As a 50 + Surfer, the common mantra I hear the most is to stay out of the Sun to fight the aging process. I've actually done the opposite because as a licensed Cosmetologist who's worked in the beauty industry for 30 years, I've learned all the skincare hacks so I'm going to share some valuable but simple tips here but for more details I write a weekly blog that really gets into the necessary steps you can go to the Blog section of the menu. 

Skincare starts from the inside out

1.  This is absolutely the #1 main thing to do if you're going to have naturally radiant skin that glows, eating nutrient rich green leafy vegetables or supplements like spirulina , liquid chlorophyll that are a body detox to purify your body.  

Gently Exfoliating your skin regularly 

2.  Removing dead skin cells are a must to have more radiant, youthful looking skin. Using Loofa sponges, or exfoliating body scrub brushes is going to keep your pores unclogged and allow healthy skin to replenish. 

•  You can be as gentle with it by using a mixture of brown sugar and honey or a coffee and coconut oil scrub. There are also some great organic products on the market that are eco-friendly. 

Hydrate your skin from the inside out

3.  Hydration is just as important as any of these on the list. Dehydration can cause sunburn and make you tired at the beach. It's the only time I've ever gotten a sun burn or when my skin became over dry. 

• Things like coffee, caffeinated tea and alcohol can make you become dehydrated so it's important to eat water rich foods like seeded watermelon, mango and coconut water when you're having fun at the beach.

• Choose natural and organic lip balms. They help to keep your lips moisturized and typically soothing ingredients that protect them outdoors. 

Use Eco-friendly Products before and at the beach

4. As beach lovers, surfers and swimmers this just has to be a golden rule to do our part in keeping the Ocean we love being in healthy right?  Using eco-friendly skincare and sunscreens like Zinc Oxide is a value asset to doing our part. 

Regenerate your skin after the beach with hydrating products

5.  After a fun day at the beach our skin may become very parched, using aloe vera gel helps soothe the skin and heal it  Also using organic creams that contain 5 ingredients or less unless are my personal go to's unless it's just a combination of natural products that contain hyaluronic acid, rose oil, aloe, jojoba, vitamin e, mango butter, shea butter, coco butter and the list can go on. 

These are my 5 skincare tips that seem very simple but it's the daily consistency of doing this routine that you will see the most benefits.  On my merch page you can click on my Amazon store to see the products I love using, there you'll find my highly recommended must haves for those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors and  want to try some new products. Generally,  your spring and summer skincare is different from your fall and winter skincare so maybe it's about that time to check it out.  Have fun out there! 

Hey  Sun Tribe! Listen up, when it comes to reviewing if anti-aging skincare really works,  I have had a lot of experience from working in the beauty industry as a Cosmetologist.   As you know I'm a   surfer chic  who's over 50, with an active lifestyle, which means my skin  has been through 5 decades of  experience with various skincare routines.    Also, I've had the pleasure of  getting up close knowledge from my Clients  experiences as to  what's worked for them and have gotten to actually see the results from years  of being behind the chair. 

 UV Rays, chemical and  environmental  pollutants are just a few of harmful exposures  I have to take into consideration when I am looking for the  most helpful ingredients. 

So if you're looking for a  nutrient rich moisturizing  organic product  that will help repair and replenish  your  skin, I found one that I really love.   You can find the link on my Amazon storefront but let me tell you all about why, I  love it .

 As we age, our skin can go through many changes and often requires different types of care. It can become dries, wrinkles start to form, and  it loses its elasticity.

 However there are natural ingredients that can help maintain the skin's health and improve its appearance.    Like Vitamin C which is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals to improve skin tone and texture. 

 So staying updated with  innovative  non-invasive methods as well as sticking with  ingredients that have stood the test of time  for healthier skin are my main goals.  

 Which is why I'm actually quite impressed with the  results of  using this Rose Extract, Rose  product called Rose Oil Essential ,   that's infused with hyaluronic  acid that helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles , aloe vera that soothes your skin , B3, vitamin E that replenishes my skin, collagen,  jojoba  oil, multi-herbal essences, vitamin A and cassia angustfolia  seed  polysaccharides.  Surprisingly, it's only $10,  I've tried lots of skincare through the years 

Of course like I always do is research my products to know  "the why"   of using them.  Rose extract is derived from the petals of  the Rosa Demascena or the Damask Rose which is native to the Middle East and Asia Minor.

  It's fragrant  petals have been used for centuries to make  essential oils and rose water. They are commonly used in  perfumes,  skin and food products that 's known for  it's calming properties as well as the  aroma.  Rose  Extract is  rich in anti-oxidants that help to protect the skin against environmental  damage and reduce the signs of aging , helping to sooth irritation and redness. 

One of the issues   I've also come to realize is that  what you use to moisturize your face with  in the summer  may not necessarily work the same  in  winter skin care routine.   Especially if your climate  changes 2 to 4 seasons  throughout the year.   

For some reason I forget this every year so I like many others  start trying a lot of different products and there are specific ingredients that I look for in my  anti-aging skincare products that    attend to my needs. 

The 3 ingredients that it contains even though all of them in this product are amazing to me are but these are the most important are...

• Hyaluronic Acid because it is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps to retain moisture.  As we we, our skin produces less  of it which can lead to dry, dull looking skin.  Adding  this  to your skin routine can  help to hydrate  your face and reduce  those fine lines and wrinkles that creep up on us out of no where. 

• Collagen because it's essential  for keeping your skin looking healthy,  youthful and  vibrant.  It creates a natural barrier that prevents moisture loss and protects against environmental damage. It helps to maintain  our skin's elasticity, helping to keep the skin firm , improving the overall tone and texture. 

• Aloe vera because it's a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries to soothe and hydrate the skin. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, also relieving dry itchy skin.   Also used for sun burn too. 

I have sensitive skin that will break out from most chemicals they put in products so I'm very particular about what I use on my face.  This  little bottle passed my test have some with having some powerful punch  in it to  hydrate my skin . I saw results in a week. 

  It's one of those products that can be used by men and women.  On top of that, I  don't know about you but I love a good bargain too.. It's $10!! I don't find too many that I would recommend.  You can find the link to my Amazon storefront  in the menu. 

It  goes on really smooth  and feels great when I'm  massaging  it into my face,  deeply penetrating  after I've gotten out of the shower or bath when my skin is still damp. In the past, I've never liked the smell of rosy  overpowering scents but this one is actually light and pleasant.   It  says you can use it  up to twice a day.  

 Typically,  I use it night before bed and can  also be used as a massage oil. The  only disadvantage of using this  is  you'll need to order another bottle  in a month  but  for the price as  compared to other anti-aging, wrinkle  repairing skin therapy products , it's  worth the budget.   I really love it. 

I have a confession to make. Now I hope this doesn't come off as an ad because no one is paying me for this but I'm in love with Bare mineral foundations. The main reason is because it never looks like I'm wearing it but it's full coverage so my skin looks smooth and silky. When I'm judging a product I am reviewing:

• How long does it last before I have to reapply? Last all day. 

• Does it make me look natural when I'm taking photos and selfies? No one ever thinks I'm wearing makeup.

•  Does it break down when doing various activities? (nothing worse that melting make-up) Nope, it's perfect. 

• Will it gives me full coverage, making my skin look super smooth? This feels good on my skin. 

• Does it make me break out? (because my skin is very sensitive, I grew up with the worst case of eczema and acne, I've literally gotten pimples the next day from using certain products. I have not ever had a break out with this product. 

• Does it make my skin look dull and aged, instead of radiant and glowing?  I think it makes me look great!

• Are the ingredients sustainable and hypo-allergenic? I would have never used it if it didn't. 

So my comparison is with the Bare Minerals Pro Performance which they almost stopped selling for a while because they wanted to introduce others and then they started promoting their Pure Brightening Serum Foundation that I brought a couple of bottle's of because I wanted to give it a fair try so here are the differences and which one do I like the most. Also, both are around $35's or under. 

Tap to visit  Bare Minerals Pro Performance foundation that is unmatched in terms of being a high quality product in my opinion.  Because it's benefits are Vegan, Paraben free, Talc free, SLS free, Synthetic fragrance free, and cruelty free. My favorite for full coverage, all day flawless finish. Those things are important to me because I don't want a product that over the long term is going to increase wrinkles and fine lines. 

Also, I've used the Bare skin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation too but it's nice for a light to translucent feel which I'm not a fan but someone else might like it. I got it because my Bare Pro color was sold out online. It's an SPF and evens out your complexion with a matte finish but too dry for my particular taste. 

 I prefer Bare Minerals Performance Pro foundation for being for my skin type and smoothing out fine lines for daily wear.  It goes on smooth and gives me a slightly dewy, refreshed look. I've  even worn in a few times surfing too. Try it and tell me if you like it. 

I was having a conversation with one of my clients about how I got into wearing athleisure clothing after a beach biking date gone wrong when I first moved here. 

First off, I love mildly athletic dates where we are doing something fun to see how compatible we are doing it, so I suggested that we go biking. Well, he showed up with a 12 speed, cleats, padded biking shorts and a helmet. I came riding my  seafoam colored beach cruiser, cute open toe sandals, a flowy yellow, min-sun dress and a big tan straw hat smelling like exotic flower petals. 

He was ready for us to get our sweat on and I was ready for leisurely cruising while getting to know each other.  Same activity but different intentions.  He was not ready to slow down and I was definitely not prepared to speed up that day.  We both were irritated with each other because we both assumed our way was the more appropriate. 

So it didn't end up working out because he was bothered by my casual style whereas he wanted more intensity. And, who shows up with padded shorts on a date? I know I'm in LA but dang. 

Well fast forward a couple of months later when I started incorporating more activities like surfing and volleyball, I realized that wearing dresses to the beach weren't working out for me so that's when I started looking into fashionable athletic wear. 

I still wanted to be feminine, stylish  (I'm from Detroit so my casual is gone look a little different) but I also needed a little more versatility so I could still get my workout on. Of course like I research everything, I discovered athleisure wear and was like oh yea, let me try this. 

 Personally, I think Athleisure wear is a great choice for sustainable fashion because it's typically made from recycled materials such as polyester which helps reduce our environmental impact. 

The clothing are often designed with a timeless style, so they can be worn for years, instead of being quickly replaced. The fabric gives me a balance of being lightweight but offers wind and sun protection as well as being breathable and absorbing moisture quicker when I'm doing yoga or running errands. 

Most importantly they are made with an emphasis on durability making them an excellent choice for sustainable fashion. 

So, although I've switched from wearing a dress to a bike date and have become more versatile to enjoy more sports, like this sweater I'm wearing on the photos that comes in different colors, I've posted the link below so you can check them out, I'm still going to keep my cruiser speed on nice and easy just the way I like it.  Some things change and some things stay the same.  You can find these on Amazon. 

When it comes to Beach fashion which seems like it's non-existent outside of swim wear here in California.  We do get a bad rap by fashion vloggers who say Los Angeles has no style (unacceptable reputation, lol) as compared to a NY or Miami. 

Being a transplant from Detroit, "the hair capital of the World" and where People dress to impress,  I prefer not to look like I'm just beach bumming it. I come from a place where we dressed up to go to the grocery store. It wasn't like actually dressing up  though, we called it  being "keepin it fly at all times" was the norm  along with  keeping your hair done.  

So even though my style has become a lot more   "relaxed" through the  years,  I have some go to basic style option  when I'm hanging at the beach and they are: 

1. A casual  maxi dress or skirt  - perfect for a  warm,   mildly breezy day. 

2. A flowy rumper  that shows your swimsuit - great for playing beach volleyball and sitting by a firepit or after surfing when your body temperature drops a little. 

3. A pair of linen pants and blouse  - perfect for a more dressed up beach look

4. A lightweight long sleeve shirt (or shirt dress like the one I have one)- great for protecting your skin against the sun when you've been  going to the beach everyday. 

5. A pair of stylish shorts  and tank top -  comfortable and easy to move around in 

6. A  stylish Sun  hat -  protects your eyes and face while looking good at the same time.

7. Beach Coverup dresses/tops - come in so many different styles, they are my go to for adding a touch of effortless elegance and style to me chilling at the beach .

In conclusion, whether you're spending an entire day at the beach or it's your regular thing,  I hope you help put CA on the map for fashionable, casual style. I'll  raise my game too. 

Have you ever purchased the same outfit in 2 or 3 different colors? Because the fit is perfect? Well, I'm obsessed with this beach coverup.  I've worn it with everything else instead of what it was supposed to be used for.. 

Also, when did it become taboo to wear the same things more than once or twice? Personally, I love sustainable fashion which you'll see is a common thread throughout my post. 

 I realize that a lot of People don't like to be caught wearing the same things on their socials or maybe they just haven't figured out how to style them differently. Buying clothes that you want to wear again is the ideal right? Here are some simple ways you can do just that...

• Take your favorite outfits and change up the pants or shirt 

• Wear different accessories, purse or hat with it

• Change it up with a colorful  jacket, sweater, big scarf or belt

• Color block with other patterns in your closet 

• If you buy lighter colors you an always use fabric dye to change it. 

• You can also tie your shirt up different in the front or the side

As  you see here below as with the photo up top, they are both the same style. It was also perfect for cruising on a boat along the Marina and offered some light sun protection too. 

 It's made of a sheer fabric material but not flimsy or fragile for warmer temps and dark enough that you won't see too much through it.  

Even though I didn't show very different ways to style it here, you'll definitely see them again on another post or wearing on one of my social channels 

The last thing you want is melting make-up running down your face at the beach. Also, the potential for harmful chemical reactions when combined with UV Rays from the Sun can effect the aging process and sensitivity of your skin. 

Recently I was getting ready to surf and I heard a group  having a conversation about wearing eye-liner at the beach when going to surf. 

It inspired me to write this post and my some professional  recommendations being a Cosmetologist for the past 30 years. 

First, I would say to focus on skincare, nothing beats having flawless skin.  

There are a few options for us outdoorsy girly girls who want to  have  glowing, radiant skin that will still look great in those selfies.

1). A tinted moisturizer.  A tinted moisturizer is going to give you that beautiful bronze glow. It's usually formulated to give light coverage but also with it giving your face hydration. They typically have an SPF and are safe for outdoor activities. it's a win-win. 

2). Clear Lip Gloss. Clear lip gloss which usually stays on if you don't lick your lips and no one is side eyeing you using it either. You'll just be giving luscious perky lips. Some have a subtle shimmer in them too, 

3). Lash Extensions.  Lash extensions work for making your eyes pop but I have no idea how they hold up in the Ocean when surfing or swimming, or if the salt water affects them so maybe I'll test them out myself and get back to you.  But this will add glamour without having to wear eyeshadow at the beach. 

4). Sun kissed beachy highlights.  Beachy Sun-kissed highlights, golden toned hues and mermaid inspired wavy to curly hair looks great in or out of the Ocean. Just remember to carry your leave-in conditioner and heat protectant spray to counteract the Sun's rays. 

Also having regular facials, staying hydrated and eating nutrient rich foods will help your skin to have a natural glow. 

I may not have used very much sunscreen until I got into my mid-40's but to be honest, since I've been in my 50's I've gotten more serious about it.

 However, I've always been into skincare for the past 15 years and since I'm over a certain age now with years of experience in keeping this skin looking healthy. 

Here are some things that can cause breakouts and dehydrated looking skin: 

•  eat a lot of processed (junk) and anti-inflammatory foods

• drinking a lot of alcohol or sugary drinks 

• not drinking enough water

• don't wash your make-up off your face

• don't clean your make-up brushes enough

• share those make-up brushes or applicators with someone who does have acne (the bacteria will transfer)

• use the same washcloth to clean your body as you do your face.

• don't wash your hands before touching your face

• Let someone with dirty hands touch on your face

• have built up yeast in the body

• don't change your pillowcases enough to clean ones

Some of those are more about acne and blemishes on the skin but it all adds up about the time you're my age. 

Here are some things that can keep your skin hydrated:

Hydrating the skin to preventing fine lines and wrinkles are a must.  Anti-aging products that contain a naturally-derived ingredient called Hyaluronic Acid is considered vegan. 

 It is a natural occurring substance that provides moisture and suppleness to your skin.  

It helps reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles retaining moisture to the skin, creating a plump effect. 

It promotes the regeneration of skin cells and hydrates. Lack of moisture is one of the main culprits that cause aging skin.  

Using retinol in combo with alpha hydroxy & beta hydroxy acids are not recommended. 

The second product or alternative to the above that I love is Rose oil that is similar to the benefits of hyaluronic acid because its hydrating and improves the texture of your skin while combating aging and dry skin  while giving you the same benefits of reducing fine lines and wrinkles. 

It's a shame that there are quite a few products on the market that have been tested to have cancer causing agents in them. Luckily, living in California we have those Proposition 65 warnings that tell us of the unsafe products that are sold. 

Not only am I conscious of what I promote but I really do care about what's going on my skin as well as the long term impact it will have on our planet in terms of sustainability as well as being eco-friendly to marine life, sea plants and coral.  

There's a mantra that Surfers have adopted from the Japanese Culture when traveling  and it goes "Leave a place better than you found it". 

It's up to us, the Beach Community to support  companies who produce eco-friendly products with best practices. There are many companies so it's not that hard to find, we just have to be conscious about our choices.  We are not here to only think about ourselves but the future generations too. Climate change is real. 

Why it's a must that Surfers use eco-friendly sunscreen?

Everything in the Ocean is affected by what goes in the Ocean. One of those things is and ingredient in quite a few sunscreens that have a suspected carcinogen called  Benzophenone that causes the degradation of octocrylene in sunscreens over time..  These have chemical compounds that can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions. 

• Avobenzone, 

• oxybenzone

• homosolate 

• OD-PABA

• nano-zinc oxide

• octinoxate

Marine Life, Seafood, Algae and Coral are affected by these ingredients..

• Impairs the growth of green algae

• decreases the fertility of fish

• stores up in coral tissues

• can accumulate in the tissues of Dolphins and be transferred to their young 

• damages sea urchins

Pros and Cons of using Zinc Mineral Sunscreens 

The good news is Mineral Zinc oxide sunscreens  provides a full spectrum of protection against ultraviolet radiation.  The bad news is it's super thick so you have to rub it in for a while but who cares, it's worth it right?  Zinc oxide is one of the most effective sun protection products on the market. 

Hey Beach Lovers, if your main concern is avoiding Sun damage on your skin, I have a few tips here that can help. 

 Of course we all know that not having sunscreen on can expose us to UV rays but did you know  there's certain ingredients that can cause sensitivity if we're not careful?.

Having a background in Cosmetology and working for several different Companies as their Educator, I had to learn a lot about ingredients, their reaction to our hairs, skin and bodies when combined.  Yes, we learn a tremendous amount of chemistry. 

  Also, I was a Salon Manager at a corporate Beauty Salon for a couple of years when I first moved to CA, different Beauty Brands would come to educate us. 

They'd tell us about their products, the benefits, how they worked and the best way to use them and what caused allergic reactions, etc., 

Getting to dialogue with them every week, adding their valuable education to my knowledge base was awesome.  

 There were a lot of organic brands that used to tell me about the other products that had potentially "unsafe" chemicals and all sorts of things so that was the really cool part of working there. 

Many skincare companies gave me samples to try, also sharing them away to my clients and friends to test out.  So here are 3 ingredients that we should try to avoid in our skincare. 

1). Synthetic Fragrance is in many personal care products (causes allergies, cancer and birth defects)

2). Dibutyl phthalate is in some nail polish, cuticle treatments, other nail treatments causes reproductive and developmental harm, immune system toxicity, hormone disruption. 

3). Hydroquinone is in some skin lighteners & hair dyes (breathing problems, cancer) 

Remember, if you can't pronounce it on the back of the bottle, please look it up and see if it's safe and sustainable not only to our planet but to your health.