Sea Mineral Shampoo
Nothing reminds me of summer more than the beach. So for days when I can't get down to the shore I love having this sea mineral shampoo to remind me of the ocean. I'm always looking for products that keep my hair hydrated so it's less likely to frizz, and this one is great for that. It's made by OGX (formerly Organix) which has a wide range of hair products, all made organically without being tested on animals. I love mixing and matching their shampoos and conditioners to see how the different formulas work together. Right now I'm using this shampoo and the moroccan argan oil conditioner. The combination keeps my hair hydrated and super smooth which is great for the humid days of summer. I buy them from Rite Aid but have also seen them at Target, CVS, and Walmart.
Vaseline with Cocoa Butter
For as long as I can remember, my sister has been using vaseline for her skin and lips to keep them smooth and hydrated. Last fall I decided to try it, picking up a small lip therapy container from Target. It worked wonders and kept my lips smooth all through winter, when they're usually a chapped mess. For the summer I decided to research what else I could use Vaseline for and was surprised at just how much it can do. You can use it to soften skin, make your eyelashes fuller, protect new tattoos, remove makeup, condition your hair, soften cuticles, even shine your shoes. So I picked up a bigger container with cocoa butter, which smells amazing and is also beneficial for your skin. I got this at Target but have seen it sold almost everywhere- grocery stores, beauty stores, and drug stores.
Lemon Candle
My favorite part of summer is having enough time to relax and de-stress. Candles are a big part of my relaxation routine, and are also handy for summertime thunderstorms that have the tendency to knock out power. This candle has a nice lemon scent (my favorite!) and burns cleanly- it's made from natural soy wax so there aren't any extra chemicals being released with the smoke. This candle is also pretty, and a great way to brighten up my mostly black and white room. I use the silver lid as a catch-all dish for matches and rings. This candle is available at Target.
Argan Oil Hair Mask
A few weeks ago, I decided to make a change and dyed my hair lighter for the summer. To make sure I didn't do too much damage to my poor curls, my friend recommended this hair treatment to help keep it from drying out. Argan oil is an essential for anyone with color-treated or heat-damaged hair. This packet has Keratin to help strengthen as well as hydrate hair. You just apply it to damp hair and let it soak in for ten minutes, then rinse it all out. I save these for when my hair is especially dry; the treatments a bit too strong for regular use. I get these from Rite Aid, but Argan oil products will be available at most beauty and drug stores.
Shea-Intense Body Butter
This is another product that I get from Target. It's a body butter, so I just use it as I would any lotion- mostly on my legs after I shave and on my arms or chest when I want to freshen my skin. Any lotion really helps create a summer glow, leaving your skin hydrated and smelling good even with the hot sun or ocean water. I like using body butter as opposed to regular lotion because it's usually more organic, and I prefer the texture, but any lotion or cream that hydrates your skin is perfect for this time of year. And if you like to tan, using lotion before and after you tan will help you keep your color longer so you don't have to spend as much time laying out and damaging your skin.
Ocean Incense
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with incense. As much as I love my candles for relaxation and meditation, I use incense to wake me up and spark creativity. Once I get through spring when my allergies make it harder to breathe in the smoke without coughing, I keep incense lit all summer. I love the way the scent fills my entire room, and the smoke patterns are so pretty to watch. I buy my incense from a shop in Stone Harbor called Zebop, which also sells funky clothes and tapestries. It's always fun looking around at their new merchandise, and the incense is always cheap, so I can try as many different scents as I want. One of my favorites for summer is of course Ocean, but I also love Peach and Jasmine, and even burn some Pumpkin Spice once fall rolls around. And how cool is that incense holder that my friend sent me? Thanks Brigid!
Lavender Nail Polish
Last but not least- my favorite item for summer. I have to admit I'm addicted to painting my nails, so of course I had to include my newest nail polish in here. This color is what got me through spring- the light, calm color kept me focused throughout finals and reminded me that summer was just around the corner. Of course, I haven't forgotten about my maroons and grays that I rely on in the winter but this fun lighter color has really perked up my mood, and goes with more of my summer clothing. This particular shade of lavender is called Lapiz of Luxury and can be found wherever Essie products are sold.
