Getting Ready for Summer Tips and Tricks

I doubt most people will be sitting inside reading blog posts this weekend (FINALLY amazing weather has come!), but I just wanted to share five quick beauty/makeup tips to get you ready for summer.

1.  Don't forget to wear sunscreen!  This is not a new or interesting tip, but skin cancer is at an all time high and why wouldn't you want to prevent wrinkles and premature aging if you can?!  Your face makeup may have a little added sunscreen, but it is not generally enough to really protect your skin, so add an extra layer beneath it- your skin will thank you.  There are all kinds of formulas out there (including lotions, creams, powders, gels, you name it), so there are no excuses to get you out of this one.
If you have oily/acne-prone, you should try something that is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), such as Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30 ($30).  If your skin is dry, you should try a formula with added nutrients, like Vitamin E to help keep skin soft and moisturized, like L'Oreal Advanced Suncare Silky Sheer BB Face Lotion 50+ ( $10.99).  If you have sensitive/reactive skin, you should look into a sunscreen that uses physical UV blockers (think zinc) rather than chemical sunscreens which can aggregate skin (try Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Stick SPF 50 ($9.99)).  If you are looking for something to protect your skin and provide anti-aging benefits, try a sunscreen with chemical blockers like Helioplex or Mexoryl SX, which supposedly work wonders.  Give Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum Suncreen SPF 30 ($13.99) a whirl.

2.  Get a good trim and condition your hair!  With all the sun, sand, and beach/pool water you are bound to expose your hair to, you should try to start with as clean a slate as possible.  Go get a trim to clean up those scraggly ends and use as rich of a deep conditioner that your hair can take on a weekly basis.  If you need a DIY hair conditioner recipe, read my post Coconut Oil for Deep Conditioning.

3.  Keep hydrated!  Another no-brainer, but keeping your body well-hydrated will keep your skin, nails, hair- well, everything- in tip-top shape.  Also, a good swipe of lotion all over and a slick of lip balm does wonders:)  Something quick and easy for the summer: Vaseline Spray & Go Total Moisture Spray

4.  Try a bright lip color!  Generally, we all wear less makeup in the summer, but it is a great time to try a nice, juicy shade of lipstick or gloss- you probably have a little tan and a pink, orange or coral will look especially flattering.  Plus, you just need to add a little mascara and you look "done".  Revlon has some inexpensive and amazing options.


5.  Clean out your beauty supplies!  Technically, this does not need to be done at any particular part of the year, but I just thought it would be a good reminder.  Your makeup and skincare products do NOT stay good forever, so do an inventory on what you have that is still good, throw out what is not, and make a list for what you need to replace (or even upgrade!).  Generally speaking, you should chuck mascara whenever it starts getting dried out (3 months max, like a toothbrush!), liquids (like foundations and concealers) after about 6-12 months, and powders (blush, eyeshadow) after a couple years.
And clean your makeup brushes while you are at it:)

I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, thanks again for reading!

DIY: Coconut Oil for Deep Conditioning

I know this is really supposed to be a "makeup blog", but I do have a love for all things beauty, including hair products.  Due to the dryness and bitter cold in DC throughout the winter, my hair has been extremely dry and brittle- I am a walking split end!  After reading some other blogs and pinned articles, I decided to try a natural DIY coconut oil treatment for my hair.  I have had a jar of coconut oil in my cabinet (unopened) for almost a year, so I figured this what a start to putting it to good use:) You can buy coconut oil at any grocery store for about $10.  The oil solidifies at room temperature, so it looks thick and gloppy until you either warm it between your hands ( to liquify it) or heat it up.

There are various ways to use coconut oil for your hair, based on the thickness, dryness, etc.  Some people apply it on wet hair, others on dry hair.  Some leave it on for 20 minutes, others sleep with the oil in their hair overnight and rinse it out in the morning.  Do what you feel is best for YOUR hair!  I think used properly, the coconut oil treatment would work on any hair type.  Be sure not to put it near your roots if your hair is on the oilier side.

I decided to apply it to my dry hair, left it in overnight, and washed and conditioned it in the morning.    After scooping coconut oil into my palms and running it through my hair, I put it up in a topknot to sleep.  If you leave it in overnight like I did, you probably want to sleep with either an old pillow case over your pillow or wrap a scarf or turbie towel over your head to prevent oil stains on your bed linens.  When I woke up, I just wet my hair and shampooed and conditioned as usual (I am using Pureology's purple line right now).

Let me tell you, this stuff really works!  Not only do my ends look "healed", but the rest of my hair seems smoother and shinier.  I definitely recommend giving it a whirl, if you are in need of a good deep conditioning treatment.  If you have thicker, coarser hair, you can also use a little coconut oil as a leave in conditioner.  If you decide to give it a try, please let me know what you think:)