Tre’s Chic-ka: Top 5 SKIN Must-Haves for the Summer

Hey Chic-kas,

So the temperature here in NYC is a cool 95 degrees today and fortunately I will be cool as a cucumber enjoying my very well air-conditioned office. As I watch all the office workers sitting out on benches eating at my buildings mid-roof courtyard cafe, I see some women leaning back and lifting their faces to soak in some rays off of the glorious sun.

Which brings me to today’s post – How to keep your skin healthy, vibrant and glowing in the summer months where the intense heat and sun can dry you out so quickly, your face, arms and legs are as parched and cracked as the Sahara desert!

The quickest way to age our skin and for you to look OLD and WEARY  is NOT to be diligent about it’s up keep, especially before and after being in the hot sun. Age spots anyone?

Sure as teenagers we tanned poolside at camp, or couldn’t care less about using sun screen or moisturizing before we went to bed. But it really is never too early to start taking care of your skin, so even though we can’t help getting older we certainly don’t have to let our faces and skin tell our age .

It is true that genetics plays a huge part in how we age, maintenance and healthy habits also make a very big impact. There is no reason not to do all we can as soon as we can to keep our skin looking 20 years younger than we actually are!

Chow Effie

 

Here are my top 5 Tre’s Chic-ka must-have & must-dos for great skin in the summer:

#1 Spa At Home: Spa treatments and facials can be quite costly and not everyone can afford a monthly treatment as recommended by dermatologist. So here is a great way to restore your skin with this AT-HOME face mask that cools and replenishes the moisture that the sun zaps from your skin..

Cooling Facial Mask: (the avocado and aloe replenish moisture and the grapes are rich in anti-aging polyphenols and vitamin E)

3 green grapes

½ small avocado mashed into a creamy base

1 tbsp. pure aloe vera gel (available at any health food store at most grocery stores in the lotion aisle)

Mash grapes with skin on, and combine with the avocado paste and aloe vera gel. Blend well to make a creamy mask, and spread a thin layer over face. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse off and pat skin dry.

This mask is a great way to soothe your skin after a day out in the sun – do it right before you go to bed, wash off and then moisturize. You will wake up to a face that feels refreshed and rejuvenated.

 

#2  Moisturizers:  Using moisturizer or gel to rehydrate your skin is the key to keeping those elbows, hands and feet from cracking and drying. Nothing is more unappealing than dried skin that crackly and flakey. Moisturizing your skin is like giving your skin a tall cool glass of water when it’s dry and thirsty. Here are some of my favorites:

Nivea Express Hydration Freshening Gel ($8 at most drug stores) – This gels natural sea salt minerals and glycerin rehydrate your parched skin for 24 hrs without the stickiness

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm ($31 barneys.com or amazon.com) – This deeply hydrating body balm is infused with nourishing geranium and citrus extracts to help feet and elbows through any rough patch.

Ponds Dry Skin Cream ($4 any drug or grocery store) – this oldie but goodie is a great way to moisturize your skin daily. My mother has been using it every night for the last 40 years and I can tell you she swears by it and now so do I.

 

 

 

 

#3 Lip Balm: Lips need to be protected from the sun just as much as anything else on your body. Dry cracked lips are no fun to have and certainly don’t make your lipstick applying look good when they are chapped and cracked. Here are some great lip balms that not only protect your skin, but add a little color to your lips as well

Hurraw Balm (hurrawbalm.com $4 each) there are organic and come in great flavors like root beer, lime, mint and chai spice!

Burt’s Bees Honeysuckle Tinted Lip Balm (burtsbees.com $7) comes in great shades like honey suckle and rose.

 

 

#4  COCONUT WATER  – OR ANY WATER!!!! – we have all heard the ranting and raving about the need to drink 8 cups of water a day – but how many of us really do?  If you are one of those who don’t – YOU  REALLLY MUST! – not only does it help you nutrionally it helps you physically  – keeping your skin nice and hydrated which in turn makes it look young and glowing. Such an easy thing to do – so why are most of us not?

Coconut water is a great alternative to regular water if you need flavor in your drink. Low in calories and loaded with potassium and natural electrolytes – it has been the secret for many Europeans for centuries.

ZICO  Coconut water (certified kosher by the OU) – comes in regular and chocolate.

Mint Infused Water or Tea – If you want to add even more yumminess and great flavor to your water – use mint and add make your self a mint ice water or Tea. Add a slice of lemon or some sweetener for good measure and sip away a whole day. The mint has the added benefit of cooling you off in the heat.

 

 

 

 

#5 Makeup with SPF:  Sometimes you have those days where it’s too hot to even put on makeup before it melts off your face. Here are some of my favorite spf moisturizing makeup that stand up to the heat all day!

Tarte Smooth Operator – Great SPF with moisturizer foundation

Lancome waterproof Protective undereye concealer

Urban Decay 24/7 glide on Eye Pencils

All available at Sephora.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Tre’s Chic -ka: Effie L. is a fashion accessories wholesale buyer for some of the most exclusive boutiques in the NY & LA area. Some of her great  accessory picks and finds for those stores  have subsequently graced the “hot list” of many major style and entertainment magazines. Growing up her parents owned a luxury textile company and Effie and her 6 siblings grew up in the Fashion district of NYC. She is currently married to an Italian Jew from Milano and together they have 3 gorgeous and very precocious daughters who all are expressing their own unique fashion style already. Effie is new to blogging, but is very excited to share her great tips and advice on Fashion, Trends, and all the other things she loves here on kosherstreet.com