May 30, 2013
I noticed this morning, as I reached for my tinted moisturizer instead of regular foundation, that Summer was fast upon us and my beauty routine was already feeling the need to make the transition. Once the weather begins to warm up, I do find myself automatically wanting to shed some layers and simplify my beauty routine, starting with the switch in my foundation choices, and gravitating towards stains versus powder blushes. If we’re going to look dewy from the added heat, then we might as well embrace and go all the way, right?
It got me thinking though, how much does our skincare and overall beauty routine have to change, including hair? Do a fast Google search and there’s countless articles pointing us towards summer haircare tips and products and new styles to try, as well as stern dermatologist warnings to adjust our routines or else. While there certainly are a few basics that not only make sense, but are smart to follow, I have a feeling that the vast majority of women, like me, aren’t going around making some dramatic switch in beauty products once the barometer hits 80. Is it just me, or am I the only one that doesn’t have a Winter and Summer beauty product arsenal?
The changes I make are few and simple and include:
- Switching my foundation from an actual foundation, to a tinted moisturizer with SPF (Laura Mercier Nude is my favorite)
- Switching from a powder blush to a cheek stain or creamy bronzer (I love YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Vernis)
- Moisturizing with a body lotion with an SPF, especially on my hand and arms, which are always in the sun (Eucerin Everyday Protection does a great job and doesn’t feel like a sunscreen at all)
That is really about it. I don’t change hair care products, although my hairdresser swears I should, and I don’t start any dramatic skincare regimen, although maybe I should as I get older? All I know, is that it all can be very, very overwhelming and sometimes hard to know where to start.
If pressed to add a couple of items to the list above, to round out my overall beauty routine for Summer, it would include:
- Finding a great, affordable hair care product that would allow me some beachy waves or at least help with the air dry frizz. It’s way to hot to blow dry my hair on a regular basis during Summer, so a lightweight, yummy smelling product I could spritz in it to help with frizz, and maybe even provide some extra protection to help from being in the sun and pool. Is that too much to ask for?
- A simple process to help add some extra moisture and/or protection to my aging skin, to help replenish it when subjected to daily doses of extra Vitamin D. I don’t even know exactly what that would mean and entail, but some miracle “summer” product I could swipe on and would help me not get wrinkles haha! Again, is that asking for too much?
I did come across these Summer Skincare Tips from dermatologists and the article seems to provide the most practical advice, as well as some interesting tips and tricks I would have never thought of. Who knew a washcloth soaked in skim milk could help treat sunburns? Now that I read it though, it makes perfect sense seeing as how we often treat actual burns from stoves and even handling hot peppers with a soak in some milk.
So what say you? Do you do a dramatic beauty routine and product switcheroo and really change things up for the Summer time? Or are you like me, and don’t really know where to start, and even how important it is?
Delurking to share my favourite summer hair product: Oribe Apres Beach spray. I’ve tried a lot of ‘beachy waves’ products, and they all end up a bit gummy. This one is some magical voodoo combination of gloss and texture, without being sticky.
It’s pricey, but once you get used to the trigger, you can use it sparingly. I’m generally all for drugstore brands, but this is one of the few things I will splurge on, because it’s so worth it.
I use a hair sunscreen in the summer by Aveda. That’s the only thing I do differently, with the exception of changing my foundation color if needed. : )