Ahh SUMMER - remember like a child, then act as adult Natural, Beautiful & YOU!

The summer was always my favorite time of the year growing up on the East Coast. Memorial Day Weekend was the start of freedom, sun and friends! I also knew school was almost out and the pool was finally unveiled for the summer...

Living in Southern California, I am spoiled... the pleasures of summer fun are enjoyable almost year round. But I always refer back to my childhood attitude. As an adult, I now see Summer as a time to PLAY, SLOW DOWN and TAKE time for ME! I can still have a mini-summer vacation.

At the shop, we try to turn our services into treats for the over-worked, over-stressed client that needs to slow down and treat themselves to SUMMER LOVE. The kids are at home and the weather really starts heating up. We make sure we have LOTS of sunscreen available as well as all natural choices (skincare with SPF and mineral foundations with zinc).

We always have the chocolate bowl filled, an iced cappuccino or herbal tea instead of hot treats. Alkaline water is a great re-generator and detox option - and always on hand at the spa. Of course we have our favorite coconut based lotions from FIJI with yummy smelling scents that compliment our all natural soy candles along with glittering accessories.

So we make sure all the ingredients to a mini-staycation or "me" time are all available for the summer months. We all work more than we should, but we need to balance that with playtime (especially during the summer!) But as Memorial Day approaches lets take a moment and remember what the idea of summer meant to us as kids...

Even though we aren't on summer vacation, we can't spend every waking hour in the pool and our friends aren't available - try to do something for YOU this summer.

Grab a book you want to read - take 15 min. and sit in the sunshine - take a nap

rent a movie - light a candle and take a bath - plan a long weekend

enjoy the outdoors & weather - buy a new outfit - try a new haircut
learn something or try something you have on your list

paint your toes a fun BLUE (try a reverse french manicure)

buy a new lipgloss - visit an old friend..
create a LASTING summer memory this year,
just like when you were a kid.

Whatever you do, enjoy the coming of SUMMER.

Summer is the time to slow down, have fun, relax and do something just for YOU!
Just because you are grown up.. doesn't mean you can't enjoy the summer like a kid.

I'm taking up GOLF!

It's JULY - Get yourself SUMMER ready!!!

Sun safety is most important! Anyone over 30 knows one day you wake up and there are spots on your face that have NEVER been there before. SUN DAMAGE.

Best defense is all natural or organic sunblock - the basic ingredients no reactions = ZINC and or TITANIUM DIOXIDE.

Green is in and this summer is HOT! Here in Los Angeles, we are having a scorcher and it is only JULY! Yikes...
Make sure you stay Hydrated so your skin will glow... regular facials and at home exfoliation is the key to beautiful smooth skin. Also make sure to wash your face before working out = less BREAKOUTS.

With GREEN comes ORGANIC. Try natural lipsticks and lipgloss for the summer... light and no worries about how much of it we eat... yuck!

If you have a big event coming up - instead of hitting the tanning booth - try an airbrushed full body tan. When my husband and I go to Hawaii we tan each other before leaving. We start with the color we leave with. The tan fades within 5-10 days and the natural color replaces it and before we come home we are still the same color! And all our photos look great because we are TAN! Much healthier alternative!

Bottom line = great skin means good skincare, sunscreen protection and good habits. Have a BLAST this summer and don't worry about SEPT yet... ENJOY!

Day 4 Beauty Tip (BRONZER or TAN)

PROBLEM: I am so light now that it is winter!
Not as much opportunity for sun... you could take a tropical vacation! This is my first suggestion...

SOLUTION: For the rest of us that can't pop on a plane in the next few days to BALI... how about bronzer or an airbrushed tan!
There are a few self tanners that are REALLY nice for this time of year.
I like JERGENS NATURAL GLOW... you put it on each day after you shower and it SLOWLY builds to a nice glow.

Although, a nice treat would be to find someone that airbrushes a tan. This is a bit more pricey but you get a great color that lasts for a week, no tan lines and even coverage without streaking... this is my personal favorite!

For the face, I like to add a darker tinted moisturizer with alittle BRONZER on top. You want a bronzer that is soft and just lightly circled over skin... you can slowly build this up. Some of the MINERAL MAKEUP lines have a nice added bronzer to there colors.

For a bit more sparkle, I like to add NIVEA or JERGENS Body Shimmer lotion to legs, arms & decoliotte for a nice holiday sheen.

Just remember, you can have color too... but less is more! Don't turn yourself orange.
Tanning beds aren't the safest choice anymore.

Until next time,
Michelle