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• Cheat Sheet for Sun Smarts
• Secrets to Sun-Kissed Makeup Look

I’m a researcher by trade--not a stylist, not a makeup artist. But I adore beauty products and fashion and, generally speaking, anything that sparkles. Carefully combining my research expertise with a love for looking and feeling great, I’ve developed some basic tips for a natural-looking glow and how to do it the healthy way.

Be Sun Wise
Good skin care always starts with sunscreen.
• Sun-Smart Tip #1:
Know the important ingredients. SPF ratings only indicate UVB protection, while UVA rays are the strongest and most likely to cause skin cancer. Look for zinc oxide, a powerhouse ingredient, because it offers the broadest spectrum of UVA and UVB protection. Stabilized avobenzone and titanium dioxide are also good broad-spectrum protectors.
• Sun-Smart Tip #2:
Buy the Basics. You need two simple products--a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer for the face and neck and a sunscreen for the upper chest, ears, and hands. Stay with a separate product for the face and neck to take advantage of fragrance-free, hydrating formulas intended to moisturize and protect sensitive areas.
• Sun-Smart Tip #3:
Know When to Apply. If you use multiple products on the face, apply your SPF moisturizer just before makeup. Apply sunscreen to other areas just before running out to ensure that it isn’t rinsed away before you’re out the door. And you should always reapply sun protection every two hours when out in the sun.

Lighten Up in Warmer Weather
Now that you’ve played it smart with sunscreen, think about simplifying your makeup. Powder-based foundations, such as mineral makeup, are a great way to look natural while combating sweat and humidity. Powder absorbs moisture, making these products a smart choice for hot weather. Mineral makeup also gives the added advantage of high contents of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to fight sun exposure. Drier skin types should try a creamier, liquid-to-powder formula to prevent accentuating dryness. Another option is to forgo foundation and try a tinted SPF moisturizer. These products are power-packed with sun protection, moisturizer, and a hint of color.

Add Sun Without the Rays
Use a bronzer to add a hint of tan after applying foundation. Choose a color that’s one shade darker than your skin. Remember these tips from Chae Mi Madden, an aesthetician at Monét Salon & Day Spa in Anniston, Alabama.
• Using a bigger makeup brush results in larger, more blended strokes for a more natural look.
• A smaller brush creates more lines and makes the makeup harder to blend. “The key to all makeup is blending,” says Chae Mi. “Your skin is not one color but a combination of many tones and shades.” Get the bronzer deep into the bristles to prevent clumping. Make one initial stroke on your inner arm to remove excess powder. Target areas where the sun naturally hits--the nose, inner cheeks, forehead, and chin. Blend the bronzer into your neck with what’s remaining on the brush.

Healthy Benefits
• Sunscreens enriched with antioxidants such as CoQ10 may help fight sun damage and the environmental effects of free radicals and pollution.
• Wearing sunscreen and using other precautions lower your risk of skin cancer.

Stuff I Love for Summer
Each of these products costs less than $30.
• Anthelios SX: Light, nongreasy moisturizer with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Why buy: It uses a new ingredient, Mexoryl SX, that fills a gap against short UVA rays that other formulas miss--and it doesn’t whiten the skin. Find it: Available from dermatologists or at www.dermstore.com.
• Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion: SPF 55 with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Why buy: An easy-to-find and affordable alternative for the chest, ears, and hands. It’s enriched with soy and vitamins C and E. Find it: Any store that carries Aveeno or www.walgreens.com.
• Citrix Antioxidant Sunscreen: SPF 30 with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. Why Buy: A trusty sunscreen for your chest, ears, and hands that’s enriched with antioxidants. It’s unscented and has a dry, nonoily finish. Find it: Available from dermatologists or at www.dermstore.com.
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock: SPF 55 with Helioplex, a trademarked formula for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Why buy: Affordable and easy to find. This apply-anywhere sunblock also has a dry finish. Find it: Any store that carries Neutrogena or www.drugstore.com.
• Neutrogena Summer Glow: Lightweight moisturizer that builds a touch of color while providing broad-spectrum coverage. Why buy: It’s a smart combination of moisturizer, sunscreen, tanner, and antioxidants. Don’t expect dramatic color though; it’s very subtle. Find it: Any store that carries Neutrogena or www.drugstore.com.

Click here to get summer makeup secrets from an expert

"Summer Beauty Checkup" is from the July 2008 issue of Southern Living.