Friday, July 30, 2021

How To Handle Your Changing Skin Tone In The Summer.

For many people, summer is a time to enjoy the heat and get a sun tan.  You start the summer with a lighter shade due to being inside all winter and by the end, your skin is darker and definitely a different shade.  Sometimes, you need a darker shade of foundation, other times, you have a beautiful splattering of freckles spread across your face.

If you've been spending time out in the sun and your skin tone has changed, be aware that your skin is probably dehydrated so you have to attend to that first before you apply your foundation. Start with a hydrating serum or intense moisturizer to hydrate your skin so your foundation looks smooth and natural rather than dry and cakey.  

Don't bother with a foundation because the foundation will tone down the bronze of your natural tan.  Rather than using a foundation, use a concealer to cover any imperfections.  If you want more coverage, look to a tinted moisturizer to provide a bit of color. If you use a tinted moisturizer, look at using a BB or CC creme.  Make sure to apply a layer of sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. 

With a tan, you want to go with a lighter eye shadow because it won't weigh your eyes down as much as a darker color. Look for pale pink, or a peach because these colors will open up the area around your eyes while making your skin tone look better.  In addition, the pale pink or peach colors make your face look more awake.

Furthermore, you want to keep that glow associated with a tan rather than burying it.  Head for the cheek area and make sure you've moisturized it before applying highlighter to the cheeks so they glow even more.  When you apply the highlighter apply it to only the high points of the cheek so it looks more natural.  If you choose to use a blush, look at using a rose or coral shade to add more color to your face but if you select a golden shade instead, it will make you glow a bit more. 

To finish the look, apply a nice bright lipstick in red, orange, or coral so you are making a statement.  These colors tend to make your face look more radiant and blooming.  You want the open, blooming look, rather than dimming the tan.

Be aware that if you spent the summer getting a tan, your skin might be darker than it was in the spring so when fall arrives, you are going to need a new shade of tan, otherwise your tone won't look as natural.  On Monday, I'll be looking at fake tans and what to do if you mess up and it turns into a disaster.  Fake tans are great if you don't want to expose your skin to too much sun but prefer to keep the fair skin.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.


Wednesday, July 28, 2021

More Chair Exercises

 

This past Monday, I shared some nice easy chair exercises that provide a nice start but if you want something more demanding, I've got you covered.  Today, I'll be sharing chair exercises that work more muscles and the chair is more of a prop.  The exercise uses the chair for many of these exercises.

Start with a bit of a warmup to loosen some of your muscles and joints.  One exercise is to sit straight in the chair, knees bent at 90 degrees with feet flat on the floor.  Touch your shoulders with your fingers and then circle your elbows backwards for 15 to 20 repetitions without moving any other part of your body.

For the next exercise, sit at the edge of the chair with your knees at a 90 degree angle and your feet flat on the floor.  Lean over so your palms face each other and your elbows are just in line with your knees.  Slowly raise your arms straight out so they are on level with your shoulders, pause before slowly return your arms to their starting position.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Now to work your triceps.  Start by sitting on the edge of the chair with your hands holding the front of the chair seat, one on each side of your rear.  Slide your rear off the chair so your arms are straight and your back is close to the chair.  Make sure your knees are at a 90 degree angle with feet flat on the floor.  Slowly bend your elbows to lower yourself as far down as you can go. Pause and then slowly raise yourself up so your arms are straight again.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Time to add in the chair plank.  Begin by placing your forearms on the seat of the chair with the hands touching each other.  Extend your legs so your body is straight and your toes are on the ground.  Contract your abdomen and hold the position for 45 sections.  Relax and repeat two more times.

This exercise should be done with a chair that has armrests but it can be done with a regular chair..  Sit on the edge of your chair with your back straight, knees at a 90 degree angle and toes only on the floor.  Place your hands on the armrest or on the sides of the chair while leaning back at a 45 degree angle or as much as the chair allows.  Pull your knees in towards your chest then straighten your legs to the front of your slowly before bringing your legs back in so your knees are by your chest.  Lastly, drop your feet towards the ground but do not put them on the ground.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Next, one is going to do a twist.  Sit on the edge of the chair, bringing your knees up towards your chest and leaning back a bit so you still have a straight back.  At the same time, bend your arms so our elbows are level with the bottom of your rib cage.  Tuck your navel in, while slowly twisting to the right with your knees, your arms and elbows will twist left.  Then twist left while your arms go to the right.  Repeat 15 to 20 times on each side.

For the next exercise, sit at the edge of the chair, knees at a 90 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor.   Place your arms on the armrest if you have one otherwise place your hands at the side of the chair, holding it.  Lean back so you keep your back straight while you lift your knees up to your chest and then lower slowly till your feet touch the floor.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

These exercises today are designed to give your body a great workout while giving a nice change of pace.   Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear. Have a great day.



Monday, July 26, 2021

How To Use A Chair In Your Daily Workout.

 

I'm sure you have those days when you feel lazy.  You don't want to exercise but you try to convince yourself that you need to do it.  Or it was hot outside and you just don't want to stop by the gym so you go home, take a quick shower and sit down in your chair.  Fortunately, there are some great exercises you can do in your chair so you still get a workout without leaving the chair.

Exercising with a chair can provide one with a good workout while watching television.  You can use a kitchen chair, a slightly padded chair, with or without arms but the best choice depends on which exercises being done.

For the first exercise, sit tall in the chair with your feet flat on the floor and about 6 inches apart.  Then extend your arms straight out from your shoulders to the side with the palm of your hands, facing the ground.  Move your hands inward to form a 90 degree angle at the elbow, fingers pointing straight ahead, and palms still facing the ground.  Raise the part of the arms from elbow to fingers upward still maintaining a 90 degree angle and then down slowly to shoulder height. Repeat 15 to 20 times.

For the next exercise, let your arms relax at your side while sitting straight and your feet are flat on the floor.  Raise your hands slowly upward as far as you can go. If you can manage, raise your arms all the way up so they meet above your head with your shoulders relaxed, otherwise raise as high as you can and them lower the arms slowly.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

You need a set of dumbbells for this exercise.  Take one weight in each hand so palms are facing forward and let them rest at each side with your feet flat on the floor about hip length apart. The slowly curl the arms upward at the elbow while keeping the elbows close to the body until they reach the height of your shoulders and then return them slowly to the original position.  Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Try marching in the chair.  Sit straight with your feet flat on the ground and hands holding to the side of the chair with your knees bent and feet flat. Raise the right knee upward so your foot is about 6 inches off the floor, hold for a moment, then lower it and repeat with your left knee.  Complete 15 to 20 complete reps on each side.

Continue in the same position from the last exercise only this time lift your right foot and extend it in front of you slightly off to the side at about a 45 degree angle, tap your heel on the ground and bring it back to it's original place. Repeat this on the left side.  Repeat 15 to 20 times on each side.

This short workout is one you can do easily and doesn't require too much.  On Wednesday, I'll be sharing more exercises that can be done with the chair but these require more and work your core harder.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Sunday, July 25, 2021

I Wish.

Yacht, Ship, Boat, Luxury, Port

I wish I could afford this.  Imagine living on it in the summer.  Oh, yeah.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Incorporating A Wall In Your Workout

 

One year at work, they had the P.E. teacher run a workout after school two or three afternoons a week.  The guy set it up but insisted on using one of the DVD based workout that is made for hard core exercise fanatics.  Most of those who showed up for the sessions were over 50, had joint issues, or were totally out of shape.  The class didn't last long because even the modified person was way above the ability level of folks and we just got discouraged.  

I have a couple DVD's that I like because some of the options for things include modifying against a wall rather than working on the ground.  Something like that would have worked better for a lot of us in the group.  Over time, I've discovered a variety of exercises that use the wall to help tone my body, build strength, and add a bit of core.  These exercises are not all easy but do make you sweat.

For the first exercise, stand about one arm length away from the wall, facing the wall.  Place your hands on the wall about shoulder width apart, feet together and using your arms, lean into the wall slowly to a count of four and then back out to the same four. Repeat at least 10 times.  You are doing a pushup leaning against the wall instead of on the ground.

Now, place your hands and forearms on the wall that are about shoulder level and with the forearms are parallel to each other.  Walk your feet away from the wall till your body is straight.  Take a breath and on the exhale, push through your hands so your forearms lift off the wall and your arms straighten.  Then inhales and return your forearms to the original position.  Repeat at least 10 times and make sure you do it slowly. 

Next, stand so your back is against the wall and your feet are about hip width apart.  You have a weight in each hand.  Slowly lower yourself down along the wall so you end up with your back against the wall, your legs out at no more than a 90 degree angle and you knees so they are over your ankles.  Let your arms hand down at your side with the weights facing towards the wall.  Make sure to keep your abs tight.  Slowly lift your arms up to shoulder level and then slowly down.  Repeat at least 10 times.

Then, lie on your back so your rear is about a foot or so from the wall.  Bend your right leg at the knee and place the foot on the wall so it forms a 90 degree angle. Your hands are flat on the ground, palms down,  next to you and you need to lift your left leg so it's up, pointed towards the ceiling. Press on your hands on the ground while lifting your leg up towards the ceiling and bringing your hips up slowly, pause a moment, then bring your hips back down to the ground with your left leg still up.  Repeat 10 times on the left side and then do 10 times on the other time.

For the final one, stand about twelve inches from the wall. Turn so your right side is facing the wall.  Take your left arm and cross it over your body so it is straight.  Then slowly bend your left arm so your body is moving closer to the wall until your shoulder touches the wall before pushing your self away from the wall until your arm is straight. Repeat at least 10 times.

These exercises add a level of resistance to your workout while working on your core and making certain moves much easier to do.  Give it a try as a way to do the moves a bit differently and shaking up your workout.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.


Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Swimming As Exercise

 

I know people who will get up rather early in the morning so they can get in multiple laps before heading off to work.  I've never been much of a swimmer even though I've lived near the ocean since the only real stroke I do is the side stroke.  It was great because I could keep my face from getting hit by waves while swimming in the ocean.  

If you have access to a pool, you might want to consider swimming as a form of exercise because it is a great all round activity because it elevates your heart rate while taking stress off the body.  The water also provides buoyancy so there is less stress on your joints.

Swimming can build endurance, improve muscle strength, and increase cardio fitness.  At the same time, it helps you maintain a healthy weight while keeping your heart and lungs healthy. It is a good way to build strength while toning muscles at the same time.  Finally, it provides a great all over workout since it uses almost all of your muscles whether you do the butterfly, or breast stroke.

In addition, swimming can help your balance, posture and coordination.  Swimming is extremely relaxing and helps get rid of stress. It also improves flexibility, and is a great way to cool down on a hot day. Furthermore, it can be done in a pool, in the ocean, in a lake, in a dam, or in a river.  Just make sure the area is safe for swimmers.  

It is recommended one does at least two and a half hours of swimming each week or alternate it with cardio.  Swimming is considered a medium intensity workout as you can go as fast or slow as you want.  It uses both lower and upper body muscles at the same time.   The water provides resistance which is why swimming improves your overall strength.  If you want to add a bit extra, use hand held paddles, a foam noodle or kick board.

Make sure you warm up and stretch your body before beginning your session for the day. Focus on your back, shoulders, and legs since they are used so much.  Don't forget to have lots of fluids on hand so you stay hydrated.  If you are just starting out, check with the doctor and then swim laps for five to ten minutes. As you get better, increase the number of laps till you are swimming for 30 minutes straight. A 30 minute swim is said to provide the same exercise as a 45 minute session on land because it increases your energy level by boosting your metabolic rates.

One of the nicest things about swimming is that you will never sweat because the surrounding water is always cooling you down.  In addition, it is an excellent form of exercise if you are pregnant, suffer from arthritis, or diabetes.  No matter what, start slow, work your way to the 30 minute sessions, and swim regularly.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Keeping Makeup Nice Even Through Sweat.

There are those days when you have to head off to work. You've got your work clothes on and you've applied your make up but the minute you leave the house, you begin sweating. You have your fingers crossed in the hopes that it looks a good when you get to work as it did when you left home.  

Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your makeup from being sweated off.  If you take a shower in the morning before getting ready for the day, do not start your makeup immediately after stepping out.  Give your body about 10 minutes so it has a chance to cool down otherwise your skin can absorb the makeup and you might break out later on and your face won't look as polished when you are done.

When you start doing your makeup  be sure you've applied a primer to your face because the primer places a barrier between your skin and your make up. A primer also helps the makeup stick to your face better.  In addition, powder the makeup when you are done or apply a spray to set the makeup so it doesn't dissolve when you sweat.  If you use a setting spray, choose one that does not contain alcohol because alcohol can cause the makeup to dry out and crack.  If you want to make sure your makeup stays, lightly powder it with a translucent powder before using a setting spray.  

Although the primer will help any foundation last, it is best to use a powder or a slightly tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher.  I've used slightly tinted moisturizers before and I love them because I get a bit of color and the sunscreen has helped me keep from getting burned.  In addition, the slightly tinted moisturizer is less likely to run since it is lighter than a regular foundation.

If you do start sweating, immediately pull out a paper towel and blot your makeup before you apply the powder.  If you apply the powder without blotting the sweat, then your makeup begins to look caked since the powder is sitting on top of the moisture. It is easy to take a few paper towels, cut them into smaller pieces and stash them in your purse where they are easily reachable.  If you don't want to use paper towels, invest in proper blotting paper which is actually designed to absorb sweat or oil.

In addition, keep a small makeup brush in your purse to use when you want to reapply powder.  Another thing is to keep a few Q-tips in there so you can remove any bits of makeup that end up on your face in the wrong place.  Q-tips are great for tidying up and take very little space.  

On the other hand, if you want a full face from primer to foundation, to everything then try this.  Apply a liquid foundation followed by a powder on top to set it.  When you do blush, start with a creme blush and finish it with a powder flush.  When you do your eyes, fix the eye brows first before applying the eye shadow.  For your eye lashes, select a waterproof mascara so it stays better.  When these items are applied in this order, it creates a face that won't melt in the hot weather.

No matter which way you choose to go, keep a light floral spray in your purse so you can spritz your face with it to cool yourself off.  Remember that less is more in the summer.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.


Friday, July 16, 2021

Treating Sunburn

 

It's summer.  A friend calls in the morning and you're off to spend time with them outside and before you know it.  You have bright red skin.  You got a sunburn because you forgot to put on the sunscreen.  I've had it happen before, especially when I'm off visiting somewhere else.  Fortunately, It hasn't happened in a while but I've had some good ones. 

About one third of the adult population ends up sunburned each year and about 33,000 of those folks have a burn that is severe enough to require an emergency room visit. 

A sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV rays. The more time you are exposed to the sun, the more you increase your chances of a sunburn.  However, the darker your skin, the longer it takes to get a sunburn due to the pigment melanin which provides protection from UV rays.  Furthermore, the worse the sunburn, the longer it takes your body to replace the damaged skin.  If you smoke, or have certain conditions such as diabetes, it will take your body longer to heal because a weakened immunity system slows down your body's ability to repair itself. 

It is important to treat the sunburn as soon as you notice it because any sunburn can cause long term damage to the skin and increase your chances of getting skin cancer later in life.  There are things one can do to help your body heal faster.

First, one should take as many cool showers or baths as needed to relieve the pain.  When you get out pat your skin dry but leave a bit of moisture before applying a moisturizing lotion on the area.  This helps trap water on your skin, helping relieve dryness. 

When you apply a moisturizing lotion, make sure it contains aloe vera or soy to help sooth the burn.  If any area is more uncomfortable, apply an over the counter hydrocortisone cream.  Do not use any product that ends in -caine such as benzocaine because that could irritate the skin or cause an allergenic reaction. Think about taking aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain, swelling, or redness.  

If your skin breaks out in blisters, this means you have a second degree burn. Do not think about popping blisters since the blisters are designed to help protect the you from infection and heal the skin.  Be sure to drink lots of water because the burn is drawing moisture from the rest of your body and you want to stay dehydrated.

Don't be afraid of sleeping a lot.  Sleep helps your body heal because your body produces certain cytokines that help control inflammation. Don't smoke because smoking promotes inflammation in the body.  Finally, cover the burned areas with a tight woven cloth to prevent exposure to additional sunlight. You do not want to get additional damage to your skin. 

If your skin blisters, or you are feeling extremely hot or are running a temperature, or you feel dizzy or sick, you have a headache or develop muscles or cramps or the sunburn is on a baby, check with your doctor as these signal problems.

It's summer and most of us want to be outside.  Wear sunscreen, long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses, and avoid the hottest times of the day.  If you are on the water, make sure you use sunscreen and don't forget to reapply it regularly thought the day.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Water Aerobics - Nice Way To Exercise.

My mother loved doing water aerobics. She drove several towns over at least three times a week to participate because she was one who loved being in the water.  When I first saw it, I thought it was quite an easy workout but once I tried it, well it did change my mind. For those of you who have never done it 

Water aerobics is a low impact form of exercise that builds muscles while increasing endurance.  Ordinarily as session lasts an hour while students are lead through a series of moves against a backdrop of music. The class is divide up into a warm-up, cardio, strength training, and a cool down.

During a water aerobics class you won't be swimming.  Instead, you will be walking in the water, doing bicep curls, leg lifts, and some kick board moves.  All moves are completed in the shallow end of the pool.  The water is great if you have joint issues, are pregnant, or a senior who is not in the best condition.

Most water aerobic classes target core muscles by doing lunges and side leg lifts which target the core.  The arms get work via bicep curls, and legs are worked through walking, jogging, and underwater kicks.  Participants work gluten by doing squats, lunges, and high knee kicks. In addition, the lower back is strengthened through these low impact moves.  The water automatically provides instant resistance to all moves since water is denser than air.

Furthermore, water provides support for your body due to it's natural buoyancy. This allows people to work out with more effort since it puts less impact on the knees and other joints. Water aerobics is great for building flexibility while improving your blood pressure and cholesterol readings.  It is one of the recommended forms of exercise for people with arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, balance issues, or other such conditions.

Water aerobics can be done either outside or inside in a pool. Think about how refreshing it is to workout in a nice cool pool on a hot day or escaping the cold weather into a heated pool.  In addition, this is a form of exercise one can do in their own pool using ankle and wrist weights, foam dumbbells which become heavier when wet but easily dry out, hand paddles, kick board, and buoyancy belts to help with balance during exercising the arms.  Water aerobics is a great way to tone muscles while doing less impact on joints.

Water aerobics is a wonderful alternative to land based exercises.  I enjoyed the class or two I've taken but I've lived in places with no pool or workout facilities so it's never been an alternative.  Maybe sometime I'll be able to do it again. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

 



Monday, July 12, 2021

Damaged Hair - Now What?

 It's half way through summer and you've been enjoying your time in the sun, out swimming, and off sailing across the lake.  You hair is dull, frizzy, and dry.  What happened?

Damage to the hair occurs when the protective layers of your hair are attacked, including the cortex and cuticle.  The cuticle is made of keratin and sealed with a layer of lipid while the cuticle is made up of keratin fibers. When the cortex breaks, your hair ends up with choppy layers not associated with a proper haircut. 

This could be caused either by chemical or physical means.  Your hair can be damaged by UV rays, pollution, chlorine, hard water, curling, blow drying, combing or brushing, bleach, hair dye, relaxers or more.  It is possible to repair some types of damage but not all of them.

The first suggestion is to get your hair trimmed regularly so that any damaged or split ends are unable to continue up the hair strand, damaging more of the hair.  If the damaged ends are removed, the hair has a better chance of getting better.  It is suggested one get a trim every six to eight weeks.

Next, make sure you use a hair mask regularly because it will help hydrate your hair.  Hydrated hair is less likely to suffer damage.  The hair mask should have amino acids, argon oil, keratin, and certain botanical ingredients.  Use the hair mask instead of a regular conditioner every few washes.  

When your hair is wet, use either a wide tooth comb or a brush designed to detangle wet hair.  Do not use a regular hair brush because it can break the strands.  In addition, use a leave in conditioner or detangler to help the comb glide through the hair.  As stated before, wear a hat or use hair sunscreen to protect your hair from UV rays and protect your hair from exposure to chlorine.

Think about using oil on your hair.  You could use Argon oil or coconut oil.  A small amount of coconut oil can make your hair soft and manageable, especially when applied to the ends which are often in need of moisture.  Furthermore, you should not wash your hair every day because every time you wash your hair, you are removing oils from your scalp.  These are the oils that work their way down the strands of your hair as you brush your hair.  Instead, wash it every few days and use a dry shampoo in-between.

In addition, try not to put your hair up in a tight bun or ponytail when it's wet or damp, otherwise you could cause breakage.  Wait until your hair is dry and try for a looser style. Furthermore, if your hair is color treated, you should dial back on the use of heat based tools such as curling irons to prevent damage.  It's a good idea to use a lower temperature or completely eliminate the use of these tools to help cut down on the damage done to your hair.

Think about using a leave-in conditioner after using a regular conditioner or hair mask to add a layer of protection to your hair and it can help your hair.  In addition, pay attention to your scalp because a healthy scalp means that your hair will be in good shape.  Try using a scalp scrub once a week to get rid of any buildups of dirt while leaving a clean scalp. 

If you plan to change the color of your hair and you plan to go lighter, let a pro handle it because they know how to do it properly.  Finally, think about a new style that requires less maintenance and fewer tools to get the look. 

These suggestions work for anytime of the year and should be done on a regular basis. Work to keep your hair in good shape so it always looks good, is hydrated, and bounces.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.




Sunday, July 11, 2021

Great For Travel

 

Last time I travelled, I took a fan like this with me.  I stayed so much cooler in the terminal and on the plane.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Friday, July 9, 2021

Preventing Sunburned Scalps

It's a beautiful sunny day.  I'm sure we've all applied our sunscreen to our bodies, face, ears, neck and feet. We're supposed to wear a hat or cover our heads so we don't damage our hair but don't tell me there are times when you spend hours in the sun without a hat or covering?  I know I've done it because it is too hard to wear a hat or covering when I'm in the water.

I've been extremely lucky and haven't burned my scalp but I know it can happen.  I just don't want to smear my normal sunscreen over my part or scalp because it's generally got zinc oxide in it and the idea of using it on my head make me gross out.

Our scalps are the highest thing on our body and closest to the sun.  Consequently, it burns sooner than the rest of our body.  Although most people who suffer scalp burns don't get severe ones, they can lead up skin cancer on the scalp.  Melanoma of the scalp is more rare than regular skin cancer, it can be more deadly because it is harder to find due to being covered by hair.  In addition,  hair on the head can make it harder to identify or treat scalp melanoma.  It is estimated that 95% of people do not use sunscreen on their scalps yet 5% of melanomas are identified on the scalp. 

There are sunscreens out there that are designed to use on the scalp because they list they are a scalp sunscreen on the label or it is found in the list of the body the sunscreen works on.  Most of the sunscreens that can be used on the scalp are either spray, oil, or powder form. 

When looking at buying a sunscreen for you scalp, there are a few things to keep in mind.  First, look for a sunscreen that is rated at 30 SPF or higher, usually the higher the better.  Make sure it is a broad spectrum sunscreen.  It is important to keep in mind the type of hair you have because the hair makes it harder to apply sunscreen.  If you have thick hair, think about applying it to your part and hairline.  If you have thin hair, it is best to get it in the part and on your head as much as possible because thin hair does not offer the same protection that thick hair does.

It is recommended one use sprays, oils, powders, or sticks but one can use regular sunscreens.  If you choose to use a powder, look at one that is a color close to your own hair color so it looks more natural.  Any of these products can protect your hair from sun damage.  In addition, if you pull your hair into a pony tail or bun, it will offer more protection to your scalp. 

So if you use sunscreen everyday, it is important to use sunscreen on your scalp.  This is even more important if your hair is bleached or colored because exposure to the sun can lighten or damage the hair.  If you haven't thought about using sunscreen on the scalp, do it because you'll protect yourself from possible cancer and help your hair.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.





Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Ways To Cover Your Hair In Hot Weather.

 

In the last column, I explored ways to help protect your hair in hot weather.  One of the ways was to cover your hair but many of us, need a little help with that.  I grew up, enjoying the sun and wind on my hair and I put up with the tangles and broken strands because I didn't want to wear a dorky hat.  Now as an adult, I realize, wearing a hot or anything designed to protect my hair is not dorky but smart.

One of the first things recommended is to begin wearing a hat.  The hat can be worn over the hair and can be something like those worn by the Rat Pack or it can be soft and made out of cloth.  My problem is trying to find one that fits over my hair when it is pinned up since my hair is down to my rear.  I've got a couple that meet that criteria. In addition, one can wear a baseball cap which allows you to wear a ponytail under the cap.  If you want something snazzier, use a fedora or even one of those hats rated to protect you from the UV rays.

If you aren't into hats, look at wearing a turban instead.  Make it out of material that matches your mood or your outfit.  In addition, turbans range in style from those of the 1940's and 1950's, to ethnic, to unique. If you do a search for turban tutorials on Youtube, you'll find dozens of videos showing you how to do it.  Be sure to use turban tutorials for women to the search parameters otherwise you'll get a lot on tying mens turbans.  Most turbans use either a head scarf or a long strip of fabric.  

Speaking of head scarfs, there are other ways to use them to cover your hair.  Some ways of tying the head scarf will cover your head while others are used in a head band effect.  Hair scarves come in two main styles, square or rectangular.  One of the easiest ways to use a head scarf is to style your hair and wrap the scarf around your head and tie it at the nape of your neck.  This way it keeps your hair out of your face.  Another way is to take a square hair scarf and fold it in two so you have a triangle.  Place it so you tie it at the nape of the neck and the material covers your hair.  If you want you can tie the tip of the triangle into the knot at the nape to hold it down. 

The other choice is to tie the ends together at the top of your head so a bit of hair is showing but the rest of it is covered, almost like a turban. To create a slightly different look, instead of tying the triangular scarf under your hair at the base of your neck, tie it on top of your hair so it looks more like a cap. These styles are meant to be worn all day. 

On the other hand, if you want something that can be taken off and put on again easily, you'll need larger square scarves, you can again fold one in half and place it over your hair, tying it under your neck so it can easily be removed when you get where you are.   Another choice, one popular with Grace Kelly, is to fold the square scarf in half to form a triangle, place it on your head but instead of tying it under your chin, you'll wrap the ends around your neck before tying.

Hats, turbans, and scarves, oh my!  Between Youtube, and websites on the internet, you'll find a lot of different ways to construct turbans and tie scarves so you'll never get bored.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day!




Monday, July 5, 2021

Keeping Hair Healthy In Hot Weather.

Summer is a time of being outside, of having fun, and of trying to keep our hair in decent shape, especially  if we already apply heat via curling irons or blow drying it.  During summer, we expose our hair to the bright light of the sun and it can dehydrate our hair, making the strands more brittle thus facing long term damage.  

In addition, exposure to either salt water or fresh water can damage our hair further.  If you love swimming in the ocean, the salt can dry on the hair, making it feel horrible while the fresh water can add bacteria, dirt, or microbes to the hair.

The last thing that can effect your hair during the summer is wind.  The wind blows your hair, causing it to create small knots or tangles which can lead to split ends.  It doesn't have to be windy for your hair to suffer from wind damage.  One can experience damage by having the windows open, or riding on a motor bike.  There was a reason you saw the leading lady wear a scarf when she was heading down the high way in a convertible car. 

There are several things that can be done to cut down on damage to hair over the summer.  Start the summer by getting your hair trimmed so all the split ends are gone and your hair is as healthy as possible.  Don't forget to use a hair mask between one and three times a week.  After shampooing our hair, use a hair mask instead of conditioner and leave it on for a nice long time so it has the chance to really soak in.  Hair masks are designed to rehydrate hair so it looks and feels so much better.

Summer is also a time that many people suffer from more frizz due to the humidity in the air.  Use a hair serum to help counteract the frizz and help with blow away strands.  A good hair serum will lock in moisture and reduce split ends.  Since it is hot in the summer, get rid of your blow dryer because the air around you will help remove moisture and dry it at the same time.  If you keep using the blow dryer, curling iron, or other styling tool, the heat from them can remove any extra moisture you've manage to return to the hair.

An unfortunate side effect to hot weather is that it can cause the scalps oil production to increase.  This increased production of oil can clog pores and make your hair much greasier.  One way to avoid this is to find a gentle shampoo that naturally cleanses your hair. Go back in time and wear a cute hat, or scarf to protect your hair from the sun and wind.  Wearing a hat or scarf will keep protect your hair from UVA and UVB rays and keep your scalp from burning.  

Remember your hair changes from season to season and it is important to change your routine.  Don't be afraid to switch to a heavier duty conditioner if your hair becomes dryer or to a lighter conditioner if your hair is oilier during the summer.  If you swim in a pool regularly, be aware of exposing your hair to chlorine which can really damage your hair.  I used to think my mom wore a swim cap to keep her hair dry but I realized it also protected her hair from the chlorine.  If you do not want to wear a swim cap, think about not washing your hair until after your swim because the natural oils can help protect your hair.  Just wet your hair before you go in because wet hair is less likely to absorb chlorine.  As soon as you get out of the pool, at least rinse your hair of the chlorine.  If you want to shampoo and condition your hair, look for a shampoo that will get rid of the chlorine.

Check back on Wednesday for something on ways to cover your hair so it stays healthier this summer.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.



Friday, July 2, 2021

Wearing Makeup In Hot Weather.

It's summer.  The heat in some parts of the country is extremely high, high enough to make your makeup look a bit off.  For me, I tend to sweat it off or feel as if I'm suffocating. Fortunately, there are things one can do so one looks spectacular and fresh in hot weather. In addition, there are so many possibilities one can go with in hot weather.

One thing to keep in mind is that sunscreen is a must to help protect your skin.  There are many sunscreens designed to be used on the face and they are extremely light so it doesn't feel as if you have anything on your face.  It is best to put the sunscreen first on after you've cleaned your face and before anything else.

Take time to look for multitasking makeup so you can use fewer products while achieving the look you want. For instance, clear mascara can be used on your brows in addition to your eyelashes. One can use cream or powder blush on the cheeks or as eye shadow. Highlighter can be used in the same way as blush. Although the use of primers are often recommended during hot weather to keep the makeup on, too much primer can make your skin look unnatural. Instead, use a primer only in your T-zone.  

Rather than using a primer, consider a good hydrating moisturizer or lotion because they are water based and cause foundations or other makeup to adhere to your face.  If you want a bit of color use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation since the moisturizer will provide a bit of color.  On the other hand, if you really want to wear a foundation, look at using a liquid matte because it remains on the skin better than a creme or glossy foundation.  A matte contains no petroleum or mineral oils so it won't crease on your skin and remain smooth. When applying the matte foundation, dab it on in light layers, and place a bit more on areas that need it.

If you have a blemish that needs covering, used a concealer that is sticky rather than creamy because it will stay where applied and is nicely pigmented. In hot weather, one should use little face powder to control the shine because powder can be over applied.  Instead think about using a powder puff wrapped with  blotting paper to control the shine. 

When it comes to the eyes in hot weather, consider wearing eye shadow primer under a powder eye shadow, or use a non creasing creme eye shadow under powdered eye shadow for a look that stays. In addition, think about using a gel eyeliner topped with a powder shadow on the top.  As far as lipstick, choose either a matte lipstick or a sheer lipstick but not too glossy.  The final step is to keep a handy hydrating spray around to apply throughout the day.

I tend to go with the sunscreen and a light application of makeup around the eyes so they pop and a bit of lip gloss for a very natural look. Even on the hottest day, I tend to look cool and I stay cooler.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.