End of Summer Beauty - Face the Fall with Confidence

During the summer, we all enjoy increased activity and time outdoors which boosts our physical fitness level and morale. However, as summer winds down and we head into fall you may notice the toll summer has taken on your skin and feel concern about the hectic autumn ahead. Here are some tips to from summer to fall with ease:

The Skin You're In

Check out the skin you're in. Summer sun, heat, perspiration, sunscreens and insect repellents can leave your skin dry and flaky. Before you consider adding extra moisture, exfoliate your skin to get rid of all the dead skin cells clogging your pores.

A gentle exfoliator works best. Avoid harsh exfoliating agents that contain abrasives such as almond that could irritate your skin and opt for exfoliators that work with ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acid.

Once you exfoliate your face and body, use a replenishing moisture lotion or cream with soothing natural ingredients such as aloe vera or olive oil.

Physical Fitness All Year

During the summer, we look and feel great from activities such as swimming, walking, bicycling, volleyball and playing with the kids. As everyone returns to their fall routine, physical fitness can get lost along the way. Consider the following ways to stay fit all year round:

- Take ten minutes every day to simply stretch, do sit ups, jumping jacks and anything you feel like that involves movement. Play your favorite music in the background to really get motiviated and put together your own mini fitness routine along the way.
- Choose one of the many fitness DVDs on the market that are ten to twenty minutes long and just pop it in and get going right in your own home.
- Take a walk around the block after dinner every evening.
- Join a gym. Sometimes having a special place to go or timed exercise classes to attend is a motivating factor.

HAIR

Summer hair is often dry and bleached out at the ends from sun, salt water and chlorine. Get a substantial haircut at the end of the summer -after all, it will all grow back in time for the holidays. It is important to get rid of split ends that are dead and unreceptive to moisture so your hair looks its best.

Choose a deep conditioner and use it three times a week until your hair looks soft and smooth again. Avoid coloring your hair or any other chemical processes until it is back in good shape so you don't dry your hair out further.

The new Posh Spice and Katie Holmes bob haircut is the perfect way to greet fall in style - and get rid of those yucky split ends.

FASHION

As we head into September, it is time to retire Daisy Dukes and tank tops and trade them for t-shirts and Bermuda shorts on warm days. Although white is great during any season, during September and October it just looks out of place - even though those rules of wearing white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day are long gone. You can resume wearing winter white in November.

Other colors that look out of place in the fall are pastels such as pink, seafoam and powder blue. Opt for shades of coral and orange, which set off your end of summer tan nicely and welcome the harvest season. Beige, tan, navy and royal blue are also attractive choices for the end of summer and beginning of fall.

By following a few simple tips, you can face the fall beautifully!