How to Protect your Hair from Pool Water | A Free DIY

To protect your hair from all the chemicals in pool water and prevent swimmers hair try a do it yourself spray on hair protector.

If you get into the pool with dry hair your hair soaks up the water and chemical treatments in the pool.  Preventing that is simple.  Don't get in with dry hair.  Wet your hair with a spray made of 10 parts water to 1 part conditioner.  Having your hair already wet means the water doesn't absorb right in to your hair and the conditioner is an extra shield of protection.

This is great to stash for the kids near the pool or in the beach bag to go.

Read more posts from the Summer Beauty Series.  Later in the series we are making another DIY hair spray for summer.

Sunscreen for Oily/Acne Prone Skin

SPF Moisturizer for Oily and Acne Skin Types by amariebeauty featuring oversized sunglasses

Oily and Acne prone skin is already tough to find a moisturizer for.  So many ladies with this skin type will just skip moisturizer all together thinking the oilyness provides moisture and adding a bottle of the good stuff will only make it worse.  Not the case you just have to know your skin type and educate yourself on the products and ingredients best suited for your needs.

Being out in the summer sun is definitely not the time to skip the moisture, it is time to find one with SPF to protect your pretty faces from UV rays and premature aging.

I rounded up these moisturizers with SPF for Oily and Acne skin types.  I wish I was magic and could tell you exactly what will work for you but sadly trial and error until excellence is achieved is the only method.

Oil of Olay Complete SPF 15  
Oil free and nourishing.  Very basic but effective.  Olay works for many with sensitive skin issues.  This formula does include some vitamin C and E for smoothing and hydrating purposes.  $10 avg price

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with SPF 35
Light weight, non-greasy and easily absorbed.  It is oil free, fragrance free and contains no drying alcohol which is a concern for many people combating breakouts.  You get broad band sun protection and good oil free moisture.  $10 avg price

Murad Anti-Aging Acne Moisturizer SPF 20
Marketed as a 3 in 1 product and the ingredients back it up.  Willow bark to control oil and help with occasional adult breakouts, Kombucha Collagen Defense helps stimulate collagen production to help keep fine lines from forming and the UV blocking SPF protects from premature aging like fine lines and dark spots.  $46 avg price

Read the beginning of the Summer Series and come back for more, the series is just getting started. XO
Additional basic skin care reading.

What to Wear at the Beach | White Linen Shirt Dress

White dresses are in for summer 2012 so sorting through the countless beach styles I am rocking with the white linen shirt dress.  I choose it for its light weight, cinched waist, and versatility.

1 dress 3 ways - beach, boardwalk and nightlife by amariebeauty featuring an espadrille wedge

At the beach.
On the boardwalk.
For the night life.

The white linen shirt dress has you covered sister.  This one was less than thrity dollars at Old Navy.

I joined a fun Polyvore linkup, visit more sets in the button below.   This post is part of my on going Summer Beauty Series.

Makeup Brush Care for the Summer | Tip Off Tuesday

I covered the topic of cleaning your makeup brushes and cosmetic bags earlier this year but with the temperatures getting hotter and the faces getting greaser I thought we would revisit the issue.  Trying to combat oil and shine is tougher in the summer so be diligent with keeping your brushes clean weekly to avoid makeup and oil build up which will only add to the dilemma.  Click the links below to read my original posts.


How to clean your makeup brushes.  Don't worry it's quick, cheap and easy!
Don't forget your makeup bag!  It can harbor bacteria.

Graduation Day Makeup and Emergency To Go Bag

Graduation is a busy day with lots of photos being taken and close encounters being had, be prepared.
Start the day with moisturizer with SPF.  Moisturize to prime the face and get longer where out of your foundation.

A good rule of thumb for big days in your life is to wear your hair and makeup in a similar way as you normally do.  You want to A. look like yourself in the memories and B. feel comfortable on special days.
Add a little extra makeup to prevent being washed out in photo's but don't go over board, this is not glamour shots.

Graduation Day Emergency Beauty Kit by amariebeauty featuring matte makeup

For touch ups and emergency beauty fixes stash items like these in a to go bag.  Some of you may have a huge to go bag, just don't forget to add these things for quick and crucial beauty problems. 

Quick Fix Items

1. blotting papers - Big days get exciting, excitement can get greasy.
2. powder - If said greasyness happens you may need to touch up.
3. a small comb and hair band - If things get real ugly a girl can always revert to a messy bun!  
4. body spray - see number 1
5. mints - Lot's of up close and personal time, keep the breath fresh.

See what I stash in my makeup to go bag for when my face needs a little perk up.

This post is linked up to Blog Love Therapy's beauty blog hop.

DIY a Pro Pedicure at Home | How To

Sandal season is here so it's time to up your pedicure game.  Save $30. this week and do it yourself with these tips from the spa.

Of course your toes are not going to look as polished at home if you just whip out a quick polish change.  There is a method to the pro magic.  Follow these steps to get top notch results and save hundreds of dollars a year.

Do It Yourself Pedicure by amariebeauty featuring The Body Shop beauty products
1. Soak feet for about 5 minutes in a foot soak.
2. Remove old polish.
3. Clip, file and clean toe nails. 
4. Massage in foot scrub, rinse well in your soak tub.
5. Treat any callus at this time, use a callus softener then file in a circular motion using a foot file or pumice stone.  A product with Alpha Hydroxy Acid helps slough off the outer layer of dead skin making it a prime ingredient for callus softening.  Salicylic acid is easily found in acne treatment gels, that is what I use with much success. 
6. Push back cuticles, then brush the nail bed with a wet nail brush.
7. Apply lotion.
8. Clean nails with polish remover, this removes the lotion from the nail to insure the polish will adhere for longest wear.
9. Apply base coat,2 coats of color and a top coat.  Wait one minute between coats.
10. Allow polish to sit and spray with a quick dry spray (optional).

This is post 2 of the Summer Beauty Series.  Read the intro and post 2, SPF for Lips.

Use Lip Balm with SPF | Tip Off Tuesday

If you are planning on spending some time in the sunshine don't forget to protect your lips from the UV rays. 

Have you ever had a lip burn?  It's not hot.  On my first trip to the beach I loaded up with my usual gloss and ended up with tight, bright, shiny and sore lips.  Mob wife style.  Save your self the drama and pick a lip balm with SPF for your summer fun.
 

 Summer Beauty is a series!  Read the intro here if you missed it yesterday. 

Summer Beauty. Tips, DIY's and More!

It's time to gear up for summer beauty.  It's all whole series of summer pretty goodness.
Here is what's coming up.

• A summer nail art pictorial.  
• Makeup for the heat.
• The pro pedicure breakdown.  See the pro mani steps here.
• What to take in your makeup bag for the beach.
• A tee shirt restyle.

...and more.  Need any special advice for this summer's beauty routine?  Ask away so I can feature your question and solve your dilemma.  Email me at amariebeauty@gmail.com, ask me on Twitter @amariebeauty or comment below.

Neon | Trends Simplified

Neon is one of those trends that looks like fun but leave you wondering how to wear it realistically.  Add pops of neon to keep it classy and avoid 1982 vibes. 

Neon by amariebeauty featuring neon jewelry

Absorbing Facial Oil On the Go | Tip Off Tuesday

You've probably heard of blotting papers.  Stash some in your bag as the temperatures get warmer to attempt to keep some makeup in place and avoid being as shiny as the sun.
Looking for a favorite check these out from NYX by clicking the link below.

 All out?  As a substitute use a paper towel, toilet paper or a tissue.  Just fold and press to blot the oil and
shine away.

Making a purchase through an affiliated link on Amarie Beauty helps support this blog and the featured products.

How to Even Skin Tone | Get the Look for Less

Evening out the skin tone is the foundation of makeup.  If your goal is to achieve a smooth and even complexion or create a canvas for countless makeup looks here is where you start.  These products are all inexpensive to get a flawless finish.  Using these items in conjunction with the right technique you can achieve high end results.

How To: Even Out Skin Tone for Less. by amariebeauty featuring a matte makeup

1.  Moisturize.  This step helps smooth the surface and prime the skin, Garnier BB cream lives up to all the hype and truly is a multi functioning product.

2.  Conceal any dark spots, redness or acne marks.  Lightly blot concealer over dark under eye circles as well.  Using your finger tips for max blendability and control. 

3.  Stipple on foundation.  What is stippling?  Watch my short video and read the notes here.

4.  Using  loose powder lightly dust over to set the makeup.  Too much well settle into the lines and look cakey.

To get more information on taking care of the foundation of your skin and knowing your skin type read the following posts.
How to get a fresh facial glow at home.
Knowing your skin type.

Hot to Wear Basic Black in the Spring

I never give up on my basic black staples.  I can't, it is the core of my wardrobe and my favorite thing to wear.  Black always looks polished and put together.  

For spring pair it with some bright accessories to make it fresh for the warmer weather.  Wearing layers, items made of thinner materials and cut for spring such as tanks and halters are more ways to take black into spring time.

• Try some spring makeup trends.  This year pink lips is a favorite.
• Do a spring time manicure.
• Accent with light and bright colors.
• Wear warmer weather styles and materials. 

Looking for more ways to get the most our of your wardrobe?  Read What to Wear in Transitional Weather for more spring time options.

Hide Nail Polish Chips | Tip Off Tuesday

Hide polish chips in between color changes with this fun and easy trick.

 "Silver Glitter Nail Polish. Each week I change my base coat and tip it off with silver glitter. When the glitter chips, just add a little more. You can't tell they have been touched-up because of the texture. I hate nails that look touched-up." -Jen of Whitefield Awesome Blog
 
See her manicure here in her weekly Obsession Confession Sunday post.  Look around for some laughs and great photography.

More quick tips using nail polish.
A Free Quick Dry for Your Mani
Fast Fixes Using Clear Nail Polish
How To Keep a Steady Hand

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