as this will help keep the damage to the sun at a minimum. If you're using UV protection in your hair, don't forget to use a clarifying shampoo once a week since SPF products will build up on your hair shaft.
When it comes to summer make-up, less is best. Start a summer make-up bag, what better excuse to buy MORE MAKE-UP!
If you refuse to go bare in summer and can't imagine life without your foundation, consider putting away your foundation for the season and trying a tinted moisturizer such as Laura Mercier’s oil free tinted moisturizer. Lighter than foundation, tinted moisturizers still cover flaws but feel less "cakey." And while foundations can feel as if they're melting off your face, tinted moisturizers won't. MD Skincare makes an All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. Another option is mineral make-up. Not only does mineral makeup offer an ultra natural look, it won’t slip off skin like liquid foundation. It’s also ideal for breakout-prone or sensitive skin. It’s also sweat-resistant, making it the ideal choice for your summer foundation.
Now I know I just said the mineral make-up is sweat proof but let’s be realistic, there are days that are so hot and humid that sweating is inevitable. Ever try antiperspirant on your face? Who knew your daily antiperspirant could also be used to help stop your face from sweating? This is an “A-lister” secret to be sweat-free even under the hot lights of TV and movie sets. They apply a clear, solid antiperspirant before applying their makeup. Focus on areas like the upper lip, forehead, and hairline to help maintain a matte appearance throughout the day and to keep makeup from sliding off. Unfortunately, this has had mixed reviews, and check with your doctor to see if this is right for your skin.
To keep eye shadow from creeping into your eyelid crease, prime lids with an eye shadow base which acts like a primer. Try Too Faced Shadow Insurance. A good base should also hold your eyeliner, but to ensure it also doesn't rub off on lids, apply eye shadow over the line to "set it." Better yet, skip the pencil eyeliners for summer and opt instead for a liquid liner, which won't budge as the day wears on. On extremely hot summer days, go with the melt. Choose eye colors in subtle, pearly shades, like coral-pinks and lavenders. That way, when the inevitable smudge happens, you’ll end up with a muted, sexy glow around your eyes- not raccoon rings. As for mascara, waterproof mascara is a great bet.
When it comes to summer, cheeks and lips stains are a perfect fit. Just remember a little goes along way. Stila makes a double duty lip and cheek stain that fits perfect in a tiny purse.
Bold nail polish colors are in this season, but these colors won’t look so bright after a little time in the sun. Protect your hot pink polish with a longwearing formula that provides a tough, chip-resistant finish with UV protection to prevent polish discoloration. Nars has a new and improved formula for long lasting wear.
Sundresses are all the rage this summer, but every year I see dozens of women wearing a bra that doesn’t support them, or no bra at all. Saggy breasts are not attractive. You could opt for a dress with a built in shelf bra, but I’m sorry to say, this doesn’t apply to big busted women. You will still need a bra to support you. Tank tops are a summer staple, but nobody wants to see your bra creeping from underneath. There is no excuse for this fashion offence when they make bras for every style. Try the Victoria’s Secret 100 way Bra or Strap Perfect, which has a little clip that will turn any bra into a racer backs style.
Grab that SPF, put on that electric blue polish and head out to your summer destination, but never let them see you sweat.
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