HELLO SUNSHINE!

Based on the number of beach pics showing up in my Facebook feed, summer has definitely arrived. But before you slather on your sunscreen, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released their annual findings for 2009. The information is extensive (they tested 1,599 name brand sunscreen products) and here are the key facts you need to know, along with some of their top picks from drugstore to department store.

The EWG found that 3 out of 5 sunscreen products (that includes hybrid sunscreen-moisturizers, lip balms, etc.) did not provide adequate sun protection and/or contained ingredients with “significant safety concerns.” Amongst the newer broad spectrum UVA/UVB brands now on the shelves, the EWG found only 5% were actually effective.

Is there any good news in this? Yes. Out of almost 1,600 tested, the EWG found 85 safe, effective sunscreen products they endorse. Here are a few of their top picks at every price point:

SUNSCREENS

California Baby SPF 30+ Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion

Jason Natural Products Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block

Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60


SUNSCREENS with MOISTURIZERS

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Uv Defense Regenerating Lotion Spf 50

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer

Stila Tinted Moisturizer Sheer Color SPF 15

Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion, SPF 30

Ole Henriksen Sun-Light Protection Creme With Green Tea SPF 30


LIPBALMS with SPF

Bare Escentuals I.d. Lip Guard Spf 15

Alba Botanica TerraTints SPF 18

Nivea A Kiss of Protection Sun Protection Lip Care with SPF 30

Md Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Lip Balm, Spf 25

Vincent Longo Cushion Lips SPF 20

You can access the entire list of products along with the EWG annual report here. xo a.

PRIME TIME

I think face primers are absolutely genius. Most days I wear little more than a tinted moisturizer with SPF but adding a primer means the color goes on smoothly, reduces appearance of pores and lasts all day. I’ve found several brands that make a great product but most contained less than eco-friendly ingredients. So, when KORRES created a face primer, I was intrigued. I love, love, love the KORRES brand but could a silicone-free primer still do the job?

Absolutely. It was lighter than anything I’d ever used, closer to the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer than Smashbox Photo Finish. With a light, citrusy scent (probably the grapefruit peel oil), I applied the same amount I would with a heavier primer. I added Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, some mascara and check tint and faced the heat of LA summer. My skin looked great all day. I am hooked.

What amazes me is how much it does while leaving out so much. No parabens, silicone, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, phalates, GMOs, mineral oils, synthetic dyes or phalates. All things our bodies and the environment do not need. While it isn’t oil free, my combination skin has had no problems. Personally, I’ve often found that what causes skin breakouts and irritations are the synthetics and petrolatum based ingredients in products.

Ninety-nine percent natural with 11.19 % organically farmed ingredients, and dermatologically tested, KORRES Face Primer carries the coveted seal of ECOCERT. While it prides itself on “skin soothing botanicals and Vitamin E that refine skin texture, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce pore size,” you can be assured it also passed the highest international standards for ecology around. That’s beauty inside and out.

Trend Alert: Coral For Summer

One of the must-have colors of summer is coral: for lips, eyes and cheeks. A multifunctional, all-over hue.

A wash of coral brings your bland complexion to bold, not to mention contrasts brilliantly against a tan (real or otherwise). And coral is a universal shade, super easy to wear and it looks fab on every skin tone.

Here are a few of our picks for must-have coral products:

Benefit Coralista - A warm coral-pink sheen "everywhere" powder that warms up the skin.

MAC Penny Shadestick - a frosty salmon-coral shade that livens the eyes with its cream stick application.

Smashbox Flamingo - a brighter, coral-pink shimmer shadow that stands out against a bronzed complexion.

Tarte's New Eco-Cheek Cheek Stain - the natural looking gel that can be used on lips, cheeks and eyes. It gives an incredible wash of sheen coral with a touch of shimmer.

Cargo Beach Blush in Coral Beach - 4 complimentary shades perfect for a bit of peachy bronze or a hint of coral for a healthy glow for eyes and cheeks. Great hue to sweep over the entire face.

TIP: Cut down on makeup products and application time. Use the same shade for eyes, cheeks and lips (just mix in with a clear gloss).

Have a favorite coral product?

Let us know!!!

Drugstore Find: The Perfect Moisturizer

The 3 products I am about to write about are must-haves for every beauty arsenal. They're multifunctional, affordable and seriously incredible...

Pay close attention, ladies. I am about to change your skin...

NIVEA

Beyonce keeps her killer legs smooth and firm with NIVEA Body Skin Firming Moisturizer with Advanced Q10 Complex.


NIVEA Body Skin Firming Moisturizer with Advanced Q10 Complex is proven to not only firm, but also visibly tighten skin’s surface. The results: skin is visibly firmer and more resilient.

You can also get that summer glow with NIVEA Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs (with a mild tanning agent), but I'm a sucker for the original.

AQUAPHOR

Lauren Conrad keeps her Aquaphor on hand every time she travels to keep her pout super soft and shiny! It is a quick remedy for the lips, body, hands and feet and can also be used to give skin a natural sheen.


Aquaphor Healing Ointment protects dry, cracked or irritated skin to help enhance the natural healing process and restore smooth, healthy skin.

I literally can't leave home without my Aquafor. Recently, a friend's dog ate my tube and I immediately booked it to the nearest CVS to replace the balm. It is, by far, the most basic and effective treatment for lips.

EUCERIN

The host of E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” Chelsea Handler, is quoted in the recent July issue of SELF magazine “Too much makeup makes me look older, so I wear Eucerin lotion mixed with shimmer”. You too can create this summer skin illuminator that keeps glowy and soft. Pick up a bottle of Eucerin Original Lotion and mix it with your favorite highlighting powder. Try Laura Mercier Loose Shimmer Powder. This trick keeps dry skin full moisturized and gives your summer skin an extra pop.


Eucerin Original Lotion and Creme provide long-lasting moisturization to relieve extremely dry, sensitive skin. My friend Kaycee slathers this stuff all over her face and swears by it's moisturizing abilities. The lotion is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and non-irritating.

So, there you have it. Oldies but goodies. Get reacquainted.

Have a favorite use for one of the products?
Let us know in the comments below!

MAC's NEW LAQUERS

Jin Soon Choi's (of Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Spas) MAC colors for fall:

Top: Cool Reserve, Rich, Dark, Delicious, and Beyond Jealous.

Bottom: Dance All Night, Dry Martini, and For Fun

Quite dark, moody and full of attitude. I love them all but feel a special fondness toward Cool Reserve, the matte grey/ lavender hue.

Have a favorite? Let us know!

Polishes available at MAC stores on August 27th. I loathe the wait time!

*photo credit: nymag.com

Lancome Fall 2009: Declaring Indigo

It looks like blue is shaping up to be the color for fall! I'm a little apprehensive, although I do have some time (3 months) to get acclimated with the hue.

Lancome recently unveiled their Fall 2009 line, Declaring Indigo with model Daria Werbowy.


Here's what I know:

*The collection was created by Lancôme artistic director for makeup Aaron De Mey, this collection celebrates Paris in all its vibrancy. Aaron chose shades that represent the glamour, the energy and the passion of Paris—indigo blue, bright red and luxurious gold.

*At Chris Benz Fashion Week, all 3 Le Vernis nail colors were showcased: Golden Audacity, Indigo Paris and Rouge Liberty.

*Nordstrom has a limited-edition Declaring Indigo brush-and-makeup bag set available so click here to pre-order!

*The entire collection goes on sale in August...

Here's a quick sneak peak:

the brush set

ink artliner

le vernis indigo paris

QUICK ON YOUR FEET

Sometimes I wish there were 30 hours in a day. There are times that even with the best intentions the things I need to get done simply don’t. In just such a bind I found myself rushing though CVS last Friday. I was looking for a quick dry nail polish because I didn’t have time for a pedicure but needed a polish change before a party. I saw a display for Insta-Dri, a new line by Sally Hansen. They had over a dozen shades and a quick check of the label showed that the worst offenders in the polish biz were not to be found. In fact, the Sally Hansen website acknowledges concern about toluene, DBP and formaldehyde and, “As part of its Sally Cares initiative, Sally Hansen has proactively responded to these potential concerns by reformulating our products to remove these ingredients from all nail care products.”

I found a great coral shade, Sonic Bloom, very much like the Zoya color I’d been wearing (and great with a tan...real or faux). The color was bright and glossy and dried in time for me to slip into sandals and get out the door. The genius feature is the contoured Perfectionist Brush, shaped to allow for maximum coverage and no need to go over areas twice. As with most quick dries the color doesn’t last like traditional polishes but it’s perfect in a pinch. I recommend adding a topcoat for a bit more shine and staying power (I love Barielle No-Chip Speed Dry With Silk Protein). Then it’s back to the rat race. xo a.

ECO-nomics

It’s ironic that when we talk about green it refers to both ecology and the economy. And since we’re all more aware of where we spend our money these days, greening your beauty routine might seem an expensive proposition. I can’t even begin (or want) to add up the amount of money I’ve spent on beauty products I didn’t like over the years. Fortunately, a few of my favorite eco-brands offer travel sized kits and value sets that make it easy to try something without any financial burden. Here’s to going green while saving some green.

Dr. Hauschka offers Daily Face Care kits for normal and oily skin that are filled with a number of samples to suit your skin including cleansing cream, toners, Normalizing Day Oil (my desert island pick) and their famous Rose and Quince moisturizers. They also offer a Body Care Kit that includes several body washes, lavender bath oil, and both Quince and Rose body creams. The kits are all packaged in reusable tin boxes for about $25.00 (you can pick these up at Whole Foods, too).

The fabulous Greek company Korres has created a boxed set of their best selling products, the Best of Korres, in miniature sizes, including Guava body butter, Basil Lemon and Vanilla Cinnamon shower gels, Evening Primrose eye cream and Wild Rose moisturizer. If eco-makeup is what you’re curious about, Korres Color line has a number of “Value Sets,” like the Color Discovery combo which includes mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss and two eye pencils in a reusable makeup bag (an $82 value for $35). I’ve yet to try their bronzers and think their Bronze and Protect set is the perfect way. You get the SPF 30 tinted moisturizer, bronzing powder and their 99% Natural Primer, $66 of product for just $28. For skincare, try the Regimen Kits for normal or oily complexions. They run about $40 each but include over $75 worth of products.

I have long been addicted to the German brand Weleda’s Skin Food cream for dry skin. I always keep a tiny metal tube of it in my purse (it looks just like the original in Shrinky Dink size). Travel tubes of Skin Food, Almond Cleansing Lotion and other Weleda staples are available for about $2-3 apiece online and in stores like Whole Foods and Target. The Wild Rose skin care range including cleanser, lotion, night cream and toner, can be found in a wonderful trial sized pack for just $15 online. And full sized Wild Rose products are available at the stores above.

Several years ago I decided to try the Dr. Hauschka skin line by purchasing a Daily Face Care Kit. I’d known of Dr. H. because my sister was a devotee of the famous Rose Day Cream. But I wasn’t sure if I would be as thrilled with their other products (even organic products can disagree with some skin). After a week of using the cute little bottles and jars, I went back and bought the products I fell in love with in their full sizes. And now when I travel, I just throw a kit in my bag and go. xo a.