Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Summer Essentials

If you're like me, you've got a bag of summer essentials that is close at hand during these beautiful but brief sunny months. I've always prided myself on being a light packer - Sunglasses? check. Swimsuit? check. Towel? check. But after chatting with the Department Directors at Gene Juarez, I realized my summer essential bag was severely lacking! Thankfully I've made the necessary additions to my bag, bathroom, and beauty routine. Here's the inside scoop on summer's must haves.

A little summer glow is nice, but not if it means age spots and premature wrinkles! Protect your face with Skin Authority's Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30. It's powerful protection in a lightweight formula, and perfect for daily wear and under makeup. If the sun does happen to get the better of you, Éminence's Echinacea Recovery Cream will heal and hydrate your sun burnt skin.

Like our skin, our hair needs protection too! Aqua-Seal by Kérasaste Paris, is a protective waterproof cream that when applied before a swim in the ocean or pool will ward off damage from salt water and chlorine. After, shampoo your hair with Kérastase Bain-Après Soleil, which nourishes and restores sun exposed hair.

If you want sexy, sandal-ready feet, make sure that Essie’s Lapis of Luxury Polish makes it into your summer essentials. This beautiful ocean blue polish is all the rage from the runway to the resort! At night, use Get Fresh’s Rescue Me, a rich cream infused with healing lemongrass that will heal the heel and leave you with soft, smooth feet.

It’s not unusual to forgo heavy makeup in the summer months, so if you’re looking for coverage that won’t weigh you down, Custom Blend Pure Mineral Makeup by Gene Juarez is a great option. A professional Makeup Artist will blend your mineral foundation, concealer, and finishing powder to match your exact skin tone, and can even custom blend eye shadow and blush perfectly suited to your unique style. And for hot summer nights, don’t forget to bring along See the Light Illuminating Lip Gloss. You’ll get a gorgeous pout with these lip plumping glosses, and never have to worry about application because they come with a built in mirror and light – how cool is that?!?

It’s always important to stay hydrated, but during the summer months, this is especially true. Add a little flavor and a whole lot of benefits to your water with Pure Inventions. These delicious antioxidant water additives are all natural, zero calorie, sugar-free, caffeine-free, and gluten-free. My personal favorite is Cranberry with Elderberry. 

Finally, if you want stunning skin year round, consider adding a Tampico Dry Body Brush to your routine. Dry brushing exfoliates, smoothes, tones, and detoxifies, and just two minutes will give you the circulation and blood flow benefits of 30 minutes of cardio. Tampico’s dry brush even includes a detachable handle for those hard to reach areas – brush away my lovelies to brighter, more beautiful skin!

So there you have it! 10 little additions to your summer essentials that will make this season unforgettable. See you at the beach!

Posted by: Ashley Wilson, Summer Essentials Expert