Beauty Archives - Laughing Lindsay

Tips to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

May 2, 2023 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

May is Skin Cancer (and Melanoma) Awareness Month. I hadn’t posted about it here yet, but I’ve had a few atypical or pre-cancerous lesions removed over the past couple of years. After those experiences, I started taking steps to attempt to prevent that from happening again. So, here are my tips to protect your skin from the sun, so you don’t have to endure what I have.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

Unfortunately, I didn’t grow up wearing sunscreen frequently or really thinking about protecting my skin. However, ever since my surgeries, you can bet you will find me wearing everything I can to cover up when I’m outside. While I am not a doctor or expert, I am sharing what I have found works for me in hopes that it helps someone else.

Wear sunscreen. I will start with the most obvious way to protect your skin from the sun. Sunblock. I think mineral or physical is best because it sits on top of the skin to form a protective barrier. These sunscreens will contain Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. However, it is more likely to cause a whitecast or white shading on the skin. So, I highly recommend trying one before wearing it out. In fact, I recommend purchasing Sephora’s annual Sun Safety Kit that comes with a great assortment of sunscreens to try! This year’s kit is pictured in my Instagram post below. It’s also important to look for something with SPF 30 or higher for full coverage as well as re-applying frequently. I like to use a powder sunscreen to re-apply on my face as it helps with oiliness/sweating and is easier to apply when it’s hot. I’ve linked the one I use as I also avoid talc in my beauty products now.

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Wear a hat. Even though I wear sunblock, I also wear a hat to cover my head and ears. The more closely woven the fabric is, the better it is. I have two hats. One for regular travel and another with a neck flap if I’m planning to be in a swimsuit or working outside. It doesn’t always look nice, but I prefer that to getting burned.
Wear UPF clothing. I wanted an option that was easier than remembering to re-apply sunblock, so I discovered UPF clothing. I also love a good theme park shirt and didn’t want to quit wearing one when I travel. So, I have purchased several UPF sun jackets from Amazon and wear them over my shirt. I also keep them near the door of my home on a coat rack, so I can just grab one whenever I head out. I wear these even if I’m just riding somewhere now. I feel a little weird wearing jackets in the summer, but I’m getting over it. I also have a pair of pants for around the house and a skort. When we visited Discovery Cove, I wore a swimsuit with UPF (and a rash guard) from Land’s End.
Avoid being outside between noon and 3 o’clock. This is when the sun’s rays are the most intense. It’s also when it is the hottest. I typically take a mid-day break out of the sun to rest up.
Get regular skin checks. Due to my history and my family history, I’m currently going every 6 months to the local dermatologist for a skin check. If you can’t afford to go to the doctor, you should become familiar with your own body and check for anything new or changing.

Do you have any other tips to protect your skin from the sun?

Travel Razor Kit Venus Snap is My New Favorite Accessory

March 3, 2014 By Lindsay 3 Comments

It may be March and blustery here, but I’m already planning my summer trips and the new travel razor kit from Gillette is on my must pack list.

Travel Razor Kit

I’ve already got 2 blog conferences on my calendar for this summer. Both of those conferences are in California. So, I’m going to be doing some more flying (woot!). However, that also means that space will be a premium on my flight back (with the swag and souvenirs I pick up). I’m all for a product that will save me some room while giving me the full benefits of using a regular sized one that I’m used to. That’s why I was interested in the travel razor kit that is the Gillette Venus Snap mini razor.

The Venus Snap is a mini five blade razor that comes in a portable compact that makes toting it around even easier! I love the portable compact that it comes in because it’s so cute! It’s blue and it keeps you safe because it covers the entire razor. I know that I won’t accidentally cut myself on this razor thanks to the container that it comes in.

I would be remiss not to mention the fabulous mini handle that makes the travel razor kit my new favorite accessory. It is super easy to hold onto and makes shaving a breeze. Plus, the small handle is what keeps the razor so small and portable.

Lastly, I love that this travel razor kit is from Gillette Venus and it comes with the Venus Embrace 5 blade razor! Venus is my preferred brand of razor because it gives me that close shave that only they can provide without making me cut myself. I have actually wondered before why Venus didn’t have a more portable razor. However, they finally do and I’m happy about it.

If you want to pick up a travel razor kit, the Venus Snap, it’s available at Target, just in time for spring break.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

How to Reuse Plastic Bottles with Johnson and Johnson Care to Recycle

February 10, 2014 By Lindsay 52 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to reuse plastic bottles after they are empty? Do you already recycle your plastic products? Growing up, we recycled our plastic. In fact, my mom used to volunteer at the town’s recycling facility. So, recycling is a cause that is close to my heart. However, I must admit that I haven’t been as good at recycling things since I’ve moved out. So, when I received an email about reusing things, I knew I had to share.

Disclosure: I received a package of complimentary Johnson & Johnson products.

How to Reuse Plastic Bottles

While 7 out of 10 Americans say they always or almost always recycle, only 1 in 5 Americans consistently recycle in the bathroom. Many consumers don’t even realize that most products commonly used in the bathroom, such as shampoo, lotion and cleanser bottles, can be recycled.

Each year, Americans throw away enough 15-oz. shampoo bottles to fill 1,164 football fields—that’s 18,000 tons of plastic ending up in landfills. So, this can have a major impact on the environment.

To help make a difference, Johnson & Johnson is launching CARE TO RECYCLE™, a recycling campaign that encourages people to recycle more items from the bathroom. The Care to Recycle website includes helpful information and tips on what can and can’t be recycled and an infographic with additional statistics on bathroom-product recycling.

I found some of those statistics to be very surprising. I hate how much we waste. So, I’m excited to share these next couple of ideas with you. If you don’t know how to reuse plastic bottles and have never done it, then I’ve got some great ideas for you. If you’ve done it before and have other tips, please let me know them in the comments. These are just some great ones to get you started.

Most of the ideas on how to reuse plastic bottles consist of cutting the top off of it and using it for storage. However, the container could also be used to amplify the volume of the speakers on your cell phone or as a gardening shovel. So, do you have any other ideas for repurposing plastic bottles?

2023 Update: I have found it to be easier to recycle the plastic bottles by keeping a little recycling bin in my bathroom. It’s beside the trashcan, so it’s easy to just toss it in whenever I empty a bottle. This has helped me to recycle a lot more plastic! Additionally, we are very lucky that are our town starting offering a recycle pickup program. So, we just collect our recycling and put it out every other week. I highly recommend looking into recycling programs near you!

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Facial: The Perfect D.I.Y. Mother’s Day Gift

April 14, 2013 By Lindsay 3 Comments

Almost two years ago, I posted the Bonding Over Beauty Book Review on the book by Erika Katz. Now, just in time for Mother’s Day, I wanted to share the Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Facial from her. It’s super easy to make with ingredients that can be found around the house. I might have to make this for my mom this year since I think she deserves something really special.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Facial

Like I said, this is a super easy D.I.Y. activity. Just look at the common ingredients it contains.

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons dry, uncooked oatmeal

Now, look at how easy it is to make.

Mix all ingredients well in a small bowl.
Apply mask all over face and let sit for 10 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.

Please note: This recipe should be used right away. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week but must be brought to room temperature to use.

See how easy that is? I know that we have at least half of those ingredients in our cupboard right now (maybe all of them). I also know that I can make this at a moment’s notice. So, if Mother’s Day sneaks up on me, I can just grab these things from the pantry and whip it up for my mom. Then, since all my mom has to do is let it sit for 10 minutes, she shouldn’t complain about it. My mom’s a very low maintenance person, so she should enjoy the chance to do something for her skin that isn’t time consuming or difficult. Plus, just look at the benefits of using this Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Facial:

Oatmeal is a wonderful ingredient to calm irritated skin and absorb excess oil. It also cleanses pores. Chocolate has antioxidants which prevent damage to the skin’s elastin, hydrate the skin, and give it moisture. The heavy cream smoothes and softens skin.

So, what do you think of this super easy Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Facial? If you want to find more tips like this one, you can check out Erika Katz’s website, Bonding Over Beauty.

Disclosure: Nothing was received for this post. I just wanted to share a super quick D.I.Y. chocolate oatmeal cookie facial for Mother’s Day with my readers. The opinions expressed are my own.