Beauty Tip: Don't Skimp on the Sunscreen!

As I begin to look forward to my 50th birthday, I thought I'd share a little beauty tip that has worked for me: avoid the sun, or at least manage exposure in a smart way. If you are in your twenties, thirties or even forties, trust me, you'll thank me years from now!

When it comes to sun exposure, by default I've been lucky. I grew up in Nome, later moving to Seward, finishing high school and working the next several summers in the fisheries to pay for college. Try as I might, I was not going to get a tan. The rays were simply not strong enough and it was a rare day the temperature would hit a point that you would actually want to expose much skin!

1971

1976

Tanning was simply not possible. Not that I didn't want one. I read my beloved Seventeen magazines, looking at what girls in other parts of the country looked like. Lots of golden tanned skin! In addition, one of my biggest role models (seriously?!?) was my Suntan Barbie, complete which deep tan and long blond hair.

(Side note: My grandmother would stitch up all kinds of fabulous little outfits and send to me. I've saved them all and I just get such a kick out of seeing these once popular styles!)

Once I had children, however, I did begin to spend more time in the sun. A lot less time working indoors and a lot more time enjoying the outdoors with the kids! But I knew if I wanted to avoid sun damage and all that goes with that, I needed to get serious about using sunscreen.

Today my absolute favorite sunscreen for the face is from Peter Thomas Roth, Uber-dry SPF 30. Why? It truly does go on completely dry. This formula leaves no greasy film on your face, as many sunscreens do, which in my book is the biggest deterrent to applying sunscreen on a regular basis!

But at the same time, who wants to look like they've walked off the screen of the Twilight series! To get a sun- kissed look simply brush on a bit of bronzer. My favorite? Warmth by Bare Minerals.

What is your favorite beauty tip?