It’s a season many love and few hate, but no matter your feelings are towards the devil months, we can all agree there are must have summercessories to get you through it. Literally, all the things you need to get through swollen ankles, the itch of bug bites, dehydrated skin, SPF, and so on. To be honest, it wasn’t until this summer that I realized I couldn’t just get by another few months, so I’m here to share the wealth of information I learned along the way.
SPF is your best friend. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it measures how well a sunscreen will protect against UVB or UVA rays. I think it’s important to know the UV index, and there are quite a few apps that offer this information. There’s even these WiFi stands around New York City that allow you to charge your phone but also display the day’s index. I only mention this in case you’re that person who’d only use high SPFs if necessary, but for someone like me who has discovered sunbathing, protection is truly key.
I try to use as much product with SPF in it during the summer just to ensure my skin, including these luscious lips, are protected. During other seasons I slather my skin in coconut oil for that Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion sheen, but recently I’ve been using CeraVe SPF 30 moisturizing lotion and Lubriderm SPF 15 daily moisture lotion. One was given by a dermatologist after she kept us waiting for over an hour, and another in a gift bag from an event. Both are surprisingly moisturizing, non-greasy, and last all day.
For baking in the sun I’ve been using Sun Bum SPF 50 for my face and Sun Bum SPF 70 for my body. They are both the clear formula, but can be a bit tacky once applied. There’s a banana-ish scent to both, sort of tropical, but it dies away once applied. Make sure to reapply after an hour or so. I didn’t and developed some underlaying sun burn on my cheeks, but you live and learn.
As for my lips, I know that Sun Bum offers lip balm with an SPF but I bypass this by applying the face lotion on my lips and going over it with Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter. It’s sort of a cheat, but works for me. (You can receive 20% from Sol De Janeiro by signing up for their newsletter, and free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is worth every scent, but it’s not SPF filled, and I ran out this winter…so a little salty.)
Summer breakouts not acne related. For the past two summers I’ve been breaking out in hives whenever I leave my room and enter any other part of our house. Entering the kitchen and going near the backyard door as it leads to the garden, aka breeding ground for insects. On a humid day it welcomes the bloody mosquitos, so work and my boudoir have become my safe haven. Aveeno anti-itch concentrated lotion for home and Lanacane maximum strength anti-itch cream for when at work. I’m pretty content with both as they keep me from scratching so hard it causes scarring; still dealing with some teenage bites. So these two will do!
Faux glow is better than no glow. I barely wear makeup during the year, but when I do, I do. Summer makes it more difficult with the chances of looking like a fun house mirror has me going au natural more often than I’d like. We’ll make this section quick because there are so many items. Oh, so many items!
Highlighter or bronzer is for everyone. Applied properly, you’ll look as though you’ve been kissed by Helios himself. My main love is Jane Iredale bronzer refill, but have heard wonders about Essence sun club bronzing powder. (Claudia Lake also gave some great tips last week. So check those out.)
Foundation, coverage, or however you call it. Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is quite breathable, so no additional clogging from excess oil production caused by the sun. Plus has SPF 25 for UVA/UVB protection. Jane Iredale PurePressed™ Base Mineral Foundation offers SPF20 and a flawless canvas.
Filling your brows with the best. I’ve tried tons and tons and tons of eyebrow pencils, and Jane Iredale retractable brow pencil is the winner. Even beating out Anastasia’s pencil. The only downside of Jane’s pencil is that it isn’t smudge proof, but I’ve dealt with it. I love it that much.
Simple mani/pedi and you’re good to go. For summer my fingers are some neon color and my toes a dark shade of green, blue, purple, or even black. Because my finger nails chip easily, I do gel. Le Chat sells in sets – lacquer and gel of the same color. Smart, right? LVX and Ella+Mila are ideal quality vegan options. Essie gel setter turns all colors into a gel finish, and they even last a bit longer. Same goes for Londontown kur gel genius top coat. Smith & Cult, well, I mean look at the bottles….don’t they look fancy and expensive!?
Stay mystified. You’re going to be hot. Very hot. And a little spritz here and there will keep you cooler than an ice cube. It’s Jane Iredale for the win…again. There are a few other scents, but Pommist is my favorite. It has pomegranate extract, and smells oh-so delicious. There are a few other brands out there with a mist. I think Evian even had one, but I’ve never tried them, so can’t say much. (Don’t think I’m getting paid to talk about JI, because, well, I’m not. I attended an event a couple months back and tried soooo much of her collection. Once I love something, I can’t stop hyping it up! I do wish it was smudge proof, but with a good setting spray, you’ll be fine.)
Fancy footwear doesn’t need to be fancy. Feet swell in heat. It’s science that I don’t understand, but it is. When I was abroad in Marrakech I purchased three pairs of babouche slippers. One for a friend, and two for me (that’s how gifting works!). Wearing sneakers may make matters worse, so let your feet breathe. Those slippers I mentioned earlier are all the rage now, and lots of brands are recreating it. If you get a pair, they need to be slightly loose… if they are tight on your feet, they will do you no good in heat.
Okabashi sandals are biodegradable, super comfy, and come in many styles and colors. I’ve had the splash sandal style in red for a few years now and lasted longer than my Havaianas that have been worn throughout one summer.
Birkenstocks are another no-brainer in my opinion, as are Teva sandals. I own platform and flat versions in both brands. They are comfy and form to your feet with wear, so another win. My birks have lasted almost two years and my Tevas a little over three. So, yes, it’s a wise investment.
Cleanliness is key. Some people think you can go days without a shower because you’re not really doing anything, but you need to bathe. You’re ingesting so much, slathering so much on, ultimately attracting layers and layers of dirt. You need to wash it off and start over every day. I’ve developed this new habit of showering in cool water so creamy lathers don’t rinse off as well. A soap that I really like is Senteurs d’Orient hammam soap in jasmine of Arabia. It comes on a string so you can hang it to dry and as it lathers your bathroom is filled with a delightful aroma. For a complete hammam like experience, Rituals has created a collection to replicate the experience at home including the black soap. I purchased black soap on my trip, but their soap would be a great addition for the summer.
And for a quick pick you up throughout the day, find a smell that suits you. One that you really love and fits your mood. I don’t want to recommend any ones in particular as fragrances are personal, but Frangrance.com has a large assortment of scents. Even scents that are meant to be discontinued, or difficult to find stateside. It’s like a never ending showroom of perfume…oh la la.
The right bag counts. Something that you can take on long-distance voyages, weekend jaunts to a state beach, or when you play hookie after Mother Nature blesses us with the most glorious Friday. Andi Brand x Bandier ANDI bag fits all and then some. It’s structure mixed with the ink camo/neon pink coloring fits essentials needed, but won’t give away your plan on faking sick after lunch.
Read something good. Like, really good. Author Kimberly Rae Miller is releasing her memoir Beautiful Bodies next week. I’m halfway throughout and had to, at one point, put it away during my subway ride. My laughing began to disturb the morning commute riders. It’s humorous, relatable, honest, and a timely read. I won’t give much away as there’s a post in the works, but when released, you’ll want a copy immediately. Trust. Me.
Wear something breathable. Please do. This isn’t a body shaming ‘graph, this is a summer PSA. LET THE AIR IN TO EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. Unless there is snow near you, let your body breath. The last thing you want is cycling to dinner through those beach towns only to arrive with a sweat spot at your ass crack. I’m trying to help you out ladies and gents. You can let the air flow through and still be stylish. 6 Shore Road has this mermaid wide leg jumpsuit that can take you from beach to bike to dinner to cocktails. Easy, breathy, beautiful summer girl… wait, can CoverGirl sue me for that line? Don’t sue me CG!