If you want protection from the sun, avoid its rays (particularly between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. standard time from April through September in the Northern Hemisphere); wear a wide-brim hat and sunglasses (make sure your sunglasses block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation); and use sunscreen. When it comes to the latter, consider these six guidelines for getting the most out of your sunscreen:
1. Use it liberally. You need at least an ounce (the amount that would fill a shot glass) to cover your entire body.
2. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors so that it can be absorbed into the skin.
3. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after every swim. No matter what the label says, one application of sunscreen won't last you all day and won't stay on if you're in and out of the water.
4. Choose sunscreens that offer "broad spectrum" protection - that means it will block UVB rays and some UVA. Look for zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and Parsol 1789 among the ingredients, but do not use "micronized" or "nano" formulations.
5. Buy sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. This will block about 93 percent of UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers won't necessarily give you that much greater protection, but tend to remain effective longer.
6. Remember that solar exposure is the best way to maintain optimum vitamin D levels, so don't entirely avoid sunlight on your bare skin.
Don't forget Mary Kay has numerous Sun protection protects! The Suncreen provides UVA/UVB protection for everything under the sun. Water-resistant and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, Mary Kay® SPF 30 Sunscreen* is a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen for face or body. Enriched with antioxidant vitamins and free-radical scavengers, it absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling soft and moisturized – part of a total Skin Wellness® regimen.
Mary Kay offers Lip Protector Sunscreen, formulated with beneficial moisturizers and antioxidants, Mary Kay® Lip Protector Sunscreen SPF 15* helps keep lips protected and guarded from the drying effects of sun and wind.
If you have been out in the sun too long try the Mary Kay After Sun Replenishing Gel, you can chill out with this ultralight, cool blue gel. Formulated with botanical extracts rich in soothing antioxidants, the gel absorbs quickly, replenishing vital moisture to the body from sun/wind exposure. Skin is left feeling hydrated, smooth and refreshed.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03753/6-Sunscreen-Tips.html
http://www.marykay.com/kprewitt/spabody//suncarecollection/default.aspx
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Aging Skin: Why We Get Wrinkles
A great article that relates everything we say in Mary Kay, in order to slow signs of aging, you must cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and protect the skin.
Aging Skin: Why We Get Wrinkles
You can't keep from getting older, but you can delay the appearance of aging skin and wrinkles.
By Marie Suszynski
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
As we grow older, our skin has a tendency to announce every birthday. The telltale signs of aging skin — wrinkles, age spots, and sagging due to a loss of skin elasticity — can all appear as the years go by. Understanding what causes aging skin to look the way it does will help you take preventive measures to keep it looking young.
Behind the Wrinkles
Every day the cells of the outer layer of your skin die off, shed, and regenerate, explains Jeffrey Dover, MD, a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Mass., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, and author of The Youth Equation: Take 10 Years Off Your Face.
When you’re very young, your skin cells turn over quickly, but that turnover rate begins to slow as you age, beginning as early as your twenties. As a result, your skin can lose its luster and begin to look dull.
Collagen and elastin also affect how young skin looks. They give your skin elasticity and plumpness, but they also need to be replenished, Dover says. As you get older, that replenishment process slows as well. As a result being less elastic, your skin will start to show fine lines and wrinkles.
At the same time, exposing your skin to the sun causes an increased amount of pigment to be produced, which leads to age spots over time, says dermatologist Richard Eisen, MD, founder of the South Shore Skin Center in Plymouth, Mass. Sun damage also breaks up elastic fibers in your skin, leaving your skin less able to bounce back when it wrinkles.
Smoking cigarettes speeds up the aging process of your skin, which can make wrinkles worse. And then there’s the problem of sagging skin. As we get older, we lose volume in our face from muscle and bone loss. Says Dr. Eisen, “Your skin fits very nicely when you’re young, but when you lose that volume, the skin looks like it’s too big.”
Slowing Down the Effects of Aging
For many people, the signs of aging start showing in their thirties and continue with each decade. Others seem to be born with genes for healthy, young-looking skin. But you can’t rely on genetics alone. If you neglect your skin and allow it to incur sun damage and further injury from smoking cigarettes, your appearance will suffer as a result, Dover warns.
Here’s how to slow down your skin's aging process:
Commit to cleansing. Part of keeping your skin looking young is taking care of it, Dover says. That means cleaning your face twice a day. Maintain skin moisture. Loss of moisture can make your skin look dull, flat, and older, Dover says. To avoid dry skin, apply moisturizer every day while your skin is still damp after cleansing or bathing. If your skin is very dry, Dover recommends moisturizing twice a day. Swear by sunscreen. It’s the single most important step you can take to prevent skin aging, Dover says. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even when it’s cloudy. You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors. Try topicals. Dermatologists recommend using a retinoid cream to lessen the appearance the wrinkles you already have. Retinoid is a derivative of vitamin A that helps stimulate the production of collagen and reverses thinning of the skin, which makes your skin thicker and smoother, Eisen says. You’ll get the best results from prescription creams such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage). Retinol is a less potent vitamin A ingredient found in over-the-counter creams and lotions. Curb crash diets. Losing weight quickly can lead to sagging skin because it can deplete fat in your face, Eisen says. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight is best for keeping your skin looking young. Your skin is going to age along with the rest of your body, but there are steps you can take to slow the visible effects.
Check out my website for additional tips on anti-aging products!
www.kprewitt@marykay.com
Aging Skin: Why We Get Wrinkles
You can't keep from getting older, but you can delay the appearance of aging skin and wrinkles.
By Marie Suszynski
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
As we grow older, our skin has a tendency to announce every birthday. The telltale signs of aging skin — wrinkles, age spots, and sagging due to a loss of skin elasticity — can all appear as the years go by. Understanding what causes aging skin to look the way it does will help you take preventive measures to keep it looking young.
Behind the Wrinkles
Every day the cells of the outer layer of your skin die off, shed, and regenerate, explains Jeffrey Dover, MD, a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Mass., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, and author of The Youth Equation: Take 10 Years Off Your Face.
When you’re very young, your skin cells turn over quickly, but that turnover rate begins to slow as you age, beginning as early as your twenties. As a result, your skin can lose its luster and begin to look dull.
Collagen and elastin also affect how young skin looks. They give your skin elasticity and plumpness, but they also need to be replenished, Dover says. As you get older, that replenishment process slows as well. As a result being less elastic, your skin will start to show fine lines and wrinkles.
At the same time, exposing your skin to the sun causes an increased amount of pigment to be produced, which leads to age spots over time, says dermatologist Richard Eisen, MD, founder of the South Shore Skin Center in Plymouth, Mass. Sun damage also breaks up elastic fibers in your skin, leaving your skin less able to bounce back when it wrinkles.
Smoking cigarettes speeds up the aging process of your skin, which can make wrinkles worse. And then there’s the problem of sagging skin. As we get older, we lose volume in our face from muscle and bone loss. Says Dr. Eisen, “Your skin fits very nicely when you’re young, but when you lose that volume, the skin looks like it’s too big.”
Slowing Down the Effects of Aging
For many people, the signs of aging start showing in their thirties and continue with each decade. Others seem to be born with genes for healthy, young-looking skin. But you can’t rely on genetics alone. If you neglect your skin and allow it to incur sun damage and further injury from smoking cigarettes, your appearance will suffer as a result, Dover warns.
Here’s how to slow down your skin's aging process:
Commit to cleansing. Part of keeping your skin looking young is taking care of it, Dover says. That means cleaning your face twice a day. Maintain skin moisture. Loss of moisture can make your skin look dull, flat, and older, Dover says. To avoid dry skin, apply moisturizer every day while your skin is still damp after cleansing or bathing. If your skin is very dry, Dover recommends moisturizing twice a day. Swear by sunscreen. It’s the single most important step you can take to prevent skin aging, Dover says. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even when it’s cloudy. You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors. Try topicals. Dermatologists recommend using a retinoid cream to lessen the appearance the wrinkles you already have. Retinoid is a derivative of vitamin A that helps stimulate the production of collagen and reverses thinning of the skin, which makes your skin thicker and smoother, Eisen says. You’ll get the best results from prescription creams such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage). Retinol is a less potent vitamin A ingredient found in over-the-counter creams and lotions. Curb crash diets. Losing weight quickly can lead to sagging skin because it can deplete fat in your face, Eisen says. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight is best for keeping your skin looking young. Your skin is going to age along with the rest of your body, but there are steps you can take to slow the visible effects.
Check out my website for additional tips on anti-aging products!
www.kprewitt@marykay.com
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ten Ways to Improve your Morning Routine
It's not all about beauty, it takes a system to keep us looking and feeling great ~ So here are some great tips for improving a great start to you day!
Start With a Better Morning Routine
If your days are stressful and rushed, consider a fresh, new approach to your morning routine. Start with a healthy breakfast and morning exercise, and you will set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
The way you start the morning can have a big impact on the rest of your day. If you begin every day feeling harried and rushed instead of productive and streamlined, it may be time to revamp your morning routine. Start by getting into action with simple activities like taking a walk, going to the gym, or practicing an invigorating morning exercise, such as tai chi or yoga. These activities can help you feel focused and ready to meet the challenges of your day. Be sure to power up with a healthy breakfast to give your body the fuel it needs.
Focus Your Positive Energy
One great way to start your new morning routine is by taking a few quiet moments after you wake up to focus your positive energy for the day. You can achieve this through meditation, thinking positive thoughts, doing affirmations, or practicing visualization exercises, says Valencia Porter, MD, MPH, director of women’s health at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, in Carlsbad, Calif. Studies have shown that regular meditation may lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and help relieve stress and fatigue.
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Eating a good breakfast is an essential part of a morning routine. “It’s important to break the fast,” says Dr. Porter. “When you skip breakfast, your body says, ‘Okay, I need to conserve energy.’ Then your metabolism slows down and you have less energy throughout the day.” Some people may need more calories for breakfast than others, but the most important thing to remember is that everyone should eat something, adds Porter. An example of a healthy breakfast is oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon and almonds, yogurt and berries, and a cup of tea.
Stick to Your Plan
It’s important to have a morning routine — and to follow through with it — so you can streamline your schedule, says Jodie Watson, organization expert for TLC Real Simple Real Life and founder and president of Supreme Organization, a professional organizing service in Sherman Oaks, Calif. What you do and when you do it doesn’t matter as much as saving time by having your routine already planned out. “Do the same things in the same order at the same time each day,” says Watson. “Try out a morning routine for a few days to see what works best for you.”
Work Out the Kinks With Yoga
Yoga is an ideal morning exercise and it can play a vital part in energizing your morning routine. Yoga can improve flexibility, posture, balance, muscle tone, and endurance. Yoga also has mind-body-soul benefits, providing an emotional as well as a physical lift. Doing yoga in the morning can give you a feeling of tranquility, boost your energy levels, and raise your spirits for the rest of the day, all while giving you a full-body stretch.
Take a Walk
Walking can be an excellent component of a morning routine, and it’s even better if you can walk outside, says Porter: “Nature has a wonderful vital energy that we can benefit from. The plants are giving off oxygen. Plus we get a little bit of vitamin D, which is important for bone health and the immune system, and it may even help fight cancer and heart disease.” Another benefit of getting some sunshine is that sunlight helps regulate the pineal gland, which releases melatonin and helps us sleep better at night, adds Porter.
Hit the Gym
If you don’t have access to green scenery, or if you just want to mix things up a little, then hit the gym as part of your morning routine. Morning exercise can give you the energy surge you need for the rest of your day. “Exercise boosts energy levels and endorphins,” says Porter. “It can jumpstart your metabolism and get your blood and circulation flowing so that you have more energy for the day.”
Write in a Journal
Taking a few minutes to write in a journal is an excellent way to get in touch with yourself. “Before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, you can sit with a cup of coffee or tea and slow things down,” says Watson. “Journaling can help you off-load so that you’re ready for the day.” Porter echoes: “Journaling is a great way to focus on yourself. It’s a good self-awareness tool that can help you focus on areas that need work.”
Listen to Music
Listening to some music can add an invigorating dimension to your morning routine. Sounds can affect our mood and our body. When we listen to a beautiful song or the sounds of nature — a babbling brook or ocean waves — our bodies produce chemicals that can boost our moods. “The type of music depends on what you need and prefer,” says Porter. “If you’re stressed out about something at work, then soothing music might be good. If you want an energy boost and love rock ’n roll, then that might be better for you.”
Make a List, Check It Twice
List-making is a good organizational strategy. Make a list as part of your morning routine or as a bedtime ritual the night before. “When you make a list of the things you’ll do the next day, such as going to the gym, attending a business meeting, and meeting a friend for dinner in the evening, you’ll be clear about at least 80 percent of your day,” says Watson. Knowing what to expect can help you hit the ground running when the sun comes up.
Prepare the Night Before
Ideally your morning routine will start the night before. “Before you go to bed, straighten up — do the dishes, finish up that day to the best of your ability so that you’re ready for the next day,” says Watson. Lay out your clothes, — the complete outfit including shoes, purse, and jewelry, suggests Watson. If you have children, help them pick out their clothes for the next day. Pack lunches and set out the dishes for breakfast. Put all essentials you’ll need for the next day, such as your briefcase, library books, or dry cleaning to be dropped off, by the door. Now get a good night’s sleep, knowing you already have a head start on the brand new day.
10 Ways to Improve Morning Routine ~ Healthy Living
Monday, March 29, 2010
What Hair Style Is Right for Your Personality?
A lot of elements go into creating your perfect hair style. There's the skill level of your stylist, the shape of your face, and the texture of your hair, for starters. But there's another important element that's easy to overlook: your personality. After all, high-maintenance highlights won't work if you don't have the patience to sit through hours-long visits to the salon every few weeks, and a cut that needs a daily swipe of a flat iron isn't ideal for an au naturel, wash-and-go gal.
"When the right balance exists between your hair style and your personality, that's when your authentic beauty comes alive," says Marcy Cona, creative director of color and style for Clairol and the owner of M.C. Hair Consultants. Take this quiz to find out which hair styles are right for you.
This is a great quiz!
Finding the Hair Style for your personality!
"When the right balance exists between your hair style and your personality, that's when your authentic beauty comes alive," says Marcy Cona, creative director of color and style for Clairol and the owner of M.C. Hair Consultants. Take this quiz to find out which hair styles are right for you.
This is a great quiz!
Finding the Hair Style for your personality!
Beauty Tips ~ Finding the Perfect Foundation
Finding the perfect Foundation Shade for You
There are so many types of foundation to choose from:
Mineral Powder Foundation combines the feel of a powder with the coverage of a foundation. Lines, wrinkles and finer imperfections seem to disappear. Weightless and skin-perfecting, the powder provides natural coverage in the sweep of a brush. For a flawless look, a specially designed mineral foundation brush should be used when applying this type of foundation.
Medium-Coverage Liquid Foundation is generally best for normal to oily skin. It provides even coverage and helps control excess oil.
Full-Coverage Liquid Foundation is generally best for normal to dry skin. It helps hydrate skin while providing coverage.
Creme-To-Powder Foundation is a lightweight, two-in-one product that glides on like a cream and then dries to a powder matte finish. It’s great for women who like more opaque coverage and/or need to hide minor imperfections and blemishes.
Tinted Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF 20* can be a fabulous option for on-the-go sheer color coverage. It’s perfect for an active lifestyle and has the added bonus of sunscreen and moisturization.Day Radiance® Cream Foundation† is a rich, creamy foundation that helps seal in moisture, so it’s great for women with dry skin.
Once you’ve found the perfect formula to fit your needs, the next step in achieving complexion perfection is finding the right shade. In addition to evening out skin tone and helping protect the skin from environmental damage, foundation can make the skin look smooth and flawless. Here are a few tips for nailing down the perfect hue.
•Yellow-based foundations work well on almost everyone. Foundations with a little yellow will even out almost every complexion. Yellow minimizes red, which may be inherent in skin’s coloring as a result of tanning, aging or broken capillaries.
•Test a shade on your jawline or cheek. The correct shade should literally disappear into the skin and blend with the skin tone of the neck rather than the face.
•When trying a new shade, it's best to test in natural light. Also be sure to allow a few minutes for the foundation to adapt to your skin before making a decision on the color.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)