 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of sephora.com")
The school year is slowly but surely winding down, and summer is right around the corner. Most of us can't deny our love for the sunny season. We feel better when the weather is gorgeous, and we look better because no longer will we have to avoid certain outfits because we're looking slightly p-a-l-e.
Unfortunately, somewhere between hitting the beach and basking in the sun, the heat begins to slowly take its toll on us. Our skin and hair experience intense wear-and-tear, so for my final column of the year, I've compiled a list of amazing summer beauty products that will rescue you from the elements and keep you from getting all hot and bothered.
One product I can't go a single beach -day without is Sugar Lip Treatment created by fresh. Available at Sephora stores nationwide, this product is not only the most moisturizing lip treatment I've ever applied, but it also smells like pink lemonade and has the necessary protective qualities of SPF 15.
During the summer months, moisturizing and sun protection are vital, and this product performs both functions flawlessly. We tend to neglect the fact that our lips are extremely sensitive and can easily burn, so at $22 the cost of this product might seem slightly steep, but you can't put a price on keeping your pout healthy. Check out Sephora.com for more details.
Another useful item for the up-coming season is also a fresh product called Brown Sugar Body Polish. Between the pool and the ocean, our skin can become very dry, so if you want to retain your summer glow, it's essential to exfoliate. This particular body polish is entirely natural, as all fresh products are, and combines the intense moisturizing properties of fine oils with the restorative exfoliating power of brown sugar to give your skin a smooth and even tone. Over-exfoliating can damage the skin, so using this polish about once a week should be sufficient. Sephora.com retails a 14-oz. container of this product for $65, and they're currently offering two free travel-sized fresh Sugar products with each online Brown Sugar Body Polish purchase. In the summer, sunscreen is central to keeping skin looking healthy, but we often go without it because it seems impossible to find an SPF lotion that doesn't feel greasy and uncomfortable after application. I discovered Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock last year, and it's a product I can't lay out without.
This new-and-improved Neutrogena formula sprays on easily, dries quickly which makes it convenient for fast coverage, and feels so lightweight and clean compared to other oily alternatives. This lotion goes so unnoticed that I've found I re-apply it constantly just to make sure I've put it on.
Because of a dermatologist's recommendation, you know this product won't clog pores or cause skin irritation. My personal choice is SPF 30, but this lotion comes in both higher and lower SPF levels and is available for $10 per bottle at any local drug store.
Hair damage is another summer setback caused by heavy exposure to the sun, and my go-to summer haircare product is Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves. If you have straight hair and want to obtain that beachy-tousled look, or if you have curly hair and simply want to keep your tresses under control, this hair spritz formulated by the legendary Frederic Fekkai reigns supreme.
Available (yet again) at Sephora stores nationwide and on Sephora.com, this heat-activated spray includes sea-kelp extract to moisturize your mane and protects your hair from the suns harmful rays so your strands won't become brittle and won't fade if you have highlights. Like a UV shield for your hair, this product rings in at only $22 and is worth every penny. Its easy spray cap makes it quick and simple to apply, and this product is lightweight, so it won't make your hair oily or weigh it down.
Along with maintaining healthy hair, if you're constantly submerging your strands in chlorine during the summer, this harmful chemical will build up in your locks and can cause color damage and brittleness. Luckily, with a good clarifying shampoo you can cleanse your hair of impurities and get back to your natural strength and shine. One of the best clarifying shampoos on the market, Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo, available at Sephora stores for $23, has basic ingredients like all-natural apple cider vinegar that will rid your hair of chlorine and most styling-product buildup in one wash.
This particular shampoo is useful for all hair types, but it's especially helpful for anyone with oily hair that wants to make their strands stay clean longer. Though this product deep cleanses, it won't cause excess damage by removing the necessary natural oils that ensure healthy hair. The final summer beauty product I suggest is DiorShow Black Out Waterproof Mascara. If you're a fan of wearing waterproof mascara to retain luscious lashes in the pool or ocean, there's no better product available than this.
Waterproof mascara often becomes flaky and wears off before the day is through, but once you choose Dior, you'll never have to forfeit striking lash volume and color again, even underwater. This product is completely smudge-proof and is available exclusively at Sephora for $24.
Most of the products I've mentioned are all-natural, so they'll help you survive summer weather while remaining the most fabulous and healthy you. The stress of the school year is about to finally come to a close, so within the up-coming months make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
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