Given that this is the first Summer I’m experiencing after entering a new decade of my life back in January, and I’ve actively been taking steps and precautionary measures to maintain both my health and my appearance to the best of my abilities, I was sure that this was going to be the “Summer I turned boujee” and began shelling out money for state-of-the-art products and gadgets to protect my skin and my curls throughout the hottest and most humid months where I live. I braced myself for it and budgeted accordingly.
Thankfully, however, more easily attainable drug store beauty has come a long way since I was a teenager and my only options for fighting off Summertime acne, sporadic dry patches and out of control frizz and split ends were those brutal St. Ives apricot facial scrubs and hair gel that made my scalp so stiff and crunchy that I looked like I was wearing a helmet during days at the pool with my friends. This year, I didn’t have to break the bank to maintain hydrated, even skin and soft, gently curled hair with minimal fly-aways.
So to kick off the month of August and these final weeks of the season, I thought I’d give a breakdown of the products I’ve been using throughout this Summer, including links and (current) price points for anyone who wants to read a little more into them or try any of these out for yourselves.
And I’ve also included links to routines of months/years’ past for anyone whose feeling a little curious!
[ 2020 ] [ 2021 ] [ 2022 ] [ 2023 ]
When I talk about my skincare routine, I’m usually talking about products I’ve introduced into my regimen as it pertains to my face only, but obviously full-body skincare is just as important – including proper exfoliation, moisturization, and plenty of sunscreen. This time of year tends to be rough on my skin, especially since I like to spend a lot of time on the sand and in the salt water – so I preemptively began researching top-rated body care and moisturizer I could layer accordingly that would help my skin stay protected, soft and smooth.
What I found was a super hydrating daily body wash that has made my skin look radiant and feel comfortable, a calming/healing balm that has saved my heels and toes (which were taking a beating early on this year no matter what I tried!) and a firming facial moisturizer that absorbs quickly and evenly before I apply my SPF and any lightweight makeup I throw on before heading out.
- Daily Body Wash: Olay Super Serum Body Wash – Extra Dry Skin Formula [$12.99 – MORE INFO]
- Daily Facial Moisturizer: medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream [$26 – MORE INFO]
- Healing Foot Balm: O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet [$7.97 – MORE INFO]
Something I’ve grown to accept, and even appreciate as I get older is that I have big, often unruly hair. While I can get it under control with the right products and often with the help of a trusted stylist, my curls – much like me – ultimately cannot be tamed. So rather than fight it, or stress myself out the idea of fighting it, I just roll with it and do my best to make sure that at least my huge hair is healthy, shiny and soft at the end of the day.
I’ve completely changed my shampoo/conditioner and leave-in treatment system this Summer, and the results have been very noticeable. There’s less frizz, there’s less breakage, and the occasional stray hair is easily tamed with a balm stick I keep in my purse and/or my overnight bag – and everything has been affordable this season – which means the routine is so much easier to stay consistent with!
- Weekly Cleanser: Maria Nila ‘True Soft’ Shampoo [$33 – MORE INFO]
- Daily Conditioner: Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair [$8.89 – MORE INFO]
- Leave-In Treatment: Current Haircare Conditioning Spray [$30 – MORE INFO]
- Fly-Away Balm: Eleven Australia ‘Smooth Me Now’ Stick [$27 – MORE INFO]
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And so that concludes another seasonal installment of what I’m putting on my skin and scalp! So far, these products – combined with others I’ve used/referenced in the past – have been doing wonders for me, and I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to maintain a regimen that works well for me during one of the more challenging climates I experience each and every year!
If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions for any other products I should check out this time of year – or should consider looking into for the Fall – feel free to reach out, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc.! Sharing is caring, after all!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 