Malibu Barbie!

When this Pro was a little girl I wanted to be just like Malibu Barbie!  Drive a convertible corvette, live in a dream house, wear a skimpy bikini, be a bleach blonde and have an amazing, year-round tan!

As I grew older I achieved my goal because being born and raised in Southern California and spending my weekends at the beach was as easy as hopping on the bus or bumming a ride from friends.

Back in those carefree days we never used sunscreen, in fact this Pro is not sure I even knew what the word sunscreen meant.  I slathered on baby oil! I had so many freckles on my nose every summer and my poor skin would burn first, then peel and finally tan.  Little did I know, or even care back then, that my skin was on its way to resembling beef jerky!

It has only been within the last 15 years that I have become serious about protecting my skin from cancer and damaging UV rays.  I still live in SoCal and work a ton on outside location shoots.  I don’t care anymore about being Malibu Barbie or driving a convertible corvette.  I live in an over priced, suburban dream house and I am not skinny enough to wear a skimpy bikini!  My checking account won’t allow me to pay insane prices for bleach blonde hair, but I still care about having an amazing, year-round tan, only now I achieve my goal with the help of self-tanners.  I guess I am officially Fake and Bake Barbie!

I have tried several self-tanners and have been extremely disappointed with the Oompa Loompa orange color my skin turns hours after application.  I don’t know about you, but I like to look like I have a “normal” tan that appears to be a few shades darker then my natural skin tone.

I laugh at those people who have orange tints to their skin and think how impossible it must be to find a foundation to match that incredibly fake hue! Sorry Christina, but that "natural" glow is so hideous!

Recently, I have also discovered a fondness for the spray tan.  I mean a real spray tan, not from the aerosol can at the drug store, but from a professional, certified, spray tan technician who applies in the privacy of my own home!  In fact, IMPO Pro, Cathi Singh is one of the best spray tan techs in the biz and recently began to tan several clients on a regular basis both on and off the set.

Celebrities do it, models do it, and a lot of men do it too! Spray tanning has become the wave of the future for sun worshipers who crave that tan all year long. Only this method is completely safe, UVA and UVB free, and won’t leave you with years of sun damage!

It works by spraying a bronzing agent onto the skin using a high volume air machine. The main ingredient that actually colors your skin is called Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. The DHA soaks into the upper layers of the skin and reacts with the skin proteins and amino acids forming brown colored compounds. And voila, you have achieved a perfectly even (streak free) tan without sweatin’ it out in the harsh sun’s rays for 4 hours.

Spray tans take about 10 minutes to apply for preparation and spraying. Cathi personally uses a 99% alcohol free natural product on her clients and has never had anyone turn Oompa Loompa orange or have streaks and uneven lines. She uses the product on herself and loves the believable tan she can achieve, even on extremely fair skin.

Because spray tanning is becoming much more popular and accessible, it is extremely important that you research your tan technician! Ask the following questions:

* Are they certified?
* Trained?
* What products do they use?
* Are they mobile and does it cost extra to come to your home?

If you have allergy-sensitive skin like Cathi and I, ask about the products they carry.  Cathi has several different levels of DHA formulas, all with a high level of Aloe Vera to moisturize the skin, which helps maintain an even and long lasting tan. It also contains SPF 15, however, a spray tan is not to be considered sun protection. A daily sunscreen is recommended.

Some spray tan formulas have evolved and are infused with the newest powerful Anti-Aging complex, Matrixyl 3000, which has been hailed as “the new Botox” without the needle, but we have not been able to test out those formulas yet!

If you are having a professional spray tan for an up coming special event, work-related need, exotic vacation or maybe you just want to have a healthy glow daily, here are some important steps to extend the life of your tan:

* Moisturize! Keeping those upper layers of skin from drying out and sluffing off is the only way to keep your tan even and golden for up to 10 days. Cathi personally loves and recommends the convenience of a spray moisturizer, because it’s fast and gives a healthy sheen in seconds. Moist Air Hydration Treatment has the most delicious tropical scent and is easy to travel with. Spray it over a fresh spray tan for a gorgeous radiant glow!

* Exfoliate before your tan, not after! Once your tan has set in, only shower and moisturize with smooth lotions, nothing abrasive that could jeopardize the life of your tan.

* Spending long periods of time in jacuzzis and pools will lighten your tan, so try and stay dry for the first few days.

For more information on ingredients, products, and how to care for your tan, visit www.tampabaytan.com and if you would like to hire Cathi as your spray tan technician contact her directly at cathi.singh@gmail.com.

If you are more of a DIY kinda guy or gal, then we recommend a few of the following over the counter self-tanning products:

Somerville360 - Tanning Towelette Face and Body - this product is wonderful and so easy to use!  Each towelette is concentrated with a paraben-free self-tanning formula that will give you a quick and even application with no streaking.  A natural glow takes about 2 to 4 hours to appear and for a deeper tan or to maintain your glow, reapply as needed.

Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion - this product comes in a tube for the face or for the body.  It is a tinted lotion that gives you instant color.  No surprise unblended streaks because it shows where it goes.  Looks smooth, even and a golden tan will develop in a few hours.  Reapply as needed.

St. Tropez - this self tanner is HUGE in Hollywood, in the music business and on the runways!  It is a salon-inspired formula that was specially created to give you the richest, deepest tan.  This product is infused with aloe vera and long lasting color.  It is also packed with Aromaguard fragrance technology, which eliminates the tell-tall self tan aroma by 70%.

Bella Bronze Body Bronzer - creamy rich, easy to blend, packed with moisturizers!  Gives you a deep-dark, streakless, sun-free tan within 2-3 hours.  Ingredients include Golden Chamomile, Virgin Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Goats Milk and Fig extracts.

Pro Do's and Dont's:

Do: exfoliate both your face and body prior to using self-tanning products or spray tans.  It will help expel dry, dead skin cells and prep the skin to receive the self-tanning product for optimal results.

Do: remember that self-tanners and spray tanning are not an alternative for sunscreen and you should continue use your normal sunscreen protection everyday.

Don’t: forget to read the instructions before applying a self-tanning product.

Do: Heed the drying time instructed before putting on your clothes.

Do: wash your hands immediately after application!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

One more thing before we go...for those of you who still love to tan the old fashion way and find that you have spent too much time in the sun...by this we mean, you skipped the golden tan and headed straight for lobster red, don't fret, we have found the cure-all product!

Kiehls' Centella Recovery Skin Salve - contains Tiger Herb, which gains its namesake from the wild, where tigers rub their wounds against it because of its natural healing properties.  It also has antibacterial and anti-psoriatic ingredients and will aid in many skin problems besides a sunburn such as hives and insect bites.  The insanely good looking bald man who sold this product to us said he uses it on his scalp if he burns because it takes away the tight skin pain, inflammation and prevents peeling.

Fountain of Youth!

It seems as if we have summer on the brain here at IMPO considering our last two posts were all about sweat-proof and beach appropriate makeup "dos"!  Also in our last post, this Pro mentioned some makeup contentions that get under my skin and make me cranky, but I left a few peeves out thinking they would be perfect to mention here (and because I would like to think that our reader’s benefit from my misfortunes).

This Pro has worked with so many lovely individuals over the past 20 years, but I have to say that what I notice most about some of my clients (who shall remain nameless) is that they don’t treat themselves very well.

Oh sure, they have fame, fortune and everything that goes with it (isn’t that a song lyric?), but when they sit in my chair and expect me to work miracles on skin that has been exposed to excessive cigarette smoke, dehydrated from too much partying, overly spray tanned to the point that Oompa Loompa orange is now their skin tone, or they look like a two-dollar hooker because they were too tired to remove their makeup last night, it can turn this very patient MUA into Mommy Dearest (now you know why there is a wire hanger in my makeup kit – wink, wink)!

They think that their “on call” estheticians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and makeup artists (like me) will repair the damage (and we do for a price), but wouldn’t it be better for their bank accounts if they just took good care of their skin?  Spoiled brats!

Maybe I am in the wrong business?  Maybe I should be a mapmaker!  Instead of selling “Maps of the Stars Homes," those people on the corner of Sunset and Vine could sell my maps to the “Stars” directing them to the Fountain of Youth!

Here is what it would say…proceed straight into your bathroom and hang a right (or a left) till you reach your sink; stop, look both ways to make sure it is safe and reach across the vanity until you can grab your cleanser or face wash and scrub that makeup off your face!  Washing your face twice a day everyday, moisturizing, eating right, drinking water and most importantly, using sunscreen will ensure that your skin stays baby soft, tight and smooth!  I would even provide a compass rose in the bottom corner for authenticity purposes!

Doesn’t this seem easy?  Then tell me why I see women (and men) on the daily with wrinkled, leathery, chapped, flaky and burned skin begging for my help!  I am a makeup artist, not a magician and if I were their mother, I would spank their tushie and put them in the corner!

Sunscreen is crucial to having younger looking skin!  You must apply sunscreen everyday to your face and body regardless of whether or not you think your skin is being exposed to the sun.  Just driving in your car to work, the light is reflected and hitting the skin on your face, neck, chest and hands aging them in the process.

For this post, I have consulted with a dear friend and dermatologist and she tells me that in the past 20 years, the number of skin cancers and melanoma has doubled, with many victims under the age of 40!  Even if it is cloudy, overcast or it is the middle of winter, your skin needs protection.

She says, "here is how you can be sure you are using enough sunscreen this summer; if your sunscreen bottle is 120-ml, which is enough full-body daily protection for 2 months and you have half a bottle left at the end of summer…you have not used enough!"  Make sense?  You need more than you think!

If you stay out of the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can get away with using an SPF of 15, but if you are going to the beach, golfing, hiking, waterskiing or engaging in any type of outdoor activity between those hours, you should use an SPF of 30 or higher.

I know, I know…you are going to ask, “what about getting a golden tan?”  Notice how no one ever asks, “what about being all wrinkled and splotchy and having surgery to remove skin cancer?”   It’s your life!  I am just passing along some very sound advice!

Here are the facts about sunscreen (aka sunblock); is a lotion, spray or gel that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn – Wikipedia.

According to the American Cancer Society, the use of sunscreen prevents the squamous cell carcinoma and the basal cell carcinoma however, the use of sunscreens is controversial because many do not block UVA radiation, which does not cause sunburn, but can increase the rate of melanoma.  So, you should be looking for sunscreen with UVB and UVA protection.

Here is a list of this Pro’s sunscreen must haves;

SkinCeuticals – Daily Sun Defense SPF 30 – UVA/UVB sunscreen with transparent titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  Use on body and face.

SkinCeuticals – Sport UV Defense SPF 45 – UVA/UVB sunscreen with transparent zinc oxide, water and sweat resistant for face and body.

Shiseido Suncare Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 – nourishing sunscreen for the face that provides the ultimate protection from UVA and UVB rays.  Also protects against sun-induced premature signs of aging.  For use on face and body.

Cosmedicine – Global Health Face UVA/UVB SPF 30 Sunscreen – delivers broad spectrum protection with no irritation, resists sweat and humidity.  Won’t run or drip into the eye area. For use on face.

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant - Waterproof formula with powerful antioxidants and hydrating complexes.  Does not feel greasy and absorbs into skin easily. For use on face.

Aveeno – Continuous Protection Sunblock SPF 50 – long lasting, waterproof and lightweight in convenient, one-touch spray.  This Pro’s kids wear this all summer long.  It is so easy for them to apply and protect those hard to reach areas.  Since we go through so much sunscreen during the year, this is also economical!  For use on body only. Great for sensitive skin.

Pro Tip: don't forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, tops of your feet and to your scalp if you are not wearing a hat. These areas can be very painful if sunburned!

Speciality sun protection products:

ColoreScience – Sunforgettable SPF 30 Brush – quick and easy application – best for use on face and neck.  Refillable, recyclable and reusable.  Matte or sparkle texture.  Available colors: clear, perfectly clear, almost clear.  This Pro uses the matte formula for on-set touch up.  Only negative is that you cannot clean the brush!  Component is such that cleaning or disinfecting the brush will cause cleanser to leak into the sunscreen powder, which means that each actor must have their own individual product to avoid contamination.

Make Up Forever – SPF 50 primer - my friend and fellow Pro MUA, Victoria Stiles, turned me on to this amazing primer.  It minimizes pores and fine lines while protecting the skin from UVA/UVB rays.  Victoria suggests wearing this under a foundation that does not contain an SPF to prevent "white out" during flash photography.  Click here to read more!

Kate Somerville – Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen – a quick absorbing, oil free formula that delivers powerful sun protection and a rich dose of antioxidants for further protection against damage and premature aging.  No white residue.  Apply after washing face and before moisturizer.

Shiseido – Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 – nourishing lip balm that defends against UVA/UVB rays and also provides moisture to reverse dryness.

the Balm – BalmShelter SPF 17 Tinted Gloss – this Pro is totally in love with this lip gloss and wears it all summer long!  It is long-wearing and protects against those UV rays.  Favorite colors:  Daddy’s Girl, Uptown Girl, Dream Girl and Girl Scout. 

After sun products:

jeune d’age organics – after sun exposure and proper cleansing of the face to remove toxins, use this serum to help replenish your skin's moisture.  It is great for dry skin and will absorb quickly without a greasy feel.  This product is housed in individual packets so that each application will be fresh and less oxidized.  Great for travel.  All natural/organic skin care.

Avene – After-Sun Care Lotion - light weight, non greasy lotion that restores skin's barrier and prevents moisture loss. Soothes, calms and cools the skin after sun exposure.

 PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

Don’t exfoliate before going out into the sun because that can increase your risk for sunburn and do not exfoliate after a sunburn!  Wait until the redness is gone before resuming exfoliation.  If you have recently had any form of chemical peel you should avoid all sun exposure until your doctor determines your skin has fully healed.  Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids can increase the severity of sunburns so they are not recommended after sun exposure. You can use various products containing Aloe, Tea Tree Oil or Chamomile to help heal and soothe sunburn pain and itchiness from peeling skin.

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO - we are on hiatus for about a week!  During our short break this Pro will be filming in Paris, France and the other Pro will be attending the upcoming IMATs Convention in Pasadena, California.  Make sure you follow us on Twitter because this Pro will be "twittering" live from the set in Paris or fan us on Facebook and keep in touch through our status updates (both buttons are located on the IMPO sidebar)!  We will be back soon!