summer

No-Mess SPF

August 19, 2010 at 12:28 pm
By April Franzino

Yes, you can reapply facial SPF without getting gooey—or messing up your makeup: Sunscreen powders offer physical UVA/UVB protection via minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Dust the sheer formulas over makeup before going out for lunch, at the end of the workday, or after your workout—they’re also great for reducing shine in steamy weather. Don’t use SPF powder as your day-at-the-beach facial protection or to replace your regular morning sunscreen, though; they’re best for touch-ups. Our picks (both are portable, spill-proof, and come equipped with handy applicators): Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45 ($30) and Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen Translucent ($44).

Fight Summer Frizz

June 30, 2010 at 4:00 pm
By Fitness Magazine

We just received this great question from one of our readers, and I think many of you can relate, especially since we’re in the thick of summer humidity (frizz alert!). Hope the answer helps tame your mane.

Q: I have ultra-thick, curly hair, and it’s cut in long layers. How can I make my hair stay frizz-free when I wear it down and loose?

A: Curly strands are prone to frizz when they dry naturally, so start styling while your hair is sopping wet. A mixture that’s great: Work in equal parts hydrating curling cream and an oil-based serum from roots to ends. If your strands still start to pouf, lightly rub on a glossing serum on dry hair to control mid-day frizzies. This trick will help block out humidity. And remember: Heat, UV rays and chemicals strip hair, making it porous, which aggravates the fluff. Comb in conditioner before diving into the pool to minimize chlorine damage.

Also, check out this fun beauty section on Weather.com. It gives you a checklist of beauty items that you might need for the day. Pretty genius!

Got a burning beauty question? Head to the community portion of our site or e-mail getgorgeous@fitnessmagazine.com.

-Eleanor Langston, Beauty Director

REVEALED! Top Makeup Artist’s Summer Secrets

June 16, 2010 at 11:57 am
By Fitness Magazine

Is the heat putting a damper on your beauty routine? We met with Lancome makeup artist, Suzanne Katz, who shared her secrets for getting (and staying!) gorgeous in the summer. No more melting mascara! But watch out, your ice cream cone is dripping!

Fake a Tan Flawlessly

June 16, 2010 at 10:55 am
By Fitness Magazine

Self-tanner can make you look slimmer and smoother if you do it right. Follow these expert tint hints.

1)     Exfoliate thoroughly. If you don’t, your faux glow will look streaky, says New York City-based tanning expert, Anna Stankiewicz. Avoid oil-based scrubs, which can coat the skin and cause patchiness.

2)    Prep parched parts. Before you get glowing, put a light layer of lotion on your hands, feet, elbows and heels to keep the bronzer from over absorbing into dry areas. “You’ll still get a little bit of penetration but not enough to cause splotches,” Stankiewicz says.

3)    Get even. Keep crinkly areas, like your knees and elbows, seamless by bending them as you apply tanner. Don’t forget to massage the formula into your neck, the skin around your ears and hairline–all are zones women often miss.

4)    Bring sexy back. To get your upper back and shoulders, try this trick from Dera Enochson, creator and founder of Xen-Tan: Take a foot of Saran Wrap and fold it lengthwise into a two-inch strip. Put tanner in the middle, and, holding the ends, smooth it across your back like you’re drying your back with a towel.

5)    Use protection. Don’t rub off your tawny color before it develops. After your application dries, blot on a talc-free powder, such as Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder ($4.55, burtsbees.com), to create a barrier. Remember not to shower for about eight hours. Now, you’re golden!