Summertime Make-up Makeover

200- The number of chemicals the average woman smears on her skin every day (thanks to unnatural skincare).

60% – The amount of those chemicals found floating in the bloodstream.

0- The average number of chemicals in organic skincare

Clean out and update your make-up bag for a fresh, all-natural, summer makeover minus the chemically saturated products. We know, it can be hard to part with your faves, but it becomes really easy when swapping them out for the fabulous all-natural options that are popping up this season. More than skipping the preservatives, irritants, and toxins, natural make-up tends to highlight your skin’s radiance without the heavy caked on look. One of our go-tos for flawless skin without the pancaked appearance is NVEY ECO. Skip the base and sweep your cheeks with a dusting of peachy or pinkish blush, followed by a swipe of a neutral gloss lipstick and you are ready for any summer activity!

Now, if you want to avoid make-up all together, Jane Dirr, president of NVEY has a secret weapon–Erase. Like many of us, Dirr finds that “The summer sun seems to bring out a few more imperfections. But thankfully you don’t have to cover them up anymore with heavy concealers and base coats. Erase literally erases those unexpected blemishes, sun spots, and even freckles–naturally!” (www.econveybeauty.com)

More than what you put on your face, you can tweak your diet for more radiant and healthy skin, says Dr. Edward F. Group III, an organic skincare consultant and expert from Global Healing Center. By adding such foods as avocados, mangos or essential oils to your diet you’ll boost your skin’s radiance and add moisture and vibrancy, says Group. Nobody’s perfect, but if you pay attention to a few beauty enhancing choices, you are bound to glow

Get Your Body Moving

Trade in your tired indoor winter workouts for outdoor activities that break a sweat. Try activities like volleyball or hiking that can burn up to 200 calories in just 30 minutes, says Antonio Freeman, personal training manager at Crunch Fitness. These social summer workouts can tone your arms, core, and legs. For a total body cardio workout, head to the pool. Martz says 30 minutes of swimming can burn up to 250 calories. Aquatic fitness is a great way to burn calories and keep cool in the summer heat. Take your personal training session to the water for a kick-butt workout that can help you master such exercises as Pilates poses, kickboxing moves or your breast stroke. After an extended indoor workout program with weights and machines, you may have forgotten that an effective workout doesn’t require the use of equipment. Simple yard work such as gardening or mowing the lawn will keep you moving toward a toned body. Feeling inspired by the warm weather? Take your workout to the next level by training for a marathon. Check out www.marathontraining.com for a running start. Say good-bye to the Stairmaster in exchange for warm weather activities that can burn calories and work your muscles while having fun.

Here’s another calorie tip:

Should We Eat and Run? 

Many of us do cardio workouts in the morning before breakfast to get our metabolism pumping and burning more calories.  But new research shows that exercising on an empty stomach may lead to excessive consumption of stored carbohydrates and protein. If those resources plunge too low, your metabolism may slow to a snail’s pace to prevent further depletion.

“Exercising on an empty stomach can cause glucose stores to become low,” says Michele Olson, exercise science professor at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama.  “You risk breaking down muscle protein to provide carbs that your body needs during exercise.”

Given that you’ll burn the same number of calories whether you workout before or after breakfast, it’s preferable to eat a balanced, pre-workout meal about one hour before exercising, says Jessica Lynn, Fitness Director at the Hilton Head Health Institute on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island. 

-Kyle Roderick

The Skinny on Sunscreen

Remember last year’s sunburn? You know the sunscreen drill, yet every year you wind up with a burn. This summer, steer clear of skin heat stroke by brushing up on your sunscreen knowledge. Not all sunscreens are created equal, says Christopher Harmon, M.D., from Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center, P.C. in Alabama. Harmon recommends using a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and re-applying every two hours. Try setting a timer to remind yourself to lube up even when you don’t think you need to. Begin applying your sun protection when you are getting dressed for your outdoor activity to allow the sunscreen to soak into your skin. More importantly, says Harmon, use a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB radiation. Sun-lovers try Blue Lizard or Neutrogena products that contain helioplex for summer skin protection. Remember to protect your lips and face with SPF lip balm and moisturizers on a daily basis (even when you won’t bear the sun’s heat for a long period of time).

Here’s even more information on sun protection: