When summer sun comes out, winter cover-ups come off and, weather you’re ready or not, you have to bare it all. Even the most prim and proper person feels the need to strip when it’s hot out.Bringing Sexy BackCold weather and low humidity can slow down cellular turn over, causing dead skin to build up. If left on the surface, these cells just block product absorption and leave newer emerging cells thirsty for hydration. That’s why the first step to developing summer skin is exfoliation. If the skin on your body can take it, a mechanical exfoliant like Sahala’s Spicy Mango Body Polish will do the trick. However, weather you think you’re sensitive or not, you need to be more cautious with the thinner, more delicate skin on the face. Try Babor’s Mild Peeling with rounded peach pits. It’s more gentle than drug store brands. Chemical exfoliants, like enzymes and acids, are proven to be the most effecitve. Most commonly obtained from papaya or pineapple, enzymes free dead skin cells and reduce inflammation without greatly altering the skin’s pH. If you really want to speed up the process, ask your esthetician for a series of head to toe lactic peels. Often derived from sour milk, this alpha hydroxy acid treatment works by dislodging the glue that holds surface cells together, guaranteeing an all-over-glow.Skin that’s been stripped of it’s protective barrier is more vulnerable to UV rays; so don’t over do it. Protect yourself with a sun block containing zinc and titanium dioxide but stay away from chemical sun screens. They can cause skin to have an un-even texture. Lisa Sickler, West Coast Regional Trainer for Babor Cosmetics, suggests giving sun protection a boost.”Vitamin E is a great anti-oxidant and nori algea helps deflect harmful UV rays away from delicate skin”, Lisa says.And yes, this information is for women of every ethnicity. A little bit of melanin may go a long way towards protecting the deeper layers of skin from aging, but UV rays do penetrate the epidermis. This is what causes those dark blemishes that, over time, become “age spots”.*Another great way to shed your winter coat is a complete body wax. Seasoned spa goers start the summer with a full arm / under arm / full leg /bikini / thong and tummy visit. Once the hair is ripped out of the follicle just stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours and your swimsuit ready for 4 to 6 weeks.Get Your Shine OnSo you’ve awakened hibernating skin and you’re ready to glow. If your skin’s not quite yet flawless, Bobbie Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit can camouflage blemishes and prevent makeup from running.To mimic the sun’s effect, select a few bronzers from Nars The Multiples collection. Blend up the high planes of the cheeks, over the brow bone and down the bridge of the nose to accent your best features.For a touch more color, using a squirrel bristle brush, sweep gold based iridescent shadows with overtones of pink or kahki across the lower lid to make eyes sparkle. Stila and Shu Uemura are makeup artist’s favorites. Using blush in sheer warm pigments, like Nars’ Gina, makes cheeks pop while allowing healthy skin to shine through. Just apply color to the “apple” only. Then choose any Lorac Lip Polish in a selection of shades to keep lips looking kissable.If you’ve been treating your lashes with Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner which actually improves hair thickness, the only tool you need is Shu Uemura’s famous eyelash curler to complete your sun kissed summer look.*To combat midday shine, I suggest Shiseido’s Prepare line. These non-powdered wax tissues come in varying degrees of absorbency. (available online)*Covering your body in baby oil may look cute, but it actually blocks vital moisture from penetrating the skin and attracts harmful UV rays.Lean BackThe final step in maintaining summer skin is to take it easy. According to Dr. Raakhi Mohan, who incorporates an Ayurvedic approach to wellness in her practice in Long Beach, CA, “true beauty is a reflection of one’s health and sense of inner balance”. Here are Dr. Mohan’s suggestions to help you de-stress and ensure that your skin looks good all summer long.SUGGESTION BENEFITEat lots of berries and leafy greens These foods are high in anti-oxidants and aid eliminationTake a yoga class Promotes relaxation and benefits every organGo for a walk Increases circulation which oxygenates the cellsDrink plenty of water Hydrates and flushes toxinsBIO:Aliesh D. Pierce is a freelance makeup artist, esthetician and educator committed to “helping women create their own unique definition of beauty”. Her work can be seen at alieshpierce.com.
Aliesh,
Congratulations on all your accomplishments and your first Blog! You go! It looks good, and gives very insightful and relavant information that is useful for everyone. I look forward to reading your future Blogs!
Comments
Congratulations on all your accomplishments and your first Blog! You go! It looks good, and gives very insightful and relavant information that is useful for everyone. I look forward to reading your future Blogs!
Janise
www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/jholmes