Orange Crush
Hi everybody! Today I want to share some beauty products that have made my days a little brighter this summer. The majority of these products are not new. Some I’ve been using for a few months now, but I do have two new skincare products I’m excited to tell you about.
I’ve decided to call this a summer edit rather than having monthly favorites because I haven’t been trying many new things. Being on no-buy this summer has been surprisingly easy; it forces me to shop my stash and use what I have. My beauty wish list is growing fast, and I plan on having monthly favorites again soon.
Food Justice
Olive & June Sweet and Gracious
Before we get to beauty, I want to say that I’m also passionate about food justice. All people should have access to safe, affordable, nutritious food. Growing up in a poor neighborhood, I saw first hand the lack of access to fresh food. Thanks to programs like WIC and SNAP, my mom and I never went hungry. And I want to do my part to make a positive change.
There are many books on racial inequality in food. Food Justice Now! Deepening the Roots of Social Struggle by Joshua Sbicca and Cultivating Food Justice: Race, Class, and Sustainability by Alison Hope Alkon and Julian Agyeman are both informative. Recently, I’ve begun researching organizations in my city like Urban Oasis Project and Finca Morada Miami that provide fresh food and resources to struggling communities. They do incredible work, and I’m thrilled to support them. Please consider donating if you live in Miami; if not, I encourage you to find similar organizations in your city.
The bottom line is if we want to make a significant change, we must vote. We can’t make things better unless we do the work. Find out who is on your ballet and what they stand for.
Fragrance
Citrus is a major theme for me this summer. I love the Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine; it’s like a burst of fresh orange juice that spilled all over you. Trust me; it smells heavenly! The notes are blood orange, geranium, sandalwood, and amber. It’s fresh and lifts my mood. Citrusy fragrances aren’t usually my bag; this one is perfection.
It’s the ideal scent for hot summer days, and it’s one that I share with my husband. He loves it too, and it smells amazing on him. Just FYI, I’m on a perfume no-buy until further notice. My collection got out of hand, and I plan on showing you the ones I’ve used up on Instagram.
Skin
Speaking of citrus, I needed a good Vitamin C and decided to try Maelove The Glow Maker. Renee (Gothamista) raved about it, and I’m so happy I purchased it. It contains 15% L-ascorbic acid, E and Ferulic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, which I say, yes give me all the hydration. It’s super lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works beautifully under makeup, I checked it out.
My skin has never looked better! The one thing that’s been consistent this summer, given the current situation, has been my skincare routine. I love to find a product that contains beneficial ingredients and gives you fast results at a good price. This checks all the boxes.
And because I have extra time lately, I’ve been giving myself face massages in the evenings. My favorite method is using the Jade Gua Sha Scraping Massage Tool. Do you need this or a Jade roller? No. I like it because it feels nice and relaxing before sleep. My current favorite face mist is the Caudalie Grape Water. It’s so refreshing; I keep a travel size in my bag to ease the intense Miami heat.
Spa Day at Home
I’ve been loving the Chanel Sublimage Les Grains de Vanille. It’s an exfoliating scrub of vanilla seeds and jojoba beads. I love to use this when my skin is looking dull. It leaves it feeling soft and smooth. I wish it wasn’t such a splurge, but if you’re looking for a luxurious face scrub to pamper yourself, this is a great one.
The Fresh Rose Face Mask is a summer MVP. It smells like roses and looks like rose jam. This is my go-to mask for rejuvenation and hydration. I love the consistency; it’s light and soothing. And It feels cool on my skin, leaving it refreshed, moisturized, and toned.
Lips
From left to right: Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Glosses in Fire and Spice
Makeup has taken a back seat lately. I’ve stopped wearing foundation altogether. When I do go out, I use the RÓEN 11:11 palette because it’s quick and easy. I have been enjoying a few lippies that fall under the lip care category. The Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss is one of my favorite lip formulas; they’re not sticky at all, feel comfortable, and you get decent color payoff for a gloss. To top it off, it has apricot kernel oil to soothe lips, and raspberry seed oil to protect them from free radicals. Love the shades Fire and Spicy for summer.
Blood Orange & Yuzu
I’m addicted to the Fresh Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm in Blood Orange. It has the most wonderful scent; it makes my lips soft while adding a little bit of color. I love Fresh Lip Balms; the Caramel flavor is currently on my nightstand.
The Beneath Your Mask Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm is a lifesaver. My lips were in horrid condition since working from home. They were chapped, peeling, and extremely dry. I’m not sure if it’s stress or diet; I’ve been consuming a lot of citrus fruits lately and drinking lemon ginger shots. Then I discovered Dana and her brand on Instagram. I read all about her journey with lupus; her story is truly inspiring.
The Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm is so rich and nourishing. The consistency is similar to Nuxe Rêve de Miel. I use it as an overnight treatment because it’s thick and full of healing ingredients. On occasion, I slather on a generous amount and use a damp cloth to massage my lips and give it a good scrub. It’s a miracle worker for chronic dry lips. And who can resist that yuzu and mandarin scent?
Nails
Huge shout-out to Olive & June nail polishes! They have a gorgeous selection of colors. Back in April, I picked up a Studio Box. At that time, I knew that although I was working from home, I would continue to take care of my nails. It’s something I’ve always done and enjoy doing. I tune out, listen to a podcast and just do my nails. It’s a big part of my self-care routine.
If you’re a beginner, give Olive & June a try. They make at home manicures easy. Their nail file is excellent, and the cuticle serum is packed with beneficial ingredients like apricot kernel oil and jojoba seed oil. It absorbs quickly, and because it’s a serum, not a oil, you’re not left with greasy cuticles. And I love the easy, no-mess application.
Olive & June Grateful and Kind
Obviously the polishes are the best part. I currently own eight, and I have to restrain myself from going back for more. My faves from the summer collection are Grateful & Kind, the prettiest pink shade I own. Bold & Unshaken, a gorgeous bright purple and my favorite pedicure color for the summer. And Sweet & Gracious, I never thought I would rock a full-on orange, but here we are.
So those are my key beauty products on heavy rotation this summer. What are you loving? Let’s chat!
Please stay safe, keep your distance, and wear a mask.
