It’s the height of summer, and I still haven’t had that fantastic rock-out barbeque. I’m starting to feel faint: I need the feel of that juicy burger with barbeque sauce and onion rings drizzled on top, the perfect summer ales to complete the hard-core beef, and the festivities of frisbee games or a run into the crashing ocean to work off the calories. Ah, summer! There’s just nothing like it.

And there’s nothing like what a barbeque can do to your skin, either. You’ll get sticky from the heat, greasy from the burger, and bloated from the beer (ew –  a little graphic, but just saying!). You’ll feel sick from all the key lime pie you ate, and wake up with a headache in the morning if you aren’t careful.

So let’s talk basics: some basic tips and beauty products necessary to get you through a barbeque party and out the next morning, ready for your morning run or walk to get iced coffee.

TIP: Always drink water. I know you will feel so full from all the burgers and beer, but seriously: you are getting super dehydrated! And being dehydrated for an extended period of time makes you feel sick and nauseous, wake up with a headache, and have dull and tired skin. Prevent all this by filling up a reusable water bottle every hour and alternating sips of beer with drinks of water.

Beauty Product #1: waterproof mascara. There is going to be a lot of melting going on during a barbeque, and I’m not just talking about the cheese slathered on your burger. Your skin is going to feel so fried from standing close to the grill, or so greasy as you go from eating your burger to swiping your hair out of your face. Promise me: you don’t want to look like a melting raccoon too!

TIP: Keep your hands clean! Barbeques are messy and outdoors and that’s why I love them. But you’re mixing all sorts of germs into the pot! Bring along a small travel-size antibacterial cream so you don’t need to keep running inside, and bring enough to spare. Everyone will be grateful!

Beauty Product #2: oil absorbing lotion or pads. Again, the whole skin thing: you’ll be melting under all this heat. I always have an extra pack or two to spare of these miracle pads during the summer, otherwise I feel like a grease ball!

TIP: Stay active and be merry! As much as I warn with all of the beauty products and hazards to your skin, barbeques are something to cherish. Surrounded by friends and family, glorious food and drink, and all in the heat of summer, nothing can feel better. So relax and enjoy!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/8363028@N08/3057604939

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1. Summer Makeup: Waterproof Mascara
2. Secrets to Low Maintenance Spring Beauty: Keeping it Casual
3. Freshening up in the Summer: Don’t Sweat It

Shower beauty tips to indulge the senses

During the summer, we all want to  look bright and cheerful. Maybe during the fall and winter, the French manicure is the standby. But during the summer months, we all want to see a  little color, especially peeping out of those adorable leather sandals or wrapped around your beach towel as you head for another glorious day of sunshine. I personally cannot stand not having painted nails in the summer, especially on my toes!

As soon as the toes are done, I want to have the perfect painted fingernails to match. Toes are easier—you can use your dominant hand the entire time, and your toes are normally farther away from friends, family, and co-workers, so any little smudges or mistakes are not something to sweat over.

But your fingernails—that’s a first impression! Well done fingernails are a great touch to a firm business handshake or to wrap around your latest beau’s hand.

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Here are some tips and tricks to give you the perfect painted fingernails from home! Check it out.

1. Start with nail polish remover. Take a cotton ball swab and swipe over all your fingernails, even if you don’t have nailpolish residue on. It removes grease and dirt and helps your nailpolish to hold on!

2. Apply a base layer strengthening coat, starting with your little finger, with a few light strokes. A base layer keeps your nails from staining from a strong color, like red or black!

3. Take some time; let your nails dry with the base layer, or else it will get all smudgy!

4. Next is your color nail polish, the main event!  Apply in light strokes, first stroke straight down the center of the nail, and then one down each side. Take your time to make sure the brush isn’t super overloaded with nailpolish, and that you apply the nailpolish slowly and firmly. You can do two coats of your main color if you need to, but if it’s a very strong color, it’s not necessary. Make sure the first coat is completely dry before you add another. TIP: Leave a little gap at each side of the nail: don’t go all the way onto the cuticles because that looks messy! And don’t try to go all the way to the edge of your nails on the right and left, because that can look super messy really quick too. Leaving a little gap gives the illusion that your nails are longer, too!

6. Finally, the top coat! Top coats are clear polishes that seals in the polish and protects it from chipping. You don’t need to apply much- just one stroke down the middle is all that’s necessary, but a little stroke down the side if you want a super glossy finish!

7. Once every step is done, take a little Q-tip and dip it into the polish to remove any stains on your fingers or mistakes.

flickr.com/photos/zitona/473360164

Related posts:

1. Holiday Beauty Update: Wintergreen Nails
2. Awesome Fing’rs – Rockin’ Nails Make a Comeback
3. Prom Nails in a Pinch