Summer is all about lightening your beauty routine— such as ditching your foundation and blush in favor of a swipe of bronzer and letting your hair succumb to their natural waves. The flip side to warm weather’s unbuttoned ease is its ability to make your whole look melt. If you are looking for a simplified summer beauty routine considering trying some of the following tips:
Tinted Moisturizer
Using a product that multitasks, like a tinted moisturizer with SPF, turns three steps into one. Choose one that is a little bit darker than your skin tone. It adds a warmer glow to your skin immediately while protecting you from the suns harsh rays. Plus, you can apply it with your fingers the way you would your moisturizer — much easier than foundation.
Cheeks and Eyes
Use the same product on multiple areas instead of individual blushes and eyeshadows. Choose something that has a bronzy tone to it but stay away from anything peachy. Our pick is Nars the Multiple Bronzer, $39. Finish the look with a waterproof (aka sweat proof) mascara that will add volume to your luscious lashes. Try MAC’s Haute & Naughty Waterproof Lash, $23.
Kissable Lips
A tinted gloss is a girl’s best friend during the summer. Loaded with mango and shea butters, our favorite tint is not-sheer but not-opaque which means it delivers the right amount of soft, subtle color to your pout. Clinique Chubby Stick, $17.
Dear Sabrina: What is the best way for preparing your skin for your wedding day?
There is a saying that goes something like “no amount of paint can cover a bad foundation”. We don’t know where it originated from, and maybe it was just something that is said to those folks in the cosmetology industry but we heard it and it stuck with us. The exact same goes for makeup. No amount of makeup can fix bad skin. A prime canvas is necessary to paint and prime skin is necessary to a {relatively} flawless look. So, it may be understandable why we did a happy dance when we opened Jackie’s email asking how to prepare her skin for her big day.
While makeup artists can work to create a smooth, primed foundation to work with but there are many steps that you can take as well.
Facials
It’s great to have a few facials leading up to your big day. Be sure to start them a couple of months before as facials tend to detoxify the face and you don’t want any blemishes to show up unexpected just before the wedding. While an at-home facial is an option, we strongly recommend a professional facial to ensure that any areas prone to problems are addressed. Be sure to use a good skin-care system daily (morning and night) to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and moisturize. Follow the recommended exfoliation schedule (generally not more than twice per week).
Sunscreen is your friend. Be sure to apply an SPF (we recommend a 15) before applying foundation. This will protect your skin from the suns harsh rays which cause wrinkles and freckles that could related to further damage or skin cancer. Click here to read our blog “Here Comes the Sun” and find our top sunscreen picks.
Hydration
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Our bodies are approximately 60% water (the percentage fluctuates based on age and gender). Drinking water helps to flush toxins from your body which includes your face. Grab a glass of water and capture a natural glow!
The Arizona heat can dry out your skin leading to painful, cracked areas – especially elbows and heels. Soothe dry skin on your elbows by exfoliating and following up with a good moisturizer. Elbows are often forgotten so be sure to exfoliate your elbows for smooth summer skin. During summer, they are exposed to the sun and heat while in winter, elbows suffer as skin dries out and rubs against heavy coats and jackets. Unfortunately, many of us only think about our elbows when they are cracked and hurting. By exfoliating you elbows weekly you will keep skin smooth and healthy looking.
Scrubs for Exfoliating Your Elbows
Use exfoliating scrubs to slough off dead skin and reveal the younger skin underneath. Homemade scrubs are easy to make in a few minutes, or pick one up from your local beauty store.
Sugar Scrubs – For an at-home sugar scrub, combine olive oil and brown sugar in a small bowl. Two drops of essential oils will give the scrub an uplifting scent and moisturize your skin. Apply the scrub in the shower to damp elbows. Rub the scrub into your skin for one minute, then rinse.
Salt Scrubs – Rub bath salts into the moist skin of your elbow for a good exfoliant. Rinse away the scrub after about a minute. Do not use salt scrubs if your skin is extremely dry or if you have cuts, scrapes or just shaved as the salt may sting.
Microdermabrasion – Use your facial microdermabrasion kit on your elbows. Squirt or scoop out a dime-sized amount of the exfoliating liquid onto your fingertips. Rub the microdermabrasion exfoliant into your skin. It will only take a few seconds to remove the dried skin, so use caution.
Tools for Exfoliation
If you don’t have any scrubs on hand, an exfoliating tool along with some soap or gel will get the job done just as well.
Loofah – Rub the area with a handheld loofah sponge. Squirt a little soap on your sponge and lather it up. Rub the elbows with the loofah sponge in a circular motion for about 90 seconds as too much exfoliation can damage skin. Only loofah your skin once a week.
Netted Scrubie – Squirt your favorite shower gel or soap into a wet netted scrubie. Rub across the elbow area until suds appear. A netted sponge is gentler than a loofah so you can use it daily. Be sure to hang your netted scrubie to dry to avoid bacterial growth.
Moisturizing Elbows
After exfoliating your elbows, add moisturizing lotion or oil to the area. Look for moisturizers that contain Vitamin E, Vitamin A or aloe for maximum moisturize protection.
Lotion – A moisturizer lotion with hydroxyl acid will encourage skin to renew itself. Avoid using lotions with alcohol-based fragrance as these can dry out your skin. Apply lotion to elbows daily.
Oils – A scented oil like massage oil, olive oil or even baby oil will keep elbow skin flexible. Apply oils to elbows before bed and follow with a lotion for added moisture.
Are you looking to keep your pout perfectly luscious during the summer? Summer rays can dry your lips faster than you realize. To keeps lips soft, smooth and hydrated during the summer, apply lip balm and be sure to stay hydrated.
Lipsticks that are glossy with little to no color are harmful to your lips because they reflect UV rays faster which can cause skin cancer. Here are some tips to insure your pout is perfectly pampered.
Tip 1:
If your lips become dry and start to peel, use some sugar and olive oil to exfoliate your skin and remove the accumulated dead skin cells.
Tip 2:
Look for a lip product that has a base of beeswax, petroleum jelly, or paraffin. These products will seal moisture and stay on your lips longer in comparison to thinner balms and glosses.
Tip 3:
Ditch the lip gloss and switch to a matte lip product with an SPF.
Tip 4:
If you need to stick with lip gloss, apply a colored lipstick to your lips first and then add some shine. A colored lipstick with an SPF product is your best bet.
Tip 5:
Opt for a lip gloss product with a minimum of SPF 30.
Our Fav’s
Here are some of our favorite products:
Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain: Multipurpose lip and cheek stain, rich in natural botanicals, that enhances your natural coloring. This balm is non-drying, long-lasting and adds just a touch of stain which adjusts to your own chemistry for an irresistible shade that will flatter your skin’s undertone. Nourished with beeswax, rose flower was, olive and avocado oils your lips will be kissably soft.
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm: Awaken your lips with this super-nourishing balm. The formula is rich but lightweight and adds a gorgeous wash of color while shea butter and vitamin E protect your delicate skin.
MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm: This balm is a smart lip conditioner that creates your own personalized tint based on your body chemistry. It is dermatologist tested, hydrating, sheer pop of color and smoothes lips.
Spring has sprung in Arizona which means its time to pull out the shorts, tank tops and sundresses and start thinking about silky smooth summer legs and skin. Even though Arizona winters aren’t harsh compared to other parts of the US, our skin is often neglected as we bundle up in tights, jeans and sweaters. We asked our experts for some simple tips to supercharge your skin for the sunny days ahead. Here is what they had to say:
Detox Your Skin
Dry brushing is a great way to stimulate a number of organs through a gentle massage. It also helps the lymphatic system, eliminates ashy dead skin, strengthens the immune system, can eliminate cellulite, stimulates the hormones, and can help tighten skin through better circulation. Step into the shower (or bath) and brush your skin using dry bristles. We recommend a brush that has 100% natural boar bristles for maximum exfoliation.
Condition While You Shave
If you are looking for a great alternative to shaving cream then look no further. Coconut oil is a natural, cost effective, multi-use product that will condition your skin while you shave away the stubble. Not only will your legs be silky smooth, you will smell like you just stepped off the beach. Don’t forget to run a smidge over your arms and shoulders as well.
Moisturize!
After your shower don’t forget to add moisture to your body.
We love Hempz because it is enriched with 100% pure natural hemp seed oil, is paraben-free, gluten-free, 100% vegan and THC-free, contains vitamins A, C and E to help protect skin from natural and environmentally triggered oxidants AND it provides tons of hydration and nourishment. Plus, it is available in 11 different scents so you are bound to find one you absolutely love!
Now you are summer ready to slip on your sandals and tackle the world with perfect silky smooth, glowing skin.
Don’t sweat it, dolls! As the temperatures begin to climb in AZ (can you say 96 degrees in mid-March #dolls?), we turned to our stylists for some simple tips to keep you fresh and dry on your big day, and the days leading up to and long after you walk down the aisle. All you need is some baby or talcum powder, a large makeup brush, and a little help. Simply brush a light coat of powder over your chest, back, underarms and any other area that may need attention (under the bust line or around your thighs). Don’t be afraid to ask your maids for help reaching your back. We all know they will do anything for you! Now you are ready to dance the night away with your handsome husband.
J
Dry brushing is a great way to stimulate a number of organs through a gentle massage. It also helps the lymphatic system, eliminates ashy dead skin, strengthens the immune system, can eliminate cellulite, stimulates the hormones, and can help tighten skin through better circulation. Step into the shower (or bath) and brush your skin using dry bristles. We recommend a brush that has 100% natural boar bristles for maximum exfoliation.
After your shower don’t forget to add moisture to your body.
Handle the Heat While Staying Fresh and Dry