Summer Beauty Mistakes
Most of us feel most beautiful in summer, when we can show a little more skin that just so happens to be perfectly bronzed. But a few warm-weather boo-boos can ruin your whole look. Start with your feet and legs. Wearing sandals, flip-flops and other foot-exposing shoes can take a toll on those tootsies, especially heels, which can dry and crack in hot summer weather. Protect your heels by sloughing off dry skin in the shower with a pumice stone, then following with a rich lotion. Put on a thick pair of socks and wear overnight to lock in moisture. The same goes for your legs and particularly skin on your knees, which can get dry when exposed to salt water or chlorine and frequent shaving. Moisturize in the morning and at night, when wearing long pants or leggings to bed will help lock in moisture.
Avoid shaving your legs immediately before going out into the sun and water and applying sunscreen. Unsightly irritation can occur, especially in delicate areas like the bikini line. Wait a few hours before heading out, or shave the night before. And when you apply your sunscreen – as you always should – take a little extra time to do it before you head outside to allow it to sink into your skin. This process will help sunscreen coverage be more even and prevent unsightly splotches. If you apply in a hurry before plunging into the water, you could risk sunburn. Another summer no-no is heavy makeup at the beach, pool or other outdoor outings. With record heat around the country, think of how that makeup will melt…not to mention clog pores. If you really need some color on your face, try a multitasking tinted moisturizer with SPF and a creamy blush stick that doubles as eyeshadow. Smooth in the places that need a little color and follow up with a coat of clear mascara or waterproof mascara. A non-sticky lip gloss with sunscreen is perfect for a little lip color. Take care of your skin and whole body by downing lots of good old H2O – your skin will thank you!