Skin Cancer Awareness Month

I just got back from Vegas for Memorial Day weekend and saw waaaaaay too many people (women and men) with dark orange tans and wrinkly skin. Umm, don’t you know that tanning beds are out? Actually, tanning should be out altogether (although I’m definitely guilty of laying out in the sun when on vay-cay). Did you know that May is skin cancer awareness month?  Well, we are quickly coming up on summer and with that comes skimpy bikinis, hot summer days (and nights) and less clothing in general. So what do you do to keep your skin soft, supple and wrinkle-free when you’ve been looking forward to those warm rays all year? 

Here are a few tips for tanning, if you must (which we all know we want a little JLo glow in our lives):

1.  Reapply suntan lotion with a Spray – I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before – (I think it’s because I am hooked on Neutrogena’s Helioplex suntan lotion and all of it’s wonderful benefits) – but, when tanning by the pool and you’re feeling lazy, or a little tipsy and don’t want to make the effort to spread lotion on your body all over again, put a spray can of suntan lotion on the table next to you, and apply every half hour! Simple, easy and takes absolutely no time. My skin actually felt much more refreshed (and not rubbery) by the end of our three-hour pool rendezvous (oh, and I still got a beautiful glowy tan!)

2. Don’t stay out too long in the sun – this one should be pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re a little dense, here’s a tip: staying out in the sun, no matter how much protection you have is NO BUENO. Too much of a good thing and all that jazz….

3. A burn is NOT a tan! This just means you’re burned!! Hello!! I have Italian friends that once told me that if they are red that means it will turn into a nice brown color in a few days – umm, no, it just means you just increased your chances of skin cancer! Use common sense people.

That’s all for now! Email me if you have any requests for posts! Lisa.Atia@gmail.com

Beyonce Post-Baby

I just saw this crazy, beautiful photo of Beyonce at the Met Gala where she is tonight, May 7^th. This woman, post-baby looks amazing. Yes, I know, she has a trainer and a nanny and a chef, etc., etc. and it makes it that much easier to look as amazing as she does. I still have to hand it to her, she does take care of herself (even though it’s part of her job). But more than that, she takes such fashion risks and is confident in how she carries herself that no matter what she wears (I’ve seen her look great in sneakers) she looks like she owns any room she walks in. Just so you all know – CONFIDENCE is the key to fashion (and anything else in life, really).

SPF is a MUST!

I know I’ve written about this just in passing in my other posts, but I wanted to dedicate a special one just to the topic of using SPF.

Most of us (myself included) forget to use SPF on a daily basis. You only bust out the leftover bottles when summer comes. But here’s the thing: since I’ve been using it on my face, neck and hands (I don’t want my hands to give away how old I am!), my complexion has become more smooth and youthful looking. Now, yes, that is also with the help of all the other stuff I use on my face, but my hands don’t have lines in them like they used to. My neck looks smoother than it used to. I’m telling you, SPF is one of those things that may seem like a pain in the ass to put on now (btw, your foundation does NOT have enough SPF to wear alone), but you will thank your lucky stars later.

So here’s my suggestion: get a super light, liquid spf (I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock, Target, $12) and add it to your morning beauty repertoire.  Don’t use the thick creams that we are used to wearing during the summer months; there are ones specifically formulated for your face and hands. Oh, and this is important: EVEN WHEN IT’S OVERCAST OR RAINING, USE SPF. You must use it everyday for it to be effective.  Consistency is key.

You don’t want to have turtle skin and if this is the only beauty regiment you keep up, you won’t be sorry!!!