The Nevada Sagebrush

With hot summer months quickly approaching, your wardrobe is not the only thing that needs to be switched up. Along with replacing jeans and sweaters with shorts and tank tops, you should adjust your skin, hair and beauty routines to ensure they can withstand the summer’s sweltering heat and recreational activities.

Your skincare routine is the most important thing to update for Nevada’s hot and dry summer months. If you don’t already use a facial SPF everyday to protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays, implement one into your routine now.

Unlike fall and winter months (when you can get away with simply using a facial moisturizer with a built-in SPF 15 or 20) summer calls for the daily use of a separate facial sunscreen with at least an SPF 30. It is also important not to rely solely on makeup that contains SPF for sun protection. Most sunscreens in foundation are not photo-stable enough to withstand excess sun exposure, and the amount of foundation that would actually be needed to gain sun protection (at least a teaspoon-sized amount) is too excessive for normal wear. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55 sunscreen($10)  is safe to use on the face, is oil-free and makes a great base for makeup. Apply it after your moisturizer.

When it comes to makeup, waterproof mascara and eyeliner, along with a light-tinted moisturizer or powder foundation, are the only products that can withstand those extremely hot summer days. The go-to cream-based or liquid foundations that you used during fall, spring and winter will essentially melt off your face after 45 minutes of contact with the sun.

If you have normal-to-dry skin and want light coverage, a tinted moisturizer is the best way to go. Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer tinted moisturizer ($12) combines SPF 20 with retinol to give skin a bit of protection and a healthy glow. If you have combination/oily skin and prefer a bit more coverage, a powder foundation is your best bet. The powder is light enough to withstand Nevada’s extreme heat and will help keep excess oil at bay. Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear powder foundation ($15) contains SPF 50 and is water- and sweat-resistant. It also offers a full coverage and matte finish.

The only thing worse than looking like a melting candle with foundation dripping down your face is having mascara and eyeliner start to run, giving you Panda bear eyes. To avoid this all-too-common problem, simply replace your normal eyeliner and mascara with waterproof options. Try L’Oreal Wear Infinite Waterproof eyeliner ($8) and L’Oreal Voluminous mascara ($7) for lasting effects.

Last but not least is hair-care. Just like any other external part of your body, hair is prone to sun damage. To protect your hair from becoming too dry or brittle from sun exposure and extreme heat, use a deep conditioning treatment such as Garnier Fructis’ Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque ($8) once a week. If you plan to go swimming, spray damp hair with a leave-in conditioner before you get in. The conditioner acts as a protective coating and prevents your hair from soaking up harsh chlorine or salt water. Try Aussie’s Hair Insurance leave-in conditioner ($5) for an effective, yet affordable, option.

With these simple, low-cost updates to your beauty routine, you can enjoy the upcoming summer months without worrying about the heat’s annoying and damaging effects.

Enjolie Esteve can be reached at arts-entertainment@nevadasagebrush.com.

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