Summer is officially here — and for over a whole week already at that!
Even though fall is definitely my favorite season, summer assuredly comes in as a close second. Summer vibes are just so relaxing and I generally tend to feel more at peace with all the time spent outside and abundance of life giving light. Give me all the al fresco meals, evening walks in our woods and fresh strawberries.
So, to usher in summer, today I wanna talk summer skin care and makeup. I try and keep my skin care + make up routines minimal year round but, even still, my warm weather routine changes slightly during the hotter months — the makeup gets even lighter (or even disappears all together) and the skin care gets more streamlined as well.
In today’s post I’ll cover:
- My summer skin care routine (brownie points — every product is considered ‘clean’!)
- My no-fuss makeup routine (just three basic products — no makeup brushes or tools of any kind required)
- Plus a few other favorites of mine, like: a conventional deodorant that still ranks low hazard on EWG and a glorious leave-in hair conditioner spray
Before I dive in, I want to let you know that this is not a sponsored post. Over the past several years, I’ve been finding and trying different clean (and conventional) products — attempting to weed through the ‘duds’ in hopes of finding those ‘keepers’. I genuinely love all of these products, but I’ll be the first to admit that finding those ‘perfect’ skin care and beauty care products is definitely a ‘long haul’ sort of deal — right? I’m excited to share in this process with you!
If you see something you like, you can shop it and support The Lovely Laura Life at the same time by using the affiliate links below.
MY SUMMER SKIN CARE ROUTINE
STEP 1 | Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil | I’ve now been using this cleanser since the beginning of January and I just have to say I have never loved a cleanser more — seriously! Previous to this I was using coconut oil, grape seed oil or almond oil to cleanse my skin for a long time (at least over a year?) Although I was more pleased with the results from those oil cleansing processes compared to any other foaming/lathering cleanser I’d ever tried — I still wasn’t completely satisfied. I gave this cleansing oil a shot with some Christmas money I’d stashed away and only just had to replace it last week. I’m calling this one a total win!
STEP 2 | Biossance Squalene + Peptide Eye Gel | I’m going to preface this with this is the only product I’m sharing with you today that I still feel up-in-the-air about. I purchased the trial/travel size version of this product via the weightless hydration essentials kit mainly to try out the cleansing cloths on a trip, but was happy to get the opportunity to try out a few of their other products as well. (Side note: I love the cleansing cloths just as much as the oil cleanser). I can notice a difference in my overall appearance when I use this eye gel, but I’m not quite sure I’ve noticed a significant enough difference to feel compelled to buy the full sized version when mine has run out… I guess I’ll let you know!
STEP 3 | Teddie Organic Rose Water Tone & Refresh Spray | I was skeptical at first with this one for sure. Spritzing infused water on my face, really? But, I’m pretty much game for trying anything on Amazon that has over 4,000 almost 5 star reviews, so I went for it. And now I get it! Not only does this stuff moisturize and hydrate, it also significantly calms redness + irritation and leaves you with a healthy (almost dewy) glow. I use it in the morning when I wake up, whenever I feel like it throughout the day and before I go to sleep at night. It’s worth mentioning that one 4 oz. bottle has lasted me almost 6 months — even with that frequent of use! All of my boys love it too because they say that it truly makes me smell like roses, haha!
MY NO-FUSS MAKEUP ROUTINE
STEP 1 | Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara in Black Brown | I’ve used Burt’s Bees products as my go-tos for years now, so when they came out with a makeup line I was all aboard that train. I don’t put on makeup everyday — maybe once or twice a week? — so I will admit that when it comes to performance I don’t have very high standards. That said, this mascara does everything you need it to do, nothing you don’t AND at an affordable price point — all while scoring low hazard on EWG.
STEP 2 | Burt’s Bees Brow Pencil in Brunette | Over the last year or so I started experimenting with brow products and have really come to like the natural, polished look that they can give you. I use this brow pencil in conjunction with a few sweeps of mascara on my top lashes for a ‘go-to’ daytime look. (I’m not sure it gets more simple than that?) I prefer this pencil over others I have tried mainly because I feel like it gives me more control over product application and the attached brow brush is extremely convenient.
STEP 3 | Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus | I don’t use this lip balm everyday, but it’s most definitely a subtle enough of a tint to do so. I’ve always loved the idea of experimenting with lip color to ‘mix it up’ a bit, but anytime I have ever tried it always ends up feeling too bold?! Burt’s Bees also makes lip color products (I have this lipstick in Blush that I reserve for ‘special occasions’) but I have found myself favoring this tinted lip balm for even the fancier events that life calls for.
A FEW MORE FAVORITES
Rejuve Organic Castor Oil | I originally purchased this oil specifically for experimental use on my lashes and eyebrows, but have since then found it useful for really any application that requires a more potent moisturizer. I can’t say I’ve been consistent enough with applying it on my brows and lashes to really weigh in on it’s effectiveness at conditioning and growing them thicker and longer — but I have found it to be a versatile staple. Currently I’m using a little on my belly at night (mixed in with my body moisturizer) to help ease the stretching of my growing baby bump.
Dry Idea Antiperspirant + Deodorant Unscented | I’ve tried just about every natural deodorant product under the sun and have yet to find one that I like after sustained use… I’ve seriously struggled in this area! Eventually I began looking into more conventionally used deodorants to learn of any less toxic options — and whaddya know, there are! I was first introduced to Dry Idea by my mom, in like the 7th grade… haha! She’s literally been using it for decades. According to EWG, there appear to be different formulations of this deodorant (scented vs. unscented, ‘advanced’, etc.) but the one that I use and love is still considered low hazard. I’ve been using this one consistently for over a year now and have no plans on changing that anytime soon.
Essie Nail Polish in High Class Affair | Definitively not a natural or clean product, but this is one of my favorite shades to wear on my toes in the summer. Essie considers it a ‘nude’, but I think it reads a lovely peachy-pink. I also (much to my own surprise) love their Marshmallow hue!
Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Conditioner Spray | Back in January I gave my hair quite the chop! And even though I do love a dramatic change now and then, the biggest reason behind this cut was due to the condition of my hair. I’ve been using a natural shampoo/body wash that love for a couple years now, but have definitely noticed (over it’s prolonged use) that it overall leaves my hair feeling slightly drier than when I used to use more conventional shampoo/conditioners. I’m determined to infuse a little more moisture into my hair as it grows out this time around without giving up on my favorite shampoo. This spray definitely fits the bill! I spray a max of 4 spritzes into my hair after each wash (and I have a TON of hair) and it leaves it feeling the silky, smooth kind of hydrated without the gunky, oily, buildup feel. Bonus points: the scent is to die for!
And that’s a wrap!
So tell me, what’s your skin care + makeup routine look like in the summer? Got any clean products to add to this list? Also, I’m curious: What’s your favorite season? Share away in the comments!