1. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skin Scent (3.4oz/$65.00) Bronze Goddess is Hawaii in a bottle. I always reach for this fragrance in the summer. It’s a lovely warm scent but light enough to be worn all over the body, I always get tons compliments when I wear this. In terms of notes, there’s pretty much everything but the kitchen sink in here but hey it works!
Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon and orange
Middle notes: Tahitian Tiare flower, jasmine, magnolia, orange blossom and lavender
Base notes: Amber, vetiver, sandalwood, coconut milk, myrrh, and vanilla
2. Caudalie Grape Water (2.5oz/$13.00) Bring on the face mist! A good face mist is integral in summer, especially in Miami. This is a travel size; I throw it my bag and use it when it’s muggy. It’s really refreshing and comforting on the skin and it also works great as a toner.
3. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray (2.2oz/$22.00) A good dry shampoo is also essential in the summertime. I don’t wash my hair every day. I only wash it once a week, usually twice in the summer. The shower cap is my best friend and dry shampoo is my savior. I’m lucky to be blessed with really thick hair thanks to my Cuban-Lebanese roots. No pun intended. My hair is very dry and it doesn’t benefit from daily washing. To be clear this spray is not a dry shampoo but it keeps my hair bouncy and fresh between washes and it doesn’t leave a powdery residue like most dry shampoos. And the scent is amazing. Oribe is pricey so if you want a less expensive but good alternative Batiste is the way to go.
4. Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent (0.49oz/$3.99) This has been a favorite of mine for years. It has a great finish, completely translucent and it’s never drying or cakey. Personally, I’m not big on powders; I only have two. I have really dry skin and tend to not reach for them as often but this is different, this actually lets my skin breathe. It also keeps my makeup in place all day even in the heat in Miami and for the price you just can’t beat it.
5. Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya (0.09oz/$5.49) The Revlon Lip Butters have great color payoff, they’re so moisturizing and easy to use, You don’t need a mirror to apply it. Juicy Papaya is my favorite of the line. It’s a bright coral shade. It’s definitely a summer staple for me, I’m almost out of it because I use it so much. Some other great colors in the line are Sugar Plum, Red Velvet, Raspberry Pie and Creme Brulee, which not that many people liked but I think it’s a beautiful nude. If you’re looking for a new glossy lip combo, dab a little NARS Easy Lover lipgloss over the Creme Brulee Lip Butter, just trust me. I’m a little sad because I heard the Lip Butters were being discontinued. They’re not at Ulta anymore but you can still buy them online at Amazon or Target at a really good price.
What are some of your favorite summer beauty essentials?
