TIME TO REJUVENATE
Reverse summer's damage to hair, skin and nails
Oh, we had lots of fun this summer, didn't we? And most of it was outside, where the environment dehydrated our hair, skin and nails while we frolicked in the surf. Here are a few key beauty steps to undo the damage that all that fun has done.
Hair: Although we may not think of our hair when it comes to sun protection, our locks can definitely suffer damage from days at the pool or beach. Even just walking around in the hot sun over the course of a normal day can affect dryness and change your color.
There are several hair masks out there right now that do a fantastic job of bringing hair back to its pre-summer glow without using harsh chemicals. Aveda's Sun Care AfterSun Hair Mask ($19.75 at amazon.com) is a winner on my list because it soothes hair harmed by UVA and UVB rays.
Between chlorine and sun damage, split ends at the end of the summer are inevitable. On top of regular trims to freshen up your hair, MoroccanOil's Mending Infusion
($32 at moroccanoil. com) is also a godsend. This serum heals your hair and helps prevent future damage.
Nails: All of the salt and chlorine in water can dry your nails out and weaken them. All summer — and especially at its end — I reach for Superfood Repair Oil by Nails Inc. ($15 at us.nailsinc.com), which is full of almond oil, Argan oil and rosehip oil to repair dried out cuticles and nails. Use it twice a week and watch the repair start to happen within days.
Skin: No other part of the body is as affected by sun as the skin. Hopefully you know that well enough to have used SPF this past season, but believe me when I say, your skin still needs some TLC right about now.
My new favorite brand is Naturally Serious — it's based on the most updated skin science and made from the most potent natural ingredients that I've ever tried. I also love that the collection is highly edited, so they don't throw anything at us that we don't need. For end-of-summer recalibration (and ongoing day-to-day use), we all need the line's Skin Warrior Anti-Pollution Repair Cream ($46 at sephora.com). It gets rid of redness, dryness and uneven tone, and helps protect against things that come at us everyday — from the sun we soaked up all summer to pollution all around us.
Meanwhile, you should consider exfoliation your very best friend right now. Don't get me wrong — it's important no matter the season. But post-summer holidays, it should be paramount. Nothing will make your skin look duller than built-up layers of tired, UVdamaged skin cells. Bring back your previous glow with products like First Aid Beauty's FAB Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid, 10 percent AHA ($55 at sephora.com), a simple-to-use, leaveon formula that's gentle enough for even most sensitive skin types.