The following content includes referral links and/or gifted products (*). Read my disclosure policy for more info.
So hot. Too hot.
There’s another heat wave coming our way and today all I wanted to do was submerge my face in a bucket of ice water. A facial mist had to do. Those are usually used… just on the face, but I also love using them all over on those hot days. No surprise here, Mario Badescu’s Rose Water one is my favorite, but I also love the Pearlessence and MŪN versions. I talked about my favorite mists for sensitive skin right here. On our summer days out, my face mist likes to hang out next to Mark’s beer in the cooler.
This time of year my body care routine is all about exfoliation, hydration and adding a bit of color on days when I don’t want to look like my usual Olivia Moore-like self.
As much as I love enjoying the summer weather, I always make sure to stay out of the sun. I’ve tried professional spray-tanning for the first time last month and kinda loved it, I just don’t think it’s something I’d have time to get done on regular basis. I’m the kind of girl who likes to do everything herself (brows, nails) and always reached for St. Tropez self-tanning products- this mousse is my favorite.
My sister recently introduced me to Quicktan and I’ve found myself a new favorite. This bronzing spray is easy to use (I apply it with an applicator mitt like this one) and gives a nice, natural color. The best part is that it’s actually pretty affordable. I definitely recommend using foot protectors with any bronzing-tanning sprays (so that bottoms of your feet don’t look like you burned them on a grill, Michael Scott style). Sadly, I have yet to find ones I like!
For a quick, one-night kind of a tan that washes off, I love Victoria’s Secret Insta Bronze All-over Airbrush Spray. This spray looks juuust a bit orange at first, but when blended in and dry, it looks much more natural. I love using this on my legs and the fact that it also has a bit of that airbrush effect where it blurs the skin a bit.
Another VS product worth mentioning is their Booty Lift Enhancing Cream. Is it a lipo in a jar? No. But it is incredibly hydrating, smoothing and just a bit plumping. Not to mention that it smells delicious, like most VS body care products.
Two other shimmer-adding favorites are MAC’s Strobe Body Cream and Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Now shimmer oil which I talked about here.
Speaking of deliciously smelling products, it doesn’t get any better than Molton Brown. The Orange & Bergamot* collection is no exception. I love using body oils (of all kinds; dry, creamy, shimmery- you name it). This one* is a bit on the dry side, which my skin loves, it’s hydrating, lightweight and has such a delicate, soft scent. It’s very refreshing to use after a cool shower.
Dry-brushing is a part of my beauty/wellness routine all year long, but I definitely pay even more attention to it during both colder and warmer months of the year as that’s when my skin gets crazy dry. In-shower I also love my Salux Cloth which is ahhh-mazing at smoothing, softening and exfoliating skin. It also doesn’t harbor any bacteria, dries quickly and is SO much more hygienic to use than a sponge or a loofah (I haven’t used one of those in ages). The best part is that you can also throw it in your washer along with your towels. I actually wrote an entire post about it a few years ago. Yes, that’s how much it’s changed my shower routine.
What are some of your favorite products to reach for this time of year? Aaaand, how’s the weather in your neck of the woods? (I’ll just blame Al Roker for this one)