African American hair care tips and styles for the summer

 

If you've been worrying about how to keep your African American skin looking great all summer, chances are you've also been concerned about how to keep your hair in check during the hot and humid days to come. Recently, The Grio, an NBC news affiliate, spoke to New York City stylist Patrick Wellington about the dos and don'ts of African American hair care in the summer.

First, did you know that sunscreen is not just for your African American skin? According to Wellington, hats and products that contain SPF are also important for the hair, and can protect it from sun damage. Next, he said that you should be washing your hair at least once a week in the summer.

"Summertime always requires a little bit more maintenance. You don’t always have the hats to cover it up, you always want to look good. It takes a little bit more work; more washing. You’re perspiring; you’re probably working out, so definitely wash your hair once a week," said Wellington, quoted by the news source.

Essence Magazine states that the summer is a good time to try a new hairdo such as a side ponytail, a loose blowout or a french braided side-chignon.

 

Lip colors for the new season

 

If you caught the recent MTV Movie Awards, then you may have noticed that there was large variety of lipstick colors and tones that were taking center stage on the red carpet. Recently, Access Hollywood published an article with some tips on how to use your African American skin care products to have lips like a star.

The news source said that red will be the most popular lipstick color this summer. For darker skin tones, Hollywood recommended looking for an orangey-red that casts a glow on the skin. However, if red isn't your style, the information provider had suggestions for how to pull off a nude lip.

"For a perfect pout, line the lips with a cream-based concealer. In choosing a shade best suited for your skin tone, the lipstick should be one or two tones darker than the inside of your lips. Next, use a lip brush to paint the lips, starting from the center. Finally, dab some loose powder over the lips to help the color stay on longer," according to the news source.

Vogue states that some more lip colors that are hot this season are candy pink and tangerine orange, so it may be time to re-stock on lipstick for the summer.

Eat right and wear sunscreen for health skin this summer

 

Just because you have African American skin, doesn't mean you don't need protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, especially in the summer. Recently, the Ledger-Enquirer, a Georgia news source, spoke to dermatologist Tanda Lane about what people should be doing during the warmer months to protect and even boost the health of their skin.

First, Lane said that nothing is more important than wearing sunscreen every day. Some African Americans may not realize that they need SPF, but the National Cancer Institute states that not only can this population get skin cancer, they also tend to be diagnosed in the later stages. Next, the dermatologist offered some suggestions on what to do if you get a bad sunburn.

"It's important to begin treating a sunburn as soon as possible. Take a cool bath, you can also soak a cloth in skim milk and ice and apply to the skin for five minutes, then apply a moisturizer to trap the water in your skin," said Lane, quoted by the news source.

Finally, the doctor recommended consuming antioxidant-rich foods such as pomegranate and blueberries, since these fruits may reduce inflammation and boost the health of the skin. 

Get perfect summertime skin

 

You want your African American skin to look its best this summer, which can be difficult, considering the skin-searing UV rays and sweat-inducing heat. Recently, The New Canaan, a Connecticut news source, spoke to beauty expert Nicky Kinnard who offered suggestions on how to have flawless summer skin.

The expert said you want to look for products with the right ingredients.

"The most important thing is that you get lightweight hydration during the warmer months," said Kinnard, quoted by the news source. "You want to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid that penetrate deep down into the base of the skin cell layers. You don’t want heavy textures on the skin when it’s hot outside, even when it comes to your moisturizer."

Cosmopolitan Magazine offers some tips on how to keep from sweating excessively in the heat. The news source suggested putting deodorant on at night. That way, it will have time to absorb in your skin and start working. Also, you may want to keep blotting pads with you in the summer to wipe up excess oil from your skin.