May 2010 Archives

Finding the right sunscreen can be incredibly overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from, and with something so important as your skin, you want to make sure you’re making the best purchase. Sadly, many commercial sunscreens lack the adequate criteria for optimum protection. So, according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group), when shopping for sunscreen, keep in mind that the best sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays with safe, active ingredients that do not break down in the sun. And:

1. Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
2. Avoid oxybenzone and sunscreens with fragrance
3. Avoid sunscreen sprays (we know…bummer!)

Here are five effective sunscreens to invest in this season, broken down by category:

Almay has announced actress Kate Hudson as their newest global brand ambassador, stating the actress would be involved in various company-sponsored philanthropic and fund-raising events, as well as serving as the face of new and existing Almay products. Hudson will appear in global multimedia campaigns that include TV, print, in-store and Internet placements.

In a statement, Hudson said, “Almay is known for its fresh, effortless approach to beauty. I share that philosophy and I’m honored to be partnering with a brand that believes cosmetics should bring out the natural beauty inside every woman. At the end of the day, we all want to have fun and feel beautiful — that’s what Almay is all about.”

The 31 year old actress, who signed a multi-year contract with Revlon Inc, Almay’s parent company, joins model Elaine Irwin Mellencamp and actress Leslie Bibb as celebrity spokeswomen for the brand; Mellencamp came aboard in 2004, Bibb in 2008.

“She is smart, confident and vivacious. Her energy and youthful spirit are contagious,” Revlon president and CEO Alan T. Ennis said. “Kate is a perfect ambassador for the Almay brand.” 

In the warmer months, most of us need a lighter moisturizer- if any at all- to avoid an oil slick. L’oreal’s new Ideal Skin Genesis Complexion Equalizer is a light cream with an almost gel-like consistency that delivers just the right amount of hydration, without the heavy feel or residue.

Complexion Equalizer contains pink tourmaline gemstone that is ground to a fine micro-powder, whichl helps to improve the skin’s clarity, even tone, and eliminate blotchiness and discoloration. The cream also contains time released Vitamin C, which together with the tourmaline gemstone speeds cell renewal resulting in faster turnover and more radiant skin. Salicylic acid and glycerin are also used to aid in exfoliation and hydration.

L’oreal promises more even skin tone and luminous clarity in as little as one month with continued use. In two weeks, 91% of testers saw restored skin clarity, and in four weeks, a brighter, more even complexion. With stats like that, how can you go wrong?

As an added bonus, the cream smells amazing, and feels like silk going on. Plus, it’s hydrating enough that most of you won’t need an additional moisturizer. Perfect for the summer heat!

$19.99, Target.com

All this talk of sunscreen and summer is making us yearn for an island vacation! While it isn’t exactly the same as sitting on the beach in, enter your island paradise here ________, sipping some high calorie drink, La Licious’ Body Butter in Island Guava will make you feel like you’re somewhere tropical. The strong fruity (hence the whole ‘island’ reference) scent is highly intoxicating, and the intense hydration from the Shea Butter make it so that a little goes a long way.  They’ve also included a little aloe to help heal dry, damaged skin. $25, LaLicious.com.

Not sure which scent to choose? There’s an app for that.

Estee Lauder’s Aramis and Designer Fragrances division has launched a mobile phone app. Called Ascent, the Apple iPod Touch app asks shoppers a series of questions, and presents them with scent suggestions that fit their answers.

Questions cover topics such as favorite vacation spot, or favorite food. Your answers enable the app to reveal your personality as either sophisticated, casual or seductive, and a scent is then chosen and recommended to you from the Aramis collection.

Although the app currently only suggests fragrances owned by Aramis, which includes DKNY, Missoni, Sean John, and Micheal Kors, it’s a safe bet that other perfume companies will soon follow suit. Ascent will be available at Nordstrom beauty counters starting May 28.