By Briana “Rocky” Alford
We asked our newest Lee & London team member, Rocky, to write a blog on the topic of her choice. A student at SDSU, Rocky also works part-time at Paul Mitchell The School in Downtown San Diego and is fanatical about her beauty regimen. So in this blog, Rocky shares her 5 favorite beauty tips and tricks for summertime, along with a few of her favorite products.
ONE
Feeling like your ends are dry due to the ocean water and hot sun? Make sure to treat your hair to a conditioning treatment once a week. Lathering your hair with an ultra-moisturizing conditioner and sitting under the dryer for 30 minutes can save your hair from that dry texture. Don’t have a dryer? Sleep in your conditioner and wake up with soft, glossy hair! Our favorite is the Lavender Mint conditioner from Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree line.
TWO
No matter how tan you aspire to be, using sunscreen is crucial to defend your skin from the harsh UV rays. Before hitting the beach or hiking the mountains, it is important to use a waterproof SPF 30+ sunscreen. The waterproof sunscreen can shield your skin no matter if you’re sweating or in the water. Long-lasting sunscreens are a plus to avoid reapplying every two hours. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Face & Body Stick goes on like a light deodorant but is SPF 70.
Foundations are not enough of a mask to protect your skin from sun rays, but the thickness of facial sunscreen can often clog skin. Because facial skin is sensitive, look for a light moisturizer or foundation with SPF already in it. Try MAC’s Studio Moisture Fix, which is a hydrating and non-greasy moisturizer with SPF 15.
THREE
In the summer, many women deal with uneven skin tones and discoloration due to dryness of the skin and the face getting more of a tan in different areas. To help alleviate the effects of sun damage, cut half of a lemon, sprinkle it with brown sugar and scrub on your face. The buffer of the brown sugar helps eliminate dead skin cells and the aid of the lemon promotes cell turnover.
FOUR
Everyone knows water is a must, especially in the summer. But to boost the hydrating effects and improve your skin, take a pitcher of water and add some blueberries, lemon or mint for flavor. The infused flavor is not only tasty, but adds nutrients as you’re staying hydrated. Blueberries and lemons are high in Vitamin C and the mint leaves your breath fresh.
FIVE
Lips often become cracked and dry in the summer due to sun exposure, especially in dry climates in the West. You can use the same lemon-sugar technique as mentioned above on your lips to get rid of dead skin cells. But for soft and plump lips, thickly-apply lip balm every night before bed. We love Burt’s Bees Refreshing Grapefruit.
