California Girl: Get the Look

This summer, look sun-kissed, not sunburnt

by Bob Sidell

(ARA) - As one of Hollywood’s top make-up artists and founder of California Cosmetics, I have turned many women into the ideal California Girl: natural, healthy-skinned and fuss-free. It’s a great look for summer, and you can get it without hanging out at the beach all day!

Hydration

Be sure to drink enough fluid. Just because you are not thirsty doesn’t mean you don’t need water. Even a slight deficit reduces circulation, dries out your lips and causes fatigue. Plus, inadequate water intake encourages fluid retention, which leads to bloating and puffy undereye areas -- all bad news for your looks. So drink up. Nutritionists say, at least one half ounce daily for every pound of body weight. For the average person, that’s eight glasses a day.

Also, frequent showering and summer activities like swimming will dry out your skin. So the moisturizers and body lotions are just as important now as in winter. Nutrition Hot weather means the additional loss of vitamins and minerals through perspiration. This can leave your skin vulnerable to environmental stress. Replace what you’ve lost by taking a multivitamin daily. And insist on rich vitamin A and E content in your skincare products. These may be listed as retinyl palmitate and tocopheryl acetate in the ingredient statement. Skin Care The key to a natural, breezy beauty lies in the care of your complexion, not the makeup you put on top of it. Every night you should follow the same basic skin care regimen. Steam your pores open with a hot washcloth, and then apply a glycerin based cleanser (they’re easier on the skin). Use an alcohol-free toner. I prefer astringents with natural Witch Hazel, to remove residue, tighten pores and rebalance the skin. And don’t forget to moisturize! Performed routinely, these skin care fundamentals will lead you to a fresh, dewy, blemish-free complexion

Sun Protection

Sunscreen is recommended year round, but especially in summer to avoid that leathery, toasted look to the skin. Use a minimum SPF 15 protection not only on your face, but anywhere skin is exposed. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and the back of your hands. Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting and deepening the lines around your eyes.

Make Up

With fresh looking, healthy skin to start, you can keep your makeup simple. Choose pink or coral lipstick, natural blush and soft eyeshadows. Use bronzer if you need a touch of color. You can also lightly dust blush on your cheeks, chin and forehead for a warm, healthy glow. Adding highlights to your hair will make it seem as though you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun.

One thing I love about the "California Look" is how little time it takes -- just a few minutes of skin care at night, and a few minutes of makeup in the morning. But the real beauty is: the good skin care habits outlined above will also protect you against needless visible aging!

If you have any questions about skin care, makeup or beauty, please e-mail me via the California Cosmetics Web site at www.silkskin.com.