Now that summer is here, everyone wants to go Eva Longoria bronze. But, those L'Oreal ads are airbrushed. And, frying your face at the beach will bring on a spotty octogenarian style visage peppered with ghastly melanoma. So, how to look radiant and stave off skin damage? Tawny, sun kissed skin is all about the skillful layering of product. Here is your cheat sheet to luminosity.....
1. SUNSCREEN: Make sure sunscreen is Broad Spectrum to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
L'Oreal RevitaLift UV with Mexoryl 21.99
SkinCeuticals Active UV Defense Sunscreen Cream $29.00
Sephora Safety Kit: Travel-size sun protection, $25
DERMALOGICA, Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF25: $29
Dermalogica , Solar Defense Booster SPF30: $43
SkinCeuticals Active UV Defense Sunscreen Cream $29.00
2. PRIMERS: Makeup artists' secret weapon are lightweight silicone based gel which fills in lines and wrinkles to form a smooth base.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15, $36, Amazon.com
Armani Fluid master Primer, $55, Saks
Mac Prep and prime, $22 maccosmetics.com
3. SHIMMERS: The illuminating formulas of shimmer powders and fluid sheers provide that celeb lit-from-within glow. Blend fluid sheers in with foundation. Or dab onto cheeks, brow bone and nose to contour and introduce a dewy, flawless finish. Fowders can be brushed on to cheeks and decollete.
Armani Face Fabric, $45
Smashbox- Soft Lights, $28
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, $38
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers, $55
Chanel Brilliance Pur Sheer Brilliance, $42.50
4. BRONZERS: There is a trick to using powdered bronzers. To avoid the unfortunate "fake and bake" orange patina, do not just apply bronzer to the cheeks. Brush product where sun naturally would hit the face- cheeks, forehead, nose and chest -then-apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend, Blend, Blend and the result is a natural glow. You can also use facial bronzers all over the body.
Start with a great brush which works for face, décolleté and body like this one from Sephora for $25
Physicians Formula summer eclipse bronzing face powder, $11.99 at CVS/Walgreen's
MAC Solar Bits-$19.50
Cargo Bronzer, $25, Sephora
L'Oreal Bare Naturale All-Over Mineral Glow 15.25
5. BODY BRONZER: To really go for the gold, you can also apply bronzer to the arms, legs and chest.
LORAC, TANtalizer Baked Bronzer $30
Sephora Beach Glow Melted Body Butter $16
Sephora Beach Glow Shimmering Oil Spray, $18
6. LIP GLOSS: Another part of the sunkissed equation is a sexy lip gloss that enhances the dewiness of the the cheeks. Blending glosses--a deeper hue with a gold flecked, pink or coral color-gives depth and warmth. And, match colors to ensembles. The same color does not work with everything.
Bahama Mama The Balm $18
Stila lip glaze, $25
MAC Tendertone Lip Balm, Berry Gloss with SPF 12 sun protection, $14.50
7. HAIR: Products with UV inhibitors protect color treated hair from damaging effects of sun and chlorine.
Fekkai-Summer Hair Wash and Wear, $20 at saks
Kerastase Soleil Masque $58and Bain Apres-Soleil $32
Available at: Kerstase.com
Oscar Blandi Sun shield Spray, $20, Amazon.com