Ah, one of the difficulties of frolicking in the summer sun, is the UV rays *shakes fist*. It's a scary world out there people...Sometimes I want to pull a bubble boy!

Okay, okay..maybe not QUITE to that extent--but you catch my drift! Sometimes, it just seems like protecting ourselves from the elements is a touch overwhelming! For some suggestions on some good cheapie products to keep you protected from the sun--sans giant plastic bubble!...

1) HAIR: As you already know (you little smarty-pants, you!) heat is generally bad for your hair! We use heat protectant before we flat-iron or blow-dry (you better be!) but what about SPF protection? According to an article at http://www.prevention.com Warren-Tricomi salon co-owner Joel Warren says that UV light can "alter the chemical structure of hair leaving it drier, duller, and more prone to breaking". Good grief. Now what are we supposed to do? Well, there are a TON of products with fancy ingredients and high SPF/UV protection--but you don't have to sell your left kidney on the black market to your hands on some!

Paul Mitchell Color Protect Locking Spray--$11.25 at select salons

What they say: Sunflower extract protects the colour of hair and provides UVA and UVB protection

L'oreal Professionel Solar Sunline Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray (hot damn!) 22$ at select salons or visit http://www.lorealprofessionnel.ca for more information! What they say: "Remanent sun protection with MEXORYL S.O UV-PROTECT; a UV filter to help protect the hair fibre during exposure to the sun." with peach perfume (oh la la!)

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil is $34.50 at http://www.aveda.com --so this is pretty pricey (they get pricier, believe you, me!) but has received wonderful praise for being eco-friendly, with wintergreen, green tea and cinnamon bark extracts, shea butter, coconut oil, palm oil, etc. So If you are looking to protect those tresses, you may want to give it a try!

2. EYES: Sunglasses are probably the easiest way to protect your eyes in general, but the skin on your eye lids, and underneath your eye is very sensitive, so your going to want to make sure not to skip this area!!!

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Eye Cream with SPF 30-- this is probably best for those of you who are just looking for the undereye protection and less for improvement of dark circles-- available

Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Cream with SPF 30-- lots of great reviews on this product! It's "light, oil free and won't sting eyes" get it here at Sephora's Website--http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P144500

3. LIPS! Did you know most glosses actually promote damage to the delicate skin area? It does make sense, as those glossy puckers just invite sun rays in, and allow the light to absorb right into your SMOOCHER! Talk about death to smoochy! Best way to protect it is simply to get a balm or lip product with sunblock/ sunscreen and a SPF of atleast 15 (or more!) Many companies have more and more products with SPF-- the one I am using is:

Sofltlips with SPF20! I love these things, so small that they fit anywhere! They come in amazing flavours/scents like French Vanilla, Tangerine, and Strawberry Sherbet! MmMm! I got a two pack at Wal-Mart for $4.96 CDN! So they are affordable also!

Stay Safe in the Sun this Summer (or any season, really!)

XOXOX