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!
Why You Need To Add A BB Cream To Your Beauty Regimen
BB Creams, or Beauty Balms (also known as Blemish Balms), were originally developed in Germany by a dermatologist who wanted a single cream that would protect skin and provide coverage after laser treatments. They are formulated to do the job of five or six other products: moisturizer, primer, sunscreen, skin treatment, concealer, and foundation while providing sheer to medium coverage. South Korean beauty bloggers first discovered this wondrous all-in-one product and it quickly spread throughout Asia before finally making its way to the Western Hemisphere approximately four years ago. Today, just about every makeup brand carries a BB Cream.
Why You Need a BB Cream
Aside from the multi-purpose functionality of this product, a BB cream will help you achieve fuller coverage without having to move up to a heavier foundation. A pea-sized dab of BB cream can provide just the right amount of coverage for a casual day. Add a foundation on top of it for a slightly heavier, flawless look.
Most BB Creams come in light to medium shades (medium tends to be the darkest shade available). For this reason, we recommend color matching at your favorite makeup counter to be sure the shade is right for you.
We are MAC lovers and so it is a no-brainer that our favorite BB Cream is MAC’s Prep +Prime:
MAC Prep+Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF 35: A beauty balm that blurs imperfections and evens skin tone immediately. Provides medium coverage, satin finish, and is available in 12 shades. $31.00
Try it, we guarantee you will love the results! Oh, and guys, believe it or not, there are BB Creams available for you, too!
He Put a Ring on It…. How Do I Keep My Nails Beautiful for My Wedding?
We all want strong, thick, beautiful nails but sometimes it seems that, just going about our daily lives, we are damaging our nails rather than strengthening them. Most what we do, from washing our hair to filing at work to cleaning our homes weakens and dries our nails. Our beauty experts offer the following advice for making sure that your nails are in tip top condition when your husband-to-be slides your ring on your finger.
7 Tips for Stronger Nails
Watch the water. Believe it or not, some people absolutely love watching dishes (can I get a “holla”) but all that water isn’t good for your digits. Wear gloves when you wash dishes, and don’t soak in the bath tub (or Jacuzzi) for too long. If you must indulge, keep your nails outside the water (clasping that glass of red wine, perhaps?) for most of your tub time.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. We can’t say this enough….hydration is key for beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Drink lots of water throughout the day (we suggest half of your body weight, in ounces, so 130 pounds is 65oz of water), and you’ll feel and look better, all the way down to your hydrated cuticles and nails. A balanced diet that includes plenty of protein will also help improve your nail health.
Keep your nails short. If you’re nails are weak, consider cutting them shorter while working to make them stronger. Shorter nails are less prone to breaking. This is because there are fewer exposed edges to tear and less surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed. Just be sure to file your nails in one direction. Don’t saw back and forth – this can cause your nails to split and peel.
Creams and cuticle oils are your friend. Dry cuticles can lead to hang nails, cuticle picking and even peeling. Don’t cut your cuticles—which, when done incorrectly, can be painful and could lead to infection —use cuticle softener to gently push them back, and apply cuticle oil regularly to keep them soft and moisturized. We love Mavala Cuticle Oil (available at Ulta) because it absorbs quickly, is moisturizing, long-lasting and has a great scent. It is definitely worth the price! Hint: A little goes a long way.
Avoid alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be especially drying for your nails. Wash your hands with soap and water. After, follow up with hand crème or cuticle oil to keep your nails and cuticles in pristine condition.
Be careful when cleaning. Why clean? Just hire someone to do it!! But if your bank account won’t support the added expense, wear gloves as chemicals and detergents can weaken your nails.
Strengthen with a Supplement. Taking 2.5 mg (2,500 mcg) of Vitamin B-7, or Biotin, daily will increase nail thickness and reduce splitting. If you prefer to steer clear of supplements, biotin is found naturally in cauliflower, beef liver, eggs and fish.
Now that the sun is moving into the northern hemisphere (translation: AZ summer is rapidly approaching), we need to protect ourselves from it’s damaging rays. Choosing not to wear a sunscreen with SPF in the sun can cause wrinkles, brown spots, and worst of all-skin cancer.
But, have no fear, we’ve got you covered! Our stylists are sharing their favorite picks for face and neck sunscreens to keep your skin babydoll smooth during our brightest months!
Sabrina’s Pick:
First up is the Eminence Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 30. Eminence helps to lighten age spots and while toning the skin to promote an even complexion and skin tone. It is super smooth, non-greasy and absorbs quickly. Best of all, it’s organic!
Kelly’s Pick:
Second…PCA SKIN SPF 45. This broad spectrum sunscreen provides UVA/UVB protection with ultra-sheer zinc oxide, and the antioxidants milk thistle and caffeine. Its unique, quick-absorbing and light finish makes Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45 ideal if you have oily skin or are prone to break-outs.
Daniela’s Pick:
Third…Swim, play, and enjoy the outdoors—knowing your sunscreen loves water as much as you do with Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30.This sunscreen is specially designed to provide superior sun protection without causing breakouts on acne-prone skin. It provides superior broadspectrum UVA/UVB protection. Perfect for face, this liquid-lotion has a water-light texture that leaves a weightless, matte finish so skin can breathe. Ideal for outdoor activities and sports, it provides high sun protection, yet is comfortable and gentle on the skin and is waterproof for up to 80 minutes so grab your bikini and towel and head to the pool.
As with all sunscreens, these must be reapplied every2 hours! Now you can catch some rays and keep your skin youthful at the same time. xo
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.
J
