Check out my 8 Top Make-Up & Fragrance Picks for Summer. These are my PERSONAL faves!
I cannot believe it is already summer – well….almost! Even though San Diego is pretty much in perpetual summer mode, it definitely takes on a different vibe around this time. Fiesta del sol just happened. That’s an annual food & music festival held right along the beach every year the weekend before Memorial Day. It’s only 2 blocks from our house, which means we hang out and listen to the music – then walk down in the evening to listen to our faves. Sometimes we take the dogs with us – they love it! It’s like summer’s little wink that says…. “I’m almooost heeeerrrre!!”
Without further adieu – I share with you my personal summer beauty favorites!!! Everything you need for that effortless bronzed, sexy, luminous look that says Game ON! You know what I’m talkin’ about! Like every item on the site – these are all products I love and use. Hope you love them as much as I do!
OH – and you can CLICK any product name to buy it. SO EASY! Don’t you just love one-stop shopping!! 😉
8 Summer Beauty Essentials
#1 SMASHBOX PHOTO FINISH RADIANCE PRIMER
What it is
A moisturizing face primer made with micro-fine amber and bronze pearls that gives you an instant golden-y glow!
Where to use it
FACE OR BODY. Use it alone for a natural glow, under or over foundation for a target highlight (like tops of cheekbones, lightly on bridge & tip of nose). For the body, swipe a little shoulders, collarbone, décolletage – anywhere the light would naturally hit.
Why I love it
Smashbox Radiance Primer has a satiny-smooth formula that illuminates, perfects & enhances skin radiance, while hydrating – allowing for better & smoother makeup application! Reduces appearance of pores & fine lines – yay! It’s marketed for the face – alone, under or over foundation, which is gorgeous…. But I love it for the body. Ever watched Red Carpet events and the women just glow? Not just their faces, but shoulders, décolletage, legs – collarbone….they just look glamorous! That is what this product does. Try it!
#2 BECCA APRES-SKI GLOW FACE PALETTE
What it is
A palette of 6 gorgeously versatile, shimmery pressed highlighters that give an unparalleled luxurious glow! Use to highlight & emphasize face and body.
Where to use it
Under brows, corners of eyes, cheekbones, hairline and body. Anywhere light would naturally hit.
Why I love it
My absolute go-to every day. Hands down. I freaking love this palette!! When I first got it, I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to use the 6 shades. Are some for eyes? Others for cheeks? Is the bronzy color supposed to be a total face-bronzer? As I started to play around with it, I absolutely loved the versatility. I use Icicle (the white) right under my brows & in the corners of my eyes to make them POP – a touch on the tops of my cheekbones, bridge and tip of the nose for luminosity.
I use the champagne or icy rose on my lids for a light touch of shimmer or brushed lightly on the highest parts of my cheekbones & along my hairline. I have used Winter-Berry (the darker pink-y color) as a blush & along the hairline, but honestly – I favor the lighter colors. Winter-Berry is pretty, but I like to keep my make-up palette light and glowing, with emphasis on my eyes. Probably really gorgeous on darker skin tones!
Use the richer bronzed colors as a bronzer at night (depending on your skin tone)
Bonus use: Brush any of the colors along tops of shoulders, collarbones & décolletage for evening shimmer. It’s so versatile you’ll have fun playing around with it! I will sometimes use the Chanel Illuminating Fluid on my shoulders and collarbones then lightly brush one of the Becca pressed powders on top, to “set” the illuminator.
#3 BOBBI BROWN HIGH SHIMMER LIP GLOSS
What it is
High shimmer gloss made with fine pearls and clear pigments, enriched with vitamins and emollients to keep lips conditioned. Delivers gorgeous color and gives lips beautiful dimension.
Why I love it
LOVE these glosses! I have used Bobbi Brown High-Shimmer glosses for years and probably have most every color offered. My favorites tend to be the lighter shades because they offer a flush of color, with just a whisper of sexy shimmer & dimension. I swipe them on without liner for a lighter look or will use a liner for evening. The light colors easily adapt to whatever color liner you use – which I love because it’s like having lots of different colors in one gloss!
My favorite colors:
Bare Sparkle, Beach and Bellini. For a sultry look, I like Naked Plum or Midnight Violet.
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It’s about high-quality products that make YOU feel amazing! -
A ton of products aren’t necessary. Just LOVE the ones you buy!
#4 JOSIE MARAN SUGAR BALM BODY SCRUB
What it is
Luxuriously hydrating, exfoliating sugar scrub with 100% argan oil and sugar crystals. Argan oil a natural, organic, antioxidant-rich oil used to hydrate and nourish skin, hair, and nails. Vegan, paraben & cruelty free.
Where to use it
Scrub the entire body for soft, luxurious summer-sexy skin!
Why I love it
This scrub is one of the best I’ve used. It is luxurious, hydrating, moisturizing and it leaves my skin feeling so baby soft – it’s amazing. The scent is deliciously light and almost intoxicating. I use it to exfoliate the day before I want to self-tan. Since it’s so moisturizing, I want to give it time to do its thaang without running the risk of the self-tanner not adhering as well. I love that it comes with a wooden scoop, keeping wet hands out of the jar which can lead to gradual diluting of the scrub! I love the idea of having a beautiful tan (faux of course), with soft, silky, just-exfoliated skin. So pretty!
#5 KAI BODY BUTTER
What it is
Pure heaven! Silky, whipped body souffle with a shea butter base and the intoxicating light scent of white gardenia and exotic florals.
Where to use it
Luxurious body butter for your entire body – but not the face!
Why I love it
It literally smells like a balmy evening in Hawaii. I close my eyes and the scent just completely relaxes me…. It smells predominantly like fresh gardenias, complemented with exotic florals for more dimension. The body butter is thick, luxurious and so moisturizing. Many times, I’ll use it alone as a light scent for the day or casual summer date night. It’s amazing!!!
#6 TOM FORD FRAGRANCE in NEROLI PORTOFINO
Try the small size first if unsure – it is a little pricey: Small atomizer
What it is
Simply amazing fragrance from Tom Ford. This particular scent, Neroli Portofino – reminds one of that wonderful summer along la Cote d’Azur, lounging luxuriously on your private yacht, the warm summer breeze blowing gently through your hair as the chef serves cold lobster salad and champagne….. the light scent of suntan oil wafting through the warm air. You know. A typical summer. Or in my family, mom and dad fired up the motorhome and we cruised from Seattle to Disneyland while my sister & I ate the 1-lb chocolate bar meant for the S’mores. Same difference.
Where to use it
Lightly spritz on shoulders, pulse points, back of neck & behind the knees
Why I love it
It’s so weird how just a fragrance, can invoke thoughts, feelings and images. I discovered Tom’s (Tom, because we’re besties of course), fragrance line at Neiman Marcus years ago when it first came out. This particular scent was the first Tom Ford fragrance that I ever bought – and it has remained my absolute favorite for summer. It is light, citrusy and just flat out smells luxurious!! Top notes of lemon, mandarin orange, lavender & myrtle, with middle notes of jasmine. The perfect spritz for summer date night!
#7 BUTTER LONDON PATENT SHINE NAIL LACQUER
What it is
Nail lacquer with tons of shin, made with highest quality ingredients and lots of fresh summer colors!
Why I love it
I’ve been a fan of Butter for a while. Literally and figuratively ;-/ Their colors are more sophisticated than most, without being uptight and stodgy. Like a cross between cool & modern but not like you’re trying too hard. Plus they’re long-lasting! They claim 10-day wear, which I do get on my toes – but not my fingers. I may be rougher on my hands – but I get about 5-6 days before I see a little chip. Typical for me no matter what the brand. By that time I’m usually ready for a color change, so it’s fine with me 😉
#8 AMIKA UN.DONE VOLUME & TEXTURE SPRAY
What it is
A spray that adds long-lasting volume and tousled, beachy texture without the drying effect of salt!
Where to use it
At the roots & entire head of hair
Why I love it
I’m on my 4thcan of this stuff – and I always have a back-up on hand just in case! You know how just-washed hair can be limp and harder to hold the style? This is the answer. I wash and style my hair, then spray the roots in sections while vigorously rubbing the scalp to trigger volume. Then, I spray the rest of my head and scrunch it with my hands to get a tousled beachy look! Want perfect beach waves but don’t have time to wash your hair after the gym? Check out this great hack…
QUESTIONS? JUST ASK SHELLI!
Share your favorites and comments below!
Very descriptive post, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?