The sun, surf and wind may be brutal on your body during the warmer months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t beat summer at its own game. This simple set of beauty dos and don’ts are the best beauty tips for summer to live by.
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10 SUMMER BEAUTY DOS AND DON’TS
DO: Throw out last year’s sunscreen
Just like milk, sunscreen goes off. And although it might not have a pungent smell like said dairy product does, the effectiveness of your sunscreen’s UV protection dwindles greatly after its expiry date. To ensure you’re adequately protected, it’s best to start afresh with a new bottle each year.
We love: Pelactiv Ultimate Protection SPF50+ and Banana Boat Sport SPF 50+ Clear Spray
DON’T: Forget about your feet
One must always ditch their calloused, cracked heels before slipping on their flip-flops or heels – hard, roughen feet have no place in summer. Use a foot exfoliating tool once a week to gain smooth feet, and apply an intensive treatment cream on a regular basis to ensure your soles stay hydrated.
We love:Emjoi PediSmooth Plus and derma e Cracked Skin Relief Crème
DO: Switch to a lighter scent
The heat amplifies the notes in your fragrance, making them last longer and smell stronger. So, keep the noses around you happy by opting for fresh, zesty fragrances in summer instead of heavy, intense ones. Oh, and always ensure you store your perfume away from direct sunlight to help preserve its fragrant notes.
We love: Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger and Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Summer EDT ($79, 100mL, 02 9695 5678)
DON’T: Let the sun steal your looks
Annoyingly, the sun is responsible for around 90 per cent of all premature wrinkles and pigmentation, but the good news is this: you can combat these signs of ageing by wearing a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen every day. Just don’t scrimp on the application – you need at least a teaspoon of product for it to be effective.
We love:SunSense Moisturising Face SPF 50+ and Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Oil Free Matte SPF30
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DO: Embrace a faux glow
A sun-kissed body will instantly make you feel slimmer, hotter and more confident – but that’s no invitation to go fry yourself under the blazing sun. Fake tan formulas have come a long way in recent years, so do make use of their natural-looking results and forego the skin-damaging variety of tanning, please.
We love: Reef Beach Glow Foaming Mousse and Sportsgirl Body Glow ($12.95)
#6. DON’T forget to apply deodorant
Just don’t. They were invented for a reason – mainly because there’s nothing nastier than a stranger’s awful body odour – so apply one daily. It’s also wise to pack a spray-on variant in your beach bag for a quick refresh post-swimming session.
We love: The Body Shop Of A Man Anti-Perspirant and Rexona Women Crystal Clear Diamond Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
#7. DO: put your moisturiser in the fridge
And while you’re at it, pop your eye cream in there, too. As the days get longer – and hotter – our nights tend to become a little wilder, which means morning-after puffiness. Your products will be better equipped to combat said puffiness if they’re cool, which means a fresher face faster for you.
We love:People for Plants Hydration Gel and Ella Baché Special Eye Crème
#8. DON’T: leave your lips unprotected
Your lips are very vulnerable to sun damage because they lack a protective outer layer. They rely on lip balm with a built-in SPF to stay hydrated and protected from the elements, so apply one regularly throughout the day, especially if you’re spending large amounts of time in the sun.
We love:Bonne Bell Active Outdoor SPF 30+ Lip Balm for day, and Bellamer Botanical Skin Care Nourishing Lip Balm for a hydrating hit at night.
#9. DO: nourish your dehydrated skin
Whether you’re a lady with a (rather naughty) natural tan or a faux glow, your skin is likely to be extra dry right now, and possibly even a little wrinkly. The same goes for dudes who’ve been hitting the waves or catching some rays. Apply a lightweight body moisturiser daily after showering while your skin is still damp for a fast-absorbing hydration hit.
We love:Trilogy Firming Body Lotion and Lab Series Ab Rescue Body Sculpting Gel
#10. DON’T: waste time in the bathroom
It’s just too beautiful outside to hide indoors. This doesn’t mean you need to compromise on how good you look, though. The trick is to use magnificent multi-tasking products from top-to-toe that see you walking out the door looking wonderfully attractive in no time at all.
We love:CLINIQUE Skin Supplies For Men Age Defense Hydrator SPF 15 and Maybelline New York Dream Pure 8-in-1 BB Cream
What are your best summer beauty tips? Do you follow any of the beauty rules already? Which one will you be implementing immediately?