Summer break can be perfect for hours on the beach or for getting the tan back you lost over winter, but with the relaxing weather comes some not-so-glamourous aspects. The sweltering temperatures tend to make hair frizz, makeup melt and skin peel. It's any girl's beauty nightmare. Here are a few ways to keep you looking fresh during break and how to use the warm sun to your advantage!
Trade In Your Regular Foundation: The summer heat can make your makeup feel heavy and gross, and can also make you fearful of it melting off, leaving you looking like a streaky mess. A tinted moisturizer is a perfect alternative to your regular makeup products. It's lighter, naturally tinted and also contains SPF to ensure your face is protected from the summer rays.
CoverGirl has a tinted moisturizer for only $7. This moisturizer is good for fair skin, and provides tons of moisture and sun protection while remaining light and non-greasy. If you have many blemishes to cover this product may not be for you, but it does provide a slight bit of color to even out your complexion if you don't have much discoloration.
If you're willing to splurge a bit on this product, then try out the tinted moisturizer by Laura Mercier. It contains SPF 20 for the ultimate facial coverage while providing a natural color to keep your face looking healthy and glowing. This product is $42 and comes in 12 different shades, making it perfect for any skin tone.
Try Out A Bright Nail Color: Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I have a slight obsession with nail polish. I'll proudly admit that I even have a shelf dedicated to it in my apartment. I'm constantly looking for fun colors and summertime is the perfect excuse to try out that bold, neon color that may not have been appropriate during winter. Some hot summer nail colors are tangerine, yellow, turquoise, bright pink and anything with a shimmer. Try alternating colors on your nails, or painting one nail with a creative pattern. Have fun with your shades and don't be scared to experiment!
Give Yourself At-Home Highlights: Summer is the perfect time to add some light streaks to your hair and brighten up your color but there's no need to break the bank to achieve this look. With the use of some household ingredients and natural sunlight, you can change up your hair color quickly and inexpensively.
If you're a blonde, you can use lemon juice. Just add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to 3/4 cup of water, put it in a spray bottle and spritz it on your hair, avoiding your scalp. Then, go lay out in the sun for 30 minutes to an hour to achieve a summer glow.
If you're a brunette wanting to bring some golden highlights to your 'do, there's a cheap and natural way for you as well! Boil a pot of chamomile tea and let it cool. Wash and condition your hair, and then rinse it in the cooled tea. After that, grab a magazine and cold drink and head outside for 30 minutes to an hour and let the sun work its magic.
If you want the steaks to appear lighter, try out these methods every day for a week. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Let Your Hair Relax: Your hair needs a break after putting it through some serious torture with straightening, blow drying and curling throughout the year. If you know you're going to be laying on the couch watching Sex and the City reruns, or spending hours at the pool, then summer is the perfect time stay away from the constant hair treatments. Make a promise to yourself that you will lay off of the hair dryers and hair spray, even if it's only for a few days at a time.
If you're worried about your hair looking frizzy or dull without the help of any products, throw it up in a loose sock bun or a simple ponytail. Another great hair accessory for summer to put on over your natural hair are turban headbands. These trendy head scarves hide the fly-aways caused by the heat while adding a great pop of color to your outfit at the same time. Some stores that carry these accessories are Forever 21, Claires and Zappos. No one will even notice that you haven't been primping your hair with extreme measures!