One of my favourite things about spring and summer makeup are the scents. Every season has particular smells associated with them, and for the warm months something fruity or tropical is always in season.
Being associated with the P&G Beauty blogger program gives me lots of perks, one of which is receiving new products. I was recently sent a box of spring goodies to get me through the summer months. One of my absolute favourite products is the Olay Fresh Outlast Energizing Lime and White Tea Body Wash. Everyone has their body wash preference, usually based on scent. I think we’ve all stocked up at Bath & Body Works when they bring back anything bellini, so getting a giant bottle of body wash that smells like summery limes was super exciting to me. This body wash keeps your skin looking fresh and moisturized for hours, which is perfect since the summer months usually mean less clothing.
Another staple which is always good to have in your closet (and an item I love receiving) is deodorant. Although I prefer cream deodorants, Secret Outlast Xtend Clear Gel provides 48-hour protection so you don’t have to worry about sweat, even when it’s 32+C outside.
Speaking of heat, you’ve probably heard that applying sunscreen everyday is must to prevent cancer and to keep skin looking young and fresh. Olay has just produced the Complete All Day UV Moisturizer, which protects skin against harmful UV damage, while still providing moisture with Vitamin E, B3, and C.
Once you have your moisturizer and sunscreen on, keep your face nice and fresh with CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream for Oily Skin. I’ve been using this BB cream non-stop since it provides very good coverage (BB creams can be so hit or miss). The formula is lightweight and provides a natural matte finish. Pair it with a bright eyeliner, like CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eye Pencil in Midnight Blue (a self-sharpening pencil) and big lashes courtesy of CoverGirl The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara. At the end of the day, wash it all off with the Olay 4-in-1 Daily Facial Cloths.
Finally, let’s not forget about hair! First touch up your colour quickly with Clairol Nice ‘N Easy CC Colossal Conditioner, a rich conditioner that is designed to protect and hydrate hair for vibrant, lasting colour for up to six weeks, and then apply a moisture mask, like the Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner, to get smooth locks.
I definitely have a different summer routine as opposed to winter when it comes to my hair, skin, and makeup and having products on hand that help protect, moisturize, and keep everything looking fresh is a must.
What are your summer staple items?
Please note, I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.
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So even though my vacation to Cancun was a month ago, I have recap post to share. This one is still extremely relevant though since summer is coming up and the number-one thing we all do in summer (okay, maybe not all of us), is spend a lot of time in the sun.
No matter how much sunscreen I applied, or how high the SPF factor was, I still got a sunburn. The worst part was that the only place I burned was on my face. My nose got hit the hardest, with my forehead also looking red. Not to mention that my once-smooth skin was dry, bumpy, and felt so sun damaged (and no amount of makeup could fully cover it). Luckily I had some products on hand that not only helped me get my skin back to how it was, but helped me bounce back fast.
A hydrating mask
Although I have a bevy of masks in my collection, I reached for the Laneige Water Bank Gel Mask (C$31 for five sheets). This is one of those paper masks that you cover all over your face (which also scares my dogs) and contains a cooling non-oily gel cream that immerses skin in moisture for up to 24 hours. The mask features six hydrating ionized minerals to replenish and lock in moisture. Although it did make my skin feel nicer after taking it off, my favourite part was the cooling factor that made my burnt, dry face feel amazing when I was wearing it.
A good toner
I always use a toner after washing my face, but I decided to steer clear from the alcohol-based ones I usually reach for. Instead, I used a couple that nourished my skin and provided added benefits to it. The first one in my rotation was The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion (C$20), which is a lightweight non-greasy gellified formula, which provides up to 48 hours of moisturisation.
Another Body Shop product I used a couple times was the Tea Tree 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask (C$20), which helped scrub and treat my skin. Both the Essence Lotion and this product are brand new at The Body Shop and both definitely did help me do wonders for my damaged skin.
The second toner I used was the Biotherm Life Plankton Essence (C$67 at London Drugs), which applies like a cosmetic water and then transforms into a light serum.
A cleansing brush
Once my nose started peeling I knew I had to bust out my handy Clarisonic.
I’ve actually been using the Foreo Luna 2 lately (and been loving it!), but with all the dead skin on my nose, I just had to scrub it all off and nothing gets that better than a Clarisonic. After about a minute treatment with my Mia 2, my nose was cleared of all the dead skin and ready for moisture.
After-sun lotion
My chest was feeling the burn as well (but not as bad as my face was), so before bed I would apply a hydrating after-sun lotion to replenish my skin’s cells. I used Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion, which is enriched with aloe and vitamin e, providing an intense hydration to restore skin’s natural moisture balance. Best of all, it was quick to absorb so I didn’t feel all slimy after applying it. I also want to note that this product also helps preserve the life of your tan, so it’s a must for the summer months after a day in the sun.
Hydrating moisturizers
Okay, this one is a no-brainer. I recently received the L’Oreal Paris Hydra-Total 5 collection, which includes a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. I skipped the toner since it has alcohol in it, but the cleanser and moisturizer were a lifesaver.
I have the blue one for combination skin, so the cleanser cleanses, removes impurities and tightens pores for fresh feeling skin. The moisturizer is enriched with apricot oil and shea butter to provide intense hydration and revitalize the look of skin.
I applied this moisturizer during the day, and at night I used the Nip + Fab Viper Venom Night Cream, which is specially formulated with encapsulated time release retinol + SYN®-AKE, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as retexture skin all while you sleep. Hyaluronic acid provides long-term hydration and an intensive plumping effect, so when you awake from your slumber your skin looks super fresh. I also use the Nip + Fab Viper Venom rollerball eye cream for the day and then the Kate Sommerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm at night with the Foreo Iris eye massager.
In less than a week’s time, my face went from peeling and feeling gritty to soft and supple thanks to these products. I put a lot of time and effort into my nighttime and daytime routines in general so I knew I had to kick it up a notch when I had sun damage. Plus, having a peeling nose and red forehead is just so not cute.
What are your sunburn tips and tricks?
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If there’s one thing I’ll do before an event or trip, it’s get a tan. Unfortunately I’m not blessed with the kind of skin tone where it’s easy for me to get nice and golden; in fact my “tan” is most people’s normal skin colour.
With summer coming up, looking bronze is a must. You guys know I’m a huge fan of self tanners, in particular tanning mousses, as they give you an amazing tan almost instantly. Not only do I look darker, but I feel more confident, look thinner, and just overall brightens my mood (plus a tan makes my hair look blonder).
Last month I went on vacation with my boyfriend to Cancun and instead of applying the tanner myself, I wanted to go the spray tan route. I’ve gotten spray tans before a couple trips to Vegas, but those were from the machines in my local Fabutan location (which also work great by the way). This time around, I wanted to support local and look into airbrush tanning, done by a professional. Enter OrganicTan Winnipeg.
OrganicTan is an all-natural airbrush tanning experience. The formula works with each unique skin tone to give you a flawless glow. Each tan is customizable depending on what you’re going for. If you want a nice glow, a deep tan, or body-builder material, OrganicTan can customize the formula for your needs. The best part about the whole thing is that the product has been formulated and perfected by a natural chemist, and it’s filled with natural and organic skin-nourishing ingredients, such as green tea, echinacea, sunflower oil, and more. The formula also helps to conceal those annoying imperfections we all have, like stretch marks, acne, cellulite, bruises, veins, etc.
OrganicTan originated in Calgary and they now have over 58 locations across Canada. I visited the Winnipeg location (166B Provencher Blvd, above Le Garage) the day before my trip to Cancun to get a spray tan, as well as a bright smile using their SunnaSmile natural teeth whitening device. I already have pretty white teeth as it is, but I thought it would be cool to try out, and plus having super white teeth up against a tan would look so perfect.
SunnaSmile is an LED-activated teeth-whitening system that is designed to provide maximum oral health benefits while whitening. The device has been proven to be effective, enamel-safe, and low sensitivity. Although they offer the in-studio session, they also have an at-home kit which you can purchase (like the ones always seen on Instagram).
First my teeth were compared to a tooth chart of different colours and shades to see how white or yellow my teeth were. My teeth were actually the second lightest on the scale, so we were aiming to get them to the lightest. Next, I was walked through the process. I had to put this gel on my gums and then I was given a tray with the formula in it, which I bit down on. After that, the LED light was plugged into the try and I just had to sit there for I believe was about 15 minutes (the at-home kits are 20 minutes). Once she took the tray out, I rinsed my mouth and my teeth did look much brighter.
After my smile treatment, I was taken to another room where there was a spray tan tent in it. We chatted about the colour I wanted (medium with hints of dark) and then I stripped down to just my undies (you can go au natural, which looking back, I kinda wish I did), while she went to mix the colour. I stepped onto these sticky foot pad things to protect my heels then stepped into the tent. After a series of different poses I was fully coated in the OrganicTan product, she even went in to contour parts of my body (collarbones, abs, etc.). After she was done with the spray, she went in with a lotion to even out my feet, wrists, etc. so there were no harsh lines making the colour look even and natural. The colour takes time to develop, so I made sure to wear super loose clothing and no bra, and in about two hours I started to see myself get darker.
OrganicTan lasts five to 10 days depending on how well you take care of your tan. Maximum results can be expected after 24 hours, however, you can shower after 12 hours (just be aware that you won’t get the maximum results). There are a variety of factors that will make your tan last less time, such as shaving and exfoliating, face cleansers and moisturizers containing salicylic acid, lotions with synthetic fragrances, anything with alcohol in it, etc. OrganicTan offers moisturizers specially created to use after your OrganicTan, which will make it last longer as well.
I absolutely loved the way my tan developed and I felt amazing looking so tan in the Mexican sun. Since I was out in the sun, applying sunscreen, going in the pool, etc., my tan didn’t last too long (about the duration of the trip – five days). Regardless, I would definitely go back again if I have a special event or trip coming up as the tan was so natural looking and it was hard to tell the difference between a real tan and a spray one.
Have you been to an OrganicTan location? What were your thoughts?
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