Summer Skin Care…Teen & Tween Lifestyle

Summer is here and that means most of our activities will be taking place in the sun. Whether you’re splashing around in your backyard pool, or building sandcastles on the beach, it’s important to remember to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the hot summer sun.

A recent trip to our family dermatologist shed some new light on the proper ways to care for your skin during the summer months, and even year round. One thing I learned was that foundation makeup that comes with SPF, isn’t enough to protect your skin on it’s own! In order to fully protect your skin, you need to first apply a layer of sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (higher is better) before applying your makeup. Be sure to apply it to your neck and ears. You can blot off any excess sunscreen if you need to.  Be sure to let the sunscreen soak in, and wash your hands thoroughly before applying your layer of foundation.

For your foundation, look for one also with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply on top of the sunscreen just as you normally would and allow a few minutes to set in before applying your powder finish. Your powder finish should also be SPF of 15 or higher. I’ve personally never been much of a powder wearer, but since I found out that the powder helps to seal everything into place, and keep you from having to reapply several times throughout the day, I decided to try it out myself.

And did you know your lips can be affected by the sun too? I didn’t! Apparently an SPF 15 or higher lip balm, or even lipstick, is recommended to finish off this total skin protecting regimen.

If you’re not a make-up wearer, just be sure to apply that SPF 15 or higher sunscreen several times a day while you’re out in the sun!

I hope these little tips help you to keep your own skin looking fresh, and photo-ready! Enjoy your first few weeks of summer and don’t forget to keep checking back for more beauty and fashion tips!

Summer Skin Care

 

Be Inspired By…Zooey | Modern Teen Style | Eye On Fashion

You know who is adorable? I mean, stinking cute, want to pinch on the cheeks and give a giant hug to adorable? Zooey Deschanel.

You totally agree, right?
SO cute!

She has this quirky funny personality all her own that really says “I know exactly who I am and I love it!” That, my friends, is the definition of confidence.

But, you know what else I love about her? Her style.

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Her style is a touch of vintage with a heap of totally feminine silhouettes. She is always wearing something flattering to her body shape without being too revealing. That, to me, is the perfect style! Her hem lines are just long enough, I’ve never seen her wear a deep neckline, and she’s always playing to her body shape – not to the fads of the moment.

That is why, Zooey Deschanel, is my “Be Inspired By…” icon for today. What better person to look up to and follow than one who is not only confident in her personality but dresses her body for herself rather than for what is “in” right now?

When channeling your inner Zooey look for a-line dresses, cardigans in all colors, blazers, peep-toed pumps, and anything with hearts, polka dots, bows, or florals! Look for “girly” pieces with a splash of quirky fun that fit your body type.

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There’s no reason you have to look like a kid when going for a girly look; and Zooey Deschanel is proof!

In love and fashion,
Sarah

Modern Teen Style….Jules Weston Photography

Casual, boho goodness…that’s the only way to describe this session from Jules Weston Photography. I love the mellow vibe of these images.

Jules explains, “I live in a small beach town on the Jersey Shore, called Sea Girt. There is this amazing forest a block from the beach that is simply magical. I’ve wanted to do a session with Emily for awhile now and this location seemed perfect to match her ethereal looks. She wore white skinny jeans and a brightly patterned tunic, with fringes on the sleeves — her entire look seemed made for this hidden forest, with its vine covered trees and winding trunks. She is honestly one of the most beautiful young women I have ever seen – yet, she is so much more than just her beauty. She is incredibly sweet and kind and thoughtful. She can be shy, but you would never know by looking at these pictures — She is very comfortable modeling, and I literally can see her come alive in front of the camera. She is heading to high school in the fall and I know she has a very bright future ahead of her.

Emily really inspired this session for me — I wanted to match a location to her ethereal looks, which can go between breathtakingly stunning, bohemian/Coachella vibe, surfer girl vibe, or all American beauty. We decided on a bohemian/Coachella look for the session, and went to this magical forest a block from the beach that is covered with beautiful green vines and windy trees that were knocked down from Hurricane Sandy and other storms. She is a natural beauty, but it’s her beautiful spirit and kind soul that I think shines through these pictures.”

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Thanks for this dreamy session, Jules! See more from Jules Weston Photography on Facebook or her website.

Cheers!
Robin

Design Inspiration … Colors of the Beach

This months design inspiration comes straight from the beach. It’s officially summer, school is out, and practically everyone is dreaming of a beach get away!

I found this really fun art piece of the beach, and immediately started dreaming up concepts for a fun bedroom and studio inspiration board.

To get this look, start off with a fun aqua color to bring in the tones of dreamy, tropical beach waters. Look up Tahiti or Cancun beaches and you’ll see the exact color to go for! Add in some green for the beautiful and traditional palm trees of these tropical beaches to give the perfect balance to your aqua. Then, pop in some pink for the perfect touch as an accent color, to invoke the feeling of vintage boardwalks complete with pink ice cream cones, and sandy beaches with whimsical umbrellas.

Now that’s a studio space, or teen bedroom, that you wouldn’t mind spending the summer in!

And boys, don’t worry, if the pop of pink is feeling a little too girly, you can trade it out for yellow and still have an awesome, complimentary color that is reminiscent of all the beach fun!

Do you have a studio or teen bedroom that draws inspiration from, or is designed around the beach? We would love to see! MTS would love to feature your space along with our inspiration boards once a month. Are you a teen or tween who is getting ready to graduate from a kid room to an awesome teen space? Share your before and afters with us and you can be featured in our monthly design inspiration post too! Just email us at info@seniorsstyleguide.com with “Studio Design” in the subject line. AND don’t forget to follow us on instagram @mdernteen for your daily dose of inspiration! We look forward to seeing your awesome spaces!summerdesigninspiration

 

Eye on Fashion | Headbands

Being a person with super short hair, I’ve never really paid much attention to hair accessories. Sure, my daughters love their bows and clips but for me, I don’t have enough hair to really do much with. However since I’ve been taking pictures of teens, I’ve been paying more attention to what girls are wearing on top of their luscious locks. Adding a simple headpiece can take your look to another level while it also completes your outfit. So banish those black elastic hair bands and opt instead for one of the season’s hottest fashion trends – gold hair accessories and boho flower headbands. I used both of them in a recent shoot and they were so much fun. Here my models are both wearing hair accessories from our local Blush Boutique.

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I love these gold hair accessories. They are like “head jewelry!” They remind me of Cleopatra and evoke a sense of elegance and glamor. Wear them for fun during the day or to add a dash of sparkle and drama to an evening outfit. Some are delicate, others are bold, so pick one that fits your style and rock it out! Remember that the more intricate your head piece, the more simple your outfit should be. You can find shopping information for these pieces here.

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There’s a little flower child in all of us, don’t you think? The boho look is so hot right now and nothing sets-off a flowy skirt and bell sleeves like a fun, flower headband. You can find them in any store these days – big flowers or small, on top of your head or across your forehead, these headbands add at a touch of whimsy and color to any outfit. I love the variety of flower types – everything from daisies to roses. Shopping information for these headbands can be found here.

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Peace & love!

Megan

Modern Teen Style….Linda Gorshein Photography

The colors, the locations and HORSES! This session from Linda Gorshein Photography is so captivating.

Linda adds, “This was a fun, outdoor, spring session with a beautiful high school Junior. We photographed her at a local farm and enjoyed the beautiful scenery with the barn, orange trees, animals, and more.

Kristina loves the outdoors and loves animals. She wanted a photo session that captured her love of the country and the great outdoors.”

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So dreamy! You’ll definitely want to check out more of Linda’s work on Facebook or her website.

Cheers!
Robin

Inspired by Marilyn Monroe

Yesterday would have been the 89th birthday of Marilyn Monroe. Although the styles she wore could range from over the top, to classically beautiful, one thing is for sure, she made a huge impact on the world of fashion, and still today, continues to be unforgettable.

One of the most notable fashionistas, Marilyn continuously broke the boundaries of women’s fashion. In a world of Peter Pan collars, she stepped out in longer necklines and off the shoulder looks. When most women were wearing the traditional 1940-1950’s mid-length dresses with shoulder padded sleeves, you could find her pushing the envelope in pencil skirts and sleeveless tops. If she was comfortable, and felt beautiful in it, she wore it!

Marilyn’s preference for red lipstick and cat-eye eyeliner are often one of the first things that come to mind with the mention of her name. Though she wan’t necessarily the one who pioneered them, she certainly was the one who became notorious for wearing this combination of makeup. Pair that with her platinum blonde short hair, and there is no wonder she was always front and center, catching the attention of everyone around her.

One of my favorite things about Marilyn, is that she became an example of beauty to curvier girls, and continues to do so today. She is frequently brought up in conversation when the topic of curvy bodies in fashion and beauty come up on blogs across the internet. By being a confident, full-figured woman, she has given inspiration to many of us girls who’s bodies might not meet the “model standards” of mainstream media. (Thank you Marilyn!)

Thank you for taking a moment with me to honor this awesome fashion icon!  Marilyn might be just one of many that have helped to pave our way through the history of fashion, but she is surely one of the most remembered and loved!

 

Color Block Bathing Suit Season | Eye on Fashion | Modern Teen Style

There have definitely been a lot of throwbacks to the 80s fashion era lately and swimwear seems to be no exception to this trend! Big this Summer 2k15 season is the color block bathing suit.

What exactly does the “color block” style look like? It is an article of clothing with clearly defined blocks of color – usually (but not always) outlined in black or white to help separate and define the color pieces. Since the focus is on highlighting the colors, bold and bright colors are usually used in this design – making them an awesome choice for a bathing suit design!

And, of course, they come in bikini, monokini, and one piece options – so they’re great no matter your bathing suit style preference!

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When you head to the store in search of one of these beauties don’t be afraid to ask for help! With the emphasis on the colors and bold, defined lines, you can easily find one that suits you and your body – giving you that much more confidence this swim season; so, don’t hesitate to ask a salesperson for help finding the perfect one!

So, who is with me on the color block trend? I guarantee you will be seeing these out and about this Summer; the question is, will you be with the trend or making a new one?

In love and fashion,
Sarah

Modern Teen Style….Abbi Marx Photography

This cutie looks like she’s so much fun! So sweet and full of personality. This submission comes to us from April at Abbi Marx Photography in Arizona.

April explains, “I don’t believe anyone can argue that Arizona’s magic hour light is simply what it is: magic. Audrey just happens to add a little more to that. She looks shy–shy she is not! Silly. Happy. Edgy. I wanted to bring that out to light and for her colorful personality to pop!

This soon-to-be 14 year old definitely has some attitude–the good kind. At only 13 years of age she already has a number of performances under her belt. I’ve seen her perform and when I was asked to photograph her, my response was “YES PLEASE!”

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Be sure to check out more from Abbi Marx Photography on Facebook or her website.

Cheers!
Robin

Inspired by Nautical Style

With all the red, white, and blue from Memorial Day still fresh in our minds, and the fact that summer is literally knocking on our doors, I thought I would throw out something different that embraces the fun, whimsical side of summer. Nautical style. It isn’t just for sailors!

There’s something fresh and fun about navy stripes, red lipstick, and big sunhats that makes me dream of beach picnics and sail boats. It’s a classy look that can be enjoyed by all ages, and it’s a look that makes for vibrant, exciting photos!

To pull off the “Nautical Look”, you can start with pairing some red, white, and blue items. Stripes are almost a must, whether they accessorize the outfit, or end up being the main statement piece. Heels, a large sunhat, and sunglasses will top off the look with an awesome editorial feel and take your photo session in a more fashion feeling direction.

If going all out in stripes and sunhats isn’t quite your thing, you can’t go wrong with a cute anchor t-shirt like these from Sheinside. Pair them with some classic jean shorts and tennis shoes and you’re set with a casual “stroll on the beach” look that will scream summer!

What parts of summer are you inspired by in your sessions? Do you have any nautical, or beach themed sessions you would like to share with us? If so, email Vickie at info@seniorsstyleguide.com for a chance to be featured on the blog! We would love to see what inspires you and your sessions this summer!