For a healthy summer face that will go with all those bright fashions this season, stick to the beautiful shades of nature. Grab these:
- beautiful bronzers
- sunny yellows
- sweet peaches and papaya
- vibrant strawberry
- tangy kiwi and lime
Mix things up and have some fun by trying different color eyeliners on your top and bottom lash lines. Also, bronze cheeks and smokey bronze eyes are always a great summer look.
Keep in mind: For skin oil-free is key when it comes to hot-weather foundations. Use a multi-tasker foundation with a built-in SPF. Or skip the foundation and just use a concealer along with your SPF.
Bronzer: I consider this to be THE essential make-up must have! Bronzing powder--in loose or cake form--works great with a big fluffy brush and the right placement. Remember bronzer should be swept everywhere the sun would touch. This gives you a sunkissed look, not a dirty one! Some of the bronzer brands I like are: Benefit, Mac, Bobbi Brown, and Nars. Smashbox in Bronze Lights is my personal fave.
Cheeks: The heat and humidity of summer make it necessary to stick to the basics. However, that doesn't mean you have to go bare-faced. For a sheer, natural blushing look; Sonia Kashuk Cheek Sheer in Sun-kissed ($8; at Target store) gives a great natural look with pretty color.
Eyes: Eye shadow alone can quickly change your entire look, and warm tones like gold, copper and nude, as well as flirty pinks and lavender hues, are summer staples. The shades of the season come in an array of deep corals and bronzes. Play with some different liners and colors. Be bold and try some frosty liners in minty green, aqua blue, and cool white!
Lips: Lips should stay wet and glossy. Try a gloss with an SPF. Matte lipsticks are way too drying for this time of year. A dewy is more youthful.
Nails: Try Chanel's Orange Fizz, it works with every skintone. OPI's summer colors come in Banana Yellow, Bright Coral, Sea Blue, and a bright Fushia. The hot new Nail Rage is Glitter. OPI and Sally Hansen are jumping on this wagon. A warning: the glitter polishes are harder to get off and require a lot more remover and elbow grease! Another trend to try - nail art pens! Sally Hansen makes this great product--perfect for creating a fast French manicure or fun designs. Remember my tip from last summer, try a crazy color on your toes first...move it up to your hands only if you're comfortable!
Mascara: When it comes to summer mascaras, you have permission to ditch basic blacks and browns. Instead, coat lashes with a swipe of bronze, violet and blue. Some great waterproof mascaras are: Dior, Trish McEvoy, and Maybelline New York Great Lash.
Self Tanners: Find one that is not tested on animals, and keeps the skin hydrated. Make sure you exfoliate and have even applications all over your body. Spray are sometimes eaisier to manage. Clarins, makes a great face self-tanner: Radiance-Plus cream gel.
Seems like there are so many new sunscreen options out there now. What SPF should I be using? Do I use it once and I'm good all day? I want to make sure I'm using the best sunscreen for me.
Oh, do I love this question! I love to focus on good skin care before talking about any kind of make-up application. And, I always preach SPF. I do practice what I preach, so I hope this helps you.
Let's start with what a sunscreen actually is: Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.
UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays are associated with wrinkling or leathering of the skin. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.
What number SPF should you use? Well the SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. No sunscreen can block all UV rays. I say go for the higher SPF, especially if you have a history of skin cancer and/or bad burning.
What age do we start wearing sunscreen? Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. And remember, The days of spraying it on your kids as they are running past you to jump in the pool are over. You should apply sunscreen 30-minutes before you are exposed to the sun. That lets it sink into your skin.
Remember to re-apply your sunscreen every two hours. Also re-apply immediately after swimming, toweling- off or sweating. Also remember, you need to protect yourself from the sun's rays even on a cloudy day.
Many multi-task moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) already in them, and this is ok for everyday use with a few minutes here and there in the sun. However, if you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, you need stronger, water-resistant, beachwear-type sunscreen that holds together on your skin. The "water resistant" and "very water resistant" types are also good for hot days or while playing sports, because they're less likely to drip into your eyes.
Quick Sun Tips:
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
- Cover up with clothing and hat.
- Keep newborns in the shade avoid the sun.
- Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
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Using a small, flat brush, sweep a shimmer eye shadow in a light vanilla or cream color along the brow bone, and in the inner corner of each eye. Nothing perks up dull, tired eyes faster.
Go over this list before you go to the store to have a beautiful budget-friendly experience!
> View and Print the checklist (pdf)
Getting your kids ready for back to school can be a great opportunity to teach the basics of make-up and a great skincare routine. Gina stresses that less is best at any age. Work with what you have and don't overdo it. Below are some basic tips for tweens and teens for a simple, beautiful and healthy face.
- Start with a gentle cleanser. Good skincare can eliminate problems in the future.
- Natural is best. Students need time to study and shouldn't spend much time on their face!
- Go easy on eyeliner and mascara. Clear mascara works great for enhancing natural beauty.
- Use a lightweight lipgloss, nothing that's too sticky.
- Light colored eyeshadows work best.
- To keep that summer glow, try a light colored bronzer applied with a big brush.
- Keep blush to the apple of your cheeks only.
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