September 2018

Skin Saver: What the SPF?

Published on September 29, 2018September 29, 2018 by Crystal Lee2 Comments

When I walk into the sunscreen aisle I always feel a bit overwhelmed. So many numbers, so many acronyms (SPF, UVA, UVB, COTZ, WTF?!), and so not sure what to look for… I figured many of you might feel the same way so I did a little research and put together this simple, no-brainer guide about SPF.

Aside from using retinoid creams and topical antioxidants, sunscreen is the most powerful ammo us girls have against wrinkles and rough skin. While it’s smart to wear sunscreen when you know you’ll be outdoors (beach, shopping, brunching, running, or whatever) it’s still important to wear it every day, even if you’re going to be indoors–no exceptions. Rain or shine, summer or winter, SPF is a must.

Okay so enough about when to wear it. Let’s talk shop about picking the right SPF and how to wear it.

Most of us would think that the higher the SPF number, the better. Right? Wrong. Without going into too much detail, the SPF number is simply a standard for how long you can tolerate the sun without burning. So if you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes without burning, an SPF of 15 would allow you to spend 150 minutes in the sun before burning. It’s all very confusing. But the bottom line here is that anything over SPF 30 isn’t going to protect your any better. The numbers are based on time spent in the sun, which is why reapplication is essential. Also, for those of you who think that layering on SPF 15 over your SPF 10 will give the protection of SPF 25–think again. Layering does not increase the SPF. I suppose the only benefit is that it ensures that every area is covered. Ideally, you should wear SPF 30 or greater according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Bottom line: Wear SPF 30 or greater with broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB protection. Apply it to your face, neck, and hands every single day and smother it onto your body when you are going to be outdoors in the sun.

What’s your favorite facial SPF?

XO Lee

P.S. Fun fact: Sunscreen typically maintains its strength for about 3 years. After that time period, it is less effective. So if your SPF doesn’t have an expiration date, be sure to write it onto the bottle when you get it so you can keep track.

Ask Lee: How to Deal With Negativity on Social Media

Published on September 27, 2018September 27, 2018 by Crystal Lee2 Comments

Today I’m answering another reader question as part of my Ask Me Anything series here on BeautyLeeBar.com. I received a question to my inbox about how to deal with negativity on social media. Social media has the power to connect people from around the world and do a lot of good. But there’s no denying that there’s also a lot of negativity out there on the Web. When they are hidden behind a screen, people often say things that they would never say to someone’s face. It’s also a whole lot easier for certain posts to be misconstrued on social media or for arguments to escalate more quickly. So since it’s something we’ve all had to deal with at some point or another, here’s my advice for keeping it positive online…

When It’s Someone You Don’t Know or Aren’t Particularly Close With…

If it’s someone you don’t know very well (or at all) who is provoking an argument on social media, my very best advice is to ignore it and remove yourself from the situation. This can take a lot of self-control, but it really is your best option. Think about it: what good is getting into a fight with a stranger on the Internet going to do? Chances are it’s only going to make you feel more frustrated. If you need to, you can block or un-friend the person who is causing problems. They might notice that you blocked them, but if this isn’t someone you know in real life, the argument will end there. On occasion, I’ve had to deal with Internet trolls posting negative comments on my Instagram, and I immediately block them. My motto is: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t follow me online. I’ve had my moments in the past where I would clap back at someone that was talking crap under my pics but now I just ignore it and laughed at them. I always make an effort to keep it positive, and I expect the same from my followers.

When It’s Coming From a Friend…

If the negativity is coming from a close friend whose relationship you value, take the discussion offline. Call your friend up or suggest you meet for coffee to get to the root of the problem. It’s so hard to tell where someone is coming from online and things can often be misconstrued. You can’t always tell someone’s tone or what they really meant to say. In my personal experience, arguments between friends over the phone and through social media never helps the situation. Talk to the person 1 on 1 and try to keep calm. If you feel like there is no hope for you two then leave. Its okay to not be friends with someone when it becomes toxic and unfixable.

Anyway, I hope that advice helps! This is also a good reminder for all of us to always be kind online and to only put positive energy out there. Being a cyber bully yourself is the only thing worse than being on the other end of it, in my opinion.

Would you like to hear my advice on any other topics?

Leave your questions for me in the comments.

XO Lee

Primp Tip: Get Iced

Published on September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 by Crystal Lee1 Comment

These hot days of summer might be coming to an end, but I recently read about a pretty cool beauty tip that I wanted to share with you… The idea is to give yourself an “ice cube facial massage.”

It may not sound that particularly pleasant, but running an ice cube over your face has a lot of benefits for your skin. Besides giving your face a dewy, glowing look, the frosty cubes will help to smooth your complexion by combatting fat cells, ease wrinkles, fight acne, and promote blood circulation that will help heal blemishes.

By simply massaging your face with ice cubes for a minute or two before bed, you will essentially be giving yourself a mini facial. (Just be sure to wrap the cubes in a paper towel, or a baggie because applying them directly to your skin can cause delicate blood vessels to break.) For an added “ahh” to this spa-inspired treatment, try freezing your cubes with watermelon, lemon, or rose. Getting iced never sounded so good…

Are you going to give this cool trick a try?

If you have an out of the ordinary beauty trick that you love, share it in the comments below. I’ll feature my favorite idea in an upcoming blog post!

XO Lee

P.S. If you have any beauty questions, leave your request in the comments below…you might just see it in an upcoming blog post too!

Beauty Note: What Is Strobing?

Published on September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 by Crystal Lee5 Comments

Attention all beauty gurus. Contouring is out and a new makeup trick is in… and it’s called strobing. While I’m not entirely ready to throw out my contouring routine, I’ve been curious about this growing trend. So, what is strobing? Strobing is all about creating a dewy, natural looking glow. Products are used to brighten the higher features of your face instead of carving them out like you do with contouring. Think of it as a way to keep your summer glow all year round without the bronzer.

In this post, I’ll be breaking down the basics when it comes to strobing and how you can achieve a fresh glow without going overboard…

Time To Shine

The idea behind strobing is to create a polished makeup look that emanates a natural radiance. That being said, your finished product should be sans glitter and all glow. Avoid products with noticeably large flakes of glitter and opt for products that ‘illuminate’ and have a touch of ‘shimmer.’

Choosing A Highlighter

Like any other makeup product, you should keep your skin tone in mind when choosing a highlighter. While some highlighters come in a white, pearlescent shade, consider a colored highlighter. For fair skin, consider choosing a pinker highlight. For medium and dark skin, try choosing highlighters with coral or gold tones. If you have oily skin, try using a powdered highlighter. For drier skin types, try applying a cream highlighter.

Where To Apply

It’s best to apply highlighter to the high points of your face where sunshine naturally hits. There are seven facial features you ultimately want to be highlighting: down the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, your brow bones, the inner corners of your eyes, your cheekbones, the tip of your chin, and your cupid’s bow (above your upper lip).

A Little Goes A Long Way

Less is more when it comes to strobing and applying highlighter. You want to give your skin luminescence without looking overly shiny or oily. If you’re nervous, start by applying a little bit at a time, gradually leading up to your desired highlight.