I have long given up on tanning. It's useless with my skin type because just three days after I tan, my skin goes back to being fair. So, might as well embrace the natural color of my skin I was blessed with by keeping it protected from the sun to prevent premature formation of wrinkles, and the appearance of sunspots and freckles.

For the past 4 years, Boracay has been my friends' and family's annual summer destination. In the first 2 of those years, I always came home with a very bad sunburn, and during the 3rd year, I came home looking like lobster. I had to sleep sitting up, naked, and in excruciating pain for almost a week!

I was always afraid that if I applied sunblock, I will not get the tan that I want (to show off that you've been to the beach...) so i would apply a sunblock once a day, and pile on tanning oils like, NO AD's DARK TANNING OIL, or TAN AMPLIFIER, MAUI BABE's BROWNING LOTION, and even BODY SHOP'S BODY OLIVE OIL! I would start the day by applying a thin layer of SPF 30 and I would religiously apply tanning products the whole day, specially after I swim.

In those 3 years of sunburns, my boyfriend would always come home with a nice natural tan even though he wouldn't apply any tanning products. He would just apply SPF 50 the whole day and stayed under the shade. So on the 4th year, I vowed to myself that I would apply SPF and protect myself from sun exposure, and that I won't feel bad if I came home with a not-so obvious, un-burned skin.

A few days before leaving for the beach, I asked my boyfriend to buy a huge tube of VMV's Armada Sunblock SPF 70 when he was shopping for beach stuff. Actually, SPF 30 would do the trick but I wanted to get the maximum protection and more, +more. I wasn't going to go home with a sunburn this year!

This SPF is amazing. I loved how it's not sticky and so very easy to apply. It can be for both the face and body so you do not have to bring a whole lot of bottles with you. I would reapply this each time I would come from the water (water droplets can magnify UV Light so cut your normal swim time to 50%) , and didn't bask in the sun like I would in the past. I would stay under an umbrella the whole day. After 6 days, I came home with a fabulous looking tan without the pain!

The whole point of my post is to let you readers know that I have learned my lesson. I would always post entries about SPF, UV rays and other safe tanning tips, and I would personally ignore most of them. It is only this year that I followed the tips and the steps I would post, and I came home happy and pain free!

Grab a tube of VMV's ARMADA SUNBLOCK SPF 70 today before hitting the beach! I absolutely give it 2 thumbs up!!



PHOTO CREDITS
Photographed by Sabs Hernandez
Model: Cristalle Acosta

Summer is my favorite season: I love that everything--including makeup--is more relaxed. This year, the summer makeup trends are good enough to eat, with Popsicle-like pastels, creamy caramels, and cotton candy pinks. We've decoded the colors for you; all you have to do is choose which look suits your style and how subtle or strong you want it to be.





PHOTO CREDITS
Photographed by Charlie Teotico
Hair and Makeup by Sabs Hernandez for Lancome Paris
Modeled by Erikka Marzo

Women like Valerie, have glowing tanned skin all year round. But for those of you who have just gone to the beach or are faking a tan this summer, check out my tips for an enhanced summer glow!

Remember, orange and tangerine shades are in abundance this season. Not all can wear them but for those that can they are a great alternative to the pinks. Those with golden skin will find that orange makeup will tend to warm and highlight the face like no pink ever could.

Makeup Base: Cover the face with a very light coating of either luminous skin cover or luminous moisturizer - the key here is a natural glow to the skin not a made-up feel! Now, there are brands out there now that came up with illuminizers in gold or bronze shades, so that would look best on your skin.

Eyes: Using a peach toned shimmer powder or loose eyeshadow dip a finger into the shimmer then dab lightly around the eye both on the top and bottom.

The aim is to make it look like a sprinkling of shimmer, which results in a very sexy but simple look.

Apply a little extra shimmer powder on the very inside and outside of the eye to accent it and bring it out and coat your lashes with a brown mascara.

A black will look to heavy and detract from the lightness of the actual eye makeup.

Lips: Using a lip brush, first line and then fill your lips with an orange toned lipstick. To give the lips a sexy sheen pair your lipstick with a coating of clear orange gloss. Go for the Au Naturel look, let your tan skin make the statement!

PHOTO CREDITS
Makeup: Sabs Hernandez for Lancôme Paris
Hair: Jake Galvez for L'Oreal Professionnel
Photographer: Raymund Isaac
Model: Valerie Delos Santos

If you are flaunting your toes all over the place this summer, then consider painting your nails a fun, bright color. Bright pink is especially popular this summer and looks great on all skin types. It's especially striking against dark skin.

When wearing your fave sandals or your trusty pair of Havaiannas at the beach (or even malling!), a nicely pedicured foot will make you even more summer lovely! Forget about blacks, browns, and burgundys. Opt for fun summer colors like tropical punch pink or pastels. If you want, find a great nail art salon and make it even more fun by adding some bling!

A piece of advice though, when choosing your summer shade, consider your sandals. I plan to stick with my hot pink -- other colors clash with my favorite summer slippers. But if you're feeling a bit more daring and bold, mix and match your colors to lighten up your mood... and your outfit!

Try Dashing Diva at Beauty Bar! They can do practically anything to your tips and toes!