The past few days have felt more like New York in July than New York in early May. As we already had more than a slight taste of summer with hot and sunny days, it's time to think of a summer beauty regimen for brides who wish to look their best for their wedding. Some brides look forward to getting tan because they believe that they will look better in a white gown with darker skin.
Don’t do something you will regret because of your mistaken assumption of beauty. . You will only see the effects years later, but by then, it is too late. Too much sun exposure can lead to premature wrinkling and skin cancer. It won’t necessarily be the malignant form, but it still would require removal and many follow up visits to the doctor. Anyone can look wonderful in white; the key is finding the right shade of it to flatter your complexion. See http://www.examiner.com/x-18522-NY-Jewish-Bridal-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Shades-of-white To look beautiful this summer and for many summers tocome, follow these 4 basic steps.
Step 1: An Ounce of Prevention
A daily dab of sunscreen will save you from many more ounces of wrinkle reducers later, and, more importantly, reduce your risk of skin cancer. Even if you do not plan to lie on the beach, simply walking on a sunny sidewalk exposes you face to ultra-violet rays.
While you may like the tanning effect, you won’t like the burn or the long-term damage to skin caused by such exposure, especially for those who are naturally fair. So begin your daily beauty routine with sunscreen. You can find sunscreen protection built into facial moisturizers and foundation creams, so it will take you only one step to get your basic layer and essential protection. Look for SPF of 15 or higher. For the look of sun-kissed color without harmful UV rays, apply a bronzer that is not too dark for your complexion; for added protection, look for one with built in SPF.
Step 2: Use Your Head
A summer wardrobe calls for a broad brimmed hat; it could be made of straw, fabric, or even woven paper in any color you like. It is a must-have even for women who normally wear wigs. (Wig hair – even the most expensive kind -- gets oxidized and dried out by the sun, and unlike one’s own hair, it cannot replenish itself) A hat will also keep you cooler while it keeps the sun off your face and prevents it from beating down on your head. For real protection, you should wear a broad-brimmed hat rather than a baseball cap.
A cap offers very limited protection because it does not cover the tops of the ears, the sides of the face, or the neck at all. These areas are prone to sunburn, especially if you are out during peak sunlight hours that extend all the way from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon in the summer. And how many of us can just stay inside for 6 hours smack in the middle of the day? Another summer accessory to consider is a pair of sun glasses that assures it offer 100% UV protection. Before you make your purchase, try the pair on for fit and to ascertain that the lenses are not too light. You should not be able to see your eyes through them when you look at your reflection. With a smart choice of hat and sunglasses, you will look glamorous while avoiding sunburn.
Step 3: The Eyes Have It
When you take off your sunglasses, your eyes should be ready to face the world. People are naturally drawn to the eyes in a person’s face, so it deserves some of your attention, too. If you have truly thick, dark lashes, then you can skip mascara and just highlight your eyes with a touch of eyeliner or eyeshadow if you wish. But for those of us who are not blessed with thick, long, dark lashes, mascara is the form of makeup we hold to be most essential. While black mascara is the almost universal choice, if your hair is blond or red, you may consider a brown or “soft” black for a more natural look than that produced by an intense black. If you want more intense color, you can experiment with mascaras with a hint of purple or green to bring out your eye color. Opt for a waterproof formula for your mascara and eyeliner if you are planning on swimming or activities that are conducive to perspiration.
Step 4: Add Healthy Color
A hint of color gives your face a healthy glow, but achieving it through a tan is not a healthy choice. While it’s true that those with fair skin can look pale, that is easily rectified with a bit of blush. To determine the shade of blush that would look most natural on you, match the color your face takes on when you exercise. Find the right spot for your blush by smiling and then applying it to the apple of your cheek and back toward the center of your ear. Don’t try to spread the color below that point. Too low a blush line will make your face appear wider than it actually is.
For natural looking lips, choose a shade that is just a bit deeper than your lips’ natural color. The lipstick alone gives your lips some measure of sun protection, but you can layer it
over a sunblock for lips or look for a lipstick with built in SPF. If the color looked fine in the tube, but not on you, don’t toss it out right away. There may be a remedy. Lighten too dark lipstick with a pale tinted gloss. Darken a too light lipstick by using a brown-tinted lip pencil to line and serve as a foundation color on your lips. But be sure that the darker color of the lipliner does not show create an outline that is darkly distinct from the rest of your lip color. You can also opt for a light touch of glamour by just applying lip gloss or a lightly tinted gloss. For a highlighting effect that makes your lips look fuller, place a light dab of gloss just in the center of your lips.
Follow the steps above to assure that your bridal glow is a healthy one.
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