Bronze the Right Way!

So we covered the art of creating the beach bronze look in Monday's post but I'm sure you noticed that one key body part was omitted! Selecting and applying a facial bronzer is a science to say the least. Just the other day I noticed a girl who was not so familiar with this expertise. Her face looked not bronze but dirty, as if she hadn't washed her face in quite a long time. And the worse part was the "sun kissed look" stopped abruptly at her jawline leaving the eye wondering about what happened to her pale decollete and arms.

So in hopes of avoiding this serious faux pas I think it's important to understand the 101's of facial bronzing.

Rule 1: Pick the right color!
Your color should 2-3 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Fair skin tones should look for beige shades with a touch of warmth with rosy gold/peach undertones. Olive skin tones like myself should opt for brown bronzers with gold undertones (I use MAC Bronzing Powder in Bronze). Darker skin tones should use rich use rich bronze with hints of orange or apricot. On a side note I'm a bigger fan of pressed powders than loose one. I think they're easier to apply and control color deposit (a key to not looking dirty!)

Rule 2: Apply it the right way!
Using a fluffy powder brush (it helps evenly apply the color with a more a dispersed stroke) lightly dust the areas on your face that the sun would hit and naturally tan. Another words apply along your hairline, on the bridge of your nose, above the brows and on top of your cheek bones. Placement is key for believablity...I know you're saying "duh" but trust me some people still don't understand the concept of less is more!

Rule 3: Always apply in natural light!
Lighting is key to the application. Bronzing in dim lighting and you risk over doing it. So always apply in the brightest indoor lighting you can find to help mimic the effect of sunlight. It's
best to apply in front of a full or half body mirror so you can gauge the bronzing effect in relation to the rest of your body's skin tone. Remember there's nothing worse than a "bronze mask" effect!

Usage tip: Like all good things in life moderation is key. Always apply with light, gliding strokes. Remember you can build more color but it's harder to de-bronze. Matte powders are preferred to avoid a "greasy" look but once you become an expert you can start weaving in a slight shimmer on key areas (read: bridge of nose, brow and cheek bones). I love MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit.

The result: No faux Louis' for you! You've mastered the art of bronzing!

Short Cuts

Have you heard the saying "it's not how hard you work but how smart you work?" Yes you can play by the books and take the brown nosing route...Or you can get a bit clever, cut a few corners and get to the end destination in a faster, more efficient way. Think Mercedes CLS versus the Honda Accord. So when it comes to the bronzed, sun kissed look you can be the good girl and reside yourself to the policy that no matter how Gisele-esque the tan may look there is absolutely no way you would ever consider frolicking in the sun… so white and pasty it is! Or you may play the street smart route and admit to yourself that “I just got back from a beach vaca” look is desirable and more importantly attainable. With the right know how and savviness your bronze goddess look is a bottle and a few strokes away sans (that’s without in Français of course!) sun damage or premature UV induced wrinkles.

Courtesy of MAC you can be your own Monet and blend your way to sun kissed status with their Face and Body Foundation. A water-resistant, sheer fluid this product provides natural looking coverage while hydrating and conditioning skin with an emollient blend. A staple in every makeup artists’ bag, this foundation-like (but really more tinted moisturizer) gives a professional, air brushed finish and more importantly it does not budge so you can fake your way all day long. Opt for shades like C7 Warm Caramel or N7 Warm Bronze to recreate the tan look. Apply a nickel size amount to arms and legs with a stroking motion being sure to provide even coverage without any patchiness. You can even paint your way to definition and authenticity by paying special attention to those areas that are more prone to being sun kissed like the shoulders or front of arms. Versatile and life/skin saving, there’s a reason that sales of this product are up 38% this year! And I’m guessing will only continue climbing higher.

Usage tip: All smart girls love a little shimmer so mix the foundation with a loose luminescent powder like Laura Mercier Shimmer Loose Powder in Sun Dust and Star Dust (look at what it does for your cleavage!) and then apply. Think Victoria Secret annual lingerie fashion show bronze!

The result: Those minis and short shorts were made for bronze gams, not vampire skin!

Beam Me Up!

I'm pretty sure I've already told you the story of my first waxing experience, but here's a quick recap.Terrified and unwilling to get out of the car in the parking lot of the salon my mom leveled and shared what has come to serve as my mantra toward all the odd and uncomfortable beauty rituals. She said "It hurts to look beautiful." And with that the excruciating pain from my first underarm wax became the discomfort of a brow threading appointment to the needle pricking sensation of acid peels and who can forget the brow sweating Brazilian appointments? So it was only a matter of time I succumbed to the next beauty summit...the art of laser hair removal.

Again I must sadly admit that it was my mom who told me to buck up, grow up and take the leap...afterall the benefits were well worth the bumpy journey. So over a year later I'm here to report on the in's, out's and inbetween's of professional laser hair removal.

Cost: Yes the initial price tag can be a bit intimidating but if you do the math a $1400 Brazilian treatment will pay itself off in 14 months (assuming you got a monthly Brazilian wax at $100 a pop). In addition most spas will offer a discount if you purchase a package for 2 or more areas so it may be worth adding in a smaller, cheaper area like the upper lip.

Pain Level: Ok I'm not going to lie it hurts. Especially on those areas that are less meaty or are in bony, nerve packed region. To help reduce your discomfort you can ask your spa if they have numbing cream that you can topically apply 30 minutes before your treatment. It definitely helps but my technician has a theory that it actually interferes with the efficacy of the laser so it may take longer to see results. You can be more courageous and just take two Advil an hour before your appointment and work on your deep breathing, relaxation techniques which will come handy mid treatment. Oh and I'm guessing you want to know what kind of pain we are talking about...hmm just imagine being snapped by one of those super big/thick rubber bands.

Timing: When you sign up they will tell you that you only need 8 treatments max! Well they're wrong or just trying to be good salespeople. The reality is the average person will need more like 12+ treatments and even they will need bi-annual touch ups. You see your hair regrowth is very dependent on hormone fluctuations so things like pregnancy or just your natural changes can trigger a regrowth. That's why it's important to ask the spa's policy on number of the number of sessions your package covers. Ideally you should ask for a lifetime guarantee which allows you an unlimited number of sessions! (See the cost isn't looking so bad now!)

Bottom Line: It's worth it if you go into with the right expectations. Yes you will notice that your hair growth will slow down after just two sessions but it will take far more to be completely hair free. On the flip side when you compare it to the time, resources and inconvenience of the the waxing alternative you realize that this is a great bargain on all levels. Just be aware that once you start lasering you can only shave so there will be no more waxing or other barbaric form of hair removal in your future!

Usage tip: Do your research, ask questions (I'm always available to help) and set up an informational meeting with the facility to see if you like the vibe of the place (read: do your due diligence in checking the cleanliness of the place). Most importantly take your time. This is a big investment and you should make sure the rewards outweigh any fears.

The result: Soft, hair-free skin and more importantly no more mothly waxing appointments EVER!

Beachy Keen

From late night ice cream runs (I have a new found weakness for Haagen-Daez Caramel Corn but a Tasti-D always hits the spot!) to body flaunting shorts and minis (afterall all those hours spent at the gym should be appreciated!) there are so many great things about summer. I must admit my absolute favorite though is my beauty regimen “less is more” philosophy. The endearing Nyc humidity and heat is like a one-two punch that melts makeup, frizzes hair and deflates your morning get ready routine. My answer? Let you natural goddess shine! Switch out foundations for the tinted moisturizers. Skip the eye liner and in lieu give your skin a soft sun kissed glow with bronzing products. And those 5 minutes you shaved off your morning beauty regimen? Hit the snooze button one more time or better yet get some AM cuddle action!

Without question when it come to hair you have to have the same minimalist touch. There’s nothing more painful or torturous than a hair dryer or flat iron in 90+ degree weather! Luckily there’s nothing more sexy or enticing than lose, tousled summer beach waves. They beg you to come play and recall days spent surfside and night loungin campside. So it’s time to give your hair a break and trade in the gels, mousses, and heat activating milks for Fekkai Beach Waves. This marine water spray texturizes hair for that ocean inspired, piecey body. Sea kelp hydrates and locks in moisture so hair looks supple and feels soft. The icing on the cake? UV filters which protect hair from oxidizing UV rays which rob hair color of vitality and cause fading. And as your sitting at your desk wishing to be at the beach, catch a whiff of you hair...the coconut undertones will transport you to the beach.

Usage tip: On a damp or dry hair spritz focusing mid-length to ends. Each 3-4” section needs no more than 2-3 sprays then use your fingers to scrunch strands giving extra support for the waves. For extra thick, long or super straight hair you may need a bit more coaxing to get this look. I would recommend first setting damp hair with rollers and then spritzing with the Beach Waves.

The result: This look demystifies guys obsession with the girl next door…it spells low maintenance, fun loving but yet damn sexy.

Just One More!

I know what you're thinking. How many products can this girl have? She recommended over 10 products just for the pool/beach alone! She must be like one of those old women who lives in a shoebox stuffed with old trinkets, tokens and other useless mementos. Well... I will say that I do have a fair share of products BUT they are all essential (and discreetly stored in an organized manner!). So you too can make room for a couple more sun essentials but this time for your hair!

Yes sun can damage your hair, especially color treated hair. UV rays cause oxidation of the color molecules leading to fading and in the case of brunettes brassiness. If that's not enough the combo of sun, salt and or/chlorine (which is another color altering culprit) robs hair of essential moisture, weakening the overall structure and strength of hair. Therefore make a little extra room in your beach bag for Tela Guardian SPF 18, a natural, light-weight, leave-in hair milk. It protects hair with SPF and antioxidants while restoring moisture, nixing frizziness and improving manageability. Once your back indoors it is essential to wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner/mask made specifically for post-sun care. Many professional, salon hair care brands like Redken or Phyto offer an after-sun range. My favorite is Kerastase Bain Apres-Soleil Shampoo, which gently washes out the above mentioned aggressors and purifies hair, and Masque UV Defense Active which replenishes and fortifies hair for silky soft and radiant tresses. Now your hair can stop being envious of your sun protection regimen for the skin!

Usage tip: To further protect hair (and your face!) always wear a hat. It shields and prevents UV damage and just one more fun accessory to throw into the mix!

The result: There will be hands who will long to run their fingers through those silky, shiny strands! Trust me!

Accessorize

One of the many things that I love about being a women is our god given right to accessorize. From bangles that dangle on every inch of our forearm to the plethora of head bands, we have an opportunity to dress up every aspect of our life. Let’s just take the multitude of options available for our “most needed” electronic devices. That blackberry or iPhone that’s responsible for finger and wrist issues? Oh yes, it has to be clothed with a decorated case at all times. The iPod? Don’t worry it has convertible holder that allows it be used 3 ways. The lap top? Did you see Goyard's carrying case? It’s a must have! And of course all of these essential items can’t be carried around without our favorite accessory of all…the handbag! So when it comes to sun protection it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of accessories to go around!

But like all things, we need a discerning eye to weed through the garbage and identify the must haves:

My Top 6 “Don’t Dream of Leaving Home Without It” Suncare Accessories

1. UVSunSense Bracelet: This wrist bling is takes the concept of adornment to the next level. An intuitive bracelet, this sun monitor identifies what SPF level you’ve applied and changes colors to indicate when you should be reapplying sun creen and when it’s time to head indoor. With this sun smart system there’s no reason you should ever end up looking or feeling like a cooked lobster.

2. Sun Guard Laundry Additive: Did you know that those festy UVA rays (the ones responsible for aging) can penetrate through glass and clothes? By washing your clothes with Sun Guard you infuse your clothes with an invisible shield that provides an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 for up to 20 future washes.

3. Sun Protection Towelettes: These nifty on the go wipes make sun protection easy and fast. Try Supergoop! SPF 30 Sunscreen Swipes to give weightless protection all over (including those hard to reach places!). Formulated with physical blockers (I know you’re up with the suncare lingo since you read the last 2 posts), these wipes are safe for even the most sensitive skin. Now there’s really no excuse to not be protected!

4. Eye Cream: Your eye is the most fragile area with the thinnest skin found on your face so it needs a souped up protection to keep those pesky crow’s feet at bay. The problem is sunscreen formulations tend to be too irritating to this delicate area. That’s why I have fallen head over heels in love with the Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32. Luxurious and sweet smelling this cream fortifies and protects the area most prone to premature aging.

5. Powder: So yes you put on the sunscreen and then the eye cream (see above) but why not give a little extra sun shielding oomph to the most sun suspetible areas like your nose or cheekbones. Mineral based loose powders like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 allow you to dust on an added layer of invisible protection with physical blockers to prevent freckling, burning and spotting. Added bonus? This powder keeps your skin matte (no oil slicks for you!) and smooth.

Usage tip: Perhaps your new accessories will need a carrying case...I wonder what beach bag Goyrad has!

The result: Sun saviness with all the latest "it" accessories!