Beauty Tips

Refresh for Summer-
Great news about summer: You can update your wardrobe for less, as clothes and accessories are generally less expensive than fall fashions. Its all about the fabric: winter wools and leathers are more expensive than summer's offerings of lighter weight alternatives.
Also, there's a fun, light-hearted quality about dressing for summer. Jewelry, shoes and bags can be more whimsical than serious. It's about color, pattern and decorative detail whether it's a huge flower adorning the top of a rubber sandal or a brilliantly colored striped straw tote. No matter what your age is, check out the juniors departments for fun summer accessory bargains.
Before you shop, unearth your summer gear, including accessories. Check the fit and condition of all. Have your white linens turned yellow? Are your bathing suits worn beyond repair? Does your shoes need resoling?

Summer Clothes-
Bathing suit and cover up: The sarong has been a favorite since Dorothy Lamour wore one in the 1940 film Road to Singapore. It can dress you up, yet allow you to feel comfortable, covered and relaxed. Colorful patterned choices are plentiful, just make sure it doesn't fight with your bathing suit — keep the bathing suit simple and a solid color.
Sun glasses: This is where you should splurge, especially on lenses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Bag: Whatever the size, style or material, go for something colorful, decorative and whimsical.
Sandals: Small kitten heels are feminine, fun and stylish, and can be worn with just about everything.
Sun hat: Whether you go for big and dramatic or a more sporty baseball cap, it's a chance to protect your skin in style.
Sundress: Dresses are the most comfortable choice of clothing in steamy weather.
Tailored summer jacket: A must for business to wear over sundress for appropriate office attire, and to keep warm in air-conditioning.
Capri pants: White is the most versatile choice and forever chic, while a pattern can put a smile on your face.
Colorful cotton T-shirts: Cotton blended with a little lycra will have more shape than 100% cotton — just beware of bra lines and other unseemly bulges.
Funky, chunky jewelry: Go for big: big hoops with decorative crystals or colorful, long, dangling earrings and lots of fun bracelets. And relish the unexpected: plastics, rubber and paper maché jewelry.
Sports gear: Whatever your game is, make sure your clothes, footgear and equipment are in winning condition.

Summer Beauty-
Legs: They're often bare so keep them in shape by shaving, waxing or using a depilatory. If they are spotty, consider using a self-tanner, but exfoliate first. Keep them moisturized to combat the drying effects of heat, salt water and chlorine.
Happy feet: Keep your nails neat with regular manicures and pedicures. When you choose your color, keep a bottle of polish on hand for touch ups.
Fake it: This is not news, but it is worth repeating until we all really get it. Sun damages skin. You may not see the effects until years later, but the damage will return to haunt you. So when it comes to tanning, go for self-tanners, bronzing make-up and always, always, always wear sun block with your moisturizer, even on cloudy, rainy days. Make it a habit.
Summer color: All products should be sheer and light for a natural look. A warm bronzing powder applied with a large, soft brush to your face is a lightweight alternative to foundation. Finish your summer face by curling your lashes, then adding a bit of mascara and some tinted pink gloss for a fresh look that will also be less likely to melt in the heat.
Summer scent: You may have a wardrobe of scents: One for everyday, one for special nights, possibly something heavier in the colder months and much lighter for hot summer days. I think a citrus scent just screams summer in the happiest way. What's great now is that many places offer the opportunity to mix your own scents. I know someone who actually wears different scents on different parts of her body. How fun is that? Summer is the perfect time to lighten up, experiment and enjoy. Note: If you spend a lot of time outdoors in a buggy area, take time to find a repellent you enjoy smelling.
"Summer Refresh" of course means more than getting dressed and feeling you're at your best each morning. It's a mindset: It's easy living, easy cooking enjoying the fresh, ripe, vine-picked products of the season; it's easy entertaining around the barbeque, listening to summer tunes from The Drifters to Astrud Gilberto; being outdoors, whether playing or relaxing with friends and family. It's a great season to recharge and refresh oneself. Enjoy!

Sports and beauty

This article is solely the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent Unilever's opinion or point of view.
Whether daily or just on the weekend, being physically active has become part of our lives as health-conscious Americans. Adults squeeze in workouts at the gym or tennis matches after work or between car pools. Kids are shuttled between soccer leagues and swim team practice. As the number of people participating in sports activities increases, so does the number of sports-related skin conditions. Most of these conditions are more of a nuisance than serious health hazards, but knowing how to treat and prevent them keeps you in the game.

When we move, our clothing and shoes don't necessarily move with us, and the skin is subject to chaffing and rubbing. Friction blisters on the feet are a common result. The best way to avoid them is to have well-fitting shoes and well-cushioned acrylic or synthetic-blend socks. A layer of petroleum jelly or other lubricant under the socks helps reduce the friction further. Once a blister forms, it can be punctured and drained, but the roof should be left intact to protect the sensitive wound beneath. A simple non-stick dressing or use of one of the newly available absorbent, cushioned "blister bandages" will speed healing.

Rubbing is also the cause of "jogger's nipples". Over the course of a long run, the athlete's shirt rubs against the nipples causing painful abrasions and splits which can bleed. This condition can be avoided by wearing a soft bra or tee shirt made of silk or synthetic fibers that are smoother and cause less friction. Preventively applying a lubricant or adhesive tape is a trick used by marathon runners and triathletes.

Clothing can also cause problems by holding in moisture as the athlete sweats. The sweat softens the skin, disrupting its protective barrier. Wet clothing traps moisture against the skin making a welcome environment for bacteria, fungus, and yeast. "Athlete's foot" (tinea pedis), for instance, is caused by a fungus, commonly known as ringworm. The affected area is red and itchy, with scale, particularly at the borders. Classic ringworm on the face, trunk or extremities looks like a scaly red ring and can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, for example, between wrestlers. When the foot is affected, a clue is moist scale between the 4th and 5th toes. On the other hand, yeast (candida), which occurs in skin creases like the groin and under the breasts, involves the entire area with a red, moist rash covered in tiny pustules. Prevention involves keeping those areas dry with absorbent powders and wearing fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin. Treatment with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams is generally effective. Treatment of the feet should include the entire "moccasin" distribution (all the skin a moccasin would cover), not just the patches seen.

Wet clothing that does not "breathe", like traditional 100% cotton, is also a culprit in bacterial infections. Staphylococcal and streptococcal impetigo, weeping red areas with golden yellow crusts, can spread by direct skin contact. Damp, tight-fitting clothing and athletic gear occlude the hair follicles causing folliculitis, a rash seen as small red bumps and pustules in hair follicles. "Bikini bottom" is the description of a deep bacterial folliculitis seen as painful, hard red nodules on the buttocks of swimmers. Treatment of bacterial infections with topical and/or oral antibiotics usually requires a visit to the dermatologist. Prevention includes layering fabrics that pull moisture away from the skin, changing out of occlusive athletic attire and showering as soon as possible after the activity.

Although not really an infection, 'bacne' or acne of the shoulders, chest and back, can have a similar etiology. The combination of heat, moisture, pressure, and friction from athletic gear like football shoulder pads can cause acne that can be hard to treat as long as the gear is in use. Called 'acne mechanica', this eruption can also be seen on the forehead and chin from wearing a helmet and chin strap. Padding or lining the contact areas of the offending item with fabric or clothing, removing it and showering as soon as possible after use are preventive. Using a salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide solution or wash is helpful.

Repetitive mechanical trauma is the cause of "jogger's toenail". One or more toenails develop a dark brown or black area without the patient remembering a specific accident or injury. This darkening of the nail is actually blood. Constant pounding of the toes into the toe-box of the sneaker causes bleeding, the equivalent of a bruise, and can be painful or asymptomatic. Prevention requires wearing a well-fitted athletic shoe with a snug midsection to avoid forward movement and ensure an adequate toe-box. It is important to distinguish this condition from a subungual malignant melanoma, so a dermatologist should be consulted if the discoloration persists or extends beyond the nail onto the cuticle or skin. Of note, small bruises can also be seen under the fingernails of golfers whose grip is too tight.

No dermatologic discussion of sports would be complete without mentioning the importance of sun protection. Whether a participant or a spectator, use a broad spectrum sun blocking cream, lotion or gel, as reviewed in detail in prior articles on Dove.com. To avoid the "dreaded" sunblock-stinging-my-eyes scenario, apply a waterproof sunblock prior to sweating (i.e., before leaving the house). Reapply every one to two hours while outdoors using a solid waxy preparation that stays put. These are now widely available in the form of stick applicators and little pots that resemble lip balm. When possible, schedule outdoor sports before 10 am or after 4 pm to avoid peak sun. With a little preparation, you can maintain the health and beauty of your outside as you work out your inside.

Refresh Your Look for Spring
Transition causes anxiety even in the most together of us, but with spring somehow it's cause for celebration. Spring flowers (and scents), new potatoes, asparagus, spring lamb and white wines are a welcome change from a winter of hearty stews. No more static hair and chapped lips, and suddenly our winter clothes seem dark and gloomy. It is a time to Assess what we need or have. Dejunk or pack away the things that don't work for spring. Then Renew-what's missing? Start your shopping list.

How To: Refresh Your Look For Spring
Clothes - What to wear is generally our first thought after the winter thaw. It's time to clean and pack away your heavy, dark winter clothes, and make room in your closet for lighter fabrics and softer colors. If you notice that you haven't worn a few pieces all winter, ask yourself why. Your answer may steer the item into the recycle box.

Next, try on all your spring clothes and ask yourself: Does it fit? Do I like it? If the answer is no, again deposit in your recycle box. Make sure you have the clothes you need for your spring calendar-a perfect suit for work, a great dress for a wedding or graduation. If you just want to add a few new things to refresh your wardrobe, consider this season's new classics:

1. Color! Let's face it, we're always in the mood for color in spring-even if we really don't like wearing it. There is more color available at retail this season than we have seen for years. Hot tropical colors think lime green and lemon yellow, vibrant pinks, tangerine, Caribbean blues, purples and shiny gold and silver. On the runway they're worn explosively, but caution: As much as you may be seduced, you may not actually feel comfortable wearing color head to toe. It may be even more effective as an accent: a bag, a sweater, a skirt. As we say at Chic Simple: dress one part chic and keep the rest simple.

2. The trench is not only in demand, but is a very practical wardrobe addition. It may be a fun way to add color to your life.

3. Add something feminine to your wardrobe mix: a soft ruffled blouse paired with trousers or a pretty dress that moves with the air worn with a tailored jacket. In fact many dresses recall the Jazz Era with easy shapes in pastel colors punctuated with a sassy fringe, soft flounces, and other pretty details.

4. Accessories are the quickest way to update your look and a great way to wear spring color. This season bags are adorned with decorative detail and splashes of color. Shoes anchor long ribbons that wrap around the ankle and tie into a bow inspired by ballet slippers even if dangerously perched on high heels. Classic spectators are jazzed up with round toes and sling backs.

5. Pretty is the word in beauty too. Clean clear skin with the barest hint of bronze or blush, soft pink lips and a touch a blue at the eyes. Like dresses this season, there is a delicate, shimmery quality to the make-up. Hair is soft, clean and worn in a slightly imperfect, relaxed way. It might be long and breezy looking, or worn loosely up with falling tendrils that look unplanned.

However you decide to refresh your look this spring, feel good about it. Your hair, your skin care, your clothes should help you start your day feeling your best. Why not? This is your life. Enjoy it

De-stress your life
Stress simply makes us feel crummy. It may be the annoying kind with a thankfully short life like getting the kids to school on time, racing to catch a train or going on a job interview. Or, perhaps, it's the big scary kind of stress that overwhelms us somewhat for a seemingly infinite amount of time.

While we can't control all the things that give us angst, there are ways we can get aspects of our lives under control. I think of these techniques as creating "wardrobes" to suit our lives. What's a wardrobe? It's those few things you can count on to help you ease through your day with pleasure:
* The perfect suit you can wear seven different ways.
* Five recipes you can simply prepare and enjoy with family and friends.
* The things in your home that make it more livable and enjoyable.
* For me, it's a bed with cozy pillows and sheets that feel good against my skin. It's like getting a hug each night when I go to sleep and when I wake up in the morning.

Once these wardrobes are in place, you are free to move on to the more unpredictable parts of your day.

At Chic Simple we've created a 3-Step Process to help you create wardrobes that are right for your lifestyle, your personal style, your body and your budget.

Step One: Assess. What do you have, what do you need? Match your lifestyle with your stuff. It will give you focus.

Step Two: Dejunk. Examine the things you share your life with. Do they work for you or are they just taking up space? If you've outgrown them, don't like them, or they're not doing their job, give away. Only share your life with the things you need and enjoy.

Step Three: Renew. What's left? Do you have what you need? If not, start your shopping list.
The Chic Simple Process takes time, honesty and courage. Yes, courage, because it's hard to let go. It gets easier with each time because you become more comfortable moving on with your life, and embracing the new rather than hanging on to the past. Start simple-one wardrobe at a time--your clothes, your beauty routine, your kitchen pantry. It's an ongoing practice done seasonally, and in times of change. It's a way of keeping in touch with you, and what is important to you. And the beauty is, you're in control of the editing process.

Beat the heat in summer
Why is it that the things we love most about summer—sun, surf, lazy days in the pool—are the things that wreak the most havoc on our hair and skin? Luckily, if we know how to take proper care of ourselves, we can indulge in summer without paying the price come fall.

Pool Party
It's no secret that chlorine and other pool chemicals are damaging to our hair. Protect yours by rinsing it in fresh water before and after taking a dip. That way, it's less likely to soak up harmful chemicals.

Colored hair is particularly vulnerable in the pool. Try applying a conditioning mask or olive oil to your hair before you swim. Or better yet, wear a swim cap and rinse hair thoroughly after getting out of the pool.

Wave Riding
It may be chlorine-free, but saltwater can also leave hair frizzy and damaged. Be sure to give your hair a good rinse after a trip to the beach to rid hair of residue and bring back the shine.

Blow-drying can also rob hair of moisture, so during warm months, try letting your hair air-dry. If you're in a hurry, use a cooler setting on your blow-dryer until hair is almost completely dry, then switch to a hotter setting to finish styling.

Big Night Out
In summer, we all tend to go lighter on makeup, but at night, you may want to turn it up a notch. Try these warm-weather makeup tips.

6. Before applying shadow, dust your lids with pressed powder to soak up any additional oil and prevent creasing.

7. Try using a foundation that is one shade darker than your usual color, and thin it out using water or moisturizer.

8. Think about switching to waterproof mascara to prevent "black eyes" after a workout or swim.

9. summer, lips need only a bit of gloss to look luscious. Look for one with sun protection.

10. Use shimmery bronzing powder for a faux glow, or to accentuate a real one.

Take a Hike
Nothing beats a hike in the great outdoors, but it may leave us aching on the way home. To ease soreness, massage tender or tight areas to help move lactic acid buildup around the muscles. Afterwards, take a bath with epsom salts, which are said to help draw toxins from the body and soothe sore muscles.

For tired tootsies, rosemary does wonders to re-energize. Soak your feet in rosemary bath salts and then massage with lotion. For a deluxe moisturizing treatment, apply a generous amount of hand cream to your feet, then put on socks before going to bed.

Whatever activities are on your calendar this summer, remember to take good care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, always apply sunscreen and ease into your summer exercise routine slowly. Enjoy!