NO UMBRELLA REQUIRED

I'm a little nervous. I'm headed to a seriously sunny place right when I'm in a non sun mood. How will I stay protected when there isn't so much as a cloud in the sky? Layering. Sunscreen first then an SPF Powder over it. I've been doing this for a while but my powders only had SPF 15 in them... Colorscience has SPF 50!!! I'm sooo getting this.

SHADY LADY

Last night I did the makeup for a woman who was throwing her husband a 50th birthday party. I assumed by the looks of her that she had many more years to go before she would be celebrating the same. I was wrong. She will turn 50 in just a few months yet her skin looked like that of a 40 year old. What was her secret? Nothing you haven't heard before... STAY OUT OF THE SUN. Period. It's not magic, lotions or plastic surgery. It's just common sense. Boo. I hate when things are so simple yet so hard to follow sometimes. But if you want skin that looks 40 when you're 50 it's what needs to be done. For when you have to be out in the sun and can't go all Nicole Kidman (she covers herself head to toe AND carries an umbrella...just a tad too weird, right?) then here are some fantastic sunscreens that will keep your skin safe. Skinceuticals SPF 50, California Baby SPF 30 and for a great spray option for the body and easy to apply for kids All Terrain Kids Sport is terrific.

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID

A few weekends ago I did a wedding in Rockport, MA that was so beautiful.. so simple and so refreshing. They had a gorgeous tent in the family's backyard overlooking the ocean, multi colored wildflower bouquets decorated the tables (no color themes here), and children were everywhere. So few weddings/parties/events are like that these days. Most are so tricked out, over detailed, over thought and so completely contrived. NO, this wedding was about family, friends and duh, getting married. Makeup and style should take a cue from this kind of living/celebrating. KISS.

Photography by www.esthermathieu.com

FRENCHY

Did you know french manicures are making a comeback? Yup. And not just the pink/white version either. (I'm still not ready for that look again) No, nails are now getting seriously color-blocked! Check out Revlon's do it yourself version to take out all the guess work on color combos. I don't think it will be a trend that will stick but it will be fun while it lasts.