Summer is here and I, for one, am panicked. Summer is not my season. I’m more of an autumn gal—3/4 sleeves, dark hair, and nail polish, boots, scarves. To me, autumn is chic AF. When summer rolls around, I set the bar very, very low, knowing my glow up is a mere three months away. I sunburn easily, dewy makeup usually melts right off when I sweat and my naturally dark, Italian hair frizzes out into a not-so-cute Russell Brand-meets-1975-Freddie-Mercury-look.
But this year, I’ve discovered some fun summer beauty products to help me not feel like a swamp demon.
Salt Spray by Bath and Body Works $16.50
If you have any natural curl to your hair whatsoever, this salt spray will enhance those strands and create those gorgeous, wavy, beachy locks you have been trying to recreate with a barrel curling iron and a comb. I love combing my wet hair, giving my curls a generous spray of this product, scrunching slightly and going about my day. It saves me time and makes my hair fabulous.
Love Beauty & Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Conditioner from Target $6.99
This product is great for those of you getting summer highlights or color treatments. It’s plant-based and its bottles are made from 100 percent recyclable materials. It’s also Formaldehyde-free, phthalate-free, propylparaben-free, butylparaben-free, formaldehyde donor-free, nonylphenol ethoxylate free, dye-free, aluminum-free, vegan, contains rose water, silicone-free, paraben-free. In addition to all of those great attributes, it gives your hair a gorgeous, full and shiny effect.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Gel Patches from Sephora $22
If you’re a human being, you already know that heat and water retention go hand-in-hand. Those of us who suffer from “puffy face” after consuming too many patio cocktails or salty nosh can de-puff the under-eye area with help from these cooling patches. Hot take: They are not a unique summer product. If you have a good cry or a rough night, you can certainly use these to help de-puff and give your face a fresh look.
Essentials Lip Shield Broad Spectrum 25 from Rodan and Fields $19 for a 2-pack
Babe, your lips can get sunburnt. That means we are all at risk for swollen, blistery and red smackers. Not cute. Protect your lips whenever you’re out and about with help from this lip butter.
Bulgarian Rose Body Wash Infused Buffer from Spongelle $16
This exfoliating sponge has the body wash ready to go for use in the shower. Buff your decolletage, butt, legs, arms and everywhere else you need to eliminate dead skin. If you’re going to be slathering on the SPF, rolling around in the sand or hanging out in chlorine all summer, you’re going to need to make sure your skin is being taken care of.
Brilliant Eye Brightener from Thrive Cosmetics $24
This highlighter pencil is the perfect way to add a “pop” to your eyes this summer. It has that champagne-colored, shimmery effect that makes your makeup stand out, and also brightens your eyes in a major way. Sometimes, I’ll just roll it under my eyebrow and in my eye creases along with a stroke of mascara if I’m feeling minimalistic that day.
With a little bit of help, we will power through summer together—with our freshest faces forward.
