This time of year, we are strongly reminded of the sun’s powerful rays, and dare I say the wrinkles and “dark spots” that can appear on our skin as a result of sun damage.

This is where sun protection and the need for sunscreen comes in. I’ve been religious in wearing face cream with SPF for many years, but there’s always more to learn. Yesterday, I went to a local spa to inquire about face products with sunscreen (and to learn about repairs for sun damage) and as I drove home, I thought about a song I heard years ago by Baz Luhrmann: Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen.

This week, my message echoes his lyrics and the powerful wisdom within – which are remarkably, and very powerfully, still relevant. His advice was to young adults at the time; the graduating class of ’99. It still gives me tingles.

Now middle age, I reflect back and so much of what he said (aside from living in New York and California – I LOVE both those places!) holds true. But, it is a good and gentle reminder about the thing called “hindsight”.

I can’t turn back the clock (nor do I want to), but I can choose to wear sunscreen every day. So, here are a few of my must haves to protect my skin so I can get out there and enjoy the summer sun.

• Eminence Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 30 – day cream that also helps lighten sun spots
• Eminence Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque – restores after a day in the sun
• Eminence Facial Recovery Oil – after a masque, deep scrub or day of travel
• Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate – use alone or under a moisturizer,
• Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck – a nightly ritual 
• Jane Iredale lip drink – a slight tint with SPF that can be worn alone or under lipstick or gloss  
• Jane Iredale lip gloss  – a lip gloss that lasts with great shine!

Eminence products feel great, smell fantastic, and protect your skin with natural, organic (no chemical fertilizers or pesticides touch the product), and biodynamic ingredients that deliver healthy and effective skincare. I am a big advocate for Eminence, (…this is not an ad)!! It just works for me.

Jane Iredale products (known as “the skin care make up”) are amazing – they too are all natural and have sunscreen. I love what I have tried so far and my daughter Paige and I are slowly replacing some of our make up products with this mineral-based line.

Both brands are available online at BeautySense.ca, a 100% Canadian site I’m growing to love, trust, and use more often. BeautySense.ca often has promotions and savings, as well as a point system to redeem on products in future. Delivery is often free and comes right to your door within a few days. Worth a try if you are contemplating online orders!

So, indulge in protective skin care. It not only allows you to safely play in the sun this summer, but to feel confident that you are taking action from future damage as your skin ages (gracefully) :). Also, indulge in making some memories this summer. Life is too short not to.

“Trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself, and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.”  Baz Luhrmann: Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen.

Why? Because you can.

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