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Summer Hacks

I recommended these specific products after a ton of experimentation. However similar products that work better for your skin personally are just as beneficial. Don’t let makeup mishaps or orange skin hold you back this summer-- find what is right for you, and enjoy every moment spent under the sun!

The Summer season is quickly approaching, and it’s only a matter of time and increasing heat before we are forced to come out of our winter shells into the warm, but humid, atmosphere. Almost any women’s magazine will make summer look like an easy, effortless time when it comes to your beauty routine, but the reality is, heat calls for much needed beauty hacks. Instead of glamorizing a season that can force us to look not so glamorous, it is my mission to show you summer beauty hacks that are useful to real people, and not just models in a magazine.

SKIN

When it comes to your overall appearance, having an even complexion can feel like a necessity: especially in the summer when it’s hard to keep blemishes covered up. One of my biggest recommendations is to attack your acne from its core. Acne washes and spot treatments can help with acne inflammation, but taking preventative measures can often be the most rewarding. It took me many years and experimentation to realize that fighting my acne meant seeing a dermatologist and finding the right medication that works for me. One of my most care-free summer’s was the summer that I was on antibiotics, because it was one less thing I had to worry about. If you feel that your acne is severe enough to where no amount of over-the-counter acne product will save your complexion, don’t be afraid to contact a dermatologist to explore your options.

If your acne is more mild, there are still precautionary measures that you can take to improve your skin. Once my antibiotics got rid of my severe acne (as in cystic acne and hormonal acne), I still suffered from small bumps that were most likely arousing from the heat of the summer. I combated this by using a tinted moisturizer and some concealer. The Clinique Super City Block Tinted Moisturizer was perfect for me. Not only was it SPF 40, but it was light enough coverage to where my face didn’t look caked in the sun, but also had an overall even look to it. Although the tinted moisturizer helped, there were still a few blemishes that refused to be covered by a light product. Using concealer allows you to cover small blemishes, but doesn’t require you to use it all over your face, giving your pores more room to breathe.

This routine is not only good for a daily makeup routine, but I still choose to use it whenever I am laying out by the pool. I am a firm believer that makeup can improve your confidence and that you shouldn’t be ashamed to want to wear it, rain or shine. If you are comfortable going completely natural, that is equally as empowering. However if you are like me and feel better in your own skin by covering slight blemishes, do not be afraid to wear this light makeup look out for the day. The tinted moisturizer works as an amazing sun block, and the concealer takes care of the smaller blemishes. If you are planning for an everyday summer look, bronzer is your best friend. Hoola by Benefit is an amazing matte summer bronzer that works on lighter skin shades, as well as darker ones. If you are more into a dewy glow, the Too Faced Leopard Blushing Bronzer is an amazing go to.

In addition to bronzer, when I’m not going out by the pool, I like to dust on a little bit of powder. Bare Minerals has been one of my favorites for years, because I truly feel like I am not clogging my pores whenever I brush this product onto my face. In the summer, I buy the matte loose powder along with the glow loose powder, depending on what kind of look i’m going for. The matte is perfect in the daytime, as it combats an oily complexion from sweat.

EYE MAKEUP

In the summer time, the amount of eye makeup I wear changes drastically. When my skin is sun-kissed and my acne is at bay, I don’t feel the need to work so hard on my eyeshadow. While a smokey eye or a cat eye is always a yes during the night time, I find that waterproof mascara and eyeliner is a lifesaver in the summertime. Even if you aren’t going in the pool, sweat can oftentimes be enough to smear your makeup. By using waterproof products, I find that I am less likely to end up looking like a wet dog at the end of the day. If you want to add a little extra contour, use bronzer in the crease of your lid for a little bit of definition.

LIPS

One of the most neglected parts of skin when it comes to sunscreen is definitely the lips. People often forget to change up their chapstick to a product that includes SPF. It is important to keep your lips hydrated and protected during the day, so that you are able to achieve an overall healthy looking glow. One of my absolute favorite lip balms is the Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm. It comes in a variety of amazing scented flavors that will immediately remind you of summertime. Whether it is Mango, Banana, Coconut, or Pomegranate, Sun Bum is my go-to.

Once your lips are properly protected, don’t be afraid to play around with lip tints. Summer is the season of bright pinks and oranges, and trying out new, playful colors. The Clinique Chubby Sticks are a great summer lip product, as they have a variety of tinted colors that don’t leave your lips looking like they lack moisture. They provide a light amount of tint that absorbs into your natural lip color, and leaves your lips looking brighter than the sun.

TAN

When it comes to feeling like your skin is too pale, I am quite the expert. Pale skin is beautiful in many countries and can be seen as pure to many people. However, I always find that I prefer to look less vampy, and more sunny in the summertime. That doesn’t mean that I bake myself in the sun until I am at a satisfying, unnatural shade. My whole life I have always preferred to wear sunscreen and protect my skin from aging and cancer. I would take pale jokes over the regret I know I would have later on. Since I choose to wear loads of sunscreen when I am out in the sun, I have been forced to find loopholes when it comes to achieving a natural summer glow. After many attempts at self tanning that have ended in me looking Donald Trump orange, I have finally found amazing self-tanners that actually work. During the summer I am usually a busy bee, so I find that it is easier for me to do one self-tanning session a week rather than using gradual self tanners. For my legs and arms, I am in love with the Loving Tan 2hr Express Self Tanning Mousse. I apply it with a Morphe makeup brush, which allows the mouse to spread evenly with no streaks. Since I am very pale, I only leave it on for about an hour at most so that it doesn’t come out too dark. It is my absolute favorite because I have never been afraid to walk out of the house looking orange after I apply it, because the glow it gives is extremely natural.

Applying self-tanner made me a little bit nervous initially, because looking orange is always a possibility. But when it game to applying self tanner to my face, I was even more nervous. Not only was I afraid that it would come out streaky or too strong, but I was also afraid that the product that I used would make my skin break out. I finally decided to take a chance on the Bare Minerals Faux Tan Face self tanner. I woke up to a perfect sunkissed look. Since I am pale, only one session worked perfectly for me. But the best part of the product is that you are able to apply a second coat if the first round wasn’t enough color for your skin.

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Lets face it -- most of us are in love simply with the idea of being healthy. Scrolling through your feed and seeing models and celebrities posting their green juice and savory lunches is inspiring! That is, until you find out the price of the green juice and that their savory--but not so “save-ory”-- lunches are whipped up especially for them by personal chefs. When it comes to the the not-so-glamourous reality, (counting calories, standing idly by as you watch your friends devour a delicious pizza, making your own meals after a long day of school and work, etc.) eating healthy can feel like such a bummer. Eating the same old meat and veggie combo consistently can get really old really fast, but luckily the cravings that arise from this are just another opportunity to get creative and try something new!

It’s the recipe that the whole fitness community is raving about -- the recipe that was so delicious it even became a Jack Johnson song. Banana Pancakes are the perfect way to stay on track without feeling so hangry that you could bite your own hand off.

It’s cute, it’s healthy, it’s affordable, and best of all its delicious!

Recipe:  

1 medium ripe banana 2 large eggs

yes guys, that’s all you need! If you want them to be extra delicious, add a little bit of honey and small chocolate chips :)

instructions:

1) Mash the banana into a bowl w/ a fork until most of the chunks are gone. 2) Add two eggs and whisk all of the ingredients together (leave the chocolate chip out until your individual pancake is on the skillet!) 3) take a tablespoon of batter and drop it on the skillet to cook. Add chocolate chips before flipping to other side. 4) serve with fruit and enjoy!

P.S. -- do not be ashamed to listen to Banana Pancakes on repeat while cooking. While your family may judge you and tell you that you have a problem (speaking from personal experience) you’ll still have a great time :)