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For some redheads, a purse is just a place to carry a wallet and license. For others, it holds those daily beauty essentials that are needed throughout the day. We’ve gathered a few ‘redhead friendly’ purse essentials that are helpful to have in your handbag. Keep reading to find out what you should always have with you.
1. A mini sunscreen:
That’s a necessity, no matter what temperature or what season. If a redhead wants to take a walk outside during lunch, we still need to protect our skin from the harmful UV rays. And we all know our skin is more sensitive and burns quicker. Don’t jam your purse with a big tube. It is easy to find good sunscreens in small or trial sizes that don’t take up much room at all. That is just what you need.
‘Redhead Friendly’ favorites: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen in SPF 70. (Look for trial sizes or put some in a mini jar or bottle)
2. A good lip balm with SPF:
Melanin is the dark pigment in the outer layer of skin that gives it its natural color. When you are exposed to UV light, your body protects itself from burning by accelerating the production of melanin. Your genetics determine how much and how quickly your body produces melanin. The slower it produces it, the quicker you will burn from the damaging rays.
People with red hair have a chemically different type of melanin than people with darker hair. That is one of the main reasons why they burn more quickly than other hair colored individuals.
NOW, put in the factor that a person’s lips have NO melanin in them at all and you can see how dangerous it can be for redheads to get sunburned lips. To avoid that, use a good SPF sunscreen lip balm under any lipsticks or glosses to get the most protections. A few brands now carry an SPF in their colored lip products.
‘Redhead Friendly’ favorites: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15. (This product is available in clear and 13 different tints)
3. A natural mineral powder or light powder mineral foundation:
I have my reasons for this little item. Often, especially during the summer months, my makeup can get a little cakey or my skin can kick in extra oils making my foundation “slide”. At times, it can even become uneven or blotchy. A small travel-sized container of mineral powder or foundation can give you a nice even finish to your makeup or smooth over imperfections that may have occurred during the day. The other good thing about having this with you is that many pure mineral powders and foundations have natural sunscreens in them. This gives you increased sun protection on your face as well.
‘Redhead Friendly’ favorites: LA Mineral’s Hollywood Mineral Foundation or Diamond Veil. (Many color and container size choices.)
4. Sunglasses:
Yup, it’s not like us redheads have enough to worry about with the sun, now we have to put our eyes into the mix. Very often, redheads find themselves being very sensitive to the sun’s rays with their eyes. This can happen even more if the redhead has blue, green or light grey eyes. It is best to prevent squinting whenever possible by wearing UV protection sunglasses. Not only will a pair help keep your eyes from stinging, burning or even getting sun damage, but it will also help prevent wrinkles that can happen when the skin around your eyes gets worn because of squinting. When you go to purchase a pair of sunglasses, check the tags and stickers that: block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays; screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light; and have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions and imperfections.
5. Pain relievers:
Statistics show that redheads have a harder time tolerating pain than any other hair colors. Because of this, a redhead can get a simple headache and have it turn into a raging migraine in very little time. I always make sure I have some kind of pain relief with me no matter where I go. I also carry a few meds that I may need in random circumstances: ibuprofen if I’m going for a long walk; allergy meds if I am going to be outside; eye drops if I am wearing my contacts outside*. Make sure you carry enough to get you through if you need to take any, and have a backup supply (mine is in the car) just in case. Remember, you are tough but it’s okay not to always be!
With warmer, sunnier days around the corner (I hope!), it is best to make sure you are protected depending on where life takes you for the day. We all know that a good designer purse makes us feel fabulous but if we don’t have goodies in it to keep us redheads feeling our best, the purse won’t look nice if we feel like ick. Pack a few precautions in your purse so you can always be ready to take on any adventure that is thrown your way. Then you will be able to Rock it like a Redhead!
*Be sure you check with your doctor to see what the best medicine is for you.
