Top 10 Summer Essentials

Hello, beautiful soul! Before anything else, can we just officially welcome summer together? The days are longer and nights shorter. Walking outside makes me sweat so much even if it just takes merely 10 steps. Now, is it really the weather that’s hot, or is it me? LOL. Kidding aside, I prefer the hot than the cold. I love the sun, the sand and the beach. I live for those; and yes, I get to wear bikini all day long and drink booze any time of the day. There’s just nothing that beats the feeling as the sun bakes the skin while the sand clings to every corner. The golden hour brings forth warmth like no other, and the tangles of the salted frizzy hair becomes the least of your concern. So, to officially welcome summer together, I’ve listed the top 10 summer essentials so we can shine as bright as the sun (and my highlight).

Lip and Cheek Tint

Like salt and pepper, we need seasonings as well. Tints that could be used both for the lip and cheek is a must. Nobody wants to look dull and flushed, so to look blooming and fresh, this is a must! What’s good about tints is that you only need your fingers to blend. Goodbye touch-up tools and hello to lighter makeup bag. Personally, I prefer a gel-like consistency because I find it more comfortable on the lips, as compared to water-based which are drying. The pigmentation is also more intense than the water-based, but still on the strand to make you look natural and effortlessly blooming. Try this lip and cheek stain from Ever Bilena. You get the pigment right without breaking the bank.

Mist

Face mists can instantly refresh your look. What’s good with mists is that you don’t see the need to wear makeup anymore because it boosts your look in a snap. I love the one from Mario Badescu. If you want to know more why, you can check out my previous post entitled My Top 10 Beauty Favorites of 2017.

Wipes

Pina Coladas, Lychee Mojitos, Martinis and Daiquiris – refreshing, yes. But what about your skin? Summer means beach parties, and I can’t blame you if you’ll forget to remove your makeup at the end of the day. Been there, done that; but I don’t want it to happen again. Also, spending a lot of time by the beach, or just walking around the city under the sun makes you sweat and feel sticky and disgusting. Your best friend, then, is wipes. Not only will it be easy to remove your makeup, but it will also instantly refresh your face, and body as well. So in case you want to do a quick face cleansing any time of the day or you smell something unpleasant from your underarms, don’t be bothered. I recommend this Argan Oil make-up remover cleansing towelettes. This was my best friend back when I was still in university and it never irritated my skin.

Sunblock

Basic – s is for summer and for sunblock as well. Make sure that you have SPF of 30 or higher. Apply your sunblock 10-15 minutes before exposure, and make sure that you reapply after sweating or swimming, or every 2 hours whichever comes first.

Dry Shampoo

Personally, I wash my hair every other day. If you’ve been an avid reader of my blog (ehem), I’ve mentioned a lot of times that I have dry skin so washing my hair every other day seems to be the best option. I don’t think my skin and scalp produce oil at all. Nonetheless, I’m not giving much TLC to my hair and scalp. When I tried to use dry shampoo, it was a life-saver, especially when travelling or whenever I’m running out of time and I’m supposed to wash my hair. I’m not saying that it does the same job as shampoo, but dry shampoo simply absorbs grease or oil on hair for a fresh look. I love this one from Bench/Fix Professional because it gets the job done while adding volume at the same time though it has a strong smell which lingers for a while.

Shades

Nothing shines as bright as the sun (but we all should aim to). Remember that shades is a necessity and was never a symbol of social class or whatnot. Too much brightness could damage your eyes and what’s equally unpleasant are wrinkles because of squinting! Make sure you have a pair inside your bag even if it’s not summer!

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Aloe Vera

Exposure to direct sunlight or to UV rays could damage your skin. It’s possible to get sunburnt, itch and split-ends. Mind you, having dry hair and flaky skin is not a good sign of a healthy body. Aloe Vera contains soothing properties while keeping the skin and hair moisturized. Aloe Vera gels have penetrated the market, and I think you could get one at almost any local store. If not, then it’s just easy to plant one in your backyard. To use Aloe Vera, just simply apply it on burnt, or dry, or flaky or irritated area of your skin. You could keep it there as long as it dries up.

Blotting Paper

Summer does not only widen your social circle or your chance to get sunburnt. Your pores open too and alongside sweat, sebum which is has an oily consistency is present to greet the sun hello. Breakouts happen because of mixed sebum and dirt and that would be the last thing you want to have. Blotting paper does the work of absorbing excess sebum on the face without irritating it. With that, you save yourself from possible breakouts and the chance to fry something on your forehead.

Fragrance Mist

Spritz it on your pulse areas, hair, clothes, your dog, car… basically everywhere! Leave nothing but footprints on the sand, and the jaw of that person you’ve been eyeing on drop to the ground.

Confidence

Don’t mind your cellulites, stretchmark, belly fats and untoned body. I was insecure of myself before. I’m petite and thin. I don’t have a proportionate body – the size of my bikini top is not same as that of my bikini bottom. My tummy is bloated most of the time, and my butt cheeks are striped. I couldn’t wear bikini at all before. What made things worse was the realization that I couldn’t because I wasn’t proud of myself. That was a million steps back. I say F to what other say. Do it. Wear that bikini you’ve saved up for, pull that blouse down because it’s an off-shoulder, flash that smile even if it’s not as white as the seashells you’ve snatched from the shore, and love yourself because if you don’t, then who will?