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Moisturizer Musts

Ah, moisture. Just saying the word has me reaching for my lip gloss (how can the humidity level be this high and yet my lips are still chapped?). And speaking of chapped, what is with the alligator skin across the back of my calves, and those nasty rough ridge lines on the heels of my feet? When did I turn into a Sahara landscape? While we all love dewy soft skin, we often neglect to take proper care to ensure that it remains silky, smooth and supple. Especially in the summer, when added time in the sun, exposure to impurities in the city air, and salty wind and spray from the beach can wreak havoc on our otherwise fresh complexions.

We would all agree that summer is a fabulous time of year (flirty sundresses, fun sandals, layered tank tops, shiny glosses), and with bikini season in full swing, we go above and beyond the call of duty to guarantee that our skin is properly bronzed and our hair appears naturally sun-streaked. But as summer-in-the-Hamptons daydreams fill our minds (and as spray tans and bronzing powders fill our budgets), too often we neglect to appropriately care for our (possibly pseudo, but nevertheless sun-kissed) skin during these toasty months. Lucky for us, salvation lies within easy reach. A quick trip to the drugstore or day spa promises a plethora of moisturizing possibilities. The options are waiting, and our skin is begging to be revitalized.

So for the benefit of girls around the world, I have taken the liberty of assembling a list of moisturizing wonders and necessities for all parts of our beautiful bodies.

For the Face: The first thing we see when we look into the mirror and (hopefully) the last thing we slather with moisturizer before bedtime. Perfect, evenly toned skin is every girl's goal. The key to a gorgeous glow and minimally wrinkled twirty skin? Moisture. After all, moisture is a wrinkle's worst enemy. This is true at all ages, ten, twirty and beyond. Try Skinceuticals Emollience to deeply hydrate and freshen your skin.

Short of time and in need of moisture and SPF? In five seconds you can apply oil-free sunblock to protect your face from the harsh elements of the great outdoors. Sunblock is a daily skin care necessity and should be used year-round. I happen to love Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 45 . Because it is non-oily, It leaves your skin soft and shine-free all day. Keep one of these small tubes in your purse or desk at all times for those on-the-run mornings.

For the Neck: The neck area is the true barometer of a woman's age. Face lifts, chemical peels, and Botox can fool most of the people most of the time, but a saggy, leathery turkey-wattle neck will positively scream, "I spent my youth slathered in baby oil lying on a beach!" Always exposed to the sun and often inadequately cared for, the neck and upper chest area will benefit greatly from a high-quality moisturizer. I recommend Avon 's ANEW RETROACTIVE+ Night Repair Cream. Apply before bed every night and wake up to super-smooth repaired skin. Added benefit: your jewelry will positively glow against such stunningly smooth skin!

For the Hands: Remember the old Ivory dish soap commercial where you were supposed to guess which woman was the mother and which was the daughter (they both looked about 16) and the clincher was that they both had young looking hands? Our hands (like our necks) can tell our true age, or even add ten years to it! We constantly use and wash our hands, thus depleting them of much-needed hydration. Keep a tube of moisturizing hand cream with you at all times to combat dryness and to slow the aging process. A hand cream with added sunblock is a fabulous companion and helps to keep sunspots and other such age-telling imperfections from forming on your twirty skin (as well as keeping those lily-whites in proper hand-holding condition). Also, a fresh manicure goes a long way toward removing years from your hands.

For the Feet: Whenever these dogs start to bark I head straight for my favorite vibrating pedi chair, for a nice soothing soak, a relaxing foot massage (with ULTRA hydrating foot cream) and a fresh coat of summer color. However, it seems my summertime feet have become much more well acquainted with the 'curist than my wintertime feet were. Flip flops, strappy sandals, and lace-up espadrilles are this season's favorite stylish footwear, but leave feet exposed to the dry air and heat, making an ultra-hydrating lotion crucial this time of year. Go with a non-greasy foot cream (we don't want to slip out of our chic summer footwear), and for those of us with seriously dry feet, an overnight foot spa is sheer bliss.

For the Legs: Silky legs are sexy legs, and sexy legs are what summer is all about. Oil of Olay Quench Radiance Reviver offers moisture and a sexy summer glow and should be used daily, just like you would use a regular lotion. Skin tinting lotions can be used year round for a healthy radiance without orange spots or streaks, and you don't have to worry about staining your hands. For those blessed olive-toned beauties out there with no need for tinting, a smoothing lotion will optimize that coveted glowing skin tone. To aid in the on-going battle of skin firming, try new Bliss FatGirlSlim, which stimulates circulation and helps tone, firm and energize your thighs!

For the Body: This includes all parts of the skin that have been left dry and needy following application of all of the above. Body butters are a delicious solution for dry arms, tummies, derrière and thighs. Though most are not to be consumed literally, many boast exhilarating aromas that leave you feeling like you've had a calorie-free dessert-and the scent lasts for hours! The creamy thick nature of these marvels makes them ultra-hydrating. Trust us, you'll fall in love (as will anyone else who comes into contact with the after-product).

For the Hair: Generally, we touch our lovely locks often enough to recognize the need for a deep moisture treatment. The dead ends scream out to us in despair-especially if he combs his gorgeous fingers through your dried wheat field. For extremely dry hair, a moisturizing hair mask will work miracles. To tame dry flyaways, work instant silkener hydrating lotion onto the ends. A daily leave-in conditioner (with sunscreen) protects hair, even colored and highlighted hair, and keeps it silky smooth.

If you will follow these essential moisture care guidelines your skin will thank you, your boyfriend will thank you and years from now you will thank me for saving your lovely skin. Lather up and stay hydrated, girls! Visible aging is not inevitable.

xoxo,

She She Me

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