SUN Of A Bitch: 4 Steps To A SEXY (and Safe) Summer

How gleeful are we that the long awaited yummy warmth of the sun is finally here. For those of us residing in the Midwest, the gloom and arctic air lingered for eternity. Now we can peel off those layers of itchy wool sweaters, and bask in the glow of the sun. Here comes the buzz kill — the sun is a sneaky friend.  She will woo you with her tingly warmth and promise you a youthful bronze glow, but beware of her “dark side” …

Allow me to be a bit of a “Beauty Yenta” and share some of these summer skincare revelations even the most savvy girls may not be aware of.

June is Skin Cancer Awareness Month so it is a solemn reminder that the rates of melanoma are sky rocketing and misconceptions can contribute to your risks. As many as 43% of women suffered a sunburn in the last year, and 72% have had more than five in their lifetime, which DOUBLES your risk of melanoma. More alarming are the tanning bed risks, with just ONE indoor tanning session before age 35 your odds are upped by 75%.  In fact, there are more cancer cases from indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking, according to recent research. That being said, here are some super easy guidelines to follow before you bask in the sun:

1. While naked, slather on a shot glass’s worth of SPF 30 at least 20 minutes before you go outside. Reapply every two hours. Don’t get lazy about it, because more than 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun.

2. The sun and pools also can wreak havoc on your luscious locks of hair. Both swimmers and sun-worshippers should always use a color-safe clarifying shampoo once a week to clarify all of the chlorine and chemicals from your hair. The key word here is color-safe.  These shampoos can also strip your color so you must use one that is sulfate-free.  My personal new favorite is ColorProof Clear It Up Detox Shampoo. This 100% vegan detoxifier is the ultimate rehab for color-treated hair. Another great preventative tip is to oil up your hair.  Slicking strands with moisturizing, frizz-fighting oil will help protect from the drying chlorine and salt water as well as the color altering effects of those nasty UV rays.  Try Phyto’s water-resistant Phytoplage Protective Sun Oil. Coat your hair and let the sun help penetrate that nourishment right into your thankful strands.

3. Don’t Bake It, Fake it.  I love this mantra, and find myself repeating it to girls of all ages whose dreamy images of looking like a bronze goddess cloud their rational thoughts.  According to the FDA, the cumulative UV damage suffered by women is spread out pretty evenly throughout the years, with the average getting about 50% of her nasty lifetime exposure AFTER the age of 40. So even if you were a sun goddess in your naïve teens (Who didn’t bake in the sun with a foil-covered rock album?!), the good news is that you have plenty of years left to repent and prevent future damage. If you want a believable tan, try Tan Towels. They are individually wrapped self-tanner towelettes for individual applications. Follow these easy steps to an effortless and believable bronze glow:  Exfoliate, Moisturize, Tan Towel, Moisturize again.

4. Summer-Proof Your Make-Up.  Our skin is always a wee bit darker in the summer months so first toss out any pale foundations from the winter.  Bacteria-loving mascaras should be tossed out exactly three months after you open one, too. This time of year our makeup loves to run all over our sweaty faces. Buy a cheap waterproof mascara (Loreal Voluminous is a cult favorite and is better than those overpriced department store brands). Foundations should be light, natural and contain a sunscreen. The Colorescience Skin Bronzing Face Primer SPF 20 is a double duty hero that lives up to its hype. This little gem creates a naturally bronzy face in three seconds flat and magically works on all skin tones. It is also endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation for its awesome skin protection. For a sultry summer night out without the heavy eye makeup, create a sexy eye by simply smudging a gel liner around your eyelid and lash line. It also looks a little bad ass rock ‘n’ roll without trying too hard.

Hmmm, what about the places where the Sun Don’t Shine?  Few things in life are more psychologically jarring than making that vile discovery of our first grey pubic hair.  While shaving it all off is an option, those razor bumps can be an itchy drag. So let me share with you this amazing beauty breakthrough for pubic hair.  The revolutionary “Brown Betty” (or “Auburn Betty” for you gingers) is the first color-safe formula for covering grey Down There. It doesn’t rub off, and lasts for 4-5 weeks. For you frisky gals, the even have “Fun Betty” in a delightful hot pink color.  That $15.99 can save many of us thousands in therapy bills.

Now that the long awaited sunny days are finally here, it’s time to rock it in your bikini to the immortal lyrics of Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up The Sun.”  But first you’d better coat yourself from head to toe with a shot glass full of sun block.  If I sound like a Jewish Bubbe … It’s only because I care.

Lisa Barr, Editor of GIRLilla Warfare: Wanna meet our Beauty Babe? Arden Edelcup will be appearing at LULUpalooza. She will be selling camp gear from her store Ross Highland Park — an amazing selection of teen camp logo Sugar Lip tanks, headbands and cosmetic bags. Prices are fab. Check it out — it will be a Tween Campers paradise. Lulupalooza takes place on Friday, May 30, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m, and Saturday, May 31, 11 am – 4 p.m. at 1500 Old Deerfield Road, Unit 19, in Highland Park, Illinois. For more information call, (847–748-8451).