It's My Blogiversary...Which Means It's Giveaway Time!!!

***********************Closing July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST Time)**************************

I was in my blog dashboard the other week and was dumbfounded to learn that on July 7th Red Lip Gloss will be one year old!!!!  YAY.

As shocked as I was to learn this since the time has gone by so fast, it made me realize how thankful I am to all of you, the ever-so important readers.  Without you, I wouldn't have been around this long!!!

So, on this note, as a special thank-you to all of you, it's time for my Summer Essentials Giveaway.

This awesome summer-inspired giveaway includes:

A gorgeous beach bag made, and donated, by the fabulous Bronwen

A soft, and very large, matching beach towel

A matching cosmetic bag

A pocket mirror

Sally Hansen Forever Stay Moisture Gloss in Creamsicle

Rimmel London Sun Shimmer Shimmering Maxi Bronzer in Sun Kiss (My Fave)

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30 Sunscreen (Smells like the beach)

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer in Lime Coolada

Victoria's Secret Ultra-Softening Body Butter in Endless Love 

A matching pair of oh-so glamorous sunglasses 

Last, but not least, a chic-lit summer read: Lunch In Paris

So the rules: This contest is open internationally (so, everyone).  To make it a bit simpler, there are only 4 ways of entering which will give you a total of 4 entries.  In your ONE comment, please provide which ways you're entering AND tell me what you'd like to see more of on my blog!!!!!

1.  Follow publicly through GFC (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

2.  Follow me through twitter and post about my giveaway (provide twitter name) +1

3.  Follow me on Bloglovin +1

4.  'Like' my page on facebook (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

This contest closes on July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST).  After this date, a winner will be drawn via random.org.  Good luck everyone and, again, thanks for your comments and support!!!

XO

Tanning Oil and Sunscreen: A Debate

I was taking part in an "Amazing Race" like event last Saturday with a couple of my close friends. My partner in the race, and very good friend, was lubing (Ha...sorry Carmen) herself up with her "all-natural" tanning oil whereas I was slapping on the 30 SPF sunscreen. Let me first say that Carmen is the only natural blonde I know that doesn't burn. (Trust me, it makes me nauseous too.) Because she never burns, she was laughing at me and my OUTSTANDING relationship with the sun. Needless to say, she and I started to disagree about which product is better for you; Carmen taking the side of the oil and me, sticking with my trusty sunscreen.

Neat thing for me is that I get to post my opinions online. (YAY for blogging.)

Tanning Oils are mainly made with a base of Sunflower Oil and/or Coconut Oil. From there, other products are added like almond oil, cocoa butter, lanolin and eucalyptus oil. These products are what gives the skin a moisturized look and feel. Also, vitamins A, D and E are typically added and are very effective in treating dry and weathered skin. There are undeniable advantages of using tanning oil such as the amount of moisture your skin gets to the deep color of your tan.....this is where it gets a bit tricky. See, tanning oil intensifies the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches your skin, thus giving you a deeper, darker tan in way less time which means there is nothing that protects your skin from the UVA/UVB rays. Yes, some tanning oils promote an SPF 4 or 8 but this protection is almost too low to prevent anything. Plus, having an SPF added is almost counterproductive as oils promote tanning.

Sunscreens are, quite simply, the polar opposite of tanning oils. It was designed to absorb and reflect the UV rays which, as we all know, helps to prevent sunburns. (UV Light also triggers overproduction of melanin, which can be seen in the darker spots on the skin...aka freckles, moles, etc.) To make a long story short, about 90% of aged skin and wrinkles are caused by the sun's rays. SPF prevents those harmful rays from seeping into the skin which means a more youthful look for longer.

A lot of times people think that if they can't see skin damage it's not there which is definitely not the case. Most of the damage we are doing to our skin will not show up for 20 years.....SO, ladies, slap on the sunscreen. Remember, sunscreen is only preventing the damaging effects and will still allow you to get tanned.

Oh, one more thing, look for a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide. (This pigment absorbs the UV light very quickly!) I highly recommend Clinque's Super City Block as it has titanium dioxide AND has an SPF of either 25 or 40.

Sunburn.....Exposed!!!!!

So, today was a nice and relaxing day at work and, because of this, (and that it was a friend's birthday) we all went out for drinks on our lunch hour. Just to prove how sunburned I actually get.. here are some photos.....

How embarassing, I know, and whether it was the prompting of my friend or the beverages we consumed.....here you go!!!

*******Update: This shows the importance of SUNSCREEN...I am typically good with always putting it on BUT who expects that lobster woman will emerge in less than an hour and a half.