Prepare for Summer with These Beauty Products
Summer’s finally here. We’re all gearing up for a long season of beaches, boats, and barbecues.
Not so fast! Summer brings special challenges for health and beauty. Heat and humidity make many of our favorite beauty products feel like sticky messes. And you have to find the perfect balance between enjoying the sun and taking care of yourself.
How do you get the most of these long days and warm weather without wrecking your skin or hair?
Protect Yourself with Sunscreen
Of course sun protection comes first! But avoid sunscreens that cause almost as most damage as the sun by leaving greasy or skin-drying residues on your skin. Try brands such as Therafit Girl-recommended Kiss My Face. The products should shield against both UVA and UVB rays for the most thorough protection.
It doesn’t matter what type of sun care you use if you don’t use it correctly. Putting on a layer right before you go outside isn’t enough. You need to apply it 20 minutes before sun exposure to give it time to soak into your skin, and you should reapply often, at least every couple of hours.
And don’t forget to accessorize! Sunglasses and big-brimmed hats help protect your skin, eyes, and hair from sun damage while adding the perfect level of cute to your outfit.
Moisturize Skin in the Summer, Too
After a good sunscreen, the key to healthy skin during the summer is to keep it hydrated. Choose moisturizers, lotions, and eye creams with SPF to aid in sun protection while adding back the moisture sweat, saltwater, and chlorine strip from your skin.
Two great masques to try are both by Kiehl’s: the Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque and Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque.
If you’d prefer to go a more natural route, coconut oil and aloe vera straight from the plant are always good for the skin. Aloe vera is especially soothing when you’ve had a bit too much fun in the sun that day.
Moisturizing foundations with SPF are great for the summer sun, but many are way too heavy to survive the heat, humidity, and sweat. Try something sheer like Katherine Cosmetics’ K-Sport “Wow” Stick instead.
Lighten Up On Your Lips
Keep lips moisturized by using tinted lip balm rather than gloss. Lip balm with at least SPF 15 is even better.
To find your ultimate summer shade, Grace Atwood of The Strip suggests you try a coral. Coral is flattering for many women, and it is light enough for all-day summer wear.
Tame Your Frizzy Hair
The great thing about summer hair is the color. But heat and humidity often leave us frazzled from dealing with frizz. Try a keratin smoothing treatment this summer to keep it under control without layers of products that weigh down your hair. Depending on the treatment you choose, the effects can last anywhere from a few weeks to three months.
Whether you decide to spring for a keratin smoothing treatment or not, moisture is just as important to your hair’s health as your skin’s. Coconut oil is a good choice here, too. Spending time in the sun and water may mean you need to add moisture back in more often than normal.
Keep Your Nails Bright
Nails aren’t in danger from the sun, but all of the sunscreen you’re constantly putting on wreaks havoc on your manicure. Switch to gel nail polishes during the summer as they last longer.
Healthy Summers are the Best Summers
Stock up on these summer essentials and stay safe while you’re out in the sun. We’ll be bundling back up for the chill of winter soon enough.
