Summer Beauty Essentials to Survive the Sun and Humidity
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Living in the Sunshine State with a "sunshine state of mind", I know how important (and sometimes difficult) it is to enjoy the outdoors without looking like a fried, drenched rat after an hour of intense sun and humidity. Today, I'm sharing my favorite products that help me deal with Florida summers! P.S. I used most of these when I lived in Michigan, too. Another state with humid summers! ;)
First of all, let's talk about SPF! I will admit that growing up and all through my twenties, I didn't take many measures, if any at all, to protect my skin from the sun. In fact, I don't burn very easily, so my attitude was "the more sun, the better!". Yikes, right? Now, my 30-something self is wishing I would have shaded my face which tends to freckle and get sun spots vs get a dark tan like the rest of my body. So, this is how I compensate:
First, I apply this sunless tanner which is my absolute favorite! I've been using it on my face and neck for years so that the color comes closer to matching the rest of my body's skin color. Face, neck, chest...all some of the most sensitive skin on our bodies and prone to discoloration and loss of elasticity. Since I'm applying sunscreen on these places and always wearing a hat in the sun, it stays several shades paler and would look funny if I didn't compensate with a sunless spray. There's no need to rub it in or get it on your hands. You can even get the harder to reach places like your shoulders and back, if you'd like to spray all over. I use a shade 3 in the summer because it's the best match for my skin tone.
I use this SPF 55 first thing in the morning before heading outside. Remember, SPF takes at least 15-20 minutes to activate, which means that if you go directly in the sun after applying, you'll burn before it even starts to take effect. If I'm spraying on self tanner first, I wait about 10 minutes for it to dry, then I apply SPF.
Your lips need protection too. To prevent them from turning chapped and reddish, use an SPF lip balm. This one is my favorite and it goes with me everywhere!
After SPF, I apply my foundation and I'm ready to go! The sunless tanner will develop color over 2-3 hours, so I always apply it first thing in the morning, too.
I have just sampled several different foundations at Sephora, and this Nars liquid is my top pick, so far! It's silky, easy to apply and pretty full coverage so that I don't have to use concealer. It hides just about any blemish!
My weekend lifestyle in the summer is such that I am out ALL day long with salt water splashing on my face at the beach and humid breezes threatening to melt off my makeup. Since we usually go straight from the beach to a bar/restaurant and stay out for the whole evening, I wanted a product that stays and doesn't melt off.
Remember how I just said my face is many shades paler than the rest of my body in the summertime? The self-tanner helps a ton, but it just wouldn't be summer without some great bronzer action, amiright??
I've used Arbonne's bronzer since I was in high school (a long time) and I actually just use it like it's a blush. I apply it on the tops of my cheek bones and apples of my cheeks for that sun-kissed glow look. I used to use Nars bronzer, and I would totally still recommend it, but this bronzer by Hoola is my new favorite for under the cheek bones to give some extra color and countour. It's matte and a little goes a very long way! It's actually quite a bit cheaper than Nars, too. If you're very light skinned, I'd just go with Arbonne's instead because you can apply it lightly or build it up for a darker tint. But personally, I love them both together!
This setting powder is the final touch that makes this look last. Before and after the beach, I just powder my face to minimize the shine and any "melting" and I'm ready to go! Let's just use that annoying infomercial slogan "Set it, and forget it!". ;)
*Update! This is my NEW favorite powder for baking or setting. It seems to absorb much more oil than any other brand I’ve tried and since you can choose from a variety of tints, it doesn’t give you a washed out look.
Since I'm talking "beauty" right now, I definitely wanted to mention my favorite mascara, which is obviously great for any time of year. I just use the regular version but they do have a waterproof option, as well. Better Than Sex by TooFaced has been my go-to for long, full lashes since I used it for my wedding makeup. Recently, L'Oreal came out with sort of a "knock off" version, Lash Paradise, and it also works pretty well. It's not quite as good as the TooFaced product, but it is less than half the price. Try them both out and let me know your thoughts!
Alright, back to the frizzy hair issue. My favorite humidity fighting hair spray is really inexpensive. I usually buy mine at Target. It has enough hold for daily wear without making your hair feel stiff and crunchy. If I use a curling iron on my hair, I always set it with this spray.
But...on those weekend beach days, I take a different approach. Nobody wants to look like a drenched rat, or Elaine Benes on that episode where it was raining and her hair became a giant frizzy mess. Sometimes, you just can't fight off the weather no matter what kinds of products you use. Since I keep a hat on to shade my face in the sun, my hair gets all flat underneath and there's no point in trying to revive it. So like a genius, I just put another hat on haha! Voila! ;D I switch out the baseball cap that I typically wear on the beach for a cute floppy hat. So, I couldn't care less if my hair gets splashed in the water because it will just curl up into beachy waves anyway. Finally, that natural curl I loathed as a child is coming in handy. ;)
I am sure you'll love these products as much as I do if you get a chance to try them out! They have really made summertime in Florida a lot easier (and healthier)!
Sending Sunshine (and SPF),
Jessica
