So, last night I blogged about the incredible importance of sun protection.

Image: PCA Beauty

Roughly 12 hours later, here I am, blogging from the beach.

Clearly, one would think I would follow my own advice. Especially since the OCD in me led me to take my computer TO the beach, where said advice is readily available.

That said, I am wearing sunblock, at least.

I’m scared to death of skin cancer. I am super pale, and have at least one questionable mole I’ve been living in blissful ignorance about; but let’s be honest here–melanoma, sun spots, wrinkles, burns are no joking matter.

That said, they are no reason to render ourselves indoors on an absolutely gorgeous day.

Today, I was at least smart enough to apply PCA Skin Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30, a new sunscreen I’ve received with pigment control and is effective for both daily facial and body use.

This is not just a sunscreen, but a UVA/UVB moisturizer developed to hydrate the body and offer broad-spectrum UV protection and minimize skin discolorations. But the truth is in the pudding - I have been using it for the last few hours, and while my skin is a bit on the pink side, no burning is happening. This is a huge deal - normally I’d be a tomato by now!

So, I am a fan. And would probably be even more of one if I applied it as often as I’m supposed to. (About hourly.)

As you may have read, I’m currently in Montauk on a girlfriends’ getaway (cleverly masked as a “press familiarization excursion”) at the absolutely fabulous Montauk Yacht Club.

Image: Sxc.hu

We have high hopes of hitting the beach - I have not one but TWO hot new swimsuits with me - but as of now, storm clouds are a-brewing.

If by some miracle, the sun comes out tomorrow, I shall still have ridiculously fair skin - and need to be well-prepared. I consulted with Dr. Ronald Moy, newly elected as president of the American Academy of Dermatology, and he gave me some awesome advice for surviving the sun - and maintaining my great skin while I’m at it!

Here’s some guidelines for your next sunny day - if you manage to find one!

1. Wear protective clothing and a broad-brimmed hat.
2. Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
3. Apply sunscreen before getting into your car. Long-wavelength UVA rays from the sun can penetrate car windshields and damage the skin.
4. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 when you spend any time in the sun. The sunscreen should block both UVA and UVB rays.

Dr. Moy recommends the following types of sunscreens (the first two being more effective):

Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)

Neutrogena Helioplex

One that contains Titanium Oxide or Zinc

5. An over-the-counter antioxidant pill with vitamins also works to protect skin from the sun.
6. Dr. Moy strongly recommends going to the dermatologist for annual exams to guard against skin cancer.
7. Even if you tan easily, the sun can contribute to skin cancer in two ways. First, the sunlight damages the genes that control cell growth, and second sunlight damages the body’s immune system so that early cancers grow unchecked by normal immune defense.
8. Do not stay outdoors unprotected on cloudy days since the ultraviolet light penetrates easily through the clouds.
9. Exfoliate regularly to remove damaged cells.
10. To lighten dark freckles, he uses an over-the-counter bleaching agent that contains 2% hydroquinone.

Confession time: I was drawn to this lip balm because it looks like me.

Let me explain. (Actually, just look at the packaging!)

Too Faced Love Lisa Luxury Lip Balm is a fabulous lip balm with SPF built in, with an even more incredible sotry behind it: It’s inspired by brand founder Jerrod Blandino’s sister, Lisa, who is battling 4th stage melanoma (and kicking its butt). And, actually, a huge portion from the sale of each product will go to the Too Faced Love Lisa Melanoma Research Foundation Grant to help find a cure for this deadly disease.

So, while supporting a really amazing cause, you instilling a moisturizing mishmash of shea butter, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, orange essential oils on your lips! So, you can look good, feel good, and have packaging that looks just like me!

What else could you possibly want?

Image: Sephora

Most people may not realize that SPF is just as important in the winter months as it is in the summer months. Anytime your skin is exposed to the sun (hot or cold) you are at risk for sun damage.

But who wants to slather on tropical scented sunscreen before they put on their snow boots? Not me! So, I put together the following winter SPF fixes for the three areas that are most exposed during the winter months – face, hands and lips.

Here are some winterizing ways to get your SPF during the cold winter months, in the three areas that are most exposed – FACE, HAND & LIP:

The RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is clinically shown to visibly reduce the appearance of expression lines and deep wrinkles after 8 weeks of use. The lightweight, oil-free formula contains the latest sunscreen technology from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company that is specifically engineered to deliver very broad and photostable UVA and UVB protection with an SPF 30. Daily use of the protective moisturizer will help prevent premature aging. $19.99 for a 1.0 fl oz tube at drugstores nationwide.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 - 2 Oz - shields skin six layers deep from the sun’s skin aging UVA rays and provides effective, long-lasting protection from UVA/UVB rays that can cause up to 90% of the signs of premature aging. Your hands can give away your age, so get superior anti-aging protection for your skin with the first and only SPF 30 hand cream to contain Helioplex™ advanced sunscreen technology.

Clinically shown to improve overall age impression of hands in just 4 weeks. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Age Shield Hand Cream improves what ages the look of hands most - roughness, age spots and fine lines.

The AVEENO Essential MoistureTM Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 is a unique lip conditioner that provides long-lasting moisturization to condition and protect dry, chapped lips. This new lip conditioner is enriched with natural oatmeal, long known to soothe skin, and a skin protectant to help protect and prevent dry, chapped lips. And, its exclusive blend of natural skin conditioners, including jojoba oil and shea butter, leaves lips feeling moisturized long after applying. This convenient stick form is hypoallergenic, ideal for everyday use and glides on easily with no waxy feel. And, it will shield lips from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

I have had some big fun playing with some Nicole Paxson cosmetics of late. Nicole has designed a range of foundations that are meant to have great coverage in order to cover up skin disorders due to - well, any reason you might have. Nicole has Lupus, which has caused her a wide variety of unpleasant skin reactions - rashes and photo-sensitivity among them. Her range includes powder (one color works for all), cream foundations, liquid foundation, bronzer and concealer. Each product has a nice SPF - from 15 (powder) to 30 (most foundations) with both UVA and UVB coverage. All of these products, while having great coverage, are not heavy or mask-y like some others you may have used.

While thankfully I don’t have some of the skin problems that her line is designed to cover (and does cover, very well), I have found great use/need for the Pudding - for my old lady spidery veins on my leg. I know, not so beautiful. The color I have, Light, matches my winter skin very well, but I am going to purchase a darker color (it comes in three shades, Light, Medium and Dark) and then have both to mix for any time of the year (this is what I do with most foundations, btw). Unlike Dermablend, which is what I used to use for this, is a very creamy light formula (really, think pudding) with incredible coverage and it lasts forever. It dries down to a powder/matte finish and is going on my next big pimple that comes along, for sure. Pudding is $38.50 for a 1 ounce jar - and really, this should last a good long time, as it only takes the tiniest bit to do the job.

Have you tried any of Nicole Paxson’s foundations? Let me know what you think…

I mentioned a month or two ago that I was branching out from my mineral makeup.  I had become very comfortable in it, and I really needed to try some of the new foundations on the market - especially the anti-aging ones.  Darn it. 

It has been a long time since I have used liquid foundation on a regular basis, but I have started out with Elizabeth Arden’s new foundation, Intervene.  This is an extension of their successful Intervene Pause and Effect anti-aging skin care line.  Probably the very most important feature for a foundation for me is to have some sort of SPF, as I know first hand of the dangers of fair skin and glorious sunshine.  I have a big ol scar down the front of my nose to prove it.   Intervene Makeup has an SPF 15, which when used in conjunction with your moisturizer, which hopefully also has some sun protection (Intervene moisturizers also have SPF 15), should do you pretty well.  The photos below are me, naked on the left (ha and ouch), with foundation only in the middle, and with all the accoutrements (and hair!) on the right.  I think you can see a mighty big difference in my skin, no?  You can click the image to view it full size.  If you’re brave.  Or just want to make fun of me (ouch again).

This is what EA says about the foundation:

This new liquid makeup with Biodormin™ skincare benefits helps put a pause on aging signs. Micro-mineral pigment technology smooths away imperfections for brighter, even-toned skin, as it delivers all day coverage, color-true shades, and a soft natural finish.
New INTERVENE Makeup SPF 15 with Biodormin™ technology:

• Smooths imperfections, evens out skin tone and creates a soft natural finish that lasts all day with micro-mineral pigment technology.
• Visibly delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it gives skin a firmer look
• 100% oil free
• Medium/full coverage. Ideal for normal skin.
• Protects skin from environmental challenges with antioxidant vitamins C and E
• Offers a wearable, skin-enhancing shade range created with Elizabeth Arden’s exclusive Custom Color system
• Provides SPF 15 sun protection
• Non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic

I have personally found most of these claims to be absolutely true.  The first day I wore Intervene, I actually caught myself in the mirror, and did a double take - my skin definitely was looking more youthful.  Another extremely nice characteristic of this makeup is that it really does last all. day. long.  I have worn it constantly for about 4 weeks now, and have eyeballed it each and every day in the evenings, and really, it stays looking very good.  This was an advantage that I had seen with mineral makeup, but liquid foundation has come a long way, baby.

My skin is scary broken out right now after one (or five) too many makeovers and product tests while in NYC (with that pimply time of the month added in - ugh).   After I returned from Fashion Week, I was really hesitant to wear any makeup for a while, as I was concentrating on putting some moisture back in and just letting my skin rest.  It really had a workout while I was gone.  But, after a couple of days of that, and it not really getting much better, I had to put makeup on for some reason, and I swear my skin looked better by that night, so I have worn makeup since.  This is a treatment foundation, and really, it has proven to be a treatment for me. 

One more thing that really pleased me about this foundation is that I picked the color off of the internet, and was able to easily choose the right color.  That is not always easy to do, and I don’t know why it worked so well for me this time, but it did.  You can buy Elizabeth Arden’s Intervene Makeup directly from the EA web site ($36), or if you aren’t so confident about buying your foundation online, do stop by an Elizabeth Arden counter and give it a try.  If you order online, with any Intervene Makeup purchase they will include a deluxe mini travel size of your chosen color.   For the time being, anyway.  w00t!

So after the Red Dress show, some of the gals headed off backstage to Jason Wu, I went back and chilled out a little bit and got ready for a lunch with Lindsey and Suki from my beloved Elizabeth Arden.  I’m already (and have been) a great fan of Elizabeth Arden - as I have mentioned plenty of times before, their Double Density mascara is my favorite.  They are trying to convince me that their new Ceramide mascara is even greater, but we will see how she fares through the Mascara Wars.  Gonna be tough to beat Double Density, but if anyone can do it, it is probably Elizabeth Arden herself.  ;) 

They also told me about their new Mediterranean offspring that is coming out soon (what was that new word I learned, Lindsey?? I already forgot…LOL), and had the most wonderful demo to go along with it - something that really was helpful to my non-professional perfuming self.  Along with a sample of the perfume itself (I think its called Breeze, but don’t quote me on that - all of my literature from Fashion Week is coming home via FedEx on Friday..lol), Suki brought along samples of the top, middle and bottom notes separately.  She dipped each of them and let me smell them individually - that was a tremendously educational process for me.  I really feel like I have a much better grip on fragrance in general after that. 

Also, Elizabeth Arden has launched a brand new foundation to go with their Intervene line of anti-aging products.  I decided a few weeks ago that it was time for me to branch out of my bareMinerals and try some of the many new liquid foundations on the market, and that is one I have been using for a couple of weeks now - and I really love it.  The first day I wore it, I kept catching my reflection in the mirror and noticing that my skin really glowed - and looked a little younger, fresher and less wrinkly.  My imagination?  I don’t think so.  Stay tuned for pics and some more in depth evaluation on Intervene foundation (SPF 15 - yeah!)- and if you have the opportunity, go give it a try, it is really a great foundation!

I did a shameful, SHAMEFUL job promoting skin cancer awareness month (which was the month of May), although hopefully all the promotion of quitting smoking somewhat made up for that. That, and my constant harping about sunscreen all year round anyway. But yet, I still feel like I have dropped the ball somewhat. *sigh*

ANYWAY, I found at SheFinds.com a little story about Maggie Gyllenhaal and Olay teaming up to promote Skin Cancer Awareness:

In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery have persuaded 150 dermatologists nationwide to participate in the second annual “Bring a Buddy” campaign. During May and June, women can bring their “buddies” with them to the derm for a joint free screening and a lesson in skin care. Visit Olay.com or ASDS.net for doctors in your area.

Don’t forget to look for this Skin Cancer Foundation logo on your favorite products as a symbol that they have been tested and provide an SPF 15 or higher protection for your skin from the sun.

One of my favorite new finds is the Skin Milk Hand Lotion with SPF 15 - it will keep that dreadful problem of your hands showing your age under control! Find it at drugstore.com (or your local drugstore) for the super-reasonable price of $4.39!!

Whatever you do, or use, just do something. Remember, summer is coming quickly, and please lets all try to avoid the bad stuff this year.

Be Sun Smart! Image from British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, where you can find some links to some more information about sun damage and protecting yourself from skin cancer.

I spent the prime sun hours this Saturday at the Jones’ family Easter celebration outdoors dressed up in my bareMinerals (along with some clothes…LOL), and although I cooked the rest of my body to a nice shade of rare, the bare Minerals protected my face perfectly!

I guess I should have covered my arms and chest in it too! I hope you all had a grand Easter, and filled up on antioxidant rich chocolate bunnies!