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The first day of summer isn't until June 20th, but with Memorial Day just passing and temperatures heating up, it may as well be summer in my book! I'm here to help out with my 2016 Summer Survival Guide.
Hydrate
This may seem self explanatory, but under hydration is the leading cause of that sluggish feeling you feel during the summer, when you don't want to get out of bed. Doctor's recommend that you drink at least a half-gallon of water a day. As Drake said " With my skin tanned and my hair long", is how I'm aiming to be this summer. Water is proven for healthy skin and hair, among its other benefits like energizing and aiding in weight loss.
Here is a wonderful recipe to stay hydrated (and look fancy while doing so):
1. Scoop out melon balls (watermelon. honeydew, and cantaloupe)
2. Pierce hole with chopstick
3. Insert mint stem through melon balls
4. Place melon and mint in bottle
5. Top with sparkling water or water of your choice.
6. Hydrate and Repeat!
Moisturize
Who doesn't want to have a nice glow this summer? Nobody wants to look dry and scaly! Your melanin can pop severely with proper hydration and moisture. As I mentioned above, water plays a major part in the health of your skin, secondly a good moisturizer will make all the difference. My skin moisturizer of choice this summer is the TGIN Organic Mango Shea Butter ($14.99- 8oz. at Target). The smell is amazing and it leaves your skin extremely soft and smooth. I recommend this above any other lotion or oil.
Protection
I'm not sure who came up with the notion that darker skin tones don't sunburn, but I sunburn especially on my face. No matter what race or color, we are a susceptible to sunburn as well as skin cancer. Though less susceptible to what you traditionally think of as skin cancer, darker-skinned people are more susceptible to acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), an especially virulent form of melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer) that typically appears on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet first then can spread.
This means, that you need to invest in a good sunscreen and actually use it! The higher the SPF, the higher the protection against UV radiation. My facial moisturizer that I use daily has SPF and I also purchase a spray on sunscreen that I use especially for days at the lake or beach or sitting out at the festivals.
Prices good at your local Target, through June 4th.
Make Up
As the temperature changes, so should your make up routine. You don't necessarily need a full coverage foundation and the thickest concealer to look great, plus you'll sweat it off anyway. I recommend you invest in a BB cream. BB creams are short for beauty balms or blemish balms. They were first developed in Germany by a dermatologist who wanted a single cream that would protect skin and provide coverage. BB creams provide coverage with added skin care benefits like SPF and anti-oxidants--the list goes on depending on what brand you choose. Here are a few for each skin type:
Most Lightweight: Olay Total Effects CC Cream Tone Correcting Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen
Best for Darker Skin: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfecter SPF 30
Best For Oily Skin: L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream
Entertainment
As the summer heat approaches, you're going to need something to occupy your time when you're inside enjoying the cool air.
POWER will be back Sunday, July 17th for the third season, and it's the most important show to watch this summer. " James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a wealthy New York night club owner who has it all, catering for the city's elite and dreaming big, lives a double life as a drug kingpin." This show is beyond entertaining and addicting, and I promise once you start watching you will thank me! It's so many twists and turns and this will leave you on the edge of your seat. You can pick up the first and second season at Walmart or online at Amazon.com. If you don't have the STARZ network, I recommend finding it before the premiere.
Orange is the New Black Season 4 returns to Netflix June 17th, just for your binge watching pleasure as well. Catch up on the first three seasons on Netflix NOW!
In this digital age, books can sometimes be forgotten along the way. For those days when you aren't watching Power, you may need some entertainment. I have a few amazing book recommendations for you. These books are available at Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart and online at Amazon.com for around $10 each.
The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer
In THE CONFIDENT WOMAN, Joyce explores the seven characteristics of a woman with confidence, which include a woman who knows she is loved, who refuses to live in fear, and who does not live by comparisons. Joyce explains that confidence stems from being positive in your actions and living honestly, but most importantly from having faith, in God and in ourselves.
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown