Hold on to that holiday feeling while harnessing a little help to weather the hot season well.
Make sure the summer glow outlasts the holidays by employing some skin-saving tricks and makeup shortcuts that help the transition from beach back to work. You may be reluctant to end the ease of making no effort, but as the New Year becomes less freshly minted, so too does the appeal of over-exposed skin.
It's way too early for a cover-up though, just make sure the worst effects of the sun and wind are kept at bay so you can still look golden and glossy, rather than patchy and scaly.
I'm often asked what beauty treatments I recommend. At this time of year it's hard to go past a good pedicure. While DIY is an option, a professional job will really deal to feet that have taken a hammering. Plus it's an instant mood-brightener to look down and see tidy toes painted in a cheerful colour that will last for a few weeks. It's also a good way of introducing a little grooming to your summer look.
A similar uplifting approach of sorting out patchy skin and injecting some colour can be applied to your makeup.
Bodywise, everyone wants to maintain the healthy confidence that comes from feeling relaxed and comfortable in their own skin. For many people this equals having a bit of a tan - real or fake. To help prolong your natural colour, use plenty of moisturiser and go easy on the exfoliation. For a fake tan though, exfoliating is the secret to preparing a good surface for initial application, and also for removing fading tan residue.
If you top up the colour every few days you should be able to get well over a week from your fake tan before having to start the process all over again. Some companies sell tan extender products, but just stick with good preparation, application and moisturising.
Keep skin supple with a body oil or lotion. Oils are extra hydrating with a silky after-feel, while products with a gel texture glide on. Heavier creams are a bit gluggy when the weather is warm. If your skin is really cracking up, you'd be better off treating problem patches with a heavy duty barrier repair cream.
1. Clarins Relax Body Treatment Oil $82
Clarins has been making products from plants for more than 50 years. This is one of three fast-absorbing, great-smelling oils from the Aroma Body Range, all using hazelnut oil as their base, mixed with differing herbal extracts for stimulating, draining or soothing effect. The Relax oil contains basil, chamomile and petit grain to ease tired muscles and promote a feeling of well-being, especially after exercise.
2. Guinot Age Logic Cellulaire Corps Body Youth $250
Top-of-the-line salon product aimed at combating signs of ageing, including the lack of radiance, suppleness and tone that occur as skin thins and dries. Designed to stimulate sluggish cells with a twice-daily light massage. Lovely light feel, except on the wallet.
3. Skin Doctors InGrow Go $38
If you are prone to getting in-grown hairs after waxing or shaving, then try rubbing a cotton ball coated in this lotion over the affected area. It can also be applied before waxing or electrolysis. It works by using salicylic and glycolic acids to open up the pores to prevent dead skin cells clogging hair follicles. Suitable for bikini lines, underarms and male shavers. Smells like nail polish remover, but that's better than being left with bumpy bits.
4. Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF30 $53
Pomegranates are the antioxidant-rich ingredient of the moment and Murad has incorporated them into this superior sunscreen for the extra protection they offer against skin ageing. Some people love the rich aroma of pomegranates, but it's rather heady, so instead citrus oils gives this a suitably crisp summertime aroma to compliment the light feel lotion, which absorbs very nicely.
5. Nivea Sun Moisturising After Sun Lotion $10.59
Proving you don't have to spend a fortune (though you easily can) for an effective moisturiser, this one contains aloe vera for a cooling effect and avocado oil for a soft finish with a pleasant, fresh smell to help maintain your tan and skin elasticity.
6. Jane Iredale Tantasia $85
Another fake tan with no obvious after-pong. Initially there's even a pleasant citrus fresh fragrance. Tantasia can be used on face and body. Being a colourless rub-on, you need to be careful to apply it carefully to avoid streaks. Colour builds up over three days of application. Uses vegetable-sourced natural silicone for a smooth feel and wheat protein for hydration.
7. Dr Hauschka Regenerating Neck and Decollete Cream $135
Targeting one of the first areas to show signs of age, this cream has a firming, softening effect on mature skin. Plant oils, including macadamia and argan oils help with hydration. Apply with gentle downward strokes to the neck and upward strokes to the décolleté.
Stockists: Selected pharmacies and department stores unless otherwise stated. Nivea supermarkets also. Clarins selected salons also. Dr Hauschka health food stores and salons also. For your nearest stockist phone toll free, 0508 423 737 or see drhauschka.co.nz. Guinot salons stockists ph 0800 223 288. Murad stockists include Caci medispas or see murad.co.nz. For Jane Iredale salon stockists ph (09) 636 1966 or see janeiredale.co.nz
Summer shortcuts
The idea of a full face of makeup just seems wrong in the heat, but once back at work a bare face can look a bit lazy. Keep it simple with a shot of clear, bright lip colour and not much else makeup-wise beyond a flick of mascara.
For a little more coverage apply a bit of bronzer or tinted moisturiser to unify colours across your face. This will combat any redness and patches of pigmentation and can bridge the spaces between your sun-exposed face and décolletage. If you find tinted moisturisers don't give enough coverage, then try a water-based foundation. These lighter, less creamy foundations are becoming more common, and some include light-reflecting technology to deflect attention away from any flaws.
Another easy way to even out your skin is with primer and pore-minimising products. Primer, especially one with sunscreen can be worn without foundation just to give a smooth surface, or it makes an ideal base for a light application of fluid illuminator or blush. Pore minimisers are ideal on older skin which can also suffer from visible pores.
Cream blush can be much kinder on skin in the light of day than powder. It blends in for a natural look either with fingers or a brush and it won't cake in the heat. It can also double as a lip colour. A tinted lip balm is another two-in-one option, giving you protection and a little enhancement.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 in Fair to Light $27.95
There are plenty of tinted moisturisers with sunscreen out there, but Aveeno's point of difference is its championing of soy as a magic ingredient after years of research. This absorbs well and really does even out and perk up the complexion.
Becca Line and Pore Minimiser $77
This clever product can be used as a primer on all skin types to diffuse the appearance of fine lines and pores. It can also be used as a liquid powder over makeup. Becca has recently launched the Resurfacing Primer which mattifies oily skin with sebum-absorbing polymers, which act as fillers. It also contains glycerine to maintain hydration.
* Estee Lauder's perfectionist range is another excellent option for refining pores.
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry $40
These moisturising lip colour balms come in eight colours and provide plenty of sheen and lasting moisture. Colours are sheer rather than saturated, so are not a high-impact option.
Becca Lip and Cheek Creme in Rosebud $65
Mirrored compact of colour blends well and leaves a shimmer-free natural finish and a strawberry parfait fragrance. Use with fingers or a brush.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadow Creme in Mochachino $49
This long-wearing cream shadow truly stays in place, making it ideal for long summer days. There are eight colours besides this shade, which flatters blue eyes. On counters from Monday.
Stockists: Brand counters or as stated. Aveeno in supermarkets, variety stores and selected pharmacies. Becca from Glamorpuss Newmarket and The Department Store, Takapuna.
