It’s Memorial Day weekend, and unofficially, the beginning of summer! Here in Cleveland, summer is long, HOT, and muggy. In fact, it feels like we really only have two seasons here in the CLE anymore: winter and summer. Winter is so long and disgusting that we only get a peek of spring, and while summer is not quite as long (or torturous) as winter, it generally lasts long into September with only a few hints of autumn in October. So here it is, Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s time to finally say goodbye to cozy sweaters and fuzzy boots and embrace the sun!
Summer is such a wonderful season in the beauty world. Bronzed and glowy skin, soft beachy waves, and bright colors are all around. Also, for some reason, it just seems easier to be effortlessly put together during the summer months. No need for the winter’s heavy foundations or elaborate moisturizing regimens; just throw on some bronzer and mascara and let the sun do the rest.
If there is one ultimate summer activity, of course, it would be going to the beach! There is nothing better than packing up the car with your friends, rolling down the windows, having dance parties in the car, and heading to the beach. Here in Cleveland, we are actually quite fortunate with our water-side options during the summer; well, as far as the landlocked states go. There are several beaches in the area, as well as the Lake Erie Islands where kids and adults alike can enjoy a taste of the coastal lifestyle. Granted, I would never, EVER swim in Lake Erie (vomit), it’s always great to lay out on the beach.
So here are my beach beauty picks for summer 2011, and I hope everyone has a fabulous kickoff to the summer this weekend!
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| Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 50, $10.99 purchase on drugstore.com This isn't your typical spray-on sunscreen! We have seen several different kinds of sunblock in the past: sensitive, mineral, sport, and tinted for bronzing purposes. This one is like sport sunscreen to the max. Finally, a sunscreen that can be sprayed on both WET and dry skin!! When you're out in the ocean, and realize that you're feeling a bit toasty, who really wants to take the time to dry off and reapply your sunblock? With this stuff, you can hop out, spray on while you're still wet, and it will STILL be waterproof. Pretty awesome, right? |
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| Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy Boosting Moisturizer, $35 purchase on origins.com I know I have featured this product in another blog entry, but this stuff is seriously so awesome I couldn't not put it here. Of course, you need to protect your face with sunscreen, and this multi-tasking product is absolutely perfect for the beach. Not only is it a moisturizer infused with sunblock, it is a self-adjusting, tinted formula that adds a hint of glowy goodness to the skin. It may not work on the most extremely dark and light skin tones, but for the majority of us, it is a great product for easy days at the beach. |
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| Physician's Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder, $11.99 purchase on drugstore.com This super cute bronzer is almost so cute it makes you want to puke. It isn't especially dark, and is a bit shimmery, so it adds the perfect sunkissed glow without looking caked on or too dark - because you don't want that caked on look at the beach. The little sunburst is a pretty golden color, and the background is a nice warm bronze, and when the two are combined on a nice fluffy bronzer brush (I recommend EcoTools), it is an awesome complexion boosting color for all skin tones. |
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| Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara, $25 purchase on sephora.com Every girl knows that you've gotta have waterproof mascara at the beach. Or when you're planning on getting really drunk. Either way, it's always good to have one in your stash. I love Lancome's mascaras; and while they're a bit pricy, they really are worth it. Hypnose Drama adds both volume and length, and it really lasts forever. |
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| Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream, $22 purchase on sephora.com Seriously awesome stuff right here people. This waterproof cream eye shadow by MUFE comes in around 20 different shades and can hold up to the most extreme conditions - as long as you don't wipe it away, of course! The texture is phenomenal: it stays malleable long enough to blend, but once it dries, that sucker ain't going anywhere! It can double as an eyeliner as well, I like to use my flat-ended push brush to sweep this across my lashline. Look for shade #13 Warm Beige - an awesome champagne shimmer that works great as an all-over wash on the lid. |
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| MAC Surf, Baby! Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm, $15.50 purchase on maccosmetics.com These limited edition MAC tinted lipbalms are awesome for the beach! Besides the beach-appropriate packaging, they have SPF, which is essential for the uber-sensitive skin on the lips. This product comes in three pinkish shades (one lilac-pink, one vibrant pink and one golden pink) - though they are fairly sheer and each one would probably work on any skintone. They are quite moisturizing, and add a great natural shine to the lips as well. Perfect to throw in your beach bag and reapply as needed. |
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| Del Sol Color Changing Nail Polish in Rock Star, $10 purchase on delsol.com The nail polish freak that I am, I had to throw in something here. But for real, this stuff is truly amazeballs. As you can tell by the name of the polish, it changes colors in the sun. The Rock Star color is particularly awesome, as it starts out an awesome ocean blue and then once the sun hits, it becomes an amazing turquoise green color. For those of you who are more conservative with nail polish colors, they have tons of lovely pinks, corals and reds; and those who are more unconventional, there are several other out-of-the-box colors to keep you happy as well. I am in LOVE with these polishes. |
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| Harajuku Lovers G of the Sea Eau de Toilette, $30 purchase on sephora.com Who says that just because you're at the beach your have to smell like sunblock? G of the Sea is the perfect scent for the beach. I mean, I would buy this even if it smelled terrible because the bottle is effing amazing, but luckily, it smells wonderful. It is based on the ever-popular fruity G fragrance, but has hints of florals and citrus to brighten it up a bit. It is light and fresh enough for a day at the beach, and is still sexy enough to wear on a night out. Snatch it up before it's gone! |
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| Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, $26 purchase on aveda.com This is an absolute must for anyone with color treated hair. I swear, anytime my dark brown hair sees the sun for even five minutes, it starts to turn red. I HATE THAT! I take painstaking measures to make sure that my hair never turns red, and alas, the sun is a major enemy in my fight. Thankfully, this stuff makes my job a bit easier. You can spray in either wet or dry hair, and believe me, a little bit does the trick. Reapply after swimming, and it really helps get the tangles out as well. I don't think I would ever hit the beach without this. |
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| CALYPSO St. Barth for Target Straw Tote with Sequins, $24.99 purchase on target.com And last but not least, you've gotta have a beach bag! Calypso St. Barth did an awesome summer collection for Target, and this is one of the pieces I am obsessing over. I am loving straw totes this season, and I am totally digging the sequins on this one! It's blingy but neutral at the same time, so you can wear it with anything. Most importantly, it's big enough to throw in all the essentials and then some. That's all for now! Next up: beauty products to bring along on your next camping trip! |
Missed your blog! Great tips...but Lake Erie isn't that bad. :-)
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