Pool-Friendly Beauty

From waterproof products to the summer’s hottest swimwear, here's how to show up to the pool prepared and in style:

Swimsuit: Though bright colors for bikini tops and bottoms are trending this season, the most important thing to remember when selecting your swimsuit is the shape of your body. Find a cut and pattern that flatter your personal figure and make you feel good. Confidence will shine before anything else.

Hair: If you don’t want to leave your hair down or go for the sporty ponytail look, braids are another fun option. You can leave them in while you swim, or take them out afterwards, leaving your hair with a beautiful wavy look.

Makeup: The chances of getting wet are high, so it’s best to go as natural as possible when applying makeup for the pool. Waterproof foundation and mascara are musts, but as far as anything else, try to find products that won’t smudge or spoil. To protect your skin, be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Accessories: Towels, sunglasses and beach bags can add a fun splash to your poolside ensemble. Accessories are a great way to experiment with bold colors and patterns. Just be careful not to overdo it with excessive jewelry or pieces that could get ruined in the water.

 

Summer Outfits for the Office

Summer is the time to lighten, freshen and brighten up your work wardrobe. Depending on how strict your office dress code is, and how cool the temperature is, it can be difficult to dress comfortably and appropriately at work. Here are tips for summer work-wear:

Lighter fabrics: Regardless of your dress code, stock up on pieces made of lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and silk to keep you cool all day long.

Dresses, dresses, dresses: Dresses are the ultimate flattering, professional look. Whether you’re in a shift or a shirtdress, it’s the perfect warm-weather look to dress up or dress down depending on the office environment.

Pack accessories: Wear lighter clothes to commute or travel in, and pack any accessories you may need to dress up your look. Bring a scarf or a blazer with you or keep a sweater at your desk if you’re battling frigid air conditioning. Statement jewelry is another way to dress up a lightweight summer look.

Sleeveless jackets: Inspired by classic menswear, sleeveless jackets are a breezy way to dress up a look for the office. Throw a sleeveless blazer over a flouncy dress to create a more sophisticated, feminine look.

Wear dress sandals: Did you know that keeping your pies cool can also help keep your whole body temperature down? Avoid shoes that may make your feet sweat and invest in comfortable dress sandals for the summer months.

The Handbag Switch Up

Since switching handbags is an inevitable part of every season (or month!), it is easy to leave behind contents that may be hidden in a forgotten pocket or in the depths of your current bag. Follow these helpful tips to avoid forgetting any essential belongings:

Switch the night before: If possible, make the switch the night before to ensure that you have plenty of time to move all of the contents you will need into the new bag.

Clear everything out at once: Take everything out of your first bag and go through it to decide which items you’ll need in the new one and which items you won’t. This will also help prevent clutter in the new bag.

Make a checklist of must-haves: Keep a checklist hanging somewhere convenient so that you can mentally check off the items you need when you’re leaving the house.

Use the small pockets: Keep the essentials -- keys, wallet, ID cards -- in the small pockets of your bags so when you have to make a quick switch, you can just be sure to transfer the contents from one small pocket to another. 

Lasting Summer Maquillaje

Do you laboriously apply your makeup in the morning, only to find it in disarray shortly after you leave the house? Do you feel like you’re constantly reapplying and touching up? Here are some makeup tricks to keep your face looking fresh all day long:

Prep your face: Wash off all of the dirt and oil from your face before you begin applying. Then, use a light moisturizer to hydrate without excess grease. Using a good primer is the trick to having makeup that stays throughout the whole day.

Choose the right makeup: Look for “long-wear” products for your face, lips and eyes. Start with a quality matte foundation. Let it set with a translucent powder on top. “Long-wear” is especially important for lip products and glosses. For your eyes, start with an eye-specific primer on the lids before applying a powder, and keep in mind that liquid eyeliner will outlast a pencil. Waterproof mascara is the best choice for lashes.

Hands Off: Take your time and apply your makeup carefully in the morning. Throughout the day, keep your hands away from your face to avoid smearing or smudging. Wear your hair up more often to prevent loose hair from brushing up against your skin. During the summer months, it is also a good idea to wear less makeup because sweating is inevitable. 

Protect Your Skin

Whether it’s the heat, the bugs or the sun, keeping your skin healthy during the summer months isn’t easy. Here are some daily practices that will minimize damage and keep your skin looking and feeling beautiful:

Cover up: Seek shade whenever possible, and be prepared with sunglasses and a hat to protect your face from unwanted rays. A wide-brimmed hat works better than a baseball cap because it protects your ears.

Moisturize: Always look for products that contain antioxidants or SPF. This type of moisturizer fits a wide variety of skin types while helping to prevent dry skin, which is more susceptible to damage. Don’t forget your lips! Apply lip balm several times a day to prevent them from cracking or peeling. It is also imperative to apply water-resistant sunscreen thoroughly and frequently while outside.

Exfoliate: Exfoliating one to two times per week will help you shed dead skin buildup and get rid of previous sun damage. It also rejuvenates the skin.

Limit bath time: Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath time and use warm -- as opposed to hot -- water. Use mild face and body cleansers because strong soaps can strip important oils from your skin. It is also beneficial to pat dry, which will allow some moisture to remain on your skin.