Summer Skin Care Tips For Radiant Skin

When summer weather arrives, it's only natural to want to get out and enjoy the sun's glorious rays. But as much as we love the look of sun-kissed skin, it's extremely important to protect your skin to keep it looking healthy and youthful.

Take into consideration the following summer skin care tips and you will be well on your way to enjoying everything the summer season has to offer.

TIP #1: 
Make sun protection part of your daily routine. It's one of the best long-term investments you'll ever make. UVA rays are strong year-round and UVB rays are more intense during mid-day, spring and summer. Wear a moisturizing sunscreen on your face year-round, preferably with an SPF of 15 or higher. Choose a vitamin-enriched lotion that won't clog pores.

For a list of sunscreen recommendations, check out the following article: Six Sunscreen Products for Your Face 

TIP #2:
Want that summer glow without damaging your skin? A sunless tan is quick, easy and provides beautiful results. Two sunless tanner products I recommend are:  L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze (target.com, $9.99) and Ulta Instant Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse (ulta.com, $12.99).  Apply these at least once a week. If you reapply too frequently - for example every day - the results may look unnatural.

TIP #3:
It's important to remember another important step in keeping your skin in tip-top shape: exfoliating. Whether it's before you apply a sunless tanner or after you've been dipping your toes in the pool, exfoliating helps produce a smoother surface and keeps your skin looking toned.

Removing dead skin cells from the top layer of facial skin with a scrub cleanser not only gives a smooth surface for applying a sunless tanner, but also enhances the penetration of moisturizers. 

TIP #4:
Follow your shower or bath with application of a moisturizer, especially after you exfoliate. Use moisturizers specifically designed for body; they tend to have richer emollients. Spray moisturizers are particularly convenient to use on bare legs in the summer.

TIP #5: 
Finally, don't forget toning. Toners are an excellent way to remove residual dead skin cells, dirt, oil and makeup. In hot weather, try keeping a bottle of toner in your refrigerator and apply to your neck, inside your wrists and inner ankles for an immediate cooling effect.  We recommend: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb and Rosewater (ulta.com, $7.00)




Do You have any summer skin care tips you'd like to share?  Let me know below! 

Fall Beauty Trends and Healthy Skin Tips using Neutrogena #NTGbeautifulInsideOut #Ad

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and NEUTROGENA.

Fall Beauty: Smoke Signals by latinflavadesigns featuring Neutrogena

During these last few days of August, all I have been thinking about is how much fun transitioning into the upcoming Fall season is going to be. I truly love summertime and the heat, but there are two Fall beauty trends that I cannot wait to wear again in the next few weeks:

Classy Smokey Eyes -

I cannot help it. I am a die hard smokey eye fanatic. I cannot wait to wear a dark smoked out eyeliner. So, once the temperature gets a little cooler, I will be bringing out a few powder shadows and eye pencils in black, brown and dark purple.

TIP: Use both eyeshadow and eye pencils in similar shades to create a velvety look. Just dip an angled brush into the powder, then go over the line you created on your eyelids using the eye pencil. The final touch is to smudge out the color with a dry brush.

Dewey Pink Blush - 

Blush is one of those makeup products that once applied, it automatically brings life to your face. Wearing a flesh-toned pink blush looks more natural on the skin, especially during the crisp Fall weather. For me, the easiest way to get this “flushed” look, is by applying a cream blush in pink, followed by a swipe of  Neutrogena's Healthy Glow Blush & Bronzer Duo in Rosy Glow.

TIP: When using a cream or gel blush, apply a powder blush in a similar shade on top. This will prolong the wear of your blush for an all day romantic look.


I am sure that there will be more beauty trends that I will end up trying, but even before thinking about what makeup I will wearing, I always make sure that my skin care routine is helping my skin stay clear from breakouts.

In order to keep my skin (which is oily and acne prone) clear, I have been using Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash. This wash is gentle but very effective at deep cleaning pores while treating breakouts with every use. I tend to use this wash immediately after removing any dirt or makeup with Neutrogena's makeup remover cleansing towelettes.

TIP: Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Wash contains salicylic acid, an ingredient needed for acne treatment. Although the formula is gentle for everyday use (morning/night), anyone who may be allergic to aspirin (such as myself) should limit their use to once every few days.

Right before going to bed, I always take a few minutes to apply an anti-aging serum or lotion. Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair moisturizer is lightweight (will not clog your pores) yet helps remove the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The consistency is perfect – not too thick or too watery.

TIP: Make sure to apply your night time serum/moisturizer to your neck and chest area. The neck and chest area tend to show signs of aging before our faces do!

By the time morning arrives, my skin feels soft, supple and looks refreshed. After washing my skin, I am then ready to sit down and work on my makeup. On most days, I only need three products:

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer 
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid makeup in natural beige 
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in light.

TIP: The best aspect of these three face products is that each contain SPF. Most people are under the impression that SPF is only need in the summer months, but that is not true! You need to protect your skin from the sun every day! 

Once I have applied these three essentials, I am confident that my skin is radiant and ready for any type of beauty trend I choose to wear for that day, no matter what season we are in.

I hope you found this article helpful. A very special thank you to Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena for supplying us with these amazing products! 


Now it's YOUR turn: Are there any Fall Beauty Trends you are excited to wear? Do You have any tips on keeping Your skin healthy during the seasons? Let us know in the comments!

Back to School: Super Speedy Skincare

TGIF Dolls! The weekend is officially here...finally!

This week was dedicated to providing you with basic beauty tips - especially for those of you who will be going back to school this month. To recap, here is what was featured earlier this week:

Back to School: Tools of the Trade {we hand selected which beauty tools you should have in your beauty kit for flawless makeup application}

Back to School: Five tips to a better shave {who wants to run around in gym with knicked legs, right?}

The last post for this mini-series is going to help you get in and out of the bathroom in three minutes or less...Say what? Yes! It's possible!!

Check it out:

Super Speedy Skincare in three minutes or less: 

0:00 - Wash your face messaging the cleanser into skin using circular motions.

0:50 - Rinse face off with tepid water - patting dry with a clean soft washcloth.

1:00 - Using a cotton pad, apply toner onto skin. Give it a few second to dry.

1:30 - Tap a pea size amount of eye cream to the tops of cheekbones working your way up to the lower eyelashes. Use your ring finger to do this and for the love of God, DO NOT rub!

2:00 - Now it's time to moisturize. Smooth your daily face cream or serum all over the face and neck area - avoid the eye area. Let the moisturizer do its thing and sink into your skin.

2:30 - Skin is now prepped for some SPF. Yes, you need to use SPF everyday...and I mean E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.! Apply it to your face, neck and hands.

3:00 - Your done!! Now you can either start priming your skin for makeup, or just run out the door...your choice, but make sure you're fully dressed before runnning outside!!

And..that's how it's done!

Give this super speedy skincare morning routine a try. Who knows..You may just amaze yourself at how quickly you can get ready in the AM!

PS. Don't forget to check out the amazing back to school offer from Sigma Beauty: 

Back to School Promo: 15% off all eye shadow bases and Synthetic Precision 4 brush kit

When: Thursday, August 15-Thursday, August 29

Discount: 15% Off

Code: B2S2013

Where: SIGMA BEAUTY.COM

Now its YOUR turn: How long does it usually take you to get ready in the morning? Let us know in the comments!

[photo credit: weheartit.com]