My Summer Survival Kit
Last week in Chicago was one of the hottest on record. We hit heat index temps of over 100 degrees. So even though summer doesn't officially start until tomorrow, June 21st. We as well as other places across the US and the Globe are already well into it. Every summer I amass, what I like to call my survival kit. A collection of beauty and "maintenance" items that get me through the sizzling summer season (say that three times fast).
As someone who suffers from hypohydrosis (excessive sweating). A decent antiperspirant is a non-negotiable in my life. And some are more definitely better than others. The recent release of clinical strength antiperspirants has been a lifesaver. I've tried pretty much all of them. My current favorite is Degree MotionSense Anti-Yellow and Anti Mark Antiperspirant. Two banes of mine and many others' existence. And while it is not clinical strength, it is 48hr and has been holding up nicely to the high temps.
Like most women, I was not gifted with the mythological thigh gap. I have mermaid thighs, y'all. And I'm cool with it. Except - when it's boiling hot and my thighs begin to rub together and my skin begins to chafe...that shit is painful .A couple of summers ago I discovered the wonderful creation known as anti-chafe gels or balms and wondered what I had doing with my life. They are magical! They are usually shaped like deodorant sticks and you can just wipe them along your inner thighs when wearing skirts or dresses. The one I use is pretty hard to find so when it runs out I will probably be purchasing this one by Body Glide for Her. I've heard great things about it.
I have sensitive skin and at no time is that more apparent or more a pain in the ass than in the summer. Heat rash for days. Not a lot helps but one of the things I use to soothe it is aloe vera gel. If you have an aloe plant then you're good to go and I'm envious. I can't have aloe plants in my house because...cats. And so I have to settle for the next best thing. This aloe gel by Fruit of the Earth is a godsend. I use it for everything. It soothes eczema flare-up, heat rash and sunburn. It lives in my fridge and I apply to any areas that has a heat rash flare-up or is prone to them. And keeping it cold in the fridge gives it that extra-cold soothing relief.
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel, $6.99 amazon.com
I only began wearing sunscreen on a daily basis a few years ago (shame on me, I know). But since then I have become pretty militant about it. I have always hated cream sunscreens because if it's hot and you're sweating they can make your skin feel sticky and gross. I have been using the Banana Boat Dry Balance Spray SPF 50 ever since I got a sample of it in a Target Beauty Box last year. This stuff is amazing. You spray and rub into the skin and it doesn't leave any tackiness it residue behind. And it even gives the skin a nice glow. I throw it in my bag and top up at the ends of the day. And because it's in spray form it takes less than 2 minutes to apply to any exposed skin.
I've talked about this Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish SPF 50, before in a previous post about my daily makeup routine. This is what I use on my face every day. It is great for oily, sensitive skin. I apply this after moisturizing and before applying my primer and makeup. And since I've been using this I haven't been priming my entire face (just nose and areas with larger pores) because I don't need to. This works really well as a primer!
Another must have for me in the summer months since I have oily skin is a good setting powder. The one I have been using pretty much every day as of late is Coverfx Matte Setting Powder. I apply it only to the places that I get really oily and then powder the rest of my face with my Maybelline Loose Fit Me Setting Powder (still my all-time fave setting powder). I purchased the travel size kit of Coverfx base items on Hautelook awhile back. I tried the powder once or twice but didn't give it a decent chance because I was testing out the ever-popular Laura Mercier setting powder. I actually like the Coverfx powder leaps and bounds more than the Laura Mercier one. I currently have it in the color "light" because that was what came in the kit, but it works just fine even on my medium-deep skin tone. I will definitely be purchasing a full size of this when it runs out and will pick up the "medium" color.
Yes I am including these. Because in the summer months - okay in most months - my body is made up of 70% La Croix. No shame in my game. We go through it like well...water, in my house. These are my two favorite flavors, Apricot and Peach-Pear. Though I recently tried the Coconut flavor and...mind blown.
Wherever La Croix is sold...which should be everywhere.
What is in your summer survival kit? Let me know in the comments!
