Summer is here! Whether or not you will spend it in Shanghai or go somewhere else, hot temperatures and on-the-go kids can make it tough to stay stylish during summer.
Here are some fast, mum-focused beauty tips, which will make looking good feel easy and stress-free. Just like summer should be!
Change Your Skin Care Routine
If you have not already done so, now is time to switch to a warm-weather beauty plan. Hot weather means more humidity in the air and your skin will need less moisture than in winter. The good thing about moisture is that it will make your skin look more radiant and glowing. However there is a risk that it might look a bit greasy and to prevent this and to keep your pores clear, switch to a lighter moisturizer. Use an alcohol-free toner to clean off all that heavy sunscreen every evening to keep your face blemish free.
Exfoliate
Get a glow on by exfoliating your face – use small circles to slough away dead cells and reveal new layers of skin.
Keep your feet in top-notch shape, so that you can show off your feet in a pair of strappy sandals. Exfoliate off dry skin and calluses & then moisturize. For a homemade foot scrub, mix olive oil with either raw sugar or salt.
Now is also time to pay a bit more attention to your elbows and knees so that you can show of your arms and legs with confidence. If your elbows are dry, exfoliate once a week and moisturize daily.
Try this home remedy for dry and dark elbows – cut a lemon in half and rest one elbow in each half for 10 minutes. The lemon juice has a softening and whitening effect.
Drink More Water
I know you know! – But I will say it again. Water is the trick to beautiful skin. Your body needs more water in the summer to stay hydrated. We are always very good with getting our children to drink lots of water when it is hot, but sometimes we forget to drink ourselves.
Protect your skin with a sunscreen
It should be at least SPF 15 (even on cloudy days), but if you burn easily go higher. Look for sunscreens that have both UVA and UVB blocking ingredients. Use a specific sunscreen for your face. If you use foundation, check and see if it has an SPF protection and if not be sure to apply sunscreen before you apply your foundation.
Don’t forget your lips – they need SPF protection too!
Stay on-trend with bright lipstick
Bright-colored pouts in orange, coral, fuchsia and reds are all super trendy this summer. Pick a shade that complements your skin tone and that makes your teeth look white. A creamy lipstick formula will last longer, but glosses are more carefree and easier to apply without a mirror. Pair your bright pout with minimal face and eye makeup for a fresh summer look.
I recommend these, that can be found in Shanghai: Guerlain Kiss Kiss in Corail Dentelle, Dior Addict in Backstage Pink or from MAC Toxic Tale Surf Baby collection and MAC Cream Sheen in Speak Louder.
Dior Addict in Backstage Pink
S/S 2011 Diane von Furstenberg
Try a slick ponytail for a quick fix
This is the easiest way to fix a bad hair day. A deep-side part looks both fresh and modern and can even hide slightly dirty hair. Use hairspray on a comb to control frizz and flyaway tresses.
The messy bun
This is the perfect hairstyle for on-the-go mums and the trend factor is high too! To achieve the look, towel-dry your hair, apply and work through some shine serum to enhance your hairs’ natural texture. Finger comb your hair back and gather it at mid-height or at the nape of the neck. Twist into a knot and secure with bobby pins. The good thing about this style is that it should not be done too neat, so random ends sticking out just makes this style look relaxed and carefree.
Blake Lively
Poppy Polish
A red or sunny coral pink nail polish on your fingers or toes adds the perfect dose of color to spark up neutral-hued clothes. For a modern look opt to color either hand or feet and keep the other in neutral shade. OPI have many nice shades as always, try OPI’s Big Hair Big Nails or OPI’s Guy Meets Galveston.
Big Hair Big Nails
Guy Meets Galveston
Luminous skin
Add radiance to your complexion with a shimmering pink or peach blush. First contour your cheekbones using a matte bronzer and then add the highlighting blush on your apples and blend backward on top of your cheekbones. The shimmer will give you a beautiful healthy summer glow.
Try Illuminating Bronzing Powder #3 Maui from Bobbi Brown or for a less expensive option try Blush Me Mono from Sephora.
Bobbi Brown “Maui”
Sephora Blush Me Mono
Bright eyes
An easy way of brighten up your eyes is adding a bit of shine to your eyelids, which looks great on a sun-kissed face. This can be done with a shiny powder eye shadow brushed over the whole lid up to the crease. Or you can try one of my favorite products at the moment, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/liner in Birthday Suit. Really – it cannot be much easier, just dab the color on with your fingertip then add mascara and you are done.
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/liner in “Birthday Suit’
Have a beautiful summer!
Contributed by Charlotta, Forma Image Asia
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