SAFE SUN

Did you know the first official day of summer is June 20th? But many of us are already enjoying some fun in the sun now! I spend hours outside in the back yard, or at local parks with my kids. I want to be sure each of us is protected from sun damage or sun burns. I am really careful about what I put on our skin. I also like products that multi-task and save me a little time.

Before I share my favorites here’s a quick word about SPF. The Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, estimates how long you are protected against sun burn. For example, if you know your skin starts to redden after 20 minutes in the sun, a product with an SPF of 15 will keep you safe approximately 300 minutes before you start to burn. The higher the SPF the longer the protection time. But it is important to apply properly and reapply in time to get the most benefit from your sunscreen.

Here are my favorite can’t live without summer skin care items:

Tinted Moisturizer with SPF

I rely on my tinted moisturizer for a casual coverage that evens my skin tone. Using a tinted moisturizer with an SPF protects me from damaging UVB and UVA exposure. I personally like Mary Kay’s CC cream with an SPF 15. The coverage is great and it is light weight enough for me to wear while at the park with the kids, running my errands or even working up a sweat at the gym. Not only does the SPF keep me from burning quickly, but it is the first line of defense against aging. (Sun damage = wrinkles). You can locate a Mary Kay rep online and purchase for $20.00.

Lip Balm with SPF

My absolute favorite is Kiss My Face Lip Treatmint with SPF 30. This water resistant lip balm keeps my lips smooth and tastes amazing! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten a sunburn on my lips just standing at the park with my kids, or playing outside in our yard. Too much sun exposure to your lips can cause dehydration and aging. The antioxidant formula re-hydrates and heals dryness. I also love that it is gluten free and cruelty free. Kiss My Face also has a really great line of organic lip balms that I buy for my girls to enjoy. You can purchase online for around $2.50, or find in most retail drug stores.

Sunscreen with SPF

I go with Kiss My Face Organic sunscreen. It is gluten and cruelty free and made with 87% organic ingredients. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes which means I can run through the sprinklers, or take a dip in the pool with the kids without worry. It is broad spectrum which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. It may seem pricey at $13.99 a tube, but worth the peace of mind I get knowing it’s less chemical exposure for me and my kiddos.

Sun Protection Tips:

To get the most benefits from your sunscreen you should apply 10 minutes before going out in the sun. It takes that long for the minerals in the cream to settle into your skin and create a barrier of protection. I apply my tinted moisturizer and lip balm as part of my morning skin care routine so I am set for the day. I try to cover the kids just before we leave the house, or before they leave for school.

Getting a little sun isn’t a terrible thing. It is actually medically necessary to get enough sun to help our bodies convert proper levels of Vitamin D. We only need about 15-20 minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure for good health. You want to be sure you are protected during the peak times of day which is 10 am – 3 pm. That is when the suns rays are most intense and you are more likely to get a sunburn. If you know you will be out in the sun for longer, say a day at the beach or at the pool, be sure to cover up and use your sunscreen!

Product links provided in this post are for your convenience. No affiliate links are included and I do not receive financial compensation if you use them. All opinions and reviews belong solely to The Whatever Mom.

The Whatever Mom is a twin mom learning to let go of perfection. She shares her real life struggles with parenting through her blog and contributes her time and talents as a writer to Hudson Valley Parent and Masshole Mommy. When she isn’t writing you can find her chugging coffee, folding laundry and not judging other parents. Don’t forget to subscribe via email so you never miss a blog post again! You can also find her work featured on Mamapedia and The Novice Mommy.

I am excited to return with my Friday Favorites! This week I have a big review AND a big giveaway for my local readers. If it weren’t for the support from my local “Momrads” (thank you Molly!), I wouldn’t be blogging today! I can’t wait for one of them to win this awesome prize! Contest details are at the end of this post so stick with me!

INGLOT Cosmetics are hitting fashion runways, the Broadway stage and Hollywood with their toxin free makeup! All of their cosmetics are free from parabens and additives that take away from your skins nourishment. INGLOT is also causing a stir with its revolutionary O2M Breathable Nail Enamel! This formula allows oxygen and water vapor through the pores of your nails. It was created specifically to keep your nails healthy making it not only fashionable, but good-looking!

o2m — INGLOT has nearly 400 nail colors!

I admit my curiosity was piqued when I saw the Freedom System! You can see in the video above how easy it is to customize your palette. It is stack-able and travels with you! The color units come in magnetic square trays that insert into a palette. Simply pop out one square to replace with another and toss the empty metal into the recycling bin! Eye colors start at $7.00 each which is very affordable for a quality, non-toxic product.

INGLOT shadow colors — INGLOT offers 600 ways to enhance your eyes!

When Cathy, the local owner of Face Beauty Studio in Kingston, contacted me about a review and giveaway I nearly jumped out of my seat! I got to test drive her Eye Express service where she treated me to a custom color look and a sampling of Mario Badescu botanical skin care. With over 15 years of experience in the cosmetic industry and working alongside makeup artists for print ads, runway shows and fashion Cathy found her passion is making people look and feel good about themselves. I have to admit, it’s nice to see my old self back again. You know…before life with kids and the toll of sleepless nights!

Cathy used some new colors I had never tried before.

This is what I look like walking into Face Beauty Studio:

Untouched photo. Those baggy eyes are legit!

This is what I look like leaving Face Beauty Studio:

My INGLOT Colors — Me leaving Face Beauty with my INGLOT colors.

I asked for tips for tired, busy moms like me: Cathy stresses taking care of your skin (or canvas as she calls it) will best amplify your color and look! She can customize skin care products right in her store! The Milk and Tonic wipes are great even when I’m not removing make up. This will quickly clean off any debris and environmental residue I encounter through the day and it is safe enough to use on a child’s messy hands! Next, she recommends I use eyeliner on the wet line of my top eye lid to dramatically lift the look of the eye. If there is time add mascara. If not, go for the lips! A lipstick, a lip gloss or a lip balm will help keep lips hydrated and plump and help battle the aging process.

A fun way to try before you buy in store.

This is the first time I met Cathy, but I feel like I have known her a long time! She is wonderfully easy to talk with and doesn’t stop working while she’s applying her artistry! The Eye Express Service is only $25.00 and perfect for a night out! Can’t get out? Cathy and her crew can come to you for a fun night in with friends!! They will make sure you all look fresh and fabulous!

So….. Are you ready for the giveaway local friends?

**How about a ONE HOUR private makeup lesson?!**

You get step by step, hands on tutorial with Cathy to learn how to create a flawless look matching your lifestyle! You will get the tips and tricks of the professionals and leave the studio knowing the best colors for your skin tone, how to enhance your face shape AND the confidence to be your beautiful self! This is an $85 value and one lucky winner will win it for FREE! Just click on the Raffle Copter link below for YOUR CHANCES TO WIN! Share, share, share and comment below! YOU HAVE 24 HOURS! Winner announced on The Whatever Mom Facebook page!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e032398110/?
The Whatever Mom is a full time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here.

Find more from Roxanne at Hudson Valley Parent and at Masshole Mommy