Sun Sense: Top New Sunscreens for Spring-Summer

Some of the BEST sun protection products to kick off spring!

While we need sun protection all year round, now is the time to upgrade your solar guard.  Why? Well, the days are getting longer and brighter. That plus the warmer temps means we will be spending more time outdoors and exposing more skin to the harmful rays of the sun. While I'm not a fan of looking like a ghost, I know from walking, running and cycling that burned skin looks even worse! Still, I'm a fan of tinted moisturizers and airbrushed tans for a Victoria's Secret model glow.

Sunscreen as Primer
One of the problems I've had with sunscreens is that even the ones for the face are often greasy and cause your makeup to slide off or pill up. I hate that! I've purchased Bobbi Brown's Brightening SPF 50 UV Protective Face Base and found it to be good but at less than 2 oz in a tube, (1.7 to be exact), you'd go through it very quickly. What I like even better is G.M. Collin's High Protection Cream SPF 30.

High Protection Cream from G.M. Collin

High Protection Cream from G.M. Collin - Paris
This sunscreen comes in a convenient 4 oz twist dispenser topped bottle. Using natural sunscreens like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, it uniformly blocks both UVA & UVB rays by creating a gentle, transparent physical barrier. It is SO light that it doesn't mess with my makeup application. It leaves behind no white film and does not block pores. This super sunscreen also contains botanicals like Cassia Alata Leaf Extract to protect DNA from UV damage and antioxidants like vitamins E and C.  I wore it under my makeup while marching in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade this year and was very comfortable. My skin didn't get burned even though it was quite sunny along the parade route. High Protection Cream can be used on face and body but makes a good primer for makeup application as well.

ASAP Hydrating Lip Balm & Wexler Tinted Moisturizer

Getting Your Glow On
These are my everyday, go for a run/walk/bicycle ride essentials. I'm going to sweat so I don't want a full on makeup application but I DO want some color and protection.

ASAP Hydrating Lip Balm SPF 15 
I put this on as a lip primer and moisturizer. It's amazing and I often don't need much lip color after putting this on first. We often forget about our lips but they are often some of the first areas to show age due to sun damage.

Patricia Wexler Daily Defense Anti-Oxidant Tinted Moisturizer  SPF 30
This is really good for a quick, light translucent wash of bronze color with a SPF of 30. Infused with antioxidants, Dr. Wexler's formulas mostly all contain her signature skin regenerating MMP's so it's treatment and makeup all rolled into one. Very light, it's like wearing nothing at all but gives you a little color for the road. 

Coming Into Spring keep in mind that our skin isn't generally prepared for bright sunshine. You need to protect yourself face and body to look and feel your best through the summer season.

High Protection Cream c/o G. M. Collin - Paris  

Bobbi Brown's Fall Make-Over Event

New York City based DJ JVC, aka Jimmy Connolly keeps the mix going at Bobbi Brown's Fall Make-Over Event! Old School 80's tracks down to Lady Gaga and everything in between. His high energy club style DJ-ing really made the event.

My new fall palette is everything rosy! Peony Blush, Desert Rose & Rosy 7 Treatment Lip Shine and Blushed Rose Pot Rouge pictured here. What to see more? Stop in at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics for the full scoop!

After my Bobbi Brown make over with make-up artist Amelia who took about 20 minutes to pull this look together for me. I am SO ready for the Ice Theatre of New York's Gala Event on Monday!

My favorite picks for the day? Well, I just couldn't resist Bobbi Brown's Smoldering Eye Palette, Peony Blush, Rosy 7 Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 and her Skin Foundation in Natural which was a PERFECT match, (naturally)!

Fall Beauty Haul!

Haute Couture Beauty goes the way of art & fashion with these picks for flawless skin. The perfect canvas for your fall look starts with proper exfoliation and moisturizing! PHOTO Dr. M's Coco-Rose Microdermabrasion Soap with Coconut & Rose Oils in a glycerine base.

This Fall Beauty Haul includes skin care products for your entire body such as Lisa Hoffman's Moisture Masque, Dr. Miczak's Coco Rose Microdermabrasion Soap and Coco Rose Lip Treatment Balm as home spa treats. Once you begin to realize that skincare doesn't stop at the neck, you'll be anxious to wear those lovely strapless dresses again. Did someone say, "Christmas Ball"?

It takes a bit of effort but the results are incredible with a few key products I've come to rely on.

Exfoliation:

NEW!!!! Dr. Miczak's Coco Rose Microdermabrasion Soap
I use my own Original Microdermabrasion Soap Line and just come out with two NEW products for fall. It's my Coco-Rose Microdermarasion Soap with exfoliating crystals set in a base of 100% Organic, Virgin Coconut and Rose Oil. Rich and highly emollient, it removes even the heaviest makeup, leaving your skin soft, polished and smooth. Use it everywhere you want to see fresher, younger looking skin.

Seal in Moisture:

NEW!!! Dr. Miczak's Coco-Rose Lip Treatment Balm
To go with my new Coco-Rose Soap, here's my signature Coco-Rose Lip Balm using high amounts of coconut & rose oils in natural beeswax. This balm is paraben free and can be used on lips, laugh lines and the eye area. After exfoliation, protecting your newly emerged skin cells is so important to keep them plump and fresh. The little pot container allows you to take your treatment wherever you go for smoothing applications during the day.



Nourish:

Lisa Hoffman's Vitamin A & C Serum
A very small amount of this product goes a LONG way. Antioxidants are integral to keeping free radical damage at bay, however they are destroyed by sunlight.

Tip #1: Apply your Vitamin A & C Serums and antioxidant products at night before going to bed. This way it will have a chance to reverse damage from the sun you've sustained during the day.

Tip #2: Do you skin a favor from the inside out by including salmon, avocados, spinach, blueberries, coconut milk and raw nuts in your daily diet. These foods will get your whole body in sync glowing, healthy skin from head to toe. Remember to get your 8 glasses of H20 too!



Renew:

Lisa Hoffman's Spa Moisture Masque
This product is loaded with marine botanicals, kaolin and natural ingredients to moisturize and brighten your skin with only one treatment. Another product that does not require a heavy application. Apply the liquidy pink masque to your skin and wait 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and you'll see a brighter, more even tone after just application.

All of these products will give your skin an almost immediate lift in color, firmness and clarity. When used long term, they bring about faster skin cell turnover similar to what we had in our 20's. You don't have to spend a lot but you'll need to spend something on your skin's upkeep. My advice is not to skimp on this beauty basics. Order Dr. Miczak's Skincare Line products by clicking on the Microdermabrasion Soap banner ad to your right!

Goodies from Lisa Hoffman Spa, Erno Lazlo, Salvator Ferragamo, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Tote by Este Lauder & Vegas Pouches from Stephanie Johnson!