Sun Tanning and After Care Tips

I think it is safe to say that June Gloom is finally behind us here in LA and I spent most of my day laying in my pool thinking about what I was going to write this evening. Summer is all about the beach, family vacations, pool parties and getting that perfect bikini bod.

I am a huge advocate of sunscreen, even when I am laying by the pool or at the beach in Malibu trying to get the deepest darkest tan possible, I wear a SPF15 on my body and a SPF60 on my face. I reapply both of these several times during the day. SPF is short for Sun Protection Factor and means wearing a sunscreen with SPF50, your skin will not burn until it has been exposed to 50 times the amount of solar energy that would normally cause the skin to burn. It is really important for your sunscreen to also offer both UVA and UVB protection. For a great article and more information about sunscreen go to this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen

Some sunscreens that I use personally and recommend are Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF25 from Dermalogica, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion and Neutrogena Ultimate Sport SPF70 Sunblock Spray.

After a day at the beach, it is really important to make sure your skin is moisturized. The sun, chlorine and salt water remove the moisture from the skin causing us to have ashy and dull looking skin. The skin can even crack and blister from over exposure. After your shower, make sure you moisturize your skin with a body cream. Some of my favorites are the Body Hydrating Cream from Dermalogica, Lait-Creme Fluide from Embryolisse and Daily Replenishing Lotion from Eucerin. Apple liberally to body immediately after your shower on a damp body.

Have a fun and safe Summer.

Anthony Merante

http://www.anthonymerantebeauty.com

Summer 2010 Beauty Tips

Summer is finally here and what better time then to lighten up your look. This Summer skip the heavy foundation coverage and opt for a light tinted moisturizer, shimmery blush and a lip stain. I recently thinned out my makeup kit from 3 large bags to 1 large bag. Simplicity is what inspired this Summer 2010 look.

Skin: Start by cleansing the skin with a mild cleanser and then use your favorite moisturizer. Right now I am in love with the Face Finishing Moisturizer from Dr Perricone. For added moisturizing benfits, add a few drops of the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster to your moisturizer. Next apply a SPF of 30 or more to your entire face, neck and ears. I recommend Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60.

Base: Now that your face is cleansed and moisturized, you are ready to start your base. Apply a dime sized amount of tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer all over face and blend down to the neck. Set the tinted moisturizer with a translucent powder in the T-Zone with a puff. I prefer to use a Puff because it doesn’t disturb the makeup like a large powder brush does. Apply a shimmery pink blush like Torrid from NARS just to the apple of the cheeks.

Eyes: Skip eye makeup all together and just add a coat or two of your favorite mascara. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black and Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils in High Density Black are my two faves. These mascaras give you that false eye lash look with out the eyeslashes.

Lips: Skip the matte lipstick and heavy gloss this Summer. Opt for a lip stain like the ones from Josie Maran Cosmetics. Choose a bright or neutral shade of your choice and then top with a light sheer gloss. The Luminizing Lip Gloss’s from Shiseido or light and sheer and add the perfect amount of shine. The BEST shade is BR108 and is a Amber colored gloss but looks clear on the lips.

OCC Makeup Lip Tar

Once in awhile I get introduced to a product that just blows me away. OCC Lip Tar is just one of those products. I had been eying these amazing lip colors for awhile. I’d seen them at all the trade shows and at Nigel’s Beauty Emporium in North Hollywood. So a few months ago I decided to take the plunge and see what everyone was talking about. It was LOVE at first site! These Lip Tars are a gloss, lipstick and lip stain all wrapped into one sleek tiny tube. OCC Lip Tar is 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free, and is also free of parabens and other harsh preservatives. A simple, elegant formula that contains Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil and Vitamin E, OCC Lip Tar feels as good on the lips as it looks! My favorite shades are Hoochie, Anime, Katricia, Hush, Memento, Clear and Tarred. Most of these shades can be used straight from the tube or mixed with other shades to create your very own special color. These lip colors are packed with pigment, so a little goes a very long way.

Lets get real here, who can say NO to a bright blue or black lipstick? I know I can’t, so hurry up and check out OCC Lip Tars and other great products at www.occmakeup.com or at www.nigelsbeauty.com

OCC Lip Tar in “Tarred” was used in the beauty image below shot by Joyce O’Neal.

Beauty Talk with Illusions Cosmetics

Tonight at 6pm PST and 9pm EST I will be doing a 1 hour interview  and  Q&A with Denise Tunnell from Illusions Cosmetics on Blog Talk Radio. I will be answering questions about how I got started in makeup, my favorite products, some of my favorite clients and all kinds of “Beauty” talk! You can also call in and ask questions to 914.803.4399 during the show.

Click on this to listen to the live show www.blogtalkradio.com/illusions-cosmetics

Giglianne Shoot from “If I Can Dream”

Check out these beautiful images of Giglianne from “If I Can Dream” shot by Deborah Anderson. “If I Can Dream” is a new reality show that airs weekly on hulu.com , you can also go to www.ificandream.com and watch the different camera views in the “If I Can Dream” House.

You can see my  live photo shoot with Giglianne at www.ificandream.com and look up episode 14. You can also check out my short film that I did with Ben from the house in episode 19.