Labor Day Weekend!!!

As we celebrate the last official weekend of the summer, let us remember the following:

1. I don't care if it is September, the sun is still out there. Use sunscreen if you're going to be outside. A sunburn looks ridiculous on everyone.

2. Urbanbella is offering a lovely Labor Day deal for the curly haired ladies. 15% off and free shipping with any order of $50 or more with code "CURLLAB"

3. Since it is that most of us have an extra day this weekend, take a little time to go through your existing beauty products. Get rid of anything old/crumbling/dried out/smelling funny/generally gross. Think of it as a "fall cleaning." This will give you an idea of what you need to get to get you through the fall and winter.

Happy Labor Day!!

Discounts-a-go-go!!

Got some great coupon codes and sales for you for the holiday weekend!

First, use the code "FIREWORKS" on http://www.tartecosmetics.com/ for 30% off your entire order until July 5! I would recommend one of their cheek stains (lovely push pop shaped gel colors that won't run off your face in the heat) or their EyeQuatic Waterproof Essentials Set (shown above) for eye makeup that is truly going to go the distance!!

Benefit Cosmetics is having their "Sale-A-Bration" going on over the holiday weekend as well. Go to http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ and check out their options. I like the "Bright Lights, Big City" kit. So fun!

I know I tend to harp on this a lot; but please, please, PLEASE remember your sunscreen this weekend while you're out playing in the sun. The Neutrogena ones are the absolute best. I am walking proof that they do!!

Get your block on!

May is officially skin cancer awareness month. Don't know if y'all knew that! The great thing is that right now, there are all sorts of skin care sample bags and free goodies when you want to get some new products this year. Here are some of the coolest that I've seen:

1. Sephora has a Sun Safety Kit for $25 that has 13 sun protectant products in it. (The picture is at the top of this blog.) Everything from sunscreens to lip balms to eye creams to really cool bands to wear in the sun that tell you when to re-apply your sunscreen! And all the money from these sets is going to the Skin Cancer Foundation! Love that!!!

2. Korres is offering a "Summer in Greece" kit for $20 on sephora.com that includes an all natural sunscreen along with a watermelon body scrub and an yogurt cooling gel. I love Korres's stuff because it's all natural and smells AMAZING.

3. Want to splurge a little? Shiseido's "Fun in the Sun" Kit is $69 and includes some SERIOUS sun protection for those who need a little more help. Sun protection cream for face and eyes, blotting papers, UV cards to remind you when to re-apply. It's tres chic, no?

4. If you purchase any 2 of Clinique's sun protection or self-tanning products on their website, enter the code "TOWEL" at checkout and you'll get this super cute beach towel with a bright citrus-y pattern on it. I do love a free gift!

Dates are important!!!

You know that bottle or can of sunscreen in your bathroom? When did you buy it? Was it leftover from last year? Throw it out. Sunscreen has an expiration date, believe it or not. Throw in the fact that sunscreen tends to be out in the sun for long periods of time, etc. So, that protectant factor went way down. If you want to make sure that your skin stays protected, get to Wal-Mart or Target and go ahead and get a new bottle. The good news is that if you go to the website of your favorite sunscreen, they'll probably have a coupon you can print out so you can save a little cash while protecting yourself!

Just a gentle reminder from your beauty guru

I genuinely hope that wherever you live, you are experiencing the GLORIOUS weather that we are having in my neck of the woods. The plan is to be outside as much as possible this weekend. Should your plans sound a lot like ours, please remember that you have to first and foremost take care of your skin. Slap on a layer of sunscreen and feel good knowing that you are protecting yourself from so much harmful stuff. And this means ladies of ALL skin tones. At the very least, you're slowing down the aging effect the sun can have on you. At the most, you're staving off skin cancer!

The good news is that there are so many options out there for all skin types. I will be using a "dry touch" type on my oily skin. I can honestly say that Neutrogena has some of the best sunscreens on the market. They are recommended time and time again by dermatologists and are affordable and accessible. So, run, don't walk, to the drugstore tonight on your way home and grab a tube. Then, you've got some for all the lovely warm weekends ahead!