We all know that there is a direct relationship between the sun and skin cancer, so making an effort to have a good tan this summer is becoming an almost impossible option.  So, what are we to do?  In spite of the busy work that we’ll have to do this summer, I bet, that like me, you’ll still squeeze a day to go tan. But we don’t have father Sun to help us with this so I’m extending a helping hand.

A good way is self-tanning or in other words, artificial tanning.  This method of baking was introduced in the 70’s with the advent of the first tanning lotion.  Now, we loads of self-tanning products such as sprays, gels, SPFs, and ofcourse, lotions.  But even with these products that could expediate our tanning process, we want to look naturally baked, so here are a few sneaky ways.

If you’re going to do self-tanning, remember these:

1.  Go nude or wear black

Self-tanning products can stain your clothes, so don’t wear anything when putting a lotion for example or else, someone will notice that you just put something on.  But if you’re a primary colors person, wear it a day after self-tanning.

2.  Apply it a night before flaunting it

Reason for this?  Self-tanning products have a sour odor when applied and you don’t want to smell bad when you’re out there.

3.  Use disposable plastic gloves

As it can not only leave a sour odor, self-tanning products can stain your hands and nails even after excessive washing.

4.  Take a bath before applying the tanning product

In addition, exfoliate moderately.  You may have the perfect tan, but if you don’t exfoliate, deadskin cells might just flake off while you’re out there flaunting it, so, just take your precautions.

With these steps, you can look like you just came back from the beach when in reality, you just came from your bathroom.

This is for the vain, not so vain, those who have the sense of cleaning themselves even once in a while. In our efforts to stay clean all the time, which isn’t really bad, we tend to overdo them and somewhat harm ourselves.

1.  Long baths

It is always relaxing to have a long bath to cap a stressful day.  This,however, is actually not good for our skin since excessive washing causes the loss of the natural oil in the outer layers of skin, making it dry.

How to prevent it:  When drying up after a shower, dab the skin, don’t rub.  Apply a light moisturizer right after.

2. Lipstick touch ups

Lipstick should be used sparingly,as they cause our lips to dry, most especially  the matte variety, which although it stays longer on you,takes the moisture out of your kissable lips.

How to prevent it: Coat your lips with lip balm or petroleum jelly before applying the lipstick. As an alternative to matte, use vitamin E or glycerin-enriched about lipsticks, as they not only keep lips beautifully colored but also well-lubricated.

3.  Excessive hair washing

Washing our hair everyday may make you feel clean.  In reality, though, it strips your hair and scalp of their natural moisturizing oils,leaving you with dmaged, brittled hair.

How to prevent it:  Make sure to shampoo your hair every other day for a silkier, shinier mane.  Apply conditioner after rinsing. Use those that contain little or no alcohol at all.  Or massage your scalp with drops of jojoba oil.

4.  Wearing tight clothes

Skinny jeans and tight capri pants constantly rub against your skin, making your intimate area sensitive.  Admit it - we often experience this uncomfortable feeling especially when wearing tight bottoms, yet we never bother to address it.

How to prevent it:  Use a mild feminine wash.

We may though that we are doing the right thing by being overly clean. Lesson learned, too much of everything is not good.

More likely we have all seen someone who needed a little help with their makeup skills and maybe a few whose makeup made them a little bit scary. I am once guilty of that but I have improved and just want to share a few tips I’ve learned myself and a few my girl friends shared.

1. When it comes to blush, more is better.

False: Too much blush is bad. The key is making it look very natural rather than you having people think your cheeks are doubling as stoplights. Choose a blush that has a peachy pink shade. This hue will look great on anyone and will natural on your cheeks.

2. Use a foundation that is one shade lighter or darker than your skin tone.

True: Women sometimes choose a foundation that is the wrong color for their skin. The key is making sure you find a color that matches the rest of your skin tone. Pick a color that seems to disappear into your skin. This will ensure that you look natural instead of like you painted your face.

3. It’s perfectly ok to use a dark lipliner.

False: Unless you want to appear as if you were just sipping hot chocolate, you should stay away from lipliners that are too dark. It sticks out and leaves a ring around your lips unless you wear an equally dark lipstick. Choose a lighter color.

4. Always blend the eyeliner and eye shadow.

True: One thing you want to avoid when putting on makeup is the appearance of lines. You don’t want to look like you drew or painted your face again, right? One way to do it right is to blend, blend and blend. Make sure you blend your foundation down your neck so you do not have lines around your face.

5. Don’t sleep with your makeup still on.

True: Another makeup mistake to avoid is going to sleep with the whole thing still on. Make sure that you wash it off. If you leave your makeup on all night, not only will it get on your sheets, but will also clog your pore which can lead to breakouts.

Even though preggers and all, I still make it a point to put a little blush and a lip gloss once in a while but as I see myself in the mirror,I tend to look more in my growing belly and become amaze at the life inside it and when I see m face, it seems I’m emanating a different glow, a glow that even my most-can’t live makeup accessory can’t give.