LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

I have to admit it: although it may sound vain, wearing a long-lasting lipstick while hiking has its advantages. The moment I pull out my lipstick before a hiking adventure, I usually get the comment “Seriously, you’re putting on lipstick before you go hiking?” And my response is, “yeah, do you like the color?”

After a multitude of years trying my best to enjoy the taste and feel of SPF-infused lip balm and chapstick I’ve finally found an alternative that is better. Something that doesn’t melt off or have a flavor that I ingest as I enjoy the outdoors: matte lipstick.

Matte lipstick stays on through the heaviest of perspiration, shielding my lips from the sun, blocking UV rays, and (here’s the vain part) prevents wrinkles. I have seen many women and men who have developed skin cancer on their lips and it isn’t a pretty sight. In fact, a common reason women get wrinkles on their lips is because the lip gloss they typically wear actually attracts UVA/UVB rays! The sun directly hits the shine of the lips kind of like aluminum foil did in the late 1970s for backyard and beach sunbathers.

Being obsessed with lip gloss myself, I now know to wear it over a lipstick base to keep my lips protected. The sun protection benefits of the lipstick and the hydrating feel of the lip gloss is a happy duo and it typically lasts for a couple hours, which is just the right amount of time for an energetic hike in Los Angeles. Oh, and did I mention I look and feel great? I believe lipstick can provide any woman a confidence boost and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Some lip products feature sunscreen with little to no chemicals, but I have yet to find one that offers a high enough SPF level of protection to make a difference, that tastes okay and that I don’t have to reapply every 30 minutes. So for now, go ahead and call me vain, I will stick to a natural shade of lipstick to prevent premature aging on my pout and look and feel great while doing so!

Now you know my hiking beauty secret, it’s time for you to share yours! Is there a makeup product you won’t leave the house without? What are your favorite lip products?

Written by: Mitzi Runyan 

 

With Valentine's Day just passing, I want to share with you my new found love...

Being obsessed with beauty, you might be shocked to hear that I actually love NOT wearing any makeup. Yes! I don't enjoy piling on pounds of make-up every time I am about to leave the house. Of course, this is depending on the occasion, but for everyday I usually enjoy putting on a little bit of mascara, sunscreen/moisturizer, blush/bronzer, and a little bit of lip gloss. When I am going out at night, on the other hand, I like to wear a little more, I typically use eyeshadow, eyeliner, foundation, etc.

I am not at all professional when it comes to applying make-up; however, I came across something that I know many of you will recognize, and that's primer. Primer basically evens out your skin tone and makes your makeup last longer. It basically prepares your face before foundation or powder for a more even look. If you use eye primer or lip primer, they also have the same purpose.

At first I thought this was too much, but I did some research and it might be something that could actually be useful when it comes to protecting your skin.

---

Some of you may have wondered if makeup protects your skin from the sun. Well it can, but only the right cosmetics with the right ingredients actually protect your skin.

On the Skin Cancer Foundation website it states that selecting a moisturizer or primer containing sunscreen to apply before putting on makeup can be a great choice when it comes to protecting your skin under the sun. Many of us just apply our make up alone, or on top of a moisturizer that doesn't contain any SPF. This can be harmful, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or driving.

I decided to go check out a few primers, so I went to Sephora and picked out a sunscreen/primer to apply under my foundation powder to try. At first, I thought that it would make me look "cakey", but actually, it evened out my skin tone and gave me the biggest glow. I instantly fell in love! What's better than having beautiful skin, while staying protected at the same time, right?

The one that I actually purchased was not considered organic, however, I truly love it. Since I use the Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder as foundation, I decided to purchase the Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25. On the Skin Cancer Foundation website, it states how an SPF 15+ is enough for under make-up wear, since makeup itself will add another layer of protection.

This is a lightweight daily sunscreen that provides UVA/UVB sun protection. As stated on the packaging, this daily sunscreen provides the face with broad-spectrum sun protection in a sheer formula. Worn alone or as a primer under makeup, its oil-free formulation helps to absorb excess oil and whisks away perspiration. The best part is that even though it isn't organic or natural, it is formulated without chemical sunscreens. It is also appropriate for sensitive skins and the eye area, which I love.

If you are looking for a new primer or sunscreen I recommend trying it out depending on your skin type. This one actually worked great with my skin type but might not with yours. But if it does, I think you'll love it too. If you are looking for something a little more natural, I found something similar. The Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen & Primer, Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

As seen on their website, this award winning, rich, non-greasy, “UV chemical-free” face sunscreen offers Broad Spectrum Protection against damaging UVA & UVB rays. Infused with youth promoting antioxidants, this 3 in 1 product functions as a face moisturizer, sunscreen and make-up primer all in one. I have not tried this yet, but definitely looking into it as it looks amazing.

---

Please comment which primer you use, or love. Also, if you try any of these products listed, and have comments I would love to hear about what you think and how they work for you. If you have never tried primer, I highly recommend purchasing one that has an SPF of 15+ as it helps your make up last longer, and protects you throughout the day.

Also, always remember that it it still recommended to wear sun protective clothing even with sunscreen while you are outdoors. Check out: www.sundriven.com for more details on that and some great products!

XOXO

---

Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/sun-protection-and-makeup

This ones for you fiery beauties!

---

This week, I was stunned, through research, to find that redheads are not just beautifully unique but also more genetically unique than us brunettes and blonds. How so? Well, to start, red hair actually retains its natural pigment a lot longer than other shades. In other words, redheads don't go grey as fast as other hair colors. Instead, red hair simply fades with age through a glorious spectrum of faded copper to rosy-blonde colors, then to silvery-white.

And if thats not enough to brag about, redheads generate their own Vitamin D. This makes me especially jealous since I have been Vitamin D deficient my whole life. My body has a hard time absorbing Vitamin D from the sun, it's in my genetics. Similarly, redheads can't absorb sufficient Vitamin D either because of low concentrations of eumelanin in their body. Even though this may sound like bad news, lower melanin-concentration means that gingers can cleverly produce their own Vitamin D within their body. In this case, very few redheads are vitamin D deficient throughout their lives, even if they are not frequently exposed to sunlight, or do not take Vitamin D supplements.

However, there is a downside, since redheads tend to have paler skin, they tend to burn more easily when exposed to UV rays, causing more sun damage and aging. It has also been studied that the gene responsible for red hair also leaves a person up to 100 times more susceptible to skin cancer.

---

Today, U.S. researchers have found that a particular gene mutation that colors hair red leaves DNA in skin cells more prone to sun damage and aging. Laboratory and mouse experiments showed that the MC1R-RHC, the red hair gene, variant both lowered a cell's guard against harmful UV rays, and stimulated cancer-causing biological signals. Previous research had shown that the MC1R gene plays a key role in protecting melanocytes from UV-induced DNA damage. Under normal circumstances MC1R binds to and protects another genes well known for its ability to suppress tumors, PTEN. This is the gene mostly found in people with darker skin and hair color. However, research demonstrates that the red hair version of MC1R no longer acts as a PTEN guardian.

Study leader Dr Wenyi Wei, from Harvard Medical School in Boston, said: 'Together, our findings provide a possible molecular mechanism as to why red-haired individuals harboring MC1R mutations are much more susceptible to UV-induced skin damage than individuals with darker skin, resulting in a 10 to 100-fold higher frequency of melanoma.'

---

So how can you, or other redheads in your life, treat the root cause of aging and reduce the chances of skin cancer? Well, its simply about making lifestyle changes. Begin by taking a closer look at your sun habits. For example, how much time you are spending in the car, where your hands are fully exposed; or how much time you spend at the park with your arms or legs exposed to sunlight with no protection. I will completely agree that having to apply and reapply sunscreen every 20 min can be a big hassle. Investing in UV protective clothing is the best option, and a great lifestyle choice, especially for you redheads. By wearing protective clothing throughout your day, you can help reverse signs of aging and even prevent skin cancer.

Sundriven®, based in Los Angeles California, produces eco-friendly, sustainable, fashion-forward, age-defying UV wear for women, designed to beautify skin and promote skin cancer awareness. Our fabric is SPF/UPF 50+ rated, blocking 99% of UVA/UVB rays. Dermatologist-tested and recommend by the Skin Cancer Foundation™.

---

We want more of that beauty and fierceness in this world so please stay safe and stylish, redheads!

---

Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2400046/Red-heads-100-times-susceptible-worst-form-skin-cancer-warn-scientists.html http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/emmakelly/redhead-facts_b_4781153.html