The Ultimate Guide to Summer Beauty

We all want to take care of ourselves and look our best, and each season can offer special challenges.  Here we'll help you take care of your nails, hair and skin, and have fun with summer make up, fashion and hair styles. 


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Nail Care Hair Care Skin Care Makeup Fashion Hairstyles



Nail Care

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I love summer! But summer comes with some special challenges for my nails.

Heat

Maybe I’m weird, but I always assumed that heat would help my nail polish dry faster.  It would make sense, wouldn't it? Glue and paint dry faster in heat, don't they? Oh well, whether it makes sense of not, heat can keep your nails from drying properly.  I experienced this problem myself when I did my nails on Monday and as I sit here and type on Wednesday, they STILL aren’t fully dry.  Now here's a few tricks to help.

  • 3 mins in a bowl of ice water

I do this one myself sometimes.  It’s sort of effective.  It does make my nails dry faster, but I don’t feel like they are “rock hard in 3 minutes!” Of course, that might be partially due to the fact I can’t keep my nails submerged in ice cold water for 3 whole minutes. It hurts! I always cheat and take my fingers out periodically to warm them up.  But anyway, ice water is a great option when its one of those 90 degree days. 

  • Fan or hairdryer on cool setting

Yeah, I do this. I may pretend its to circulate the air so I don't die from the fumes, but really its because I lose patience waiting for my polish to dry between layers.  The problem with this is that you are drying the very top, but the polish isn’t drying all the way through.  If you are careful, and wait the proper time for the nail polish to truly dry all the way through, then having the top dried with a fan can help ensure no smudges.  If you're like me, however, and get impatient and say "its dry enough" and proceed to put on a second, and third coat, you will end up with polish that will take a very long time to fully dry.  That's how we end up with dents and smudges even when the polish seems to be dry.  

  • Quick Dry Top Coat

When you don't want to mess with a bowl of ice water, and want a perfect manicure fast, a topcoat is a great option.  I swear by Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. 
I tried a dozen fast dry top coats, from salon ones ($$) to drug store ones, and nothing works as well as Seche Vite. It's decently expensive, at around $10-$15ish. But you can get it at Target, and as long as you ration it, and only use it when you need to, it lasts decently long. Now, even when using an awesome top coat like Seche Vita, its important to still let layers dry individually. If you need to do a fast manicure, give your first coat as long as you can to dry, then apply your second coat. You can apply Seche Vite to your second coat while its completely wet and expect it to feel rock hard in a minute flat. However, your under-layers won't be dry instantly, so be careful!


Sun

We wear sunscreen on our face and body (hopefully) but do we think about our nails? According to The Skin Cancer Foundation,
"Over time, however, sun exposure may cause permanent damage to the nail's growth center, called the matrix - especially the pale, "half moon" portion of the matrix visible at the base of the nail plate. Cumulative sun exposure may also permanently harm the nail bed and nail folds - the skin around the cuticle - accelerating their aging process and increasing the risk of skin cancer."
So what can we do to protect our nails? Apply nail polish! Seriously.  All nail polish provides some uv protection.  (As if I needed more reasons to love nail polish.) Some companies are adding uv filters to their polish for additional protection.
Orly Sunscreen for Nails is a great example, unfortunately I can't find it on the Orly website. Was it discontinued? Anyone with info, let me know!  

Chlorine

Chlorine is very drying.  Apply a nail-hardening polish, I swear by OPI's Nail Envy, and then apply a topcoat to lock in moisture. Refresh nail polish every week or so.  And don't forget to moisturize! Make sure to lotion after swimming and again before bed.


Hair Care

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What with chlorine, the sun, heat and humidity, summer does a number on my hair!

Sun

Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by too much exposure to the sun.  Over-exposure can make your hair weak, dry and brittle, making your hair susceptible to breakage and split-ends.  To protect your hair from discolorization (bleaching in the sun), Use hair spray or leave-in conditioner with uv protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a leave-in conditioner that contains zinc oxide. If you find yourself at the beach and realize you've forgotten your conditioner, you can comb a small amount of regular sunscreen into your hair.


Heat

The heat of summer can result in sweaty, greasy hair.  No fun!
First off, make sure that when conditioning, you are applying only to the midlength and ends of your hair, unless your hair is truly damaged at the scalp.  Volumizing conditioners tend to be lighter and are less likely to give you a greasy feeling.


Chlorine

Chlorine is rough on hair! It can burn off hair tips, severely dry hair out, and cause split ends if you are swimming regularly.  In short, you can end up with a frizzy, damaged mess! First things first, thoroughly wet hair before getting into the pool.  Well saturated hair will absorb less chlorine.  For already damaged hair, or frequent swimmers, apply a leave-in before swimming.  

  • Washing

Be sure to wash hair immediately after swimming.  You can purchase shampoo specially formulated to effectively wash out chlorine, or you can use 1-2 tsp. baking soda mixed with your shampoo, and be sure to rinse with cold water because hot water will activate the chlorine.  (Don't over shampoo with the baking soda mixture, as it can slightly fade color.);

  • Conditioning

Then condition with a protein rich conditioner, and a leave-in, if possible.  Add a deep conditioner into your regular routine to counteract any damage done.  

Humidity

Moisturize! (Especially if you heat style.)  If you heat style without moisturizing, your hair will suck up the humidity the second you walk out the door and poof! If you struggle greatly with frizz, try a silicone-based serum to keep your hair from absorbing that moisture.  If you are losing your battle with frizz and you heat style, consider giving up the heat for a while.  Heat styling strips hair of moisture and damages the protein.  If you don't normally style without heat and need some ideas, send us a message and ask for some advice!


Skin Care

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Sun

SUNSCREEN! Too much exposure to sun can cause cancer and premature aging. Yeah, you don't want either. Don't make excuses! Make sunscreen part of your routine!
Wear broad spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF 15 or higher

  • How does SPF work?

    Basically, if you redden in 20 minutes without sunscreen, SPF 15 will keep you safe for 15 times longer.  But, no matter what SPF, reapply every 2 hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating a lot. No sunscreen, no matter what SPF, will last longer than 2 hours.  

  • So why does SPF matter, then?

    Think of it this way: SPF 15 filters out 93% of incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 filters 97% and SPF 50 filters out 98% of incoming UVB rays.  People who are more prone to sunburn, or have a history of skin cancer, should use as high an SPF as possible.  Please remember, though, no matter how high the SPF, reapply every two hours. 

  • SPF 50 offers the "maximum protection necessary."

    •  So basically consider anything 50 and over as the same thing.  

  • Apply liberally 30 minutes before exposure.

    Most people don't apply enough, which means you aren't really getting full coverage.  I start on my face and work my way down, and then repeat.  This allows one layer to soak in fully so I don't feel oily or sticky.  The rule of thumb is a person should be using about a shot glass full to adequately cover their whole body.  

  • Cancer can form on the scalp.

    That's right, I said scalp.  Why? Probably because we don't think to put sunscreen on our heads! If you have a part in your hair, make sure to apply sunscreen along the part.  Get along your hairline too! If possible, wear a hat. 

  • Choosing a sunscreen.

    First off, look for the Skin Cancer Foundation seal.  This makes it easy to know at a glance that the sunscreen is legit.  Choose based on your needs, look at SPF, and type.  Sunscreen is a very individual choice, but I have to put my two cents in.  I absolutely love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen.  It offers broad spectrum protection and an SPF of 85+ (which is very important to me, because I burn in 30 seconds flat).  
What I love most about this product, though, is that even after I apply loads of it, I feel like I have nothing on.  It soaks in completely and doesn't leave me feeling greasy.  I'm big into wearing sunscreen every day (I don't need any wrinkles, thanks!) so I definitely need a sunscreen that isn't gross feeling!!

Chlorine 

If you're swimming a lot, you may notice your skin getting dry or flakey.  Chlorine is likely to blame!  How to keep your skin happy without giving up your pool time?

  • Lather up!

    You already need to shower after swimming, since we already went over how damaging chlorine is to hair, right? So you should also be making sure you're washing your body.  

  • Lotion, lotion, baby.

    Slather on that lotion post shower to restore the moisture your skin lost.  

  • If chlorine seems to be a big problem for you:

    Try applying a pre-swim lotion designed to protect against chlorine.  

Sweat 

Worst thing about summer heat: sweat! Here's some tips for coping:

  • Wash your face with an oil-free cleanser.

    And start carrying face wipes in case you need to freshen up during the day.  If you don't want to mess up your beautiful summer makeup, try blotting papers.   

  • Secret weapon: baby powder.

    Powder absorbs moisture.  Apply a thin layer of baby powder to any part of your body that sweats or gets a sticky feeling.  Don't forget the area baby powder is made for! Choose a tac free formula, as talc is shown to have negative long-term affects.  

  • Panty liners.

    Its not glamorous, but some women get crotch sweat.  Hey, it happens! To stay dry and comfortable, put a panty liner on in the morning, and change when necessary.  

Shaving

Now I don't know about any of you, but I'm much more dilligent about shaving in the summer.  While I may skip days (weeks, months) in the winter, I'm shaving every day in the summer! Some shaving tips are big ones you've likely heard already, some may be new: 

  • Shave after showering when the hair is soft.

    While showering, exfoliate your skin.  This will allow you to get a closer shave, which can mean shaving less often, yay!

  • Use a fresh razor.

    Its recommended you use a razor only 3 times before throwing it out.  I think thats completely unrealistic.  But try to buy razors you can afford to replace often enough.  That $30 six-blade magic razor might be amazing, but if you can't afford to replace it all summer, you were better off with 30 razors from the dollar store.  

  • Use shave gel instead of soap.

    I'll admit, I often shave with soap.  But in the summer, make a point to pick out a nice, moisturizing shave gel, your skin will thank you.  In a pinch you can shave with conditioner, but conditioner is not made to be used on skin and its not recommended.  You are much better off buying proper shave gel.  

  • Apply unscented moisturizer every night to replenish moisture and calm skin.

    And always apply lotion after showering, whether in the morning or at night.
If shaving is too much work, or your skin get too damaged, there are many alternatives. Along with the professional options, there are numerous at home options.  I suggest an at home wax kit as a simple, inexpensive wax that anyone can pull off.  (Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it!) My favorite is Veet Ready-To-Use Wax Strips.
Its basically two paper strips with a layer of wax sandwiched between.  You rub them between your hands for a few seconds to warm the wax up, and then peel them apart. Then you apply the strips one at a time to your leg.  Smooth them down, pressing in the direction of the hair growth, and then tear it off.  Yes, it hurts.  But come on, women have babies, waxing is nothing compared to that.  Really, waxing is like a 5 on the scale of 1 to stepping on a lego.  To minimize pain, make sure that you are pulling the strip off straight up, so the strip is nearly flat against your leg.  The strip should be almost folded in half, as pictures below.  Don't pull out and away from your leg, thats what hurts! 
The first strip always hurts the worst.  After pulling the first strip, I always think "OMG! I forgot how much this hurts!!" But by the second strip I'm thinking "this isn't so bad."
The best thing about waxing is that you are pulling the hair by the root.  This means it will grow back considerably slower, and in some cases not at all.  So repeated, regular waxing can lead to a reduction in hair growth.  Sweet!
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Summer brings a whole host of unique challenges in the makeup department. Here are a few basic tips in order to make sure that you look your very best in the summer months.

  • Try a tinted moisturizer.

    Who wants to be walking around in the Sahara Desert-like heat with gobs of heavy foundation on your face? Not me. Not only does tinted moisturizer give you some coverage, almost every formula has SPF included. Danielle went over the importance of SPF here. There are options for water proof tinted moisturizers as well, which would be good for days spent poolside.

  • Brighten up.

    A good way to transition your makeup in summer is to go from using darker "winter" colors to using bright summery colors. The colors I would suggest would be coral, fushia and pink. It's always important to look at factors like skin color/tone when picking these colors though!

  • Water proof mascara.

    This is a must pretty much year round for me. Not only is it important when swimming and sweating, it has more staying power than a traditional mascara.

  • Make your lips glossy.

    I personally think that lipstick is a little heavy for the summer. Finding a fun, bright lip gloss is definitely a good way to maintain a beautiful summer makeup look. There's also SPF options to avoid sunburnt lips.

  • Blotting paper.

    Blotting papers (I like Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing) are a must for those extra sweaty, sticky days.


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Summer fashion is so much fun. The bright colors and fun patterns make summer my favorite season!

  • The Amazing Maxi Dress

Not only is the maxi dress super comfy (like PJs!) it's the easiest way to make you look cute and like you actually tried when the heat is just too much. I normally style maxis with cute flip flops and a fun necklace. See my Maxi Dress article here

  • Bright colors

Summer is the best time of year to break out the neon, bright colors and fun patterns. Whether it be a fun pair of shorts, a cute tank or dress it's a good time to experiment with any color (like hot pink) that maybe you weren't brave enough to try any other time in the year.

  • Wedges

I love wedges. They are comfortable, they are cute and they give you height (which I need). It is a good way to give yourself a boost and also to be comfortable. They are by far the most comfortable in the heeled shoe department.

  • Bright Jeans

This is a trend that I fought for a while, once I finally tried on some fun red jeans...I was converted. I have at least 6 pairs of different colored jeans ranging from teal to yellow. Rocking some brightly colored jeans is an easy way to make a fashion statement with minimal effort. I normally wear my jeans with a white/black tank and fun jewelry.

  • Fun Sunglasses

What better time to wear some fun hot pink sunglasses than summer? It's the perfect time to get some fun colored sunglasses. I like these ones from Forever 21
Depending on your individual face shape, would determine what the best shape of sunglasses to get

  • Accessories

I'm a huge fan of straw bags in the summer. I bought one at Nordstrom Rack for $30 a few weeks ago and I love it! If you aren't comfortable wearing brightly colored pants/shirts, accessories are a good way to incorporate fun colors into your style. If you are looking for a good place to find inexpensive accessories, try Charming Charlies. They have all kinds of colors, styles and they are all very affordable.

I also love hats, it's a good way to protect your skin from the sun and look cute while doing it. Fedoras, cowboy, or baseball hats... whatever fits your style and what you like!




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It's all about keeping your hair up and out of your face (at least for me) during the summer months.

  • The side braid.

    My personal favorite. Something that I wear probably more than I would like to admit. It's a cute way to get your hair out of your face and be fashion forward.

  • Sock bun.

    This is something I tried relatively recently. It's so easy that it kind of makes me feel dumb for not trying it earlier! Here is the tutorial I used to make the sock bun: 

  • Low side bun.

    Start with a low side pony, and wrap your hair around the base of the pony tail and secure with pins. Don't worry about it looking perfect. I like this look better a little messy!

  • Salt spray.

    If you are landlocked like Danielle and I, and you are yearning for the beachy waves, you can spray the salt spray on your hair when damp and scrunch the hair to keep

  • Headbands and wraps.

    Another great way to incorporate color/pattern to an outfit. You can wear the headband with your hair up or down and it gives you the comfort of getting the hair out of your face, without sacrificing style.

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MAUREEN



Maureen is a long time lover of beauty, fashion and all things girlie. She is lucky to have a bestie that loves beauty and silliness as much as she does! She is a licensed esthetician/makeup artist and loves it. All around, Maureen has a great life full of friends and family. Find Maureen on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

DANIELLE



Danielle has a nail polish obsession, and its a bit out of control. She doesn't always have the cash to fund her addiction, so she's become an expert on thrifty nail tricks! She's lucky to have Maureen, her very best friend since kindergarten, and is engaged to her boyfriend of 7 years. Connect with Danielle on Pinterest, Twitter and Tumbler.