Did you have a fun-filled July 4th weekend?  Did you spend it outdoors, soaking up the sun’s rays?  Were you prepared to be under the sun all day?  Or did you get sunburn from being out longer than you anticipated?  Is your hair dehydrated and tangled caused by too much time in the pool?

Before the next sun-soaked weekend, play defense from the summer elements with these beauty must-haves:

By now, you know I’m a huge proponent of sunless tans.  Not only is it guaranteed to work, it is also pain-free and a lot less dangerous than the real solar rays.  To minimize the temptation of roasting under the sun, get believable, quick and flattering results beforehand from Hawaiian Tropic.

Hawaiian Tropic, the makers of enviable golden tans, has applied decades of tanning expertise from their suntan lotion line into a sunless tan solution.  Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Sunless Tanning ($8.99 US) is an easy-to-use formula and gives up to three shades of darker color.

Available in Medium and Medium Dark shades, both variations provide 12 hours of moisturization.  Best of all, there is no stinky DHA odor.

If you’re going to be out all day, you’ll need more SPF protection than usual.  Prevent sun damage and signs of aging by applying a sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply throughout the day.

A good one for the face is cellCeuticals Photodefense Anti-Photoaging Daily Sun Protector SPF 55+/PA+++ ($45 US).  I like it because of its light texture coupled with SPF 55+ and skin hydrating properties.  And your skin will like it because of cellCeuticals’ patent pending Photoplex technology.  Photoplex is a “complex with exclusive Cellular Excited Energy Quenchers Technology” that combats both UVA/UVB rays and is fortified with vitamin D to help strengthen the skin’s natural defenses.

cellCeuticals Photodefense Anti-Photoaging Daily Sun Protector SPF 55+/PA+++ is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, non-comedogenic and free of paraben, artificial fragrance, color, animal ingredients.

Clinique’s Sun with SolarSmart line has earned The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.  If it’s good enough for an entire organization of skin experts, it should be good enough for you and me.

Clinique SPF 50 Body Cream with SolarSmart ($20 US) features the proprietary blend of photo-stable sunscreens that defend against both UVA and UVB rays.  SPF 50 Body Cream with SolarSmart is non-greasy, oil-free, water- and sweat-resistant and non-pore clogging.  It’s also suitable for sensitive skin.

The best way to protect your hair (and expensive hair color treatments) is to wear a hat and completely shield it from the sun.  However, if you’re not a hat person like me (my head is too big for most headwear), why not put the time under the sun to good use?

French cult favorite, Leonor Greyl, offers an awesome multi-tasking product called Huile de Palme ($47 US).  The 100% natural, water-resistant botanical blend of oils offers protection from sun, UV rays, salt and sea water, wind and chlorine water as well as repair for stressed hair.

To use, comb a dime-sized amount of Huile de Palme through the ends and leave it on for 10 minutes or all day.  The longer you’re able to leave it in, the more dramatic the results will be.  To remove, just shampoo it out.

Did you know that most of our lip glosses, lipsticks and lip balms contain castor oil and petroleum jelly that direct sunlight into our lips?  We have sunblocks and sunscreens for the face and sunglasses for eyes but we seem to forget sun protection for our lips.

kaplanMD Lip 20 Treatment ($30 US), created by Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Stuart H. Kaplan, “is the first dermatologist developed lip treatment designed to moisturize, plump, contour and protect with SPF 20” but without castor oil or petroleum jelly.

Lip 20 Treatment features the unique Seabuckthorn Berry extract which is 20 times more effective for moisturization and softening than Vitamin E alone.  Along with Seabuckthorn Berry extract, Lip 20 Treatment also contains Aloe Vera (restores and softens skin), C10-30 Esters (natural emollient to repair dry lips while providing shine), Maxi-Lip (patented tri-peptide for immediate lip plumping) and Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres (immediately smoothes out wrinkles) to keep lips looking and feeling healthy.

Lip 20 Treatment is available in five colors – Clear, Sheer Nude, Sheer Berry, Sheer Ruby and Sheer Natural.  I keep the Clear version on hand to layer under all my lip colors.

Did I leave a body part out?  What else would you keep on hand to prepare for an extended session under the sun?

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Do you remember your first time at the Clinique counter?  It was probably sometime in junior high school when your skin started to break out.

The first time I found myself at the Clinique counter was at Macy’s in the Glendale Galleria in southern California.  I remember the pretty Clinique expert with her neat hair, white lab coat and clear skin.

The Clinique girl asked me a series of questions printed on a plastic frame and slid a coordinating knob along the board based on my answers.  The result was a suggested skin care type and product recommendations that best suited my skin.

Recently, I popped into the newly renovated, spacious Clinique counter at the Bloomingdale 59^th Street location here in New York to get reacquainted with the beauty counter experience.  As a beauty blogger, I learn about product and collection launches from my inbox.

Nowadays, it’s rare that I go to beauty counters for play purposes.  When I do go to the beauty counters, I know what I want, buy it and move on.  Going back to the Clinique counter sort of rebooted my department store beauty memories.  After all these years away from the counters, I’m happy to report that it was just as wonderful and memorable as my first time.

The free skin consultation and 3-Step Skin Care system hasn’t changed much since my pre-teen years and that means something in this ever-changing beauty industry.

The core of Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care system has remained the same but is now updated with versions of the same goodness in slightly different formulas to keep up with customer preferences.

Step 1: Cleanse with a Facial Soap

My roommate has an adorable black cat.  Though I love Twiggy, she is like most cats and sheds a lot.. and all over the place.  My roommate uses a bar soap to wash her face but keeps it on a soap dish.  Every night when I am washing my face, I see the little black cat hairs stuck to the wet bar of soap and it creeps me out.

Thank goodness for the Liquid Facial Soap ($14.50 US)!  If my only option for Step 1 was the old school bar of soap and Twiggy around, I would have abandoned the 3-Step system long ago.  

If you’re a Clinique purist and enjoy the original bar soap, that’s still available too.  You have a choice between the full size soap with dish ($11.50 US) or a pack of three travel soaps ($15 US).

Both liquid and bar options are available in Extra Mild, Mild or Oily formulations.

Step 2: Exfoliate with a Clarifying Lotion

The second step is the differentiator but unfortunately also the most misunderstood.  Though most of us wash our faces regularly, we are not as fastidious about exfoliating.  As we age, our skin cells take longer to turnover.  That’s why as we age, our skin looks more dull and less radiant compared to our younger selves.

Clinique’s solution to our under-exfoliating problem is the gentle Clarifying Lotion ($11 US).

Clarifying Lotions are funny because they look like innocent toners but are actually effective daily exfoliators.  There are five formulations to choose from so your skin can get the right amount of exfoliating properties.

Choose from Mild Clarifying Lotion suitable for uber-sensitive skin all the way to Clarifying Lotion 4 which balances very oily skin.

Step 3: Moisturize with Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel

Finish with either Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel ($24 US with pump) to soften, hydrate and soothe skin.  In the summer, I like to use the lighter gel formula and switch it to the richer lotion in the winter time.  Remember to pat the lotion into the skin instead of aggressively rubbing it into your face.

My Clinique consultant recommended Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula, Clarifying Lotion 2 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel for my skin type.

The 3-Step Skin Care system is idiot proof and easy on the wallet too ($48.50 excluding taxes for all three products in the system).  The only problem I have with the system is compliance!

Are you on the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care system?  Have you tried it before?  Do you have tips on how to do the 3-Step program every day?

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What: Clinique Face Tinted Lotion delivers a healthy, natural and safe tan.  The reason I like this one is because Face Tinted Lotion is allergy tested, dermatologist tested, 100% fragrance fee, oil-free and non-acnegenic so I don’t have to worry about strange coloring ingredients wrecking havoc on my face.

Why We Love It: Face Tinted Lotion is a multi-tasker.  To guide application and make impatient beauty addicts happy, the self-tanner is a bronzer too.  Thanks to mica and iron oxides, you get a bronze goddess glow before the longer lasting faux color sets in.

Why It’s Unique: Key ingredients in Face Tinted Lotion include sucrose, glucose and fructose (they work with DHA to create a natural, golden tone), glucosamine (speeds skin’s renewal process for even surface) and dimethicone (creates “slip” factor to allows formula to go over skin easily and naturally).  The end result is a believable, darkened hue in less than three hours.

Price and Where to Get it: $18.50 US.  The entire Clinique Self Sun collection is available at department stores nationwide and online at www.clinique.com.

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Dr. Tom Mammone is the Executive Director of Research and Development Worldwide at Clinique.  Putting his PhD in molecular and cellular biology from St. John’s University to excellent use, he studies everything from apoptosis in the skin to keratinocyte differentiation to develop effective products that offer skincare solutions.

Clinique was gracious enough to give us access to his encyclopedic skin knowledge so we asked him five sun skin-safe questions that have been bugging us for a while.

With so many products and marketing promises out there, it’s difficult to discern between skincare fact and fiction.  Hopefully Dr. Mammone’s answers will better arm us with skin knowledge so we can properly protect it.

What ingredients should I look for when shopping for sunscreen? Is there a difference in efficacy between mineral, chemical or physical sunscreens?

When looking for a great sunscreen, the best products are usually hybrids of a few ingredients approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).  None of the individual sunscreen ingredients are better than others but a few to look for include Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Oxybenzone, Octisalate and Avobenzone.

In general, the protection is the same from both chemical and physical sunscreens. The only difference is the texture of the product and if you have sensitive skin you may prefer physical sunscreens.

Sunscreen is available in so many forms now. Between sprays, pre-moistened towelettes, lotions and sticks – is there one that is more effective than the others?

In my opinion, it comes down to personal preference. Some people enjoy the benefits of a 360° continuous spray sunscreen, which allows one-touch application from any angle in order to protect even the most hard to reach places, while others prefer the delivery and feel of a lotion.

We have made incredible progress in finding ways to formulate effective sunscreens in all forms, which allow for easy application and distribution, so the choice is yours.

Do more expensive sunscreens offer more effective sun protection?

When looking for effective sun protection, you want to look for a product from a trusted brand, a formula that is appropriate for your skin type, has the right SPF protection based on your activities and make sure you’re following the recommended usage.

For example, if you have sensitive skin, a chemical sunscreen may irritate the skin so consider using a physical sunscreen.  If your skin is on the oilier side, look for oil-free options.  This will help ensure you actually use the product because it will feel comfortable on your skin.

Do I need sunscreen for my hair?  If so, what should I look for?

In truth, hair is very difficult to damage from sun. So a sunscreen for it is optional.  A hat can be a great alternative.

Any additional sun skincare wisdom you’d like to impart on our readers to help save their skin?

I would say knowing the most appropriate level of SPF is an important step to protecting your skin.  In general, the lighter the skin and hair color, the more sensitive we are to sun damage.

Of course, the recommended SPF level is also dependent on the strength of the sun. Very strong sun will require a higher SPF number, so this should be factored into your calculations.

I am also often asked whether a daily moisturizer which has SPF in it can be used instead of buying a specific sunscreen for the face.  The important thing to note here is that environment is the key factor in figuring out the most appropriate formulation.

So, for daily outdoor activities, a formulation that is most comfortable on the skin is adequate, such as a moisturiser with SPF, or lighter sunscreen.  For the beach, water or outdoor athletic activities, it is best to choose a highly water resistant, or waterproof formula. These formulas not only maintain their efficacy in water, but are also physically more substantial so that they have a greater probability of adhering to the skin under conditions such as increased activity, sand rubbing on skin, etc.

Another common question I receive is how much is the right amount of sunscreen to use on the face and on the body.  It is kind of like determining how much fabric should be used to make a dress, it can be different for everyone and you need to the use an adequate amount to cover the areas that are exposed to the sun.

For your face, most people can cover their entire face and neck (avoiding the eyes) with about an almond sized amount of lotion.  For the body I usually recommend a walnut sized amount of lotion.

Hopefully you found these tips from Dr. Mammone helpful this summer season when you’re out and about soaking up the sun. 

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