Betsy's Beauty Blog

The EWG’s recent analysis of over 600 sunscreens, brought light many startling facts about popular sport and beach sunscreens in the US.  The fact that startled me the most:  “when retinal palmitate, a form of vitamin A, is applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, it may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions (NTP 2009)”—today, retinal palmitate is in 30% of sunscreens. 

After reading the study, I looked at the sunscreen I was carrying in my purse, Ocean Potion brand,  and sure enough, retinal palmitate was in the ingredient list.  Then, I looked it up in the EWG database to see what other scary health hazards it possessed and felt even more sick to my stomach. Health hazard rating of 7—10 being the highest. 

So let me get this straight, I have been applying a sunscreen to my face that has been PROVEN to speed up the development of cancer causing lesions like melanoma?!!  Yes I have.  I feel violated, angry and confused that this type of ignorance could be legal, especially since I am the skin type prone to developing melanoma, but it is.  So what is the lesson we can learn from this new analysis of the efficacy and safety of our sunscreens?  Take your health into your own hands; educate yourself. 

For a list of safe sunscreens, and to get the scoop on your current sunscreen, visit the EWG website.  They recommend following these basic guidelines when choosing your sunscreen:

• No Vitamin A
• No Oxybenzone
• No Sprays or Powders
• No SPF over 50

Meaning— BBQ’s, picnics, pool parties, beach vollyball, bike riding…oh the endless possibilities of gorgeous 3 day weekend! But, before I let you grab your favorite little bikini and head for the water…read my tips for protecting your skin (and your reputation).  It may be hot outside, and the drinks may be flowing, but there’s no reason you can’t keep your California Cool. ;)

First. Repeat after me: “I will not be the sloppy drunk girl who is inappropriately dressed at the 4th of July party.” Good. Now repeat: “I will stay hydrated and will refuse drinks with ‘natty’ or ‘ice’ on the label.”  Even better. (Beer bloats your skin and will make you fat.)

Now that we’ve agreed to stay classy, below are my beauty essentials.

1. Wear a fabulous hat. This will help to protect your scalp and face from harmful rays—not to mention you will look super chic.

Deanna Gibbons 17th Street, available at Barneys New York, image via: Refinery29.

2. Wear a non greasy sunscreen with extreme protection and beautifying powers. Sunburns hurt, and they aren’t cute—or chic.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 leaves zero residue, perfect for wear under make up, and is enhanced by artemia salina, a plankton extract, to increase the skin’s defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress; SkinCeuticals.com.

3. Highlight your legs with a shimmery bronzing gel. Even if you are on the “fair side” like me, no one wants to see Casper at the beach.

Lancome’s Flash Bronzer is a tinted self tanning leg gel that offers the perfect combo of moisture and bronzer.  The light formula leaves my legs with a shimmery and contoured glow, not an overly orange jersey shore tan. Find it at  Sephora.com.

4. Lip tints are more appropriate for beach and pool parties. They give you just enough color so you don’t look washed up, but avoid the “I’m wearing lipstick at the beach” look.  We’re going for natural and chic, so please no cotton candy colored gloss or lip liner.

Benefit’s Cha Cha Lip Tint offers a “tropical sunset hue”, as well as staying power—for up to 8 hours!  Available at Sephora.com.

5. Rock an ethereal, natural color on your nails.

I love butter London’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection of nail polishes.  Made without toxic chemicals or dyes, the palette is elegant, with just enough edge.  The cheeky British names make me smile as well; try Hen Party for a day at the beach! butterlondon.com.

Just remember to stay protected and polished, and you will make momma proud! ;)

xo

Betsy

Emily Baker was undoubtedly the newcomer star of the FW 11 Runway shows, and since, has had some major bookings—proving that this 17 year old from a rural town in New Zealand is here to stay!  She is one of the strongest new faces I have seen—incredibly high cheekbones, full lips, intense eyes. But what really impresses me is the intuition and presence this young lady possesses in front of the camera.  Emily can most recently be seen in this month’s W Mag, photographed by Daniele Duella and Iango Henzi. Congrats to DNA Models in New York for launching such a strong debut for this kiwi beauty!  I’m positive we’ll be seeing much more of Miss Emily for years to come—you go girl!

Photos courtesy of DNA Models.

-Betsy

The American Medical Association voted Tuesday to adopt a new policy that will encourage advertisers not to enhance the female body in a way that would produce unrealistic expectations on women, especially teenage girls.  Let me know what you think of the decision at Betsy@Betsysbeautyblog.com!

“The appearance of advertisements with extremely altered models can create unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image. In one image, a model’s waist was slimmed so severely, her head appeared to be wider than her waist,” said Dr. McAneny. “We must stop exposing impressionable children and teenagers to advertisements portraying models with body types only attainable with the help of photo editing software.”

Take a look at an unedited photo of Britney Spears, above the digitally edited version.  Britney was brave enough to release these photos to the public so that the unrealistic expectations of beauty and body image in today’s media could be highlighted.

-Betsy

One of my favorite fashion bloggers, happens to be a pint sized high school student named Tavi.  Only 15 years old, this dynamo is creating quite the career for herself—invites to international fashion weeks, guest editing fashion magazines, and a giant online following of girls (and women) who admire her brutal honesty and authenticity.

Tavi recently made an appearance at the Slut Walk in Chicago.  Although she does not consider herself a feminist (she’s still figuring out feminism on a personal level), she did have strong, smart viewpoints on the subjects of female rights and rape—is this girl really 15? 

A girl should be able to wear whatever slut outfit she would like and not get blame transferred to her from the perpetrator in the case of sexual assault. Many have pointed out that even though no one deserves rape, rapists still exist, and that there are still precautions you can take to avoid making yourself vulnerable. But we have a right to be vulnerable.

Source: Refinery29.com.

(Source: refinery29.com)

In honor of today’s celestial event, the summer solstice, I decided to share with you my most cherished summer skincare product: the Almond Shower Gel by L’Occitane.

More of a cleansing oil, it transforms into a soft foam when mixed with water, and leaves your skin clean, satiny soft, and smelling fantastic!!  I seriously cannot get enough of the sexy, summery scent it leaves on your skin all day: a mixture of citrus and almond, and not too overwhelming! Perfect for warm summery date nights; its hard not to feel like you have a certain je ne sais quoi after showering with this amazing product.

I’ve always been a fan of L’Occitane products: natural ingredients, amazing scents, and made by the French…a win, win, win in my book! ;)

—Betsy

Today, my sister told me something that she’s never confessed to me before.  She told me that “I looked old.”  Ouch.  This would not have been an extraordinary statement had I not been a skincare freak obsessed with beauty since the age of 8.  Or maybe it still would have?  Regardless, all I know is that those three words stung.  They’re just as scary as the other “three little words” (I love you).

AND, I was equally shocked by my shallow reaction to her statement.  My mind filled with insecure thoughts the minute the words left her lips: Me old?! What is Gwyneth using? Do I need botox? Calling my dermatologist ASAP! etc.. Then I started to wonder why I was being so affected, of all people, preacher of inner beauty. HAH! 

Old. The word is harsh. Older—now that would have been better!  “You look older, more mature”…gee thanks!  But no, I got stuck with “old”… and the damage has been done.  Comparatively, I know I don’t look “old”, and I know my sister did not mean to offend me…she was just noticing for the first time that her sister had matured into a woman.  However, I now sympathize and relate to every woman who has been told “you look old.”  Because today, regardless of how “old” I might look, I felt the real, self deprecating emotion that stems from a word our society has shunned.

Today, at the ripe age of 26, after a slight physical reaction and panicked emotions, I realized for the first time— I’m no spring chicken anymore.  Does every woman go through this moment in her life? 

xo

Betsy