Summer is officially here and whether you’re trying to be outside or relaxing poolside, we have everything you need to make the most of the season.
Body + Skin Care
Deodorant
Making sure you smell fresh is an absolute must, especially during the hottest time of the year. My go-to recently has been Lume’s Solid Stick Deodorant that keeps me fresh all day whether I’m working out, at the club, or just hanging out. I even have their mini lotion version to keep in my purse in case of a sweat emergency.
Faded Eye Masks
Topicals has always been that brand, their entire catalog is filled with such amazing products but their Faded Eye Masks are undeniably one of the best beauty products on the market, period. This summer we will be outside and we don’t need our under eyes to show how much sleep we got. If I’m going to be honest, a few weeks ago I wore these out to the club. Being able to wear your skin care as a statement is not only chic but efficient.
Super Fade Discoloration Serum
Like many Black women, I experience hyperpigmentation on my underarms. This summer, I found my Holy Grail in Peach Slices’ Super Fade Discoloration Serum, which has helped reduce this significantly. Summer is a time when all I wear are sleeveless tops, and as someone who has been self-conscious about my armpits, in particular, this product has been a game-changer. Even if you don’t have discolored armpits, this can be used for acne scars or hyperpigmentation anywhere else on your body and should be a staple in every Black woman’s beauty routine.
Shimmering Body Oil
There is nothing more sexy than an extra glow on a night out. If you see me outside, I will be wearing Saltair’s Shimmering Body Oil. Not only is it an additional fragrance to turn heads as you make your rounds, but it also illuminates your skin and makes melanin pop 10 times more. Every time I wear it, it is complimented more than my makeup, my hair, or my outfit. It is the number one thing that ties my summer looks together. You need this in your body-care routine…yesterday.
Haircare
Coconut Cream Intense Repair Conditioner
The best part of summer is spending time by the pool, but doing so is very hard on natural and curly hair textures. The best way to combat this, I have found, is by coating your hair in a conditioner, which helps create a barrier between you and the chlorine while also minimizing dryness. My go-to swim day conditioner is the Coconut Cream Intense Repair Conditioner from Sauce Beauty. This conditioner is light, doesn’t leave too much of a residue in the water, and it nourishes my hair so that I don’t feel any significant breakage or damage after getting out of the water.
Leave In Conditioner
For my low porosity and dry hair girlies, listen up. The number one product that you need in your arsenal is the Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner by TGIN. My hair easily dries out, and this product has helped me retain hydration and moisture on a day-to-day basis. Not only is it a staple in my hair care routine, but it is one of the few products I’ve found that actually penetrates the follicle instead of just sitting on top of my hair. If you’re struggling to find products that nourish your hair, this is the first thing that you should grab.
Shine Oil
There are many steps in my hair care routine, but using the Shine Oil from Black Light Blonde Science as the last step has been a game-changer. I wear my hair in a fro the majority of the time, and retaining definition and moisture has been very tricky. Recently, after diffusing, I’ve been separating my coils, and it locks in all the hydration that I put in it without causing additional frizz. This is a luxury product, so it is more on the expensive side, but it is worth every penny. Not only does it leave my hair feeling great, but it elongates the wear and adds a beautiful sheen to every look.
In My Bag
Hypochlorous Acid Spray
The world is a very dirty place and there’s not always time or a need to fully cleanse your face and that’s where Magic Molecules’ Hypochlorous Acid Spray comes in. One of my best friends is an esthetician, and she bought me this product to keep in my purse to spray after the gym or whenever I need a refresh while I’m out and about and every woman should carry this product. Not only does it feel good in the summer heat, but it also helps reduce bacteria on your skin at any moment.
Lip Combo
One thing you will never catch me without is my lip combo. Every girl has her signature, but for me, there are three products that I love and have bought multiple of: Morphe’s Signature Lip Pencil in the shade Trendsetter, Sacheu’s peel off lip liner Stay-N in shade Hey-zel, and Eadem’s Lip Softening Balm in shade Butter Mochi. I have tried various lip products, and these three are standouts for different reasons. Every day, whether I decide to put a full lip on or not, I am hydrating my lips with Eadem, because the formula is light but stays on throughout the day. If I’m heading out, I will use Sachue’s lip stain as the base of my lip liner, followed by Morphe’s pencil to deepen it. These three together will withstand drinks, kisses, etc., and will leave your lips looking delectable.
Handheld Fan & Portable Charger
I don’t know about you, but I am a sweaty girl who loves to dance, and I’m not going to let that stop me from having the time of my life. When I am out, I make sure that I am strapped with a handheld fan to keep me cool as the temperature rises. Plus, while you’re out, it’s important to have a portable charger with you because this summer, we don’t get ready, we stay ready. My go-to fan is the 3-in-1 handheld fan and portable charger from Jisulife. It’s lightweight and compact, so you can stay cool throughout the summer months.
Sun Care
Sunscreen
All year round, sunscreen is a beauty must-have, but this summer specifically, we are letting go of ones with a white cast. My favorite sunscreen that I will forever buy is the Daily UV Invisible Korean Sunscreen Lotion from Innisfree. This is the only sunscreen that I have used in the past few years that not only protects my skin, but gives it a glow like no other. As something we should be wearing every day this product is black girl approved.
SPF Lip Balm
Did you know that you could get hyperpigmentation on your lips? I didn’t. Recently, I found out that I am allergic to certain lip products, but that is a story for another day. I found that utilizing Sun Bums’ SPF lip balm not only protects your lips from the sun, but can help with hyperpigmentation after the fact as well.
Tanning Gel
I don’t know who said Black girls don’t tan, but my favorite way to get even skin throughout the summer without frying myself in the sun is by using B.tan’s Glow Your Own Way clear tanning gel. I first tried it a couple of years ago, and whenever I feel like my tan lines are a little too aggressive, this is my favorite way to fix it while giving myself the perfect bronzey glow.
