Yes I’ve heard the lectures, read and seen the warning signs and also understand that there is an incredibly high risk of skin cancer. But what I didn’t know is that young people aged 16-24 years are at the highest risk of sunburn and sun damage.

Of course I wear sunscreen when I know I am going to be in the sun for long periods of time; at the beach, at the park or playing sport. But I don’t wear sunscreen on a daily basis and I never really dress sun safe, not consciously anyway.

Like most other 20-something’s I often think; it’s ok, a little bit of sun won’t hurt. I only have a few freckles – no real sun damage. I will take better care of my skin later. Blah blah blah and so on, until I convince myself that my pink, shiny, super painful sunburnt skin will be ok.

Sadly it’s not ok and there is no later (yes this is the sad moment when I came to realise that the countless hours I spent trying to get a tan could contribute to me growing into a wrinkly, leathery old woman. Ok, maybe I took that too far. But really, who wants to be wrinkly old woman?!Ew).

Project SPF

Cue Project SPF, The movement that really has got me thinking about the skin I’m in and the ways in which I can keep it looking healthy, and most importantly young, fresh and wrinkle free (alright maybe not totally wrinkle free, but a girl can dream!) for years to come.

An initiative of the Queensland Government and executed by The Red Republic, Project SPF is a fabulous fashion and beauty movement that speaks directly to females aged 16-24 years. Encouraging young girls to protect their skin and Stay Pretty Forever, the social media driven campaign is the first of its kind to reach out to young girls on their level. And it’s working. The message is finally getting through.

With over 40,000 You Tube hits Project SPF is creating hype – and it has certainly got my attention.

I am now more conscious of being sun safe. I have incorporated SPF into my daily makeup routine by wearing a primer with an SPF component, I never leave home without my sunglasses and I am now guilty of planning an outfit around a wide brimmed hat (what a turn around?!).

I have only adopted a few small changes, but they each contribute to a maintaining a healthy, glowing sun-spot-free skin.

I have joined the movement. Will you?

Check out http://projectspf.tumblr.com/ for more information and keep up to date with the latest sun safe tips that are both fashionable and fabulous.

15 Years of Fame