SUMMER PREPARATION-Part 2

Better Sun Protection

Depending on where you live in the United States, your daily exposure to harmful UV rays may vary from relatively safe to extremely harmful. To help prevent skin cancer, the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency teamed up creating the UV Index, which predicts the next day’s ultraviolet radiation level. Part of the skin cancer problem is that we tend to think that if it isn’t sunny, we don’t need sunscreen. This false sense of safety can create problems for your skin and your health. Before you step outside (on a cloudy or sunny day), visit www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html and enter your location to find out the UV Index for the day.

Prepare for the sun with stylish protection. Lynn Rose’s Soleil Chic UV Umbrella, which is waterproof and offers a SPF 50, is designed to protect your skin in style. The umbrellas come in three different colors and are a perfect complement to a day at the beach. For more information call (888) 296-ROSE or visit www.soleilchic.com

-M.B.W

http://www.healinglifestyles.com/index.php/may2004-insight-sunsafe

Summer Hair Smarts

The sunlight and humidity can cause your hair to feel like it’s constantly under a hot blow dryer leaving your tresses dry, split and weak. Prevent sun-damaged locks with smart hair care for the summer months. Robin Tayal, owner of Robin Tayal Hair Design in Colorado, says the best way to prepare your hair for the summer environment is by adding a deep conditioning treatment to your hair routine. Try using hair replenishing Phyto products like Phytokarite Intensive Treatment or Rene Furterer’s Karite Nourishing Conditioning Cream. You can also lock in moisture with a cuticle strengthening and sealing treatment, which most salons offer year round, says Tayal. To further prevent hair dehydration, Tayal says to “hydrate from the inside out” by drinking more water and eating hair-healthy foods like flax seed oil. For extra shine and pampering, Tayla suggests combing flax seed oil through your hair, and covering it with saran wrap for 30 minutes once a month before you shampoo. Your hair shouldn’t suffer from fun in the sun, so lock in moisture and strength with deep conditioners and grab a hat for extra hair protection. www.robintayalhairdesign.com

Travel Beautifully

One little plastic bag is definitely not sufficient space for your beauty and skincare essentials when traveling. And you definitely don’t want to switch out your tried and true products and risk breakouts, rashes, or wrinkles! Lily Garfield, owner of the Cos Bar Beauty, boutiques located in vacation-centric spots like Aspen and Atlantic City, sees even the most travel savvy in desperate search of last minute, forgotten beauty essentials. Her advice? “Choose multi-tasking products that are life savers like Bobbi Brown lip pots for a great cheek and lip touch up glow. Solid perfumes are more travel friendly than glass bottles and you don’t have to worry about the bottle breaking in your bag (and dousing your clothes).” The most forgotten essential? SPF. “Everyone forgets to bring their sunblock. We recommend Clarins SPF 30. If you’re packing lightly, look for a moisturizer that contains SPF–Chanel’s Precision Day Moisturizer SPF 20 is a great all-in-one product.”

If you’re looking for some great travel essentials here are a few of our favorites: