summer beauty tips

SUMMER BEAUTY TIPS

Summer days are great for relaxation and recreation. The sun is literally brighter, the days are longer, and the warm weather is ideal for just spending time with family and friends or for taking off on sightseeing or shopping jaunts. But, you would want to remember that summer is also a time when different rules of beauty care apply. The hot, lazy days can take their toll if you are not too careful about your regimen. Here are a few tips for getting through summer while looking as good as you would want to feel.

Summer hair care If you want to have natural-looking highlights, just comb a little lemon juice through your hair if you plan on spending a few hours out in the sun. The sun will lighten those strands and you will have a subtle sun-streaked look without having to budget for the salon. Deep-conditioning is essential for hair at least once a week in summer. Hair tends to become dry, dull or brittle if it is exposed to frequent cycles of soaking and drying, such as if you sweat a lot or go swimming. If you like to spend most of summer in a pool, it may be wise to spritz on some leave-in conditioner to help avoid damage from chlorine and salt. Summer is the right time for that messy bun hairstyle. Just make sure that you apply a little shine serum to towel-dried hair before you put up your hair so that natural texture can be enhanced. This style is so comfy and will also have you feeling relaxed. A slick ponytail can accentuate your features while also getting annoying tendrils of hair out of your way. A side part can also work wonders and give you a changed look if done right. To prevent frizzy hair, use a leave-in conditioner or hair tonics that are specific for frizzy hair. If the ponytail is getting boring, try a French braid. It will look chic and will also prevent you looking bedraggled.

Summer skin care If you like the tanned look, remember to let the tan happen naturally and over a few days. Exposing yourself to the sun intensely for the sake of a tan can have adverse effects on your skin and make you prone to sunburn and wrinkles. Hence, a sunscreen with a decent SPF, at least 15, should be your best-friend for the summer, even if you want a tan. Water! This is crucial for those of you who love the sun and sand in summertime. At least 8 glasses of water are needed. If possible, carry around a bottle of water with you and remember to drink at least once every 30 min. Water not only helps you feel fresh, but it also prevents dehydration and will help wash out a lot of toxins. If you do get sunburned, apply aloe vera extract or lotions containing aloe vera. The effect of aloe vera will soothe your skin and will also help you heal faster. If you do plan to spend more time in the sun following sunburn, it may be wise to apply a cream containing zinc to help heal the sunburn overnight. The heat brings out fresh batches of bugs, especially in tropical climes like in India. Insect repellants are a must if you want to avoid looking like you have a localized attack of Chicken Pox. For a day at the beach, or if you plan to spend the whole day shopping, fill a misting bottle with a mixture of water and a little toner and spritz your body and neck for a quick cool off. Remember not to spray your eyes! Exfoliation is a must to clear away dead Cells that can otherwise clog up your pores and cause unsightly pimples that can spoil your summer look. Use a scrub that does not dry your skin or make your own; sugar mixed with a little olive oil is very natural and skin friendly. Feet need to look good in summer! They are more visible now than at any other time of the year. Scrub your feet with foot scrubs or make your own with some granular salt or sugar and olive oil. Rubbing this into your legs in a gentle upward motion will have dual effects of exfoliating dry skin and oil massaging your legs as well. Apply body oil or other light oils on heels at night, wrap in cotton gauze and leave it on overnight for soft and sexy feet. If your toenails have turned yellow, now would be good time to soak them in a basin with some mild bleach. On really hot days, you can use a hydrating toner instead of a moisturizer that feels heavy.

Summer make-up Summer is one of those times when less is best. Trying to enhance your natural looks with minimal embellishment will work best under the unforgiving sun. A matte powder over foundation with SPF is better than heavy foundation lotions and creams that will look patchy once you sweat a little. Gloss is best for lips. Lips need protection as well and it would be best to apply a lip gloss or lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more to keep your lips looking fresh and pert. Eye make-up is a zone of error in summer and you can avoid gaffes by sticking to near-neutral tones of eye shadow and waterproof mascara and liners. Make sure you carry eye-make-up remover with you so that you avoid dark circle which can be a natural consequence of waterproof eye make-up. Pink is a shade that looks more natural in lipsticks in summer. A creamy lipstick will be friendlier on the lips than matte lipsticks and will also last longer. Nails are best kept short and practical at this time of the year. A lighter shade will save you the time in redoing your nails every now and then as the chips will not be obvious. Leave your foundation or tinted moisturizer in the refrigerator. When you smooth it on, the heat from your face will melt it into your skin making it look like you have naturally perfect skin. Smudged eyeliner or kajal can look great on summer evenings and you can get this effect by heating the tip of your eye pencil with a lit match just before lining your eyes. Bright and dark shades of nail polish look better on feet in summer, especially if you plan on walking around barefoot or in open sandals.

Summertime can be great for your skin if you follow a few basic rules to take care of those areas that are most prone to damage—skin, hair and eyes. Keeping yourself adequately hydrated, adding essential nutrients to diet to avoid the heavier fats and proteins, taking plenty of vitamin C in the form of citrus fruits and juices, and getting the minimum 8 h of sleep can help you going through summer with good looks and great relaxation(www.indianwomenshealth.com)

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