sun exposure

, , ,

Summer preparation

, , ,

Hi. How are you? How are you doing? How are you feeling?

I’ve been finding I have times of productivity and then times of inactivity. I am never sure how long the burst of energy will last, so I do try to make the most of it when it hits me. Because I still find there are times when reading a light fiction book is challenging. Do you ever feel the same way?

This week, though, I’ve had a couple days of high energy and motivation, so I’m really trying to take advantage of it with some spring cleaning, a grill detox and getting the clothesline ready for summer. I have no idea what the next season will be like, but I have a feeling I’ll still be in the US, so I’m trying to get ready for it.

Part of my summer prep involves sunscreen, of course, particularly as I contemplate the potential of a summer full of sun instead of whatever it is we get in Britain.

Spotlight on: ferulic acid

As the end of summer approaches, you may be thinking about the effect that sun has had on your skin over the past few months.  It’s easy to see the damage we do when our skin burns.  However, what we can’t see in real time is how UVA damages our skin and this is what brings us to today’s spotlight ingredient: ferulic acid.

, , ,

Is this the holy grail of SPF?

, , ,

Summer’s here and that means it's the easy season to apply sunscreen every day.  With longer daylight hours and more time spent outside, most of us are quick to include it as part of our morning routine.
 
However, this often feels like a chore thanks to product formulation.  When I’m sitting on the beach, a hat can hide the white glow left by physical sunscreens.  And the sticky feeling on my limbs after application is just about bearable, but I'm sure it causes more sand to stick to me.

, , ,

Hello, Summer!

, , ,

Hope you are enjoying the longest day of the year.  Finally, the season we dreamed of during the dark and cold days of winter is with us.  It’s time to take full advantage of the Vitamin D and warm temps.
 
Less always seems to be more in summer, which is why this is the perfect season to lighten up your makeup, opting for a tinted moisturiser instead of foundation, so you don’t find yourself melting during the day.  My summer routine pares down to a touch of concealer and of course, bronzer. With tinted lashes, I often skip the mascara.  

, ,

Why I shun the sun

, ,

As a young, pale and freckled, ginger living in Florida, I was constantly besieged by sunshine.  During a time when the maximum SPF available was about 8 and long before sun guard swim shirts were available, I went to bed each night wishing to wake up with brown hair and skin that tanned like my friend, Carol.