Where Most People Vacation

Hi Everyone!!
I hope you're having a great week and enjoying this beautiful weather! After the storms last weekend, let's hope this weekend will bring better weather!
Here's a look at your Wilmington area forecast:

Today May 14		Partly Cloudy	76°/60°	10 %
Thu May 15		Few Showers	79°/67°	30 %
Fri May 16		Scattered T-Storms	83°/57°	60 %
Sat May 17		AM Clouds / PM Sun	79°/63°	20 %
Sun May 18		Partly Cloudy	81°/62°	10 %

Looks like the rain will end Friday and it'll be a great beach weekend!

Speaking of the beach...last time on the BLOG we talked about how to take great photographs at the beach, this week we're talking about some of the top rated types of sunscreen and how to protect yourself for a day out in the sun!

About.com's TOP 9 BEST SUNSCREENS-

Many people incorrectly assume dry skin leads to wrinkles and that moisturizers can prevent them. Not true. Research shows 90 percent of wrinkles are caused by the sun's UVA light and sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging in women and men.

Why are UVA rays so bad? Even at low-level exposures, UVA light breaks down collagen, which causes wrinkles. Even worse, scientists have found that UVA is the main culprit for many melanomas because it reaches deep into the underlying support structure of the skin.

Your options for sun protection are SPF moisturizers, basic sunscreens or tinted moisturizers.

The Best Sunscreen in the World -- La Roche Posay Anthelios

This is arguable, of course. But even dermatologists we've read tout La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait SPF is the best sunscreen in the world. Why does this sunscreen work so well? Because of the chemical "Mexoryl," well-known all over the world to protect skin from wrinkle-causing UVA rays. (Most sunscreens only protect against UVB rays).

How good is Mexoryl? "It produces a product which gives us almost perfect protection against sunshine," said Dr. Vincent DeLeo, chairman of dermatology at Columbia University to ABC News.

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An A+ Sunscreen for Your Face -- Kiehl's

I've used Kiehl's Ultra Protection Water-Based Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15 for years. I used to slather it on every day under my moisturizer and foundation. It goes on smoothly and a bit sticky and you have to cover the resulting shininess with powder.

To protect yourself on a daily basis, we suggest using a 2-finger scoop sunscreen of at least 15 SPF on your face and neck every day no matter the weather. Why? Getting into a routine means you won't miss a day. You need skin protection even if the day is cloudy (the sun's rays easily penetrate clouds).

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Best Body Sunscreen -- Bull Frog Superblock

We told you about the best sunscreens for the face. But what about the body? Experts swear by Bull Frog Superblock Sun Block. Its long-lasting lotion protects even the fairest of skin types.

Extra tip: Sunscreen isn't only for the face. We read in O magazine that dermatologists report seeing too many women with hands, necks and chests that looked 20 years older than their faces. These women were diligent to keep their faces out of the sun but forgot to protect their hands, necks and chests as well.

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Best Facial Moisturizer with SPF for Dry Skin -- Eucerin

Want your sunscreen combined in with your moisturizer? If you have dry skin, Eucerin Extra Protective moisture lotion SPF 30 is a solid bet. It contains the "gold standards" of skin protection -- microfine zinc and titanium oxides. This will guard skin again aging UVA rays and skin-cancer causing UVB rays. My father (he's 65-plus) uses it and raves to his peers that it smoothes his wrinkles. No word on whether he's won over any converts, but I'll keep you posted.

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Best Facial Moisturizer with SPF for Oily Skin -- Aveda

Don't like those heavy creams for your face? Try an oil-free, noncomedogenic sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. We hear good things about Dual Nature Face Protection SPF15 Skincare by Aveda 1.7oz.

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Best Facial Moisturizer with SPF for All Skin Types -- L'Occitane

Moisturizers with SPF protection are great time savers. A great bet is L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Moisturizing Day Care SPF 20.

But be careful, it's very thick. Another great bet is Clarins Hydration-Plus Moisture Lotion SPF 15, which combines sunscreen with Clarins' all-time bestselling moisturizers. A top favorite of dermatologists is Olay Total Effects UV Protection .

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Best Tinted Moisturizers With SPF -- Laura Mercier

Tinted moisturizer is lighter than your average foundation but provides a soft coverage. It's great for women with almost flawless skin because it evens out skin tone without "cake face," otherwise known as "pancake makeup."

Foundations or tinted moisturizers with SPF ensures you are getting not only great coverage, but SPF as well. Hands down the best tinted moisturizer with SPF on the market is Laura Mercier.

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Best Organic Sunscreen: Dr. Hauschka Skincare Sunscreen

For you "green girls," you won't find a better organics company than Dr. Hauschka. This sunscreen is a favorite of Jade Jagger's and is comes in a variety of SPFs.

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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

The reviewers over at Makeupalley.com rave about Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock. It goes on lightly, doesn't turn an oily face into a greasepit and best yet, it won't cast "ghost glow," the annoying white cast that some sunblocks give.

Neutrogena products are now made with Helioplex, which, like Mexoryl, offers ultra protection from the sun's UVA rays. Most sunscreens on the market only offer protection from UVB rays, but it's the UVA rays that can wreak havoc deep within the epidermis and causing some bad skin cancers.

Now that you've got some top choices of sunscreen to choose from...let us know what YOUR favorite is!

And now it's time for Wendy's Helpful Hint of the Week!!

This week's helpful hint is for those of you who are just starting to think about getting in shape for the summer and want to start running to burn off some of those unwanted "winter" pounds...

How to Select a Running Shoe

All running shoes are not created equal. Not only can they alter your speed, but they can also affect your knees, your back and your joints. Selecting the right running shoe can make all the difference, and it can be overwhelming when faced with a wall full of shoes that all look pretty much the same. But if you follow these steps, you can find shoes that will have you running like an Olympic marathoner.

Step1

Find a good running shoe store. You can buy your shoe at the local mega-mart, but the sales professionals in a specialty store are better trained to help you pick the right shoe. To locate a store, ask friends who run, check running magazine reviews, or check the yellow pages.

Step2

Examine the soles of your old running shoes. Notice the spots where the shoes show wear from the road. This tells you where your foot falls every time it hits the ground.

Step3

Place your shoes side-by-side on a flat surface. If the shoes tilt in toward the middle, your new shoe probably needs more stability than your old shoe. If they tilt to the outside, you may have a high arch and your new shoes should have good shock absorption.

Step4

Look at the top of your shoe. If you can see an outline of your big or little toe, and you've noticed discomfort in those areas while running, you should try a larger or wider shoe.

Step5

Consider the amount of running you will be doing. This tells you whether you should buy an elite running shoe or a basic model. The more intense the running, the more money you'll want to spend on the shoes.

Step6

Go to the running shoe store. Tell them what you've found out about your old shoes, or bring a pair with you. The employees should be able to "read" your old shoes and guide your choice. If not, you probably should find a different store.

Step7

Try out the shoes. Many stores will let you take a run up and down the street to audition the shoes. Try on as many shoes as it takes. Make sure you like the feel and fit of the shoe. Try out the new shoes for at least 10 minutes. This lets you know if the shoe maintains its comfort during wear.

Step8

Buy the best running shoes for your feet. When you find the right pair, don't let them get away. Take them home and start breaking them in!

*info provided by how.com*

Good luck and Happy running!! I hope you have a great rest of the week and weekend!