In a city where celebrities outnumber commoners and tanning in the sun is a more popular activity than having those “job” things, one of the hottest skincare spas to the stars, Verabella in Beverly Hills, is taking a stand against unsafe sun. Verabella offers treatments and products to both protect from the sun and heal skin from its harmful effects, and in these remaining weeks of summer, they’re reminding you to practice safe sun with the chance to win a few of their signature products. Enter now, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

WIN:

Verabella Safe Sun Product Trio, $86: Cucumber Aloe MoistureScreen SPF45, Aloe Azulene Soothing Gel with Lavender, eLIPSis All Natural Mango Lip Butter.

SURPRISE! We added 3 bonus prizes on 8/24 with one week of the giveaway left to go – now get the full Verabella skincare set complete with Chamomilk Cleanser, Thirsty Sponges & Herbal beautea skin tonic. If you already entered, you don’t have to enter again.

TO ENTER:

Complete the following checkpoints using Rafflecopter below (it’s our first time using Rafflecopter for a giveaway – you like?).

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Column by: Kavita Jhaveri-Patel

It is officially hot, and many of us are making our way to our local pools and beaches. And today instead of telling you about how you lose weight by accident to get into that bikini like I usually do, I am telling you about something really important to know once you’re in it.

The must have item that we all carry in our swim or beach bags, if you took Baz Luhrmann’s advice at all?…SUNSCREEN. If you have kids, concerns of sunburns, wrinkles, skin cancer, or simply just don’t want to get dark, then sunscreen is your best friend for the next 4-5 months.

I know some of you don’t ever stop using sunscreen because you either live where the sun always shines or you have been told to keep away wrinkles, sun spots, and old age you need to wear sunscreen daily. Some of the information out there on sunscreen unfortunately is severely misleading, and I want to provide you with the right resource to know what you are getting into when you are slathering on that sunscreen 2-3 times a day.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2011 Sunscreen Report says, “Recently available data from an FDA study indicate that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions (NTP 2009).”

They also add, “This evidence is troubling because the sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 30% of all sunscreens. In FDA’s one-year study, tumors and lesions developed up to 21% sooner in lab animals coated in a vitamin A-laced cream (at a concentration of 0.5%) than animals treated with a vitamin-free cream. Both groups were exposed to the equivalent of just nine minutes of maximum intensity sunlight each day.”

This is the reason why I don’t really use a whole a lot sunscreen ever, and try to get some shade at the beach to take a break from the sun, but if you are convinced you need a tan to look beautiful then here are some sunscreens that EWG and I recommend:

Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Unscented Sensitive Skin/Children Sunscreen, SPF 30+

All Terrain Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30

California Baby No Fragrance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+

If you click on one of the links above it will take you to the EWG website where you can find out more.

And hopefully you’ll be dancing the funky chicken at your 75th wedding anniversary.

Body confidence expert and health and lifestyle speaker Kavita Jhaveri-Patel is a Weight-Loss Coach committed to helping women find their paths to losing weight and keeping it off by taking small steps to lead a healthier, thinner and more energetic life. She has been featured in Time Out New York, Healthy Style NY, and has been mentioned on FoxLive News. Receive her free report 7 Mistakes Most Women Make When Trying to Lose Weight and How to Avoid Them by clicking here.

Just like any fair-skinned teenage girl from New Jersey should, I used to be wildly obsessed with my tan. “A day is never wasted if you go to sleep tanner than when you woke up” or something like that was my lame excuse for a personal motto—no gymming or laundry necessary; was I less dynamic than The Situation?

Well, times have changed and wrinkles and sun spots are no longer just fables to keep me from my motionless mission in the gorgeous yellow gleam from 10 am till sunset. Tanning beds are absolutely out of the question; oh how disappointed I am in my younger foolish self! However, I still do love a glowing tan, I just now adapted a few sneaky ways to make it happen while keeping safe from the sun’s unfortunate side effects. I call it: The 7-Step Smoke & Mirrors Tan Plan.

STEP ONE: Sunscreen

To begin the real part of your tan (because this really works better when you’re not channeling Casper) promise me you will always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30. I love Pevonia Botanica Hydrating Sunscreen – it’s one of the top spa-recommended sunscreens, and it’s what I used on my recent trip to Cali. It’s chock full of vitamins and completely oil-free, so it can work as a moisturizer as well, even if it’s not a pool day. $40 on Pevonia.com. Also, check out these 3 eco-friendly sun shields under $10.

STEP TWO: Maui Babe

You may or may not be familiar with my obsession with Maui Babe, a vestige of my tanorexic years that I just cannot seem to kick. Nor do I want to. As long as it’s used over SPF you’re safe, and it is still hands down the best tanning formula on the planet. And when I say tanning I mean browning. I’ve still yet to burn with the Babe. Starting at $13.99 on mauibabe.com.

STEP THREE: A Misting Sunless Self-Tanner

Since you should never be sitting in the sun all day (and who has the time, really?), this is where you mix your real bronze with your fake one. At-home tanning formulas allow you to build gradually, as needed. Applying every other day is a good pace when you want to be building your tan without looking orange. This one from Mystic Tan gives an incredibly rich and even tone. After drying off from your shower, hold about 8 inches from your skin, spray all over, stand still for a few minutes to dry, and in a few hours you’ll be “back from vacation”. $38 on amazon.com.

STEP FOUR: Liquid Bronzer

The funny thing about beauty products is that sometimes they don’t do what they promise, and sometimes they do even better things they didn’t promise. This MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray doesn’t actually do much for your legs, so I’ve found, but it works wonders on your face! It has never caused me to break out, but if you have sensitive skin, I’d try it in the store first. Put a spritz on your fingers, then apply evenly to your face and neck for an added out-the-door glow. $26.50 at MAC.

STEP FIVE: Powder Bronzer

I’ve used a lot of great bronzers – NARS Bronzing Powder, Lola Sand & Sun, HOOLA by Benefit… but none so readily available and affordable as Physicians Formula Powder Palette. Don’t use the baby brush it comes with unless it’s an emergency though – it’s too small to apply it well. Someone should really tell them this. $11.99 on drugstore.com

STEP SIX: Canon Powershot Digital Elph

I’m always shocked when more people don’t know about this! It’s my favorite little smoke and mirrors tanning secret, and I’m spilling it now. Canon PowerShot cameras have a tan setting – it’s the D for Darker Skin Tone under My Colors, and it will make your Facebook friends think you spend every weekend in Miami. I own this one in orange; if you’re on the market for a new digi, this one is positively perfect and will almost match your new tan. $199.99 at Bestbuy.com.

Exhibit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on me, and 2, 4, and 6 my gay hubby Michael last week. Which brings me to STEP SEVEN of the Smoke & Mirrors Tan Plan… wear white!

The Little Luxury: Fekkai ‘Beachcomber’ Leave-In Conditioner with SPF: $24.00

Relationship status: Beach Buddies

How it works: With the push of the pump, spritz this nourishing leave-in conditioner onto wet tresses to instantly detangle and rehydrate fried locks.

Advice for first time users: After hopping out of the pool, rinse hair under fresh water to wash out chlorine and harmful chemicals. Then spray Beachcomber from tips to root (bottom to top) for instant softness and shine. Comb through for even distribution.

Trial and error: When going from beach to boardwalk, apply sparingly at the scalp on wet hair to avoid an over greased look when dry.

Best of all: It’s infused with a UV shield that helps protects hair and scalp while preventing color-fading (chemically colored and natural hues can lose brilliance with over-exposure to the sun’s ray).

Hot Stone Scale (1-6): 5

This Little Luxury Report was brought to you by: Stephanie Cavataro

Column by Jenna Nicole Levine

If the crazy hot weather this past Memorial Day weekend was any indication, it is swelteringly apparent that the summer sun is starting to rear its skin damaging head. Now, I make it a point to wear facial sunscreen on a daily basis; a process that has taken me years of trial and error (and tons of moula) to find the perfect regiment.

There are a ton of screens on the market right now; however a lot of them are greasy, chemical laden, and expensive. Since sun care is one of the most important things a woman (or man) can do for herself to live a long and minimally leather-bound looking life, I have comprised a list of my three favorite eco-friendly products that not only protect you from the sun’s harmful rays; but will also cut down on the time it takes getting ready in the morning. The kicker is each of these products is under $10, and you know how I love saving you money!

Beyond Coastal lip and Face Screen in SPF 30. 1oz $6.99

Beyond Coastal was started in 2006 by Shawn Biega whose goal was to create a line of sunscreens that could hold up to outdoor sports while being non-greasy and chemical free. I swear by this broad spectrum face screen because of it is low low cost, smooth application, non-greasy eco-friendly formula, and it comes in a small tin it fits perfectly in my purse for reapplication on the go. Due to the fact that this is meant for those with an active lifestyle, it leaves me with a matte finish, and it’s waterproof qualities help prevent the massive sweating that comes from 90 degree weather with 80% humidity. I use this in place of my tinted moisturizer and lip balm. Bonus: This lip and face screen is packed with anti-oxidants and contains delicious vitamin A.(But do not eat!) You can purchase here.

Bethesda Skincare Sunscreen Soap Multi Vitamin SPF 10. 4.5 oz $8.00

If you are anything like me you will occasionally forget to apply sunscreen to those vulnerable extremities that are faced with the elements during this tank top and short skirt season. Although this simple bar soap is not a replacement for sunscreen it is a great tool for those days you forget to apply since most of us (hopefully) don’t forget to use soap in the shower. Bethesda Skincare was founded by Jaime Collins Doss, a mother of two who saw a need to create a line of products for her family that were healthy and safe. The result is a line of great eco-friendly products and a company who donates 10% of their profits to various charities in the United States and abroad. This product not only moisturizes immensely, but also aids in blocking those harmful UV rays. The website isn’t lying when it says “talk about getting it all done in the shower.” Bonus: Bethesda Skin Care gives away a free bar of soap for those who are battling cancer. You can purchase here.

Smart Girls Who Surf Care for Hair Sun Protector SPF 7. 2oz $8.50

The sun can dry hair out to the extremes of breaking and bleaching, not to mention scalp burning (ouch!) Smart Girls Who Surf own two additional unique product lines; Surf-Vival (cute!) and Smart Kids Who Play, each product lines goal is providing healthy skin care awareness that is paraben and chemical free. This product not only works as a leave in conditioner to prevent those locks from looking thirsty and dull, but also aids in protection from the sun right after you get out of your shower. It’s non-greasy formula is great for a tousled look, and can be added to your regular hair care routine so you can look fabulous while you protect your scalp during those daily Starbucks runs. This product contains wheat and soy proteins, as well as vitamins C and B. Bonus: You get to use a product that calls you smart.You can purchase here

Enjoy the warm weather and stay gloriously fake tanned!

Jenna Nicole is a native New Yorker turned Washingtonian who loves experiencing everything the city has to offer. When she isn’t writing about ways to save you cash on your favorite beauty treatments, you can find her reviewing D.C. restaurants, clubs, and events. To read more from Jenna Nicole please visit Woman Around Town, or just stop by and say hello on her twitter @Jenna_Nicole.