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Read Fashion Secret Archives Here
July 2001 Fashion Secret
Fun in the Sun
As a teenager, I went to the beach every summer with my friends, Joanne and Joanne. We would leave early in the morning, drive two hours, sit on the beach all day, come home, shower, change and go out for dinner. We'd look forward to it. Twenty-five years later, I can't imagine why.
I'm talking pre-sunscreen days. Like everyone else, I'd slather on the suntan lotion, lay on the blanket and "get some color." By noon, I'd be covered with towels, sweatshirts and a hat. But it was too late. While Joanne and Joanne would turn this lovely shade of brown, "color" for me meant red. Beet red. And, no, it never turned into a tan. It just swelled and peeled. More than once I'd wake up the next morning unable to open my eyes because they were swollen shut from a nasty sunburn. I'd look horrible, but, hey, it was color, right!
Finally, when I was 18, sunscreen became available and deliberate sunburns were a thing of the past. I decided that if I couldn't look tanned and "healthy" when I was young, I'd take really good care of my skin and look awesome as I aged. My diligence is paying off!
This summer, after 14 years as an image consultant and makeup artist, I decided to go back to school and get my esthetics license. There are women in my class who are 20 years younger than I am whose skin is more sun damaged and dehydrated than mine. I've always believed in good skincare, but now I'm convinced it makes an enormous difference.
For those of you who are saying, "well, it's too late for me," let me tell you, it's not. With a little determination, attention and well-chosen products and processes, your skin can look radiant. Advancements in skincare technology over the past few years have been amazing, and you can take advantage of this progress.
Let's look at a number of ways you can enjoy your summer, be in the sun and look great now and in years to come:
- Wear sunscreen. Boring, boring, boring, you say? Perhaps, but this advice can not only save your skin, but it can save your life. Skin cancer is the number one cancer in the U.S., and melanomas are nearly always fatal. As the ozone layer is depeleted it allows more harmful rays into the atmosphere so the sun can do much more damage now in a shorter amount of time than 25 years ago — which is why younger people today have more damage to their skin at a younger age. Make it easy for yourself:
- Get a moisturizer that has an spf of 15 or higher so that wearing a sunscreen becomes part of your morning routine without extra work.
- Get a separate sunscreen for the beach. Not sure when to reapply? Try solar glo sunscreen. Find it at www.solutionscatalog.com. As long as you can see the subtle, mica gold glitter, you know you're protected.
- Don't forget your lips. Keep a lip conditioner with sun protection in it on your lips at all times. Lipsticks helps protect a bit, too.
- Protect your hair. The sun can fade your hair color (natural or not) as well as dry out your hair. Check out www.bananaboat.com
- Fake it. Self-tanning lotions are incredible. You can't tell the difference between a fake and a real tan — except that the self-tanner will age better. From everything I've heard, read and everyone I've talked to, Clarins makes the best self-tanning lotion. Bronzing powders or sticks work well, too, if all you want is a little extra glow (or to enhance a fading tan). Find it at www.macys.com
- Wax on, wax off. Admit it! Even low maintenance women become higher maintenance in the summer. We wear less clothing to hide behind, so we must pay attention to details we can safely overlook in the winter. Hair...it's everywhere. We spend half our lives (or so it seems) shaving our legs, underarms, bikini area, and some women even shave their arms. Here's my suggestion:
- Toss your razor and head for the salon. Wax every hair you don't want on your body and be done with it. Not only will your skin feel softer and smoother, but it will last longer, the hair will grow in softer (no rough stubble), and as an added bonus your underarms will stay sweeter smelling longer (there won't be any hairs for the bacteria to grab onto). And, while you're at it.
- Don't forget the men in your life. Some of them can benefit from a good back waxing.
- Wear sunglasses. Don't squint--unless you like to deepen those character lines around your eyes. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses. Be sure they are polarized and block out all UV rays. If you like the look, the new wrap around glasses offer good eye protection, and if you can afford them, Maui Jim sunglasses are purportedly the best. On-line, check out www.apairofshades.com or www.greatshades.com.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
- Drink plenty of water...for vanity's sake, if for no other reason. It's one way to hydrate your skin and the rest of your body benefits in the process.
- Use a hydrating lotion under your moisturizer. Even oily skin can be dehydrated.
- Carry a hydrating mist with you. It will add a touch of moisture to your skin, and it feels good. Not to mention that they come in lovely natural fragrances that sooth and refresh you.
- Miracle Suit. We've all experienced the dreaded bathing suit shopping experience. It can dissolve even the most resolute soul into hysterical laughter or tears of despair. Make bathing suit shopping easier and look great in the "miracle suit." It is said to make you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds. What did we do before lycra? Find it at www.swimslim.com or a limited supply at www.solutionscatalog.com.
- Protective Clothing. We often feel a false sense of security when it comes to our clothing. Believe it or not, the sun can damage your skin right through some of your clothes. Traditional cotton has a natural SPF of 8. If you're outside for a long period of time, this might not be enough. For clothing that keeps you cool and protects your skin from the sun with a built-in SPF of 30, take a look at www.travelsmith.com.
Being smart about sun protection doesn't have to be time-consuming. I just gave you a number of ways to make it easy for you. Unless you want to be one of those older women with leathery, wrinkled skin by the time you're 60, take precautions now. If you are 60+ and have nice skin, congratulations, and keep up the good work. If you're 60+ and have leathery skin, all is not lost. Good home skincare and working with a good esthetician can make an amazing difference.
Now go on out there and enjoy the summer!
P.S. Be sure to apply your sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you go out in the sun. It takes that long to activate. The sun can do a lot of damage in the time it takes for you to apply the sunscreen after you get outside and before it activates. This is particularly important for children as well.
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Sun image courtesy ArtToday.com
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