The weather is (finally and thankfully!) getting warmer around here and, with the sun shinning, all I want to do is go for walk or go to the pool! However, I’m so pale I have to protect my skin when I’m out so that I don’t risk a very painful sunburn. Every year I hear people talking about the dangers of sun exposure and how using sunscreen correctly is important, but what I think is lacking is a guide on how to do so. We all know that from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it’s not a good idea to be out in the sun much but do you know your phototype or what that is, even? Do you know how much sunscreen to apply? Did you know your clothes might not protect you from the sun and its effects? Keep on reading for some interesting information.
First and foremost, you need to know your skin. This is where phototype comes into play. Phototype is simply a pretty, intelligent and scientific word to what we usually and generally refer to as complexion or skin color – the only difference is that when you are determining your phototype, you also take into consideration your hair and eye color. Below, you can see a description of phototypes so you can determine for yourself which one you are. Please note that some people use a scale from 1 up to 10 phototypes, and some only consider 4 phototypes - so it all depends on who you’re talking to. The list below is to serve merely as an indication.
Phototype 1 - Very pale skin, often has freckles, blue/hazel eyes, blond/red hair. Always burns, usually does not tan.
Phototype 2- Fair skin, blue eyes. Burns easily, tans poorly.
Phototype 3- Darker white skin, light brown hair and eyes. Tans homogeneously after initial burn.
Phototype 4- Light brown or olive complexion. Skin Burns minimally, tans easily.
Phototype 5- Brown skin, eyes and hair. Rarely burns, tans darkly easily.
Phototype 6- Dark brown or black skin. Almost never burns, always tans darkly.
When in doubt, it is said that you are lower of the two phototypes you have the characteristics of. For instance, if you have an olive completion but you burn and then tan, you are considered to be a phototype 3 and not a 4. Now that that is set, let’s focus on the sunscreen itself.
SPF, UVA and UVB are the letters you need to remember when shopping for a sunscreen. SPF means Sun Protection Factor and is usually how the “strength” of a product is measured. Contrary to popular belief, the number that usually follows the SPF acronym is not the percentage of protection a product offers, rather, it’s the number of times it protects your skin vs. your skin’s natural defenses. An example, so it is easier to understand, is that an SPF 15 will give your skin 15 times the protection it would have against sun rays if you applied nothing at all to it. UVA and UVB are the radiations the sun emits that are currently thought to cause damage to our skin. An easy way to remember why these are taken into consideration when companies formulate their products is to remember that UVA rays causes Aging and UVB causes Burning. Nowadays, they are thought to be equally dangerous and that is why you see sunscreen that protects both against UVA and UVB rays – these are called broad spectrum sunscreens.
Now you know what to look for in the front label of you sunscreen: what kind of protection it offers (UVA, UVB or both) and how much protection you’ll get from it (the SPF). What about the back label? The one with all those tiny letters that spell ingredients that are hard to pronounce and that we sometimes forget to look at? The American FDA recognizes as safe 16 active ingredients but these generally only fall into one of two categories: the absorbers and the reflectors. The names are pretty much self explanatory as to why they are different but take note that the absorbers are homosalate, octisalate (also called octyl salicylate), octinoxate (also called octyl methoxycinnamate or OMC), octocrylene, oxybenzone, and avobenzone. The reflectors are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. You will seldom find a sunscreen that has only one of these ingredients, but the higher the content of active ingredients, the better it will be.
Always, always choose a sunscreen that feels good on your skin – so you will be comfortable wearing it every day. The best way to be sure you like a sunscreen is to try a small sample on your skin. Long gone are the days when people with oily skin had to suffer with that sticky sunscreen all over them. There are mattifying sunscreens for your face, mousses, sprays, gels, lotions… you name it. All you have to do is take your time and choose the one you like best.
The last step is, of course, to apply the product you bought. You’d think this step would be pretty much straight forward, but it isn’t. First, you should apply the product about 20 minutes before leaving the house and take it with you since you should re-apply every 90 minutes or when in contact with water. If the product you bough is water resistant, it means it will resist to sweat and splashes, but not to swimming. This brings us to my very last question for now: how do you know you’re applying enough sunscreen? Certainly you don’t want to look like those tourists that apply a thick white stripe of sunscreen down their noses and leave it there just like that, without rubbing it in (stop laughing, I’ve seen it and it was not a cartoon! It was real life). Well, that is simple: you should apply 7 tablespoons of product, all over your body. Right… like we’re going to carry around a tablespoon just for the sake of it and look crazy measuring cream. The solution is to open you hand, palm facing up and, with the other hand squeeze the tube so you make a thick line that goes from the tip of your middle finger, all the way to your wrist. There you go, a tablespoon of sunscreen! Who knew we carry our own measuring spoons at all times?
I hope that this post was helpful and that the fact that it’s a little long didn’t discourage you from seeking the best sunscreen you can afford.
Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration
Micky
ok.com
Brand: Carita
Name: Diamant de Beauté
About it: Anti-aging luxury cream for the face to be used between 40 and 55 years of age.
How it works: Helps to rebuild your skin cells and damaged tissue from the inside. It has “sequoia complex” to restore the matrix that naturally surrounds the skin cells and makes skin denser. It also has diamond and tourmaline extracts that illuminates the skin and reduces dark spots. This product includes a new type of collagen that rebalances the skin structure and proteins. The texture is extremely rich. Carita claims that the skin will look like it’s reborn, firmer, smoother, denser and luminous.
Price: $600 for 1.69oz
Brand: La Prairie
How it works: This cream is meant to help delay the effects of aging, preventing as well as repairing the skin. Essentially, it works because Resveratrol, the longevity anti-oxidant, protects against Free Radicals and because it stimulates collagen production while protecting skin against collagen and protein damage.
Price: $200 for 1.70oz
Brand: Lancôme
Name: Absolute Precious Cells
About it: A whole line of care for the face to be used from 50 years of age and on.
How it works: Until recently, it was very common to state that the number of the skin’s stem cells became lower and lower as people aged. Today, however, it was found that they don’t magically disappear; what happens is that they simply stop working because their surrounding environment is degraded. This cream works exactly on this surrounding environment, so to say, making it perfect for the cells to keep working and renew themselves.
Brand: Dior
Name: Capture Totale Instant Rescue Eye Treatment
About it: Eye contour cream from the Capture Totale line to be used after 45 years of age.
How it works: Around the eyes, sagging, swelling and dark circles are the most common signs of aging skin. That’s why Dior created this new eye cream with a massaging applicator. The massage helps to reduce swelling while making sure the product penetrates well on the skin. The product itself inverts the protein oxidation of the eye contour skin. It should be applied morning and night.
Price: $95 for 0.51oz. on the Dior Website
Brand: Clarins
Name: Multi-Active Day
About it: Day facial cream to fight early wrinkles after 30 years of age.
How it works: The skin suffers from stress everyday. Even if you’re not stressed yourself, pollution, air conditioning and going out in the sun without sunscreen can and will damage your skin. This particular cream works because of its anti-oxidant properties, SPF 15 and because it makes the dermo-epidermic junction stronger. A stronger skin will resist better to all aggressions. It comes in three different forms depending on your skin type and preferences: rich cream (for dryer skin), cream (for normal/combination skin) and gel (for oilier skin).
Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration
Micky
Luscious, soft hands and feet are unbeatable seduction weapons. It is scientifically proven that when you meet someone for the first time (of either sex and of any sexual preference), your hands are one of the first body parts they notice. If you are going to make a fist impression, it might as well be a good one so your hands should be in top condition at any given time. To help you out with that, there’s One Minute Manicure Spa Treatment Moisture Scrub Original Peppermint.
Once upon a time, before face primers were readily available to everyone, I was at the airport waiting for my flight and decided to go digging through the duty free makeup counters. I found Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base and I fell in love with it right there and then. I've gone through tons of jars since then and trust me when I say it was some of the best-spent money makeup-wise during my teen years.
The Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base smooths lines and open pores and makes applying makeup super easy. It helps to control shine, but it won’t control it on it’s own. According to Clarins, it works because “acacia Micro-Pearls sink into wrinkles and fine lines and increase in size as they absorb moisture naturally released by the skin, smoothing its surface. Plant key ingredients and Vitamin E protect the skin.”
Once you open the little jar it comes in, you’ll find a light-salmon kind of mousse that melts right into your skin. It comes with a tiny little spatula for sanitary reasons and for the comfort of those who have longer fingernails! A little goes a long, long way and you can use it alone, under your foundation, or mix it with your usual foundation. If you use powder foundation and are worried that it might slip if you use primers that are not powder or are not sticky, rest assured that it won’t happen. As an added benefit, you makeup, no matter the texture it has, will last a lot longer.
es and all the way to the vibrant, in-your-face shades of blue. My particular pick is this palette in purple since you can make it neutral enough for day and office wear but you can also make it bold for a night out or hot date. For everyday wear, one possible suggestion is to use the lightest color dry from lash line to brow bone, the medium purple dry on the crease and the dark purple wet as a liner both on your upper and lower lash line. All you need next is mascara. If, however, you need a more sexy look, use the darker color all over your lid and lower lash line Blend up the color on the lid with the medium purple dry on the crease and a little bit above it. Finally, highlight and clean up your blending with the lightest shade. Add black eyeliner to the upper lash line and waterlines if you feel you need to and add mascara. It doesn’t get much easier.Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration
Micky
Mineral makeup
is getting a lot of buzz lately, but why all the hype? Devotees rave about the green aspect-no preservatives or chemicals-but also the lightweight feel, good-for-your-skin ingredients, and how naturally gorgeous your face looks after one brushstroke. Sensitive skin
types are embracing minerals
as well, because of the claims that these formulas won't irritate like traditional makeup
. The good news is mineral makeup
is everywhere these days; more and more beauty
companies are adding it to their lineup. Chances are your favorite makeup
brand has dipped its brush into minerals
, too. If you're ready to give mineral makeup
a whirl, here's the guide to getting the goods.
Minerals: The makeup
is all or partially made from finely ground minerals
like, mica
, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide found in the earth. It's usually free of dyes, preservatives, and chemicals that are found in traditional makeup
.
Texture: Foundations, blushes, bronzers and shadows are usually a loose powder form, so that you can blend and buff the powdery particles into skin. Other textures-like lipsticks, pressed powders and creams-may contain minerals
but aren't necessarily chemical-free.
Shades: For the loose powder foundation, you can blend a variety of shades to achieve your perfect match. Remember, the look is sheer rather than matte.
Packaging: For on-the-go touch-ups, look for the brush filled with powder
combo. Most companies package the formula in shakers-small pots with holes on top so you can shake out the powder
.
Brush: A fluffy brush is crucial to "buff and build" the powder formula. By buffing or swirling the brush onto skin, you build color and coverage.
"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"
Lisa Cohen Lee
