Celebrating, promoting and supporting women in motorsports and Moto Enthusiasts

Back to the Future

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Back to the FutureGREAT SCOTT!     Today is a very special day in time.

October 21, 2015

If you were a kid of the eighties like me, then Marty McFly and his time-traveling DeLorean in Back to the Future are a childhood staple.    Not only is the DeLorean a piece of finely crafted and under-appreciated machinery well ahead of its short-lived time, but it’s also an iconic highlight of our youth.   Of course, it also means that the date October 21, 2015 should have recognizable meaning for you.

Geek out with me here, folks.

Today is the day….. we go BACK TO THE FUTURE.

In Back to the Future II, Marty McFly set the flux capacitor-equipped DeLorean for a trip 30 years into the future.   That date…. is TODAY.    So what did the 1989 movie accurately predict for 2015?   Well, they actually got a lot right.   Scarily right.

JVC BACK TO THE FUTUREJVC Glasses?   Check.  We have Google Glass.  Video Phone Calls?   Check.  Hello, Facetime.   Immersive hands-free gaming?  Kinetcs Check.  Drones for news reports?  Check.   Electronic payments via flat wireless device?  Paypal Check.   Biometrics?  Everywhere, Check.

The Cubs winning the World Series?  Still up for debate, but wouldn’t that be just eerily cool?

I’m actually a little miffed that Nike didn’t deliver on the power-lacing sneakers.  And Mattel has failed us on the Hoverboard.    And don’t get me started about the disappointment in the obvious lack of flying cars…. that was THE most anticipated feature of the future for childhood me.   Think of the customization options of cars that FLY!

I will however, consider it a tentative win that they are developing high heels you can change color of via a Smart Phone app on the go!  *Squeeee!!!*

Let’s go Back to the Future.

So now that we know the outcome of reality in October 21, 2015, and the inevitable remake that is bound do happen to ruin revive an old classic like Back to the Future, let’s set the dial on the DeLorean another 30 years.   Let’s go BACK TO THE FUTURE… to October 21, 2045.

What do YOU think the future will look like??

If the pace that racing evolves lately is any indication (how out of the loop and antiquated can you get in just a few short years?!?), then my guess is that we still probably won’t be modding our cars with retro-hover conversions though.

Eighth historic win for Enders

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Eighth historic win for EndersErica Enders shattered yet another record on Sunday, taking the victory at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, TX.    She bested Angelle Sampey’s 2001 7-race record of the most wins for a female in one season, beating her nearest two rivals in the Mello Yello points to power to a massive 154-point advantage with just two races left. The eighth historic win for Enders marked an NHRA-leading feat for the season, and first victory of her career in Dallas.
“I am so glad we were able to get this eighth win here in my home state,” said Enders, who grew up in the Houston suburbs. “You know, I have been talking about a cowboy hat for months, just waiting to come here and win a cowboy hat, so I’m excited to be able to get that done in front of all of our friends and family. It’s just a huge blessing.”
 A cowboy hat is the traditional winner’s gift at the Texas Motorplex, a complex owned by former Funny Car driver Billy Meyer. This year, the winner’s also got a belt buckle to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the event.
The stage was set early for a decisive race, as the top three contenders in the Pro Stock championship chase were paired early, ensuring a shake up in the standings.   Though Enders carried a good cushion into round one, a win here would really help distance her from the competition.   After qualifying 4th with a 6.480, Erica would face Vieri Gaines in Round 1, taking the win with a career-best 6.467 second E.T. at 214.25 mph.  This feat tied as the 8th fastest pass in the history of Pro Stock.
This set up a big match up with bitter rival Chris McGaha, who is third in the points. McGaha had defeated second-ranked Greg Anderson in his opening race.  Behind the scenes, this match-up was steeped in conflict and, for both teams, was personal.
“Those first two rounds were very significant,” Enders said. “First round, we watched (McGaha) beat Greg right in front of us and then we crushed his ET by .400s to earn lane choice in our race against him. We didn’t want to give him anything.  There is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t know about and (McGaha’s) team has been running their mouths. I said from the beginning we’ll let the scoreboard do the talking.”
Enders was 12-2 in career meetings against McGaha entering the second round.   With both teams on edge, the two began their burnouts and staging.   McGaha entered the beams first, bypassing common  courtesy staging and “double bulbing” Enders.   But it didn’t seem to rattle the reigning Pro Stock World Champion, who cut an impressive 0.008 reaction at the tree, en route to a new career-quickest E.T of 6.467 seconds at 214.25 mph.
“There’s no need to argue with ignorant people, so when I went up there and he double-bulbed me, I said ‘bring it on, I don’t care,’ and I was able to drill him with a .008-second reaction time and then totally out-run him. I think we sent a big message. I definitely wanted to beat him, and my guys wanted to beat him even more so that was a nice deal for us.”
 From there, Enders went on to take the wins against Drew Skillman and Jonathon Gray for the historic victory and the big edge in the NHRA Pro Stock points standings.
“We just have such great team chemistry and great horsepower so I’m a happy girl,” Enders said. “(ESPN top-end reporter) Gary Gerould said in our interview, that we have an eight-round lead with only eight rounds of racing left, and that’s really cool, but I don’t care. I want all the points that we can get.  We go into every race wanting to win more than anything in the world and we do our best to step up to the plate. You know, I talk about my guys all of the time but I’ll put my money on them every single Sunday, every single round of qualifying, because they are the best. They bring it and I bring it and together I think the sky is the limit for us.”

Raise your Voice – Blog Action Day 2015

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Today is the 8th Annual Blog Action Day, and this years theme is Raise Your Voice.
From Blog Action Day:“We have the power to create the world we want to see when we raise our voice to promote positive change and expose unjust actions. However, those who their voices are often under attack.  This Blog Action Day we will celebrate those heroes who raise their voice when faced with censorship, threats and even violence. We will raise our voices to defend their right to raise theirs.   We will overcome silence with our words and actions. We will share their stories. We will fight for those whose voice has been silenced”.

Blog Action Day 2015Raise Your Voice for Women’s Rights

As a 10+ year Women in Racing advocate, I naturally hold the interest of advancing women in their endeavors very near to my heart.

Back then, they burned bras, now we BURN RUBBER.  It’s the motto I first coined for this website.   Women in Racing have for decades blazed trails to success in a male-dominated motorsports industry.   But it wasn’t without conflict, as early pioneers to the sport could attest.   Women like Shirley Muldowney and Lyn St. James fought through tough issues for entrance and acceptance that paved the way for all the female racers, crew, and professionals that succeed in the sport today.

But what about women in other parts of the world who are still fighting for basic human rights and freedom?  Fighting not to be marginalized as property, but to be regarded as equal individuals and empowered to know their true worth?   Women who endure horrible discrimination, violence, sexual abuse, and are subjected to gross exploitation and trafficking.

It is in knowing the struggles that women face and in knowing the limitless potential that empowering women creates,  that we should seek to RAISE OUR VOICES for WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

Women’s Rights are HUMAN Rights

It’s a statement that seems to go without saying, but for some women, those rights are gravely violated, subjecting them to horrors of mutilations, sexual abuse, marginalization, and many, many more injustices.   For many of us first-world athletes, the days of the Women’s Suffrage movement seem so far distant in history, that its hard to grasp the discrimination and abuse still present in other parts of the globe.   Women’s rights for us have evolved from suffrage and burning bras, to today’s hot topics of gender equality.   Successful female CEOs and celebrities speak out about feminism and removing the stubborn remnants that remain of eons of gender inequality- things like equal wages, objectification, and the labeling of strong and empowered women as bossy, aggressive, isolating, and anti-male.   (One of my favorites:  Emma Watson’s UN speech)

And though those type of issues still are present in every country on the planet, the more urgent and basic rights of some women, who have remained so repressed that they HAVE no voice of their own, THEY are the ones that truly need us most.

Demanding Equality Now

Equality NowThere are many organization working tirelessly to help bring support, protection, and advocacy for women suffering basic human rights violations.   Organizations such as Equality Now, provide countless resources internationally to help focus on areas of abuse that plague women worldwide.     These organizations fight for issues in law discrimination, by calls for the repeal of laws that discriminate against women in accordance with international and regional human rights standards, and for women’s access to justice at all levels.   They take a front-line stance against Sexual Violence, not only by helping to prevent incidents of abuse through change in the negative stereotypes of women and girls that contribute to their objectification, but by ensuring that victims are afforded proper response- investigation, prosecution and punishment of perpetrators.    In conjunction with the United Nations, organizations band together to end female genital mutilation, a tortuous, cruel, and often deadly practice done to degrade and demean women in the most inhumane fashion and inflicted on between 100-140 million young women worldwide.    They work to end human trafficking, a pervasive and under-reported crime that enslaves more than 12.3 million women and children, by seeking more sanctions against traffickers and buyers, and decriminalizing victims, instead providing rehabilitation and protective support.

Take Action- Speak Out

Organizations working to change legislation need your support in petitioning change from governing bodies internationally.   There are plenty of ways to help speak out: from signing petitions, to writing letters seeking legal changes, to raising funds or volunteering your support in grassroots programs working on the frontlines to rescue women in repressed areas.

P.S. Feminist isn’t a Bad Word

A few years back, I made a comment online about a wonderfully insightful speech on feminism and the ‘He for She’ movement to aid in the elimination of gender discrimination.   I prefaced my statement of praise by saying that I didn’t consider myself a ‘feminist’.    Jim, a friend of mine and a respected journalist, quickly challenged my statement.    He said to me, the “definition of feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”, and if I did not identify with feminism, then which of those did I not support?    Of course, my answer is that I wholeheartedly support all of those things, and that DOES make me a feminist.

Somewhere along the lines, feminism has been assigned a negative title meant to label women as men-hating, anti-establishment, reverse-misogynists.  But gender equality isn’t just a female issue, as it also take the form of the stoicism and the enforced inability to express sensitivity and emotion for men, the devaluation of fathers in the family unit, and the gender stereotypes that perpetuate the entire situation.   As Emma Watson said in her UN address,  ‘If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.’   That is the voice we all should share equally.

What is Blog Action Day?

Founded in 2007, Blog Action Day brings together bloggers from different countries, interests and languages to blog about one important global topic on the same day. Past topics have included Water, Climate Change, Poverty, Food, Power of We and Human Rights, with over 25,000 blogs taking part since 2007.

What do you Raise YOUR Voice for?

Resume Development 101: Int’l Women’s Auto Society

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Check out this beneficial online training session hosted by the International Women’s Automotive Society.

Resume Development 101Resume Development 101

This is a FREE online educational training session, hosted by the International Women’s Automotive Society.    Moderator Bianca Huerta will help you sharpen your skills in developing an impressive resume that will leave a lasting impression on potential employers.    Looking to advance your career and land your dream job?   Your resume is what gets you in the door to a better opportunity.

The event is FREE and open to all with PC, Mac, iOS and Android equipped devices.

Monday, October 19th   7:00 PM  EST

More details and login information will be available on IWAS Resume Development 101 Facebook Event.    Please RSVP and join others in this informative session.

International Women’s Automotive Society

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International Women's Automotive SocietyI recently stumbled upon a fantastic new organization geared to women in the automotive industry called the International Women’s Automotive Society that really impressed me with the work they are doing, and I wanted to be sure that I shared with you.  It’s definitely a MUST for Women in the Automotive world.

International Women’s Automotive Society

The International Women’s Automotive Society (IWAS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit aimed at developing a community of women to encourage, educate, assist, and create a positive impact for women in the automotive industry.    It is a growing group of very passionate and talented women who are helping one another by leveraging their individual knowledge and strengths to teach and empower the group.   They provide a wealth of information and resources to female automotive enthusiasts and professionals, and work as a collective to help support its membership through education, encouragement, assistance and advocacy of women in automotive.

Women of Auto Features

IWAS regularly features inspiring stories of its members that detail their personal journey in the automotive industry in their Women of Auto feature section.   Each story gives an in-depth look at the life of a female in automotive, recounting her struggles, successes and future goals.   They are also promoted through the sites social networks, giving added exposure to the featured member all month long.

Female Automotive Clubs

If you’re looking for a women’s auto enthusiast club to find like-minded ladies that share in your passion, IWAS has a section devoted to Female Automotive Clubs.   Here you can find regional and national clubs for women in a variety of different sub-cultures of the automotive industry.

Female-Owned Business

When you’re choosing who you shop for, its always helpful to support female-owned businesses.    IWAS regularly adds new female-owned automotive businesses to their Female Owned Automotive Business list.  These businesses include everything from service shops, part resellers, media organizations and other businesses within the industry.

Educational Tips for Careers in Automotive

Wanting to pursue a career in automotive, but don’t know where to start?   The IWAS team has put together a useful resource that details different educational paths – from technical and vocational colleges to traditional degree programs and even military training.   Many of the members have earned degrees or are currently pursuing an education in automotive, and their Industry Education resource gives you access to real-life experiences and advice.

Automotive Industry Scholarships

Need help getting your automotive education?    One of the most amazing resources on the site is its Automotive Industry Scholarship section.    This section finds and lists scholarships and opportunities available to women in the automotive industry.   They range from technical school-specific to foundation-granted general tuition awards for those pursuing advancement in the automotive industry.

Member Only Access

There are several special members-only sections and benefits set aside for IWAS members.   Perks such as free magazine subscriptions to media partner, Girls N Garages magazine, a product review section to get feedback on products, exclusive Women of Automotive merchandise, and direct interaction with other IWAS members through members only groups and forums.

Join the International Women’s Automotive Society

It is free to join the International Women’s Society.   Membership allows you to get involved with all IWAS events and opportunities- from educational seminars, industry events, special cause benefits, and much more.    Building a community of like-minded and supportive women, you can benefit from and give back to mentorships programs, and general camaraderie with fellow ladies who have a passion for automotive.   Interested parties are encouraged to fill out a membership form at Join IWAS.  

There are also opportunities for companies to sponsor educational events or give tax-free donations to the organization.

Leah Pritchett Open Wheel debut

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Leah Pritchett Formula Ford Despite a shortened main event, Leah Pritchett’s open wheel debut proved to be a great experience for the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel dragster driver this weekend at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Resort Ranch and Country Club during the VARA Racing “Shootout at the Ranch.”

The veteran drag racer had a smooth transition from her 325-miles per hour, nitro-burning dragster to the open-wheel vintage Formula Ford racecar at the Nevada racing facility. Impressive practice sessions on the 3.4-mile, 30-turn permanent road circuit helped Pritchett improved throughout the weekend behind the wheel of her 1979 Gumout Van Dieman racer.

Leah Pritchett Open WheelAfter qualifying for a fourth row start in the event, Pritchett’s road racing feature was cut short with a car issue. The 27-year-old California native was forced to start from pit lane in the 30-minute main event.

“My first official open-wheel race is in the books,” said Leah. “But wasn’t without some adversity and a less than desired result. A car issue resulting in me missing the rolling start. We got the car fired and I had to begin from pit lane while the field took the green at over 100mph, leaving me to hit the track from the back of the field. But I still wanted to run the race and gain experience.

This meant Leah would be taking the green flag in last position, and would not get the advantage of the rolling start.    She didn’t let this discourage her, as Leah quickly went to work and gained three positions, looking comfortable behind the wheel of the open-wheeler.

In-car for Leah Pritchett open wheel debutUnfortunately, Pritchett was forced to park her Formula Ford racer early in the event when car issues continued to plague her Gumout open-wheeler.   After such a promising start, the Avon, Ind., driver finished the race watching from the pit area for the rest of the Formula Ford event.  Though she had problems, Pritchett views her open wheel debut a success.

“I passed three cars in the first lap, but our Formula Ford had a problem later and I couldn’t finish the race. You gotta love racecars sometimes. But overall, I had a great experience in working with a variety of nice people who really helped me with the transition to road racing. While we didn’t finish as we wanted, I would love to give it a try in the near future again.”

Pritchett, driving for Dote Racing, enjoyed her career best Top Fuel qualifying performance recently at Maple Grove Raceway by take the second position in the NHRA Keystone Nationals.  Earlier this season, she was the Top Fuel runner-up in the NHRA Southern Nationals race.  Pritchett continues to improve, looking for her first Top Fuel victory in an ultra-competitive class.

Leah Pritchett races at Showdown at the RanchLeah is scheduled to return with her Gumout Top Fuel dragster at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway “Strip” on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Qualifying will take place Friday (Oct. 30) and Saturday (Oct. 31) with final eliminations set for Sunday (Nov. 1).

Featured Racer: Tiana Berkeley

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Tiana BerkeleyRacing has always been a part of Tiana Berkeley’s family life.   She spent her childhood years at the racetrack watching her father race,  and he grew up much the same watching his father race before him.   But when she grew a little older, she surprised her father by not only taking an interest in the sport, but jumping behind the wheel and getting down and dirty.

“I have not had any [formal] training, my dad has been my coach but I taught myself how to get around the track. It was a learning experience and basically trial and error for me.”

A Colville, Washington native, Tiana Berkeley has been racing for 5 years, starting in the four cylinder ranks in 2011.   She earned Rookie of the Year at Northport Raceway in the class, and went on to become the first female to win a championship in the Four Cylinder class for 2012.   In 2013, she again would win the championship in the Four Cylinder class, this time at Eagle Track Raceway in Republic, WA.

Tiana BerkeleyAfter 3 years dominating the four cylinder class, Tiana Berkeley would move up to the Modified ranks, competing under the No. 45 in purple IMCA a-mod she says is a tribute to her late grandfathers.

“My car number is 45, because that is the number my Grandpa Jerry used to run when he raced. Most of the car is purple because that is the color for pancreatic cancer awareness and my Grandpa Brad passed away from it. They both passed in 2006 and I wanted the car to be a tribute to them due to the fact that they both loved racing.”

She would place third in her first year at Eagle Track Raceway in 2014 and go on to win the championship this season, remaining the first and only female to have won the championship in track history.

For Tiana, her last 5 years have filled with great experiences with the family.   She graduated high school one year early to work in the family owned business, Colville Printing as a Graphic Designer.  With her dad handling all of the mechanical aspects of the car (‘he’s the best mechanic a girl could ask for’ she says), Tiana is able to focus on driving, learning the ropes quickly as she moves up the ranks.   But she wasn’t as well received by all of her fellow racers, adding that she encountered some unexpected animosity.

“People I have known for my entire life have treated me differently since I have began racing with and against them, and beating them makes it even worse. That has been tough since I am a very caring person and I wouldn’t expect it from them.”

Tiana Berkeley takes the winTiana Berkeley says she’s dealt with lots of tough criticism from those who believe that women should be behind the wheel of a racecar.   But Tiana doesn’t want to be viewed any differently than any other driver.

“I always treat everyone the same. I use sportsmanship and hope that they will eventually accept that I won’t be knocked down due to their criticism.”

Her toughest critic though has always been herself.   Wanting to improve and do better, she tends to beat herself up a lot, and can be very hard on herself after a tough event.    But for Tiana, she knows that no matter the situation, she has to persevere.

“I learned that someone is always going to have something negative to say, no matter what the situation. Don’t let it get to your head. Keep pushing through and strive to reach your goals. Let the negativity be your motivation to always be the best that you can be. Racing is not just a male dominate sport, women can be successful too.”

Tiana plans to travel with the car and learn from other great drivers around the northwest, and is looking forward to learning how to drive on different surfaces and track conditions with more cars.

Dina Parise IHRA Pro Mod Champ

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Dina Parise IHRA Champion Pro Mod

 

Dina Parise is the new 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Champion

IHRA Pro Mod competitor Dina Parise sealed up the 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Championship at the final race of the season, the IHRA World Finals in Memphis, TN.   The popular Nitro Jam standout debuted her Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod named ‘Stella’ at the season opener, encountering new car bugs for the first half of the Crower Pro Mod season.   After struggling with dialing in the new car and getting comfortable behind the wheel, Dina was able to push through the difficult times and secured the points lead going into the final race.    Once there, it was a battle between her and Bill Lutz, but the former figure skating pro would end up sealing up the championship during eliminations.

Congratulations to Dina Parise and team on their new championship!

 

Women in Racing Photos – Creating an Image

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So you’re ready to promote your racing career, and need to put your best image out there.   Having the right image is often over looked and underestimated for women in racing photos.  

International Published Portrait and Racing Photographer Eddie Maloney of www.fasteddiesimagery.com provides some important tips on building a good racing image in photo.

Keep it classy

Women in Racing Photo
An image has the ability to portray you wordlessly. Strong, Capable, Determined, Beautiful.

Unfortunately, according to social media,  the more revealing you are in photos, the more attention you will get.   Well, usually that’s true, but what kind of attention is it getting you?  Is it helping you or hurting you in the big picture?

In racing or in anything for that matter, potential sponsors are looking at your social media websites. Do not be caught with photos of you hanging around the pits with a bunch of alcohol or posing half naked. Yes, you may be beautiful but beauty runs within.  People do judge a book by its cover and inappropriate photos will get you dismissed immediately.   Think about the photos that you are pictured in.  Are they representative of the brand you are hoping to be associated with?   There are plenty of ways to be feminine and beautiful without crossing the line of classless.   Choose your image wisely.

Professional Photographer Eddie Maloney
Hiring a professional photographer to help with your racing image is a really good investment in your career.

Hire a Professional

If you are serious about your career, toss the selfies out.  I love my iPhone but you’ll need to find the right photographer for the job.   A selfie isn’t going to sell yourself as a professional to a sponsor.   I do not believe in perfection, nor do I believe in a perfect exposure. Perfectionism yields no creativity. I have an advantage over most photographers because I work in a wide variety of  photography scenes, to include working in racing for two decades now.

When it comes to finding the right photographer, find someone that thinks outside the box and shares your vision. If you haven’t worked with a particular photographer, bring an escort and if possible meet prior to the shoot. Check his or her credentials and never hesitate to ask for references.

Your typical photo shoot starring your helmet and race suit are old and outdated, do something different. Show everyone how and why you are different.  Remember, you aren’t the only out there competing for a sponsor.  You need to put 100 percent into to everything you do, and your image is no different.

People will know whether your photos came from a cell phone or a real camera. Cell phone photos tell someone that you aren’t that serious or committed so why should someone else choose to invest in you, if you don’t invest in yourself?

What image are YOU trying to create for yourself in the motorsports space?

Looking your best at the track

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Wendy Ryan SheltonWe all want to look our best at the track, but motorsport conditions can sometimes be challenging.   Celebrity hair and makeup artist Wendy Ryan Shelton offers tips and her personal favorites to beat the heat and stay looking your best at the track.  

Track Skin Care

So everybody knows that being in the sun all day can take a serious toll on not only your makeup, but most importantly on skin!  

First off, beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, period! I can’t begin to tell you the importance of the right skin care regimen to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, free radicals (pollution) and even just a dry climate can cause serious damage to the skin causing skin cancer, premature aging to your skin, congested pores, unwanted sun spots… the list goes on.
Using a “good” moisturizer (not from the grocery store) with SPF is a must, as we all know. But you may also add a couple of key and inexpensive products to your regime that will make all the difference in your skin and your makeup, especially in the summer.
(Site note:  This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we receive a small commission when you buy.  All opinions are the author’s own.)
  1. Get a non-drying cleanser that is not oil based.  Ole Henrikson Vitamin C Cleanser and Philiosophy Purity are both affordable and fully cleanse the skin without leaving your skin feeling “tight”.  Anything with Vitamin C is anti-aging and helps protect against free-radical damage. Ole Henrikson’s brand is all natural and will leave you feeling completely refreshed.
  2. Use a nutrient-rich toner.  (optional, but why not take that extra step? This is preserving the health of your skin as there is no Fountain of Youth… really!) First Aide Beauty Radiance Pads is a toner that is packed with vitamins and nutrients that your skin will love you for! The tiny grooves in the pad will act as an exfoliate for unwanted dry skin, uncongest pores and the added vitamins also protect your skin from pollutants.
  3. Get a moisturizer with SPF that fits your skin type.   I personally use Peter Thomas Roth Sheer Max All Day Defense.  Its oil-free, packed with vitamins and leaves a healthy glow without feeling like your “glowing”. Its also good for all skin types and is fragrance-free. Anything with artificial fragrance has alcohol in it and will dry out the skin. Also for problem oily skin, use Sephora Mattifying Moisturizer it has SPF and oil-control.
  4. Use a hydrating eye cream.   An eye cream that is packed with water will also help keep your eyes properly hydrated to prevent unwanted fine lines.  If you already have fine lines and wrinkles, use Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Eye Repair, it is legitimately a miracle worker!!
  5. For all you people with the dreaded oily to combination skin saga, fight oil with OIL!  Especially in the summer heat, your skin will overproduce oil when its lacking or stripped of its natural oil. Use a nightly treatment oil or at night 2-3 times a week. My personal favorites include ProGenius Treatment Oil by NUDE Skincare or Kate Sommerville Dilo Oil. Your skin will completely absorb these oils leaving no residue on the face and BOOM, problem solved.

ALL of these products will make a massive improvement on how your makeup looks, feels and wears throughout the entire year. Makeup will only enhance dry skin, fine lines and will look ridiculous if you have oil pouring out of your pores!

Stay-put Makeup for Women in Motorsports

Wendy Ryan Shelton at work
Photo: Michael W. Rogers

The biggest complaint for makeup lovers during the summer is their face gets oily, sweaty making their makeup look splotchy or just comes off 2 hours after putting it on.  There are solutions.

  1. Always make sure you allow your skin care to absorb into the skin for 5-10 minutes before applying makeup. If you don’t wait, it will make your makeup smear all over your face. More people do this than you’d think.
  2.  Trade your thicker foundation for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream.   They melt into the skin, are very lightweight and won’t rub off throughout the day. Boscia BB Cream, Nars Tinted Moisturizer or Smashbox are a few of my favorite. Go to Sephora, tell them your skin type and they will match your color as well as suggest one to help with skin conditions.
  3. Always, I mean ALWAYS use a primer!  Not only are you creating a barrier between your skin and your makeup, but it helps the foundation ‘stick’ to your skin so that it wont fade in certain areas of the face like your nose, forehead and cheeks. This step combined with proper skincare will also prevent foundations from oxidizing on the skin, making your foundation turn another color. During the summer heat, this is a big problem.
  4. Don’t forget your eyeshadow primer. It will keep eyeshadow from gathering in your crease, you’ll get the most color pay-out from your shadow, blends easier and your shadow will look as flawless at the end of the day as it did when you applied it in the morning. This is a must!
  5. For full coverage in the summer:   If you are like me and still want to use a thicker fuller coverage, even in the summer, go with Kat Von D Tattoo Foundation. Very full, flawless coverage and has a matte finish. It is water-resistant and long-wearing, even in the summer! There are amazing reviews and a couple negative on this product. The biggest complaint is that it dries before being able to blend it properly or that its too heavy. If these are the cases, its not being applied right. The end. It needs to be applied on top of a primer, quickly with brush or Beauty Blender. Clinique Double Wear is also an amazing full coverage that wont break up on your face in the heat and same rules apply!
  6. Always set your foundations with a powder.  I prefer a translucent HD powder that is weightless and great for taking pictures!
  7. Set your look with setting spray.   Set your finished look with a mattifying setting spray during the summer, unless you have very dry skin. In that case, you would use a normal/dewy finish setting spray. Setting sprays help with making all your makeup melt to the skin, keeping it in place. A great mattifying setting spray is Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray or mattifying setting spray by NYX.
  8. Keep blotting paper handy to wipe away sweat.    Use Blotting papers (by numerous brands) to blot any unwanted sweat or oil without taking off your makeup.
 All these tips will help you get through your summer with flawless skin and makeup, keeping you looking your best at the track. I hope you have enjoyed reading my tips as I have enjoyed sharing my experience and knowledge with you!
What are your favorite tips for a fabulously fast look?  Leave a comment below!