Kristen Arnett:

Safety First
Centuries ago alabaster skin was in! Men and women would often lighten their faces with dangerous cosmetics to make them as white as possible. However in the 1950’s it became chic to have sun-kissed skin. By the 1970’s women and men literally baked themselves in the quest for the deepest tan possible. During the last 60 years there’s been an enormous increase in the rate of skin cancer. For women under 39 years old, the probability of developing melanoma is second only to breast cancer. Not only that, but the sun will make you look older!

Embrace Your Color
If you are afraid of looking too pale, think of beauties like Nicole Kidman who go year-round with creamy skin. The rays of the sun don’t do kind things for you later in life. That’s when you will be wondering how to get rid of all the wrinkles and discolorations the years of baking and burning gave to you.

Cover Up
Wear and reapply sun block anytime you are outdoors, especially between the hours of 10am and 2pm when the sun is at its strongest. The lighter skinned you are the stronger the protection you will need…and don’t skimp! Cover your body from head to toe…yes, even your toes. You’ll avoid getting ugly burns and peeling in uncomfortable places if you plan ahead. Then use hats and clothes as appropriate to avoid over-exposure.

Fake It
With so many options available for safe, sunless tanning, there’s no reason to be without the glow of golden skin and to protect yourself from the harmful and aging rays of the sun. I recommend trying an all-natural one like Lavera’s.

Tropical Inspired Makeup
When it’s hot and we are playing outside, the last thing we need to worry about is piling on a lot of makeup that’s just going to melt off anyway. So may I suggest my ultra-simple and ultra-beautiful summer makeup look.

Position yourself with a mirror near natural daylight so you can get the best idea of how much to apply.

Start with your favorite concealer under the eyes and anywhere else that might need a little coverage.

Follow with a bronzer. Begin at the cheeks and sweep up to the temples, and then the hair line. Then finish with whatever is left on the brush, across the nose and over the eyelids. I really like the mineral bronzer by Jane Iredale.

Next, curl your lashes and add a sweep of dark brown mascara. Black is too harsh for this Summery look. To avoid raccoon eyes, use a mascara that is smudge proof for the hotter and more humid days.

Finish it all off with a juicy, tropical color of lipstick that plays off the bronze tones in your face. This week I found myself in love with a deep coral I created by mixing a lip-liner and lipstick (both called Mali) and finishing it with a lip-gloss (named Rio) from Primitive Makeup.
Maybe it was the names which suggested foreign adventures, but I think the love I felt was because the color lasted for hours while staying creamy and it really picked up the blue in my eyes. For those of you with warmer skin or brown eyes, try colors in the pink or red family…be daring and most of all have fun!

[article written for French Tuesday's Newsletter - sent out to 25,000 people around the world!]