May 27th is Don't Fry Day!

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as Don’t Fry Day – May 27^th 2011 a.k.a. Today! In order to help reduce the risk of Skin Cancer, the Council’s goal is to encourage sun safety awareness by reminding everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors on Don’t Fry Day and every day. 

Another event taking place on this day is moi meeting Skin Care Expert & Celebrity Esthetician Renée Rouleau at the W Hotel in Boston for my very own skin consult! Stay tuned and in the mean time, here are some tips from the lovely Renée:

 

Sun Protection Tip #1: Be aware of daylight coming through windows.There is a belief that the only time you get sun exposure (and therefore sun damage) is when you are outside. I’m here to say that this is just not true. UV light (that damages your skin) can penetrate windows at any daylight hour. Shade your windows at home and at work!

Sun Protection Tip #2 – Apply sunscreen or sunblock to the entire face, neck and chest – GENEROUSLY.Did you know that an SPF 30 only protects the skin 4% more than an SPF 15? And as you go up in number, this percentage lowers. The real truth behind sun protection is not the SPF number, but how generously you apply it. Published medical studies have shown that most people apply 1/3 to 1/2 the recommended dose of sunblock. A little dab won’t do ya! First thing in the morning, I apply a thick coat to the face, neck, ears, tops of hands and chest (my exposed areas of skin) for an important defense against the UV rays given off from the sun. Since the skin on my face is oily and acne-prone (I’m a skin type #2 in my nine skin types), and since sunblock should be applied generously, it is so important to find one that is formulated for your skin type and won’t feel greasy or cause breakouts. I use my Daily Protection SPF 30, which gives both UVA and UVB protection and dries to a matte finish on the skin. It works amazing under my makeup since it’s so light.

Sun Protection Tip #3 – Get your car windows tinted.The side and rear car windows do not filter out any damaging UV rays, so consider tinting your car windows. I recently purchased a new car and had my car windows tinted with a special tint that is used on military planes that cuts out 95% of UV rays, yet is not very dark in color. This esthetician means business when it comes to my skin!

Sun Protection Tip #4 – Wear sun protection clothing.I know it may sound like I live my life in a dark cave–this is hardly the truth! I own a Harley Davidson and spend my free time out on the open road, plus I love running outside when the weather is nice. So to protect my skin from the damaging rays, I purchase special sun protective clothing (light jackets and shirts) to wear when I’m outdoors for long periods of time. Most shirts offer only 5 to 9 SPF whereas sun protective clothing can offer up to an SPF 58.

Sun Protection Tip #5 – Apply mineral powder throughout the day.You’ve always heard how important it is to apply sunblock every 2 hours, yet if you’ve got full makeup on, this may not be practical. Mineral powders are all the rage these days, and have a natural sunblock built in them (usually a minimum SPF 20). Keep one in your handbag and dust it on your skin throughout the day since direct sunlight, as well as the oils your skin naturally produces can degrade protection. I also dust mine on the tops of my hands since my morning application of sunblock will wash off when I wash my hands.

Bottom line: Research shows that 78% of all sun damage is from incidental exposure (the times when you think you aren’t exposed, but you are). The truth is every time daylight sees your skin (inside or out, winter or summer), you increase how rapidly your skin will age. So if you want to get really serious about lowering your risk of skin cancer and preventing premature skin aging, practice these tips. You really do have a say in the matter of how your skin will look and act when it’s older, but the choice is yours.

 

Available at www.ReneeRouleau.com

Tan Accelerator

Elemis - The name still rolls off my tongue so smoothly. Luxury level skin care at its best my friends! 

Even better, the British brand's new Tan Accelerator rolled into my suitcase on a recent trip and I'm spreading the word. It should pretty much become a staple in your beach bag this summer.

Tan Accelerator is a pre-tanning lotion with Glucose Tyrosinate (no that's not a dinosaur),  it's an amino acid precursor of melanin. You already know that melanin protects the skin, well the GT helps stimulate your skin by boosting skin's natural melanin production. 

Fair skin has nothing on this tube....Tan Accelerator increases the tanning power of pale skin - And for the olive to darker girls and guys, it still contains a low SPF so that there is some protection for those that tan easily like moi. It's active ingredients are the Glucose Tyrosinate, Macadamia Nut Oil, and Shea Butter. Anything with Shea Butter is truly amazing, isn't it?

The claim is that applying two weeks before sun exposure can help alleviate any first day redness that comes with many vacations. I waited until vacation and used it for 4 days on alternate legs and arms to see the difference. Aside from looking a little discolored the first couple days until each limb caught up, the results were quite pleasing in the end. Maybe I should come up with a new tactic for product reviews, I had to explain myself a couple of times. Ha! But that just goes to show how well it works.

My tan was definitely deeper. Also my legs are usually first to fade in color, but since my return, my stomach has actually faded first (and I did not use it on my stomach).

This sealed the deal for me!

It also doubled as moisturizer one evening when  my  body lotion went M.I.A.  I'm super psyched for a deeper tan this year and that it's really affordable, only 25 dollaroos.

Elemis's Tan Accelerator is available at Nordstom and Bergdorfs and online at www.timetospa.com

Futuristic Sun Screen

For the most part, I think of sun protection as lotion or gel form of SPF, and of course sunglasses. Never did I dream of the idea that an apparel item could achieve the same results (Especially since I learned my bikini is clearly not doing any good at protecting me. Where were my tan lines this summer????).

Enter SunSoul, an innovative apparel line that will surely be mainstream by summer 2010, I can just feel it. The reason is simple. FlUorEcSent tEchNoloGy allows skin to absorb the good part of sunlight (Vitamin D) while blocking out ALL of the harmful rays, preventing skin damage.

SunSoul offers eight styles of sleeveless, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve shirts with hats and visors as well.

I tried out the one below, and loved it. The material was comfortable and I adored the zipper in the chest, allowing me to have the wire from my i-pod inside the shirt so that it didn't get in the way of my movement. One of my pet peeves is when I'm working out and my arm suddenly gets tangled in the cord....and them bam....i-pod casualty #877.

SunSoul is ideal for runners, gardeners, and anyone who spends time out doors. Sunsoul is available at Sunsoul.com and at Club H Gyms.

Summer

Eminence handmade organic skin care has been around for a while. There Summer Lovin' collection however, is new. Their products are all environmentally responsible and hand made in Hungary. I tried the following three from the new line:
Hibiscus Calendula Recovery Masque - This mask is meant to calm and soothe tired and dry skin. Ingredients such as Hibiscus and Calendula provide the healing power. It's a must have for a weekend beach retreat. That is exactly where I tested it out. After all that salt water gets all up in your business drying out your skin, this comes in handy. Hydration and healthy feeling skin were indeed present, but it was the light scent and airy texture are what impressed me the most.

Aloe Mint Hydrating Cream Gel for face - When you hear of a product for the face with the word "Gel" in it, then it's bound to be a winner. Once again the whipped airy texutre was beyond refreshing. I applied it to my face after many hours lounging in the sand. It absorbed evenly without leaving any grease behind.

Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32 - I blocked out those nasty UV-U-Know-What's, with the Vanailla cream and received several compliments on how great I smelled in the process! If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think these products were creamy fat free dips, with how great they look and smell! For more information on Eminence visit www.eminenceorganics.com

Six Summer Skin Tips

You know how I like to shell out tips lately when the become available. Hot weather, salt water, humidity, and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months. Renée Rouleau offers helpful summer skin care tips and solutions for keeping your skin safe and beautiful all summer long.

1. WEARING SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CUT BACK ON ACCUMULATIVE SUN DAMAGE
Recent information from the UCLA skin research department indicates that 78% of all the sun damage incurred in a lifetime is from incidental exposure! You may say "I'm not out at all during the day" but just walking to your car, and even driving in your car will expose you to unnecessary sun damage. Windshields do nothing to protect you from UV rays! Wear a moisturizer that contains a sunblock with a minimum of SPF #15. Apply it in the morning so you'll be covered all day!

2. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SPF NUMBER, IT'S HOW OFTEN AND HOW MUCH YOU RE-APPLY YOUR SUNSCREEN.
People are always asking me which SPF number should they use. The truth is, an SPF 30 only offers 4% more protection than an SPF 15. You would have thought it was double the protection, right? As you get up in the higher numbers (SPF 45, 50, 70 +) that percentage comes down, but you're also exposing your skin to more chemicals which might result in a negative reaction on the skin. The key to protecting your skin in the sun is to re-apply your sunscreen generously at least every two hours. A little dab won't do ya...you need to slather it on.

3. FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM BACK BREAKOUTS, AVOID HAIR CONDITIONER CONTAINING PANTHENOL
If back breakouts trouble you, it could be an ingredient in your hair conditioner that's causing the problem. Panthenol, well-known for its benefit for strengthening the hair, may be a potential pore-clogger. Why the back? Simply because when you rinse out hair conditioner, a residue of the product stays on your back. Use hair products that do not contain Panthenol, exfoliate your back with a mild cleansing gel and exfoliating cloth three times a week and apply an anti-bacterial lotion and your back will be clear for summer.

4. AVOID DAIRY PRODUCTS IF YOUR SKIN IS PRONE TO BREAK OUTS
With the heat and humidity in the summer, break outs are a real concern for a lot of people. And we've all heard that greasy foods and chocolate cause breakouts. In our experience, when breakouts are cyst-like in the chin and jawline area, most often this is related to excessive dairy products in your diet. Try cutting out cheese, milk, ice cream, and frozen yogurt, and watch your skin clear up! There are many other ways to get calcium in your diet; broccoli, asparagus and orange juice. Try Renée Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment for stubborn cystic breakouts.

5. WHEN SOOTHING A SUNBURN, AVOID APPLYING LOTION. INSTEAD USE COLD YOGURT!
Okay. So you thought you had on plenty of sunscreen and the next thing you know, you got fried. A common misconception about soothing a sunburn is that you should keep re-applying lotion (especially aloe vera-based lotion) to keep the skin moist. But layering lotion on sunburned skin traps heat, keeping the skin red longer. Skin must breathe to let out heat. Cold plain yogurt applied to the skin works as an anti-inflammatory and heat remover. Apply, let dry for 15 minutes, and rinse. Repeat every hour.

6. BLOT, BLOT, BLOT
Although there is no miracle product to control the extra oil that you get during the summer months, there are ways to keep that shine under control. Oil blotting papers are great to use during the day to actually remove the oils off the skin to give you the feel of freshly washed skin. In a pinch? The type of paper used for toilet seat covers in public restrooms is similar to expensive oil blotting papers. Tear off a piece of this and press firmly on the skin. Voila!

THE BOTTOM LINE
The #1 cause of lines and wrinkles is sun exposure. If you want to look young, avoid the sun. It's really that simple. A little sun damage = a little damage. A lot of sun = a lot of damage.

Be sure to visit www.reneerouleau.com

Follow Renée Rouleau on Twitter for daily tips http://twitter.com/reneerouleau

Norma Kamali traveled into my suitcase

From winning countless awards...ahem...the CFDA being one of them, to her innovative Wellness Cafe OMO in NYC, Norma Kamali stands her ground in design. Her talents, along with her Spanish and Lebanese ancestry led Norma to create a line of Natural and Organic products revolving around Olive Oil.

I was not only fortunate enough to take a recent trip, but was also blessed with one of her travel kits. A seemingly endless supply of treats sent me into a whirlwind of jubilation. Seriously. The one that was most impressive didn't come in topical form. I was caught off guard with the Olive Oil & Honey Seven Day Vitamin Pack...

Texture...very much like a salt water taffy. Taste...very much like just the right amount of oily sweetness one craves with their morning coffee. Too bad my trip is longer then the seven day supply.


Face Cream, Olive massage oil and Only olives soap left my skin clean, smooth and luminescent as I unknowingly prepared my skin for what I can only describe as the universe working in funny ways. The day I tried the aforementioned products, I also accidentally fell asleep in the sun. I rarely burn, but when you are asleep, it's kind of difficult to remember to apply sunblock. But not to worry!!!

The Norma Kamali Deluxe Travel Kit came complete with Olive Calcium Liniment for burns and rashes (Ha! and here I was speculating when I'd actually use it). I put it in the fridge and applied to my pitiful shoulders. In case you're concerned, my olive skin takes 24 hours to morph it into a tan. So no worries there. I'm back to normal with the help of Olive Calcium.
We know that Olive Oil is great for our heart, but in topical form it's almost magical. Olive Oil is unique by allowing skin to breathe unlike synthetic moisturizers. It also goes above other natural oils because its chemical structure is small enough to penetrate pores and hold moisture with out clogging them. Our skin and olive oil both contain squalane, an ingredient that helps feed cells oxygen and reveals fresh skin more quickly!
Norma Kamali offers a variety of products and travel kits containing that magical olive oil, available by visiting www.normakamalicollection.com

Spf Erno style

My to do list has had an SPF, for trial, on it for sometime. My love affair with Erno Laszlo continues to thrive. My malcontentment with the three week New England rain extravaganza does not.

Now that I arrived in the Medditereanean I have actually had real sun in my life. Phew. As I walked around Athens today doing some errands I used Erno Laszlo Total Face and Body Protection SPF 30... It's a lightweight cream with Shea butter, green tea, vitamin E, and sea water.

My shoulders could not have been more happy. They are the only area that ever gets a little burn, but not today my friends. Run down to Neimans or Nordstrom for a perfect blend of sun protection and visit www.ernolaszlo.com for more info.

More Sun Please

I can't get enough of the sun or sun products and spf is vital for protection against the sun. Lancaster has an fabulous line of products that combine the two and cater to anti-aging as well. These are my flava favs:

Lancaster spf15 Vitalizing Age-Defying Cream
This is a light weight formula great for the first days of sun exposure. Moisture is intensive and the spf 15 protects skin whilst still getting a golden tan. I love this for my face, neck, and decollete.

Lancaster Face Visage Self Tan Gel



This clear-OIL FREE-gel (no break outs : ) has been dermalogically tested and provide Free Radical Protection. It's spoof proof so no need to worry about streaks (technology has come a long way). My tan arrived with in the hour and lasted six days.

Lancaster Sunscreen spf6 Dry Oil Spray

My ultimate favorite is the Dry oil spray. It's suitable for all skin types! With a faint scent and easy spray nozzle a quick-drying body mist veils the skin with a sun-kissed glow that deepens in just one hour and lasts for up to eight days.

I can't beleive that I didn't have any streaks on my arms!!!! That is where I usually go wrong. And after a couple more hours spent outside my tan has been incredible.

Lancaster products can be found at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, and Skinstore.com

Check back tomorrow for more Lancaster products....

For the latest info on what's happening in fashion click here

It's Ok to have a Hissyfit

This sweet summer of 09, I can promise you that I'll be sporting SPF. See you have it right here in writing.

I know..I know... I should already be using it. However, many SPF products cause irritation to my skin. The sprays that came out last year helped because I would spray them just far enough away to get coverage but not cause complete irritation.

My face is a different story, the only product that ever came close to not causing a complete red sea of horror was a drug store brand that I only used in Punta Cana but by the end of the trip my skin broke out quite badly. I rarely burn thanks to my Mediterranean genes. But I always wish I could use SPF daily on my face with out the dramz. Trying to delay my introduction to wrinkles over here.

So.... a new line of products will be making their debut this May and.... can I tell you? They are a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

Amazing is what happens when two amazing Ausies merge their brilliance to create Hissyfit- a 3 in1 combo of anti aging, advanced sun protection, and wonderfully fragranced skin care.


I tested the products this 80+ degree bummin' around Plum Island weekend. My skin felt great and smelled great and I still managed to get a tiny tan.
Lip Service SPF 30+, Saving Face foundation SPF 50+, Handy Work SPF 30+, and Body Double SPF 30+ will all be available this May exclusively at www.hissyfit.com and dermstore.com

For the latest info on what's happening in fashion click here