Sunsational Summer Makeup and Hair

(WMS)When the weather warms up, you want to get outside and have a good time. Part of that fun and footloose feeling involves looking your best. While a dose of sunshine (in moderation of course) and summertime activities can make most anyone feel better, they can also affect the appearance of your skin and hair.

As the weather changes, it is a good idea to revamp your beauty regimen to accommodate more physical activity, rising temperatures and the other little surprises summer tosses up. Attention should not only be paid to fashion changes, which include hairstyles and color palettes, but to practical ways to keep your makeup flawless and hair healthy when the temperatures rise.

Fabulous Follicles

Everyday summertime activities can wreak havoc on your hair. Swimmers are especially at risk for hair damage, though sun exposure can do its share also. The structure of your hair is very vulnerable to drying agents, like the chlorine in swimming pools or salt water from oceans. The cortex, or inner layer of the hair is protected by the cuticle, or outer layer. Sebum is a natural lubricant that protects the cuticle.

According to the Columbia University's Health Education program, chlorine and salt suck the sebum out of your hair, which may cause the cuticle to crack. This will make your hair's natural sheen diminish, and the unprotected cortex to "split."

Also, chlorine can cause a nasty color change to light-colored hair - it very well may turn green. This develops from exposure to chlorine and is related to the copper found in the water - a double whammy to your hair!

What to do? Swimmers who want to protect their hair should take the following precautions:

• Go light on hair coloring, perming, waves and heated styling products during warm months.
  
• Put conditioner on your hair to further coat the cuticle.
  
• Rinse hair after swimming, preferably using shampoo.
  
• To dry hair, don't rub; pat or squeeze gently.
  
• Use a shampoo particularly designed to remedy "green hair" or try using lemon juice or vinegar to rinse if you can't find a commercial product.

Best Face Forward

There's nothing like warm weather to revamp your image. Yet, makeup application during sticky summer months doesn't seem very enticing to many. While there are those with peaches-and-cream complexions who can forgo foundation applications and run out with just sunblock, most women opt for some light, but effective makeup enhancement. According to Elke Von Freudenberg, a top New York and Los Angeles stylist and makeup artist, warm weather does wonders for how you feel, but it can also make your foundation seem to disappear.

Here's how to adapt:

When weather gets warmer, so does your skin temperature, thus producing more surface oils, especially in the t-zone areas. So combined with a heavy foundation, this can be too much and result in a makeup landslide. To remedy, start off first with a light dusting of translucent powder on clean skin. Then mix two to three drops of witch hazel into the foundation, blending it on the back of your hand. The witch hazel and powder will absorb any excess oil. Apply the base only on your t-zone for a lighter summer look then experiment with cream blushes and waterproof mascara to finish off your fresh summer style!