Sun Worshiping Without The Skin Cancer

It's getting warmer outside and we all want to spend more time in the sun. I remember the good old days when my sister and I would oil up and lay by our pool for hours on the weekends. That was about 35 years ago and people didn't really know that skin cancer was such a threat from sun exposure. I'm a fair little Irish girl and I burn easily. My sister being from a Scandinavian background (us kids were adopted), was blonde and could get a tan by looking at a picture of the sun. So, I slathered on the Sea & Ski tanning lotion and turn a wonderful shade of red, mostly burning my Lilly white skin, which would later tan down to a normal healthy color. My sister would mix a bottle of baby oil and iodine and use that to tan with. She's get a deep golden brown, her hair would bleach out naturally and she'd look great. I looked like an Irish girl that wasn't used to the sunny days in the U.S., red, flaky skin and much redder hair then normal. After a couple summers, I gave up. Besides, I can't lay still that long. I'm like a hummingbird on crack most of the time anyway.

Today we know how much damage that the sun can do to our skin and my sister is living proof. While she's never had skin cancer yet, her skin has a thickened look that has caused premature wrinkling. She looks at least 3 years older than me and she's actually 3 years younger. She still lays out in the summer, especially since she and her family bought a beach house that they stay at all summer long. Her husband goes in to work every day and she heads for the beach. I, on the other hand, live in the Southwest desert, which is even more sun damaging then her east coast home. I wear sun screen daily, a big floppy hat when I go outside, Capri pants so my legs don't burn, and makeup and skin lotions that all have an SPF factor. I have always been the whitest person in the desert bar none.

That is until I got brave a few years ago and decided to try the new self tanners, which have improved greatly over the past few years I might add! I thank the Gods daily for self tanner because I no longer need to be deathly white anymore, I can go anywhere from a natural golden glow to an all out dark tan and look great. This also means that I have tried as many self tanners as I could afford each year just to see which ones work the best. I grade them on ease of application, developed color tone and natural look.

There is a difference between self tanners and bronzers. Bronzer just gives you a bronzed color and then washes off while a self tanner develops with the skin's amino acids over a matter of hours giving you a tanned look that lasts for a few days. Some self tanners have both so the bronzer gives you color now while the self tanner develops over a few hours.

Here is a list of my favorites and why:

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan: This is a really odd self tanner. It's almost black when it comes out of the bottle but that's so you can see where you are putting it and how even it is being applied. It gives the most natural tan that I have ever seen! You can layer it on, applying it every other day for a few days and get the deepest most natural tan ever. You'll look like my sister in mid-summer! It may be considered too dark for fair skinned people but I like the versatility of how dark you can go with it. It doesn't smell too bad either and has mostly natural ingredients. No SPF. Kind of pricey unless you can get it during a Bare Minerals sale at QVC.

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Daily Moisturizer: They came out with this a couple years ago. It's a daily use version of the original Faux Tan with moisturizers and isn't as dark as the original. Even after one use, you'll have a nice golden tan started. I sometimes mix a pump (I buy the jumbo sized pump bottle at QVC) of the original Faux Tan stuff in with a glob of this stuff and mix it together to kick start my tan when I first apply it. It gives it a bit more color but not too heavy. No SPF. About $18.00 a tube, one tube lasts me all summer. Bare Minerals also makes a Faux Tan mineral powder for the face, in case you'd rather not do your face but still have some color. I see that QVC is now selling a jumbo tube of this Faux Tan for around $24.00.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze: This comes in a variety of types, gel, lotion, pre-moistened towels, bronzer-tanner and face tanner. It comes in formulas for fair to medium skin and medium to dark skin so you'll get a more natural looking tan. One note, if you have fair skin and try using the medium to dark just to get a darker looking tan it's going to look BAD!! I learned this the hard way. I tried the towlettes on my legs and they looked really streaky and blotchy because I couldn't see where it was being applied and where I missed. For an mass market brand, though, this brand does an excellent job and a reasonable price.

How to apply: Take a bath or shower and use a loofah or some type of skin exfoliant everywhere that you will be applying the tanning lotion. Self tanner looks better when applied to skin that is smooth and moisturized so it's important that you get that dead skin off before you apply. Towel dry and start applying from the legs up, using upward strokes. Using a self tanner that has a color to it helps you make sure that you haven't missed any spots. Do your legs, move up to your torso and upper body, then arms. Wash and dry your hands when you are finished. Apply a small dollop to the back of one hand and rub the backs of your hands together making sure to cover from wrists to finger nails. Don't wash your hands again for a few hours, that gives time for the backs of your hands to develop some color, too.

Make sure to apply moisturizer every day to keep your tan looking good. You may want to re-apply tanner every few days as well in order to keep that tan look. Read the directions for the product that you pick to see if it can be used on the face if you also want to do your face. Some tanners are not made to be used on the face and you'll have to look for a tanner made specifically for this purpose.

What ever product that you choose or what ever way that you get your tan, always remember that if you are going to be out in the sun wear a sun screen, the stronger, the better! Protect your skin and it will keep you looking good for years to come!

The Shelf Life Of Cosmetics

There are as many questions about makeup as there are people using it! I know that I've had questions asked of me on such a number a subjects from "How long does makeup last?" to "How do I apply makeup?" to "Where can I find the best products for the lowest prices?" Below, you'll find the one I'm asked most, "What's the shelf life of makeup?"

What is the safe shelf life for most cosmetics?
Many ladies have asked me "When is it time to throw out the old stuff and break open the new?". In general, if it's a powder based product, it's going to have a longer life than, say, mascara. Here's a basic list of when to get rid of something, although, keep in mind, if at any time your product develops a funny smell, changes color dramatically or dries out, it's time to pitch it and get a new one. Here's a list of basic time tables for the expiration of cosmetic products.

Makeup Brushes:
The main problem with brushes is bacteria being transferred from face to product. Using clean brushes to apply makeup will help make it last longer. Clean any brushes that you use at least once a week with a good brush cleaner and warm water. Blot as much moisture from the brush when done cleaning and reshape it to it's proper form. It's best if you can give them a day to dry, standing up for half the time and inverted the rest of the time so that any water that may have collected in the collar that holds the bristles to the handle can dry as well.

Loose Mineral makeup: Brands like Bare Escentuals, where the brush does not come into contact with the actual product container will last for years. You are using a small amount of product tapped into the lid and applied from there so you never actually touch brush to container. Some of the newer brands from other companies use a sponge topped applicator to apply from the product bottle. These will last a long time, as long as you remove the sponge top and wash it every other week. Philosophy sells replacement covers for their mineral makeup so you can change them regularly. If it's a type of mineral makeup that comes with a brush attached to the lid and is dipped in the product and them tapped off, you will have the contamination problem with the brush coming into direct contact with product so keep the it clean and figure it'll last a couple years. This applies to all types of mineral makeup from foundation and blush to shadows to liners.

Liquid Foundations:
Water-based foundations last for about a year, while cream-based foundations may last longer, about 18 months. Compact powder or foundation lasts for two years but may become drier before that time. Cream foundations that are applied with a sponge have the problem stated above, contamination due to contact so always make sure that you use a clean sponge. You can buy packs of disposable sponges at any store that sells cosmetics. If your fingers are coming in contact with a bottle, like with liquid foundation, and then applied to face you need to wash your hands before and after.

Blushes & Bronzers:
Compact powder blushers or bronzers can last for two years, cream blushers and bronzers are good for about 18 months. If you notice that the color of the blush or bronzer has changed or developed an odor, it is time to change it.

Eye Shadows: Powder compact eye shadows are good for about two years unless you notice a color change or odd smell. Cream shadows in tubes are good for about 18 months. If the cream shadow is in a pot, the life is less, about a year, as long as you use clean fingers or brushes when applying. Remember to keep lids tightly closed on cream products, it will help keep the air from coming into contact and drying them out faster.

Eyeliners and Lip Liners: These have a shelf life of two years or longer. If they start to get so dry that they pull the skin during application, get rid of them! Sharpen them before each use to make sure that any bacteria that might have grown on the tip is removed and clean the sharpener as well. If you have a pencil that you have not used in a while and a white coating has developed on the tip, sharpen before you use it, and smell it as well, to make sure that it is still good.If they have a waxy smell or an odd crayon type smell, throw it away.

Mascara: Three to six months is usually the limit on a tube of mascara. It's the pumping action that most women use to try and get more mascara on a brush that hurts it by letting air and bacteria into the tube. A better way to coat the brush it to give it a swirl before you pull it out of the tube. By doing this, you get more product on the brush with out getting air into the tube. If it starts to get dry, clumpy, sticky or develops a bad waxy or moldy smell before it's time to get a new one, replace it anyway! Never use spit to try and wet your mascara!! Bacteria, ladies!! If using cake mascara, always use tap or bottled water to wet the brush. Your eyes are one of the most important body parts you have! Don't risk going blind just to get another mile out of your mascara!

Lipsticks & Glosses: Lipstick should last about two years, but lip gloss lasts for only around 12 to 18 months. Make sure to keep the tops of gloss tubes clean if build up starts on the threads. Clean it off with a clean tissue and wipe down any residue on the wand but not the tip. Lip plumpers last for about 2 years before the plumping ingredients go bad. For more information on all things makeup, go to MakeupDiva411.com

Hot Flashes and Makeup

Makeup Problem: How to keep your makeup on when you are constantly having hot flashes.

I had to have an emergency hysterectomy four years ago. I chose to go with out hormone replacement therapy because of the possible health risks that go along with them. The hot flashes started in earnest not too long after and have never let up. I have categories for them: Desert Afternoon (where I'm slightly hot inside and a bit sweaty outside), Super Soakers (where I'm drenched from head to toe), and Towering Inferno (where I feel like I could spontaneously combust but am trying to put out my own fire with sweat). I have more of the last category then the other two. That makes it difficult to keep makeup on for more then a minute at a time and I find myself just skipping it all together lately.

I miss wearing makeup! 9 times out of 10, I'll have a hot flash right out of the shower, which makes it hard to even put on moisturizer let alone makeup. I have found some solutions to this problem, after all, you have to do what you can with what you've got! I've learned some tricks over the past four years to applying makeup and keeping it on for as long as possible in a world in which I'm ready to burst into flames at any given moment.

Waterproof makeup has become my best friend. In the summer, which is hot enough here in the desert, it's hard enough not to sweat off makeup under normal situations. Add to that the Towering Inferno and it's a challenge to make it out the door with makeup still intact. I'm going by the less is more theory for summers now. Waterproof eye liner and mascara, maybe a waterproof eye shadow. If I use foundation at all, I use a mineral powder like Bare Minerals because it seems to stay on even when you sweat. I'll use the same in eye shadow, blush and bronzer, too.

You can find all kinds of great waterproof makeup out there. The biggest problem is removal. I don't like oily eye makeup remover, which you really need to remove the waterproof eye makeup. Avon just came out with makeup remover sheets infused with minerals. I tried it on my waterproof stuff and it took it right off without the heavy oil. Plus, you don't need to wash your face before applying night moisturizers because the Avon mineral makeup remover sheet residue evaporates. This feature makes them great for using in places where water might not be available to wash with.

After applying either a full makeup using Bare Minerals or a simple eyes and blush makeup, if I break out in a flash, I take a tissue and blot my face off. I don't rub, I just lay the tissue on areas of my face and pat dry. This seems to work, it soaks up the sweat and leaves my makeup in place. You have to use tissues, not those little papers made to blot up excess oil during the day, although those would be fine for someone younger that doesn't have the same problem that I do.

So, remember when the hot flashes start, waterproof makeup is your new best friend! Go to MakeupDiva411.com for more info.

What Makes A Makeup Diva Run?

What makes a makeup diva? Well, for me, it started with my mom, watching her get ready when her and my dad went on a date night. She's spend a couple hours getting ready, always looking like a movie star when she was done.

She'd sit at her vanity table and apply all kinds of things from pretty bottles and tubes and pallets. She's spray on perfume, dress in wonderful evening dresses that had matching shoes and purse. Her hair was always impecable, she had it done at the salon every week.

That started my love of all things cosmetic. Mom bought me my first makeup for my thirtenth birthday. Blue eye shadow, blush and some other things. I finally had my own makeup instead of her hand-me-downs, although I loved those!

By the time I was starting high school, I was a makeup applying genius. I'd do my friends in the school bathroom. I'd always carry a makeup bag in my purse so it would be handy for touch-ups during the day. I also had a fixation for hair and started playing with hair color and my own cuts around that same time.\

I enrolled in cosmetology school in my senior year of high school, going in the afternoons when I was out of school. I also got degrees in theatrical and glamor makeup as well as hair and manicuring. I got my license in 1978 and went to work at a friends salon. I was in heaven!

While I have retired from that profession years ago, I still cut and color my husband's hair and my own and do my acrylic nails. I mani-pedi myself every week and do the hubby as well. He deserves some pampering, too!

After doing make-overs and giving lessons to many of my women friends, I started my own website, MakeupDiva411 to share my knowledge with women who want to wear makeup but don't have a clue as to how to get started. You'll find all kinds of tips, tricks, ideas and info there from how to do a simple smoky eye to the shelf life of cosmetics. Stop by and check it out! I hope you find it as helpful and fun as I did making the site!