LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

I have to admit it: although it may sound vain, wearing a long-lasting lipstick while hiking has its advantages. The moment I pull out my lipstick before a hiking adventure, I usually get the comment “Seriously, you’re putting on lipstick before you go hiking?” And my response is, “yeah, do you like the color?”

After a multitude of years trying my best to enjoy the taste and feel of SPF-infused lip balm and chapstick I’ve finally found an alternative that is better. Something that doesn’t melt off or have a flavor that I ingest as I enjoy the outdoors: matte lipstick.

Matte lipstick stays on through the heaviest of perspiration, shielding my lips from the sun, blocking UV rays, and (here’s the vain part) prevents wrinkles. I have seen many women and men who have developed skin cancer on their lips and it isn’t a pretty sight. In fact, a common reason women get wrinkles on their lips is because the lip gloss they typically wear actually attracts UVA/UVB rays! The sun directly hits the shine of the lips kind of like aluminum foil did in the late 1970s for backyard and beach sunbathers.

Being obsessed with lip gloss myself, I now know to wear it over a lipstick base to keep my lips protected. The sun protection benefits of the lipstick and the hydrating feel of the lip gloss is a happy duo and it typically lasts for a couple hours, which is just the right amount of time for an energetic hike in Los Angeles. Oh, and did I mention I look and feel great? I believe lipstick can provide any woman a confidence boost and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Some lip products feature sunscreen with little to no chemicals, but I have yet to find one that offers a high enough SPF level of protection to make a difference, that tastes okay and that I don’t have to reapply every 30 minutes. So for now, go ahead and call me vain, I will stick to a natural shade of lipstick to prevent premature aging on my pout and look and feel great while doing so!

Now you know my hiking beauty secret, it’s time for you to share yours! Is there a makeup product you won’t leave the house without? What are your favorite lip products?

Written by: Mitzi Runyan 

 

I bet you've heard the phrase "just put on some lip gloss and get over it!" at least once in your lifetime. Well ladies, that might not be such a good idea anymore...at least not in the sun.

Lip gloss is definitely one of my personal favorite cosmetic products. I can't leave the house without it, and I need it to complete my look every time. The glossy finish brightens my face up, and makes my lips appear more plump and moisturized.

Although you might think that this post is about the ingredients in the actual lip gloss that could cause skin cancer, its not. The problem with lip gloss is the fact that the vast majority of them have no sun protection built into them. Some dermatologists also feel that the shiny nature of lip gloss attracts the rays of the sun, gathering them and focusing them onto the lips like a magnifying glass.

Look at it this way, dermatologists have stated that baby oil is not a good idea for bathing in the sun. This is because it contains no sun protection, and creates a glossy finish on the skin that concentrates the rays of the sun so that you’re much more likely to suffer from a burn. Lip gloss may present a similar problem.

Regardless, the lips are commonly missed when it comes to applying sun protection along with these other spots:

1. Scalp
2. Eyelids
3. Lips
4. Ears
5. Chest
6. Back of Neck
7. Back of Hands
8. Back of Legs
9. Tops of Feet

What most people don't realize is that these areas are also skin, and they need to be protected. But could you apply sunscreen to your lips? The answer is yes!

I personally would not enjoy getting sunscreen into my mouth, so I would recommend just applying a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 underneath lip gloss before leaving the house. Dermatologists also recommend wearing lipstick underneath your gloss, which serves as a sunblock.

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Here are some natural, SPF protected lip balms that I have discovered, and can't wait to try:

LIPLUX^®SPF30 Original Formula

• 70%+ Certified Organic
• Hypoallergenic
• UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection
• Vitamin and antioxidant enriched
• Water Resistant (80 minutes)
• No nano-sized particles

- See more at: http://www.coolasuncare.com/liplux/spf-30-lip-balm

Kiss My Face^®Sport Lip Balm SPF30

• Extra SPF 30 protection for active adults and children.
• Long lasting.
• Organic ingredients is preservative free and water resistant.
• With natural beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E, shea butter and scented with lime and spearmint essential oils.

- See more at: http://www.kissmyface.com/natural-lip-care/item/101/Sport-Lip-Balm-Spf-30

Eco Lips^®SPF 30 Sport Lip Balm 

• SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection.
• A hint of vanilla is tucked into an all-day moisture treat for your lips. 
• Ingredients include Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Vitamin E, and Organic Calendula Extract.
• Gluten and cruelty free! 

- See more at: http://www.ecolips.com/store/products/8-eco-lips-spf-30-sport-lip-balm.aspx

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Comment if you use any of these products or are looking into purchasing, and let me know what you think of the post. Sending protected kisses!

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Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/susan-evans-md/can-lip-gloss-cause-skin-cancer
http://www.ebay.com/gds/10-Commonly-Missed-Places-to-Apply-Sunscreen-/10000000177404919/g.html