enJOY it

Just for fun, I thought I would do a round-up of my favorite summer beauty products. Most of them are actually my favorites year round – but summer especially. It's important to note : I have very fair skin. Sun protection is my number one goal. I have very fine hair. Not shedding what little I have left is my number two goal.

Neutrogena ultra sheer dry-touch sunblock, Bare Escentuels face bronzer, Maybelline great lash, Neutrogena ageless essentials continuous hydration, night

I don't really wear a lot of make-up and the summer heat is an even better reason to cut back. Sunscreen is obviously priority one and I have been wearing this brand everyday since college. It goes on so light – I haven't found anything that beats it. Usually in summer, I skip all makeup except for bronzer (and I always wear some form of Bare Escentuels) and mascara. I have been using the cheap Maybelline stuff since college too. The trick is to put on a lot of thin coats and your eyelashes will appear much bigger no matter what brand you are using. My year round go-to is Neutrogena night cream. I use it right after I wash my face (with cheap Clean and Clear face wash) and notice a difference in my skin if I don't use it for a few days. Nighttime face lotion feels especially important during the summer when my face is getting sun exposure all day.

It's A 10 leave in conditioner, Fresh hair cream, Mark Anthony curl booster, elastic headbands

I am determined to be blow dryer and heat straightener free all summer long. My hair is naturally curly – not just wavy – so part of the goal is always to reduce frizz and tangles. I have been using It's a 10 for a few years and love it. It works as a detangler and protector. The Fresh hair cream is something new that I have seen getting great reviews on blogs. I recently added it to the routine after my hair has been combed out to reduce frizz and provide curl definition – I just smooth on a pea-sized amount and scrunch it up. It's working really well. I especially like how my hair doesn't look like a rats nest the next morning. The curl booster was my go-to before this new stuff and I'm not ready to toss it out yet. I've found that changing product (switching back and forth every few days) keeps my hair on it's toes and preforming better. The elastic hairbands are my favorite for running. They keep my hair out of my face and aren't ugly.

 
TanTowel self tanning towels, Nivea Creme, Neutrogena ultra sheer sunblock

I just recently purchased a set of TanTowels to give myself a bit of color before our Palm Desert trip. I usually don't have the patience for self-tanning products, but I like how being just a shade darker (without harmful UV rays) looks in the summer. The towels were highly recommended online and I found them super easy to use, non-streaky and not orange. The difference is really subtle except for on my back where you can tell I couldn't reach. #FAIL – I'll be getting Paul's help before I use these again. Nivea is my year round go-to product for keeping my hands, elbows and feet hydrated. And nothing beats spray on sunscreen. I don't think brand is super important here, but the Neutrogena stuff is really light and non-greasy. I spray this on before runs and reapply it every half hour if I am going to be laying out in the sun.

j.crew sunhat, RAINBOW sandals, TOMS classic 101 sunglasses, Old Navy maxi dress, j.crew matchstick jeans

One of my favorite bridal shower gifts was a big J.Crew sunhat that I took to Bora Bora (and then left on the plane on the way home). I bought a second one immediately. I love anything that keeps my face in the shade and this one is a perfect size and doesn't get creased when you stuff it in a suitcase. And my year round shoe go-to since sophomore year of college are my Rainbow Sandals. (p.s. here's my favorite shoe story. I'm still wearing that pair on the right four years later. But to be fair, it did experience three east coast winters.)

Did you know TOMS launched an eyewear campaign? For every pair you buy they'll give sight to a person in need. I loved the collection online and was happily surprised to find the line at my Nordstorm this past weekend. I thought I would go with the aviators but fell in love with the classic wayfarers. And I'm sure it's because they're trendy and everywhere this summer, but I'm living in maxi dresses. The one shown is Old Navy and very cute (and not too see through) in real life. And because we're currently experiencing June Gloom in San Diego, I included my favorite pair of summer jeans. Add a three inch folded cuff to the hem and a tank top and it's my summer uniform.

What about you? Any favorite products this summer?