Tag: spf

Summer Sunscreens on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

It is officially that time of year again. I haven’t quite ventured out to the pool, but I know this Memorial Day Weekend will require a couple hours lounging in the sun and a splash around. There is nothing more daunting than exposing pale winter skin to intense summer sun for the first time each year. Look no further for some new (and old) favorites to protect skin. I’ll be featuring these this AM on Great Day Green Country:

Hawaiian Tropic has that iconic old-school scent that can transport us to childhood days at the beach. Their new improved formulas elevate these old favorites. Dry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen contains nourishing antioxidants and remains water resistant for a full 80 minutes. Silk Hydration for the Face works beautifully under makeup. And the Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen goes on without feeling greasy and adding just a hint of radiance.

Coola is my pick for organic sunscreen. And their new Continuous Sport Sprays are nourishing and easy to use. These sprays provide environmental protection via antioxidants. The sheer formula is water resistant. I also love the scented versions in Pina Colada and Citrus Mimosa.

To protect my face, I have been turning to Perricone MD Photo Plasma SPF 30 for months now. Not only does Photo Plasma deliver sun protection but also powerful anti-aging benefits. Using mineral sunscreens (which usually play better with my sensitive skin), it provides serious protection against UVA and UVB rays. The pink shade is thanks to Astaxanthin, a rich and protective antioxidant, actually making it look more natural on the skin.

The entire L’Oreal Sublime Sun line immediately transports me to southern France. This sun care can actually improve the look of skin, feels lightweight and has a great scent. I turn to L’Oreal Paris Sublime Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spraywhenever my skin is feeling a little dry. The oil surprisingly gives a whopping SPF 50 and nourishes skin without being greasy.

By now, I am sure we all have an SPF routine and know the importance of protecting skin. But mistakes do happen. When you get a little overexposed, check out Mario Badescu After Sun Cooling Gel that contains aloe and cools distressed skin. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. Nourishing sunburned skin can help with the healing process and may mitigate a little long term damage.

Note: With spray sunscreens, make sure to apply liberally all over the body. The spray dispensers make it easy to underestimate how much protection you are getting.

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Spring Color on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

It is Friday and you know what that means… I’m back on Great Day Green Country and it is time to ring in spring. After a frigid and icy weekend, we have 60s and 70s for the next four or five days (yes, there is a patio in my near future – likely around happy hour today). And what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than some spring shades. Today, I am rounding up the six products to warm things up on your vanity:

Laura Mercier’s Iconic Tinted Moisturizer Gets Three New Shades!

I’ve had a return to an old favorite recently and it is just in time for some exciting new from Laura Mercier. I feel like I kind of grew up on Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer. It is sheer and light-weight, offering a great balance of coverage with SPF 20. The natural dewy finish is right up my alley. And the formula plays well with my dry, sensitive skin. Since my early days of loving Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer, a little bit has changed. Most recently, there are three new shades – hooray for greater shade ranges!

The newest shades include:

Cameo (light beige with reddish undertones)
Natural (light beige)
Ochre (beige)

The three new shades look like they have slightly cooler finishes and dot the middle of the shade range. I’m a solid Sand this summer. But over the years, I have also worn Nude and Bisque. I apply with my fingers working outwards, but Laura (admittedly the goddess of great complexion) advises otherwise. Her technique:

apply a small amount on the back of your hand and pickup formula with the narrow end of an egg-shaped sponge or clean fingertips. Apply to the face working on one area at a time. Laura recommends starting at the outer portion of the face and working inwards toward the nose. Avoid excess application around the contours of the face. Blend well. Repeat application until desired coverage is achieved.

Also new since the days I first fell hard for Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer are three new formulations. Oil-free is the same signature sheer, light-weight formula but also controls oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. Oily skin needs hydration too. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating is a favorite of mine, adding an even more radiant finish. And it now also comes in a compact! Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact SPF 20 is convenient and great for travel and touch-ups on the go.

Laura Mercier is available at countries Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom (currently running a beauty gift) and Sephora.

CARGO HD Picture Perfect CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20

I know we are all a little fatigued from the BB/CC craze. At this point, it has been done by virtually everyone. And so many people have already found their favorites. Popular choices include Dr. Jart, Boscia, and my beloved Kiehl’s. So, why beat a dead horse? Well, it certainly isn’t to confuse you further. But to give you another option that truly differentiates itself from the rest of the pack.

Off the bat, I was totally confused when I first dispensed the balm from the tube. It was white. After confirming that this was, in fact, the actual shade of the balm, I proceeded. With a little bit of doubt. But gosh darn it… this stuff adjusted to a perfect match for my skin. The oil-free formula uses color adapting pigments and color correcting technology for a fool-proof shade.

I applies just like a moisturizer and ended up with fairly sheer coverage that is lightweight and slightly matte. This isn’t a buildable CC cream, so those looking for more coverage, this won’t be your cup of tea. I don’t get that dreaded sunscreen scent, but there is a tiny chemical fragrance that dissipates quickly. My skin feels supple and hydrated while I wear Picture Perfect so the dry skin sufferers like me should love it.

The tube is very small – just one ounce. At $39, this is fairly high on the cost spectrum, but I actually love the tinier packaging, perfect for travel or to throw in your purse. Bottom line, for those who want a lightweight, perfect match and oil-free formula, this could be your holy grail. Also, those with drier skin will love its hydrating properties. With SPF 20 (okay for office days), make sure you layer with a stronger SPF if you are headed for a day outdoors.

Five Late Summer Favorites

So, today marks the official back to school here in my city. Time to face the music and start thinking about prep for those cooler months ahead. I’m focusing on stretching out this tan, staying safe in the sun, repairing sun damage and nourishing my dried out hair. Among other things! Here are five favorites that I keep reaching for to do just that:

RéVive ‘Sensitif’ Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15 is the most gentle SPF I have come across and the oil-free formula finishes matte and won’t clog pores. Plus, it works fabulously under makeup.

Kate Somerville ‘Somerville 360°’ Tan Maximizer is helping me milk this summer glow for all that it is worth. I love the smell and how nourishing it is on my skin. Natural oils add so much hydration that this might be my go-to lotion all year long!

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo basically transports me back to high school with its fruity scent (how appropriate this time of year!). But what really impressed me was the effect – I use this at night and sleep in a wet braid – the next morning I have full and bouncy waves!

Coola TotalBody Organic Moisturizing Suncare with SPF 30 is keeping me sun safe these last couple of pool days. The scents can’t be beat (my favorite is Plumeria). And I feel even better staying safe in the sun using an organic product.

Essie for the twill of it from their fall collection was high on my wish list. But now that I have it in (or on) my hot little hands I’m swooning so hard I almost fell over. The opaque shade is as nuanced and special as any luxury polish. Fall signature mani sold!

Meaningful Beauty – Meaningful in the Mirror

I’m baaaack! What an amazing vacation. I have to say… the beaches in the Dominican Republic are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. My week was filled with fun, laughter (so much) and festivities. While I can’t say I am totally rested, I did come home feeling revived. Not to mention sun kissed.

I’ve also come home a bit contemplative. My summer has been full of great times and friends. But as the calendar page turns and talk of back to school is starting, I feel like turning a new leaf myself. Don’t get me wrong – the good times are not stopping. But I do want to add a little depth and discipline into my life. I’ve come back with a verve and devotion to my Nutrisystem journey – I am about to start my final month on the program. And I want to make sure that the time I spend with family and friends is thoughtful and personal. Feeling good about my skin, body and relationships is when I am most happy and I want to keep it that way!

On that same note, diving into Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty skincare line is all about empowering women to look and feel their best. The word “Meaningful” hits home and plays well with my new tagline “depth and discipline”. I’d like to think it is great to find meaning in even the smaller parts and moments of our life. To spread the word about this mission, Cindy has launched a new app on her Meaningful Beauty’s Facebook page, Meaningful in the Mirror. Through this app, Cindy’s mission is to allow women to affirm their inner-beauty & self-confidence in just a few simple steps.

Facebook users can simply (1)“like” the Meaningful Beauty Facebook page for access to the app, (2) select a template, (3) type their custom message and (4) share it with friends or on their own page. It only takes a few minutes, but the message is theirs to keep – it can even be used as a cover photo.

I’ve been using Meaningful Beauty over the last couple of months and am completely impressed with the system. The line is all about nutrition for the skin, aiming to protect and renew. Her step by step collection is easy to follow and leads to radiant skin. It is powerful but not irritating, packed with antioxidants and vitamins.

The system is composed of 5 simple steps plus 2 bonuses:

Crème de Serum
Advanced Formula Lifting Eye Crème
Skin Brightening Décolleté and Neck Treatment SPF 15
Antioxidant Day Crème SPF 20 UVA/UVB
Skin Softening Cleanser
Wrinkle Smoothing Capsules (Bonus)
Glowing Serum (Bonus)

Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Crème de Serum is probably my favorite item from the system. I haven’t encountered a richer serum and the effect is fresh and dewy skin. It has almost enough hydration to act as a moisturizer too on my dry skin this summer. The packaging and orange swirl keeps active ingredients suspended until used. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) from rare French melon (orange) and anti-aging peptides (white) work with the Hyaluronic Acid (clear) to hydrate and plump the skin.

Meaningful Beauty Glowing Serum by Cindy Crawford is for those, like me, who are all about the glow. I like to use it as a primer to smooth or even to throw on your purse to add a glow/highlight throughout the day. It contains soy protein, marine botanicals and antioxidants including pumpkin extract to encourage cell renewal.

Meaningful Beauty Skin Softening Cleanser by Cindy Crawford is milky and ultra gentle. While it doesn’t quite get all my makeup off, it does contain a unique apple extract to work against aging. My skin doesn’t feel tight or stripped.

Meaningful Beauty Antioxidant Day Crème SPF 20 Broad Spectrum has become a favorite facial SPF for the days I know I’ll be in the office. I get plenty of moisture and still decent protection. I also love that Vitamin C helps brighten and even my discoloration.

Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Advanced Formula Lifting Eye Crème contains botanicals to lighten and firm that stubborn under eye area. After a late night, I really can tell this helps brighten and lift, plus it works well under makeup.

Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Skin Brightening Décolleté and Neck Treatment Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a genius product that has definitely earned its spot in my permanent rotation. I have started to realize this often neglected area of skin is the first to betray age. The formula works against age spots, brightens and revitalizes, not to mention, provides that crucial SPF protection.

Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Wrinkle Smoothing Capsules are my new favorite on-the-go skin care item. This little capsules are so fun to use and provide a portable does of the Exclusive Microencapsulated Melon Complex and dual action Vitamin C.

I think the 5-piece New Advanced System is the best deal. It is great for those times when you want to commit to a routine to do a kind of “reset” on your skin. Not to mention, it is totally affordable at $39.95 plus s/h for 30-day supply or $119.85 with free shipping for 90-day supply. Available at MeaningfulBeauty.com or by calling 1-877-383-1212