#solscents

Hi, friends! It's the first of the month, and you know what that means: The Beauty & Fashion Blog Community blog hop! This month, we're sweating up a storm (isn't that a lovely image?) so we're sharing tips on how to keep looking fresh-faced. Let's get started!

I have combination skin, so in the summer months I like to switch to a lighter PM moisturizer (for my T-zone's sake). Right now I've been using EVOLOGIE's Stay Clear Cream ($62 for 1oz) to keep the acne at bay, because blackheads are loving me right now and it's just not cool. This is the sample size from their duo pack. It has 2% salicylic acid, and they don't advertise what the pH level is, but it must be somewhere around the right mark because it seems to be working. I use this everywhere else but my cheeks, since my cheeks have enough trouble staying hydrated and I never have a problem with acne there. My dry cheeks are divas and get a separate night cream. Wow, I never thought I would become the person that uses two separate night creams, but combination skin is a pain in the butt. (Read more: April Favorites, May Favorites)

EVOLOGIE's Stay Clear Cream

Something about the sweltering hot weather makes me incredibly lazy, so I use products like SOLSCENTS Angelica SPF 30 Sunscreen ($14.95 for 8oz) to combine steps in my daily routine. This is not only a sunscreen, but also a lotion and fragrance. It smells great, leaves my body feeling nice and soft, and it has SPF 30! It's affordable, too, so it pretty much fills all requirements on the checklist. (Read more: Full Review, Beach & Pool Bag Essentials)

SOLSCENTS Angelica SPF 30 Sunscreen

You may apply sunscreen to your body, but do you ever forget your lips? I use the SOLSCENTS Raspberry Dreams SPF 15 Lip Balm ($3.95) whenever I go to the beach, or even when I'm just bumming around. It goes on smoothly, leaves my lips feeling soft, and it has a great, fruity taste.  (Read more: Full Review, Beach & Pool Bag Essentials)

SOLSCENTS Raspberry Dreams SPF 15 Lip Balm

There is no other time when I definitely need a setting powder than when it is 80+ degrees Fahrenheit outside. My go-to powder is the NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent ($2.79 for .7oz), because it's cheap and it works. I use this on my T-zone whenever I apply any face products, and sometimes even when I'm not wearing anything. My current AM moisturizer has SPF 30 in it, which tends to make me look a little greasy, so this clears that right up. It's really an amazing drugstore powder. It's no Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, but it does everything a powder's supposed to do, and did I mention it's $3? (Read more: 2013 Makeup Favorites, June 2013 Makeup Routine)

NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent

I usually use my E.L.F. Studio Makeup Mist & Set ($3 for 2.02oz) to foil my eyeshadows or turn a loose eyeshadow into an eyeliner, but in the summer I use it as a setting spray. I hear it's not as good as the Skindinavia setting sprays, but for someone who doesn't need that much help or just wants that extra bit of reassurance that her makeup will last all day, this works perfectly.

E.L.F. Studio Makeup Mist & Set

A bright nail polish is a hot weather essential of mine, and one of my favorite discoveries this summer has been  Essie Come Here ($8.50 for .5oz) This particular one is from their Essie Resort 2013 Collection. It's a beautiful neon coral color that just screams summer to me. As usual with Essie nail polishes, this formula is this is great. I have no complaints, except maybe that they're $8.50 per polish. Yikes.

Essie Come Here

And here is a fashion category, because beauty buffs need clothes, too. 

An important hot weather staple to me is a cute, comfortable pair of sandals. I almost exclusively buy Sofft and Aerosoles shoes nowadays, because I have countless foot/ankle/back problems, and I don't like being any more uncomfortable than I have to be. I got these babies for $20 at Marshalls (God bless Marshall's), and they're so soft and cushiony! They're also cute, and the ankle strap really makes my feet feel secure, since I sprained my right ankle months ago. And yes, I took of the size-8 sticker before I wore them out. The world now knows what shoe size I am, rejoice. I think they might have been last season or something, since I can't find them on the website, but just check out Marshalls/TJ Maxx for discounted, comfy shoes!

A cute pair of sunglasses is also very necessary. I never really spend more than $10 for a pair of sunglasses, because at some point they will break on me, and I will hate myself for spending more than that when they do. I know that more expensive ones probably have more UV protection and all that, but I guess you can call me Scrooge. I've been wearing these ones from Charlotte Russe lately. They're light in color, so they don't overpower my blonde hair and fair skin, and they're not so big that I look like a bug.

If you're still itching for more, check out these other lovely bloggers!

Christine at Simply Stine

Lisa at Subscription Therapy

Anne at The Anna Belle Blog

Michelle at My Beautiful Goodies

Angela at Your Beauty Whisperer

It's the first of the month, and you know what that means: The Beauty and Fashion Blog Community Blog Hop! This month we're talking about our summer essentials--things were absolutely need in our beach and pool bags. The weather in New York has been beautiful lately (minus some surprise showers), so this post is only getting me more excited for summer! Woohoo! Enough about that. Let's get on to the good stuff~ SUN PROTECTION This is huge. The #1 thing that I make sure to have in my bag (besides the usual ID/keys/wallet stuff) is products with SPF. Here are a few of my favorites. SOLSCENTS Angelica SPF 30 Sunscreen ($14.95 for 8oz)

I raved about this sunscreen in my Solscents Brand Overview. It's a sunscreen, body lotion, and fragrance all in one: you can't get better than that. I have the Angelica one, which is passionfruit, lily, and wild rose. Now the people who complain about the scent of sunscreen no longer have a reason to go without! It's a pretty short bottle, so it also fits nicely in a bag. 

KISS MY FACE Face Factor Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12 for 2oz)

Not only do I like this, but Paula's Choice gave this product a "Best" rating, so you know it has to be good! While I use the SolScents for my body, this is the sunscreen I use over my face. This is a sunscreen with added antioxidants, and it actually does live up to its claims of being moisturizing. I also like that I can get SPF 30 protection without that dreaded white cast in photographs (though I know I don't bring my camera to the beach or anyplace with a large body of water). Its active ingredient is zinc oxide, making it a physical sunscreen that blocks the sun's rays (as opposed to chemical, which absorbs the sun's rays). I would recommend this facial sunscreen for those with dry skin--oily folk might find this to be a bit much.  

SOLSCENTS Raspberry Dreams SPF 15 Lip Balm ($3.95)

This was also mentioned in my Solscents Brand Overview, as well as my Lip Balm Bonanza Pt. 2. This lip balm smells like passionfruit, is actually moisturizing, and provides an SPF of 15. I really don't know what more you could want. Just remember to reapply after eating! 

STUNNER OF THE MONTH Sunglasses ($9/month)

These are from my July Stunner of the Month, but I don't care what kind of sunglasses you buy as long as you buy them. You need to protect your eyes, as well as the skin around them! Try to get ones that wrap around the face, because the ones that just have the lenses and a thin frame leave the sides of your eyes unprotected. The sunglasses featured here are large and obnoxious, but at least they do a good job of protecting my eyes! Honestly, I'm terrible and typically go and buy a pair of cheap sunglasses from Charlotte Russe for $5, but if you are trustworthy and can have nice things, maybe invest in a pair that states to cover all UVA/UVB/Misc sun rays. Just to be safe. 

OTHER GOOD STUFF

Because who wants a bag full of sunscreen and nothing else? 

KORRES Body Butter in Guava ($10 for 1.69oz)

As stated in my May Favorites, this is my current hand cream. It's a small bottle that I can tuck into any crevice of my bag, and this travel size is actually pretty affordable for a mid-to-high-end brand. The larger size is a better deal, so if you don't mind carrying a huge tube, you might want to go for that one if you like a bargain. 

The Wet Brush Paddle Brush in Purple ($12)

You have not lived until you've owned a Wet Brush (I wrote a poem about it in my April Favorites--a legit poem, a haiku). It has saved me aggravation, as well as many strands of hair, and you need to go buy one. Unless you have super curly hair and don't brush your hair to begin with, you need one. You just need one. If I had the money, I would buy all of you one, because you deserve it. 

An Awesome Summer Playlist

This isn't an actual, physical item, but it's included because it's necessary. OTHER IDEAS Check out these other great blogs for more beach and pool bag essentials!

Pretty in the East

The Anna Belle Blog

Subscription Therapy

Lipstick and Yarn

Beautiful Goodies

Unpack the Box

Well, that's everything! Now all we have to do is wait for the weather to warm up just a little bit more so we can hit the beach! What's in your beach bag?

SolScents Sunscreen Rave + Review

Hey beauties,

As many of you know, I live in California, so sunscreen is a really important part of my daily routine but sometimes after I put on my perfume, the last thing I want to smell like sunscreen. I love that with SolScents it actually smells like yummy lotion, not your typical sunscreen scents and works with the scent of my perfume.

Some of my favorite things about SolScents Sunscreens…

Hey, friends! As you may or may not know, I have a problem when it comes to lip balm. The feeling of dry lips makes me nuts, so I always make sure to have a tube of lip balm on me somewhere. Today I bring you another portion of my collection that I have acquired while on the search for my perfect, holy-grail lip balm. If you would like to see Part One, click here. Let’s move on to the good stuff~ NYX Color Lip Balm in Thank You ($5.33 for .14oz) 

This was in my February Favorites last month, and with good reason. It's a bright, watermelon pink color, and it’s quite pigmented for a lip balm. Since it delivers a good amount of color, I like to swipe this on my lip before heading out the door in the morning. It almost works like a lip balm and sheer lipstick in one! It’s not very long lasting, since it’s so buttery, but I’m okay with that. For some reason, all of the shades are different variations of “Thank You” in different languages (Merci, Grazie, etc.). Just a fun fact. I think this product was discontinued with the release of NYX’s Butter Lip Balms, but they’re still available on Amazon, because everything is on Amazon.  Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm ($4 for .15oz)

I received this back in June in my Total Beauty Mystery Collection. (I know I've been calling it the Total Crapbox, but with the amount of products I have actually wound up liking from it, I don’t think I can keep calling it that anymore). This is a nice lip balm. It might not cure super dry/chapped lips, but it works for everyday. No complaints here. Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips ($14.50 for 15mL)

I received a sample of this in my Birchbox a few months ago, and I enjoyed it so much that I used it all up! This is a great nighttime lip balm. When I used it before bed, my lips were still soft in the morning. If you’re looking for something really moisturizing, pick this up! Also, while you’re at it, tell your roommates you’re using nipple balm. And then catch their faces on tape. (LOL "ON TAPE" HOW OLD AM I)  SolScents Raspberry Dreams Lip Balm ($3.95 for approx. .15oz)

I recently reviewed this product, so click here if you’d like to read that post (and enter the giveaway!) This is a nice lip balm that smells awesome and protects your lips from the sun at the same time. Like I apply sunscreen on my skin, I like to apply sunscreen on my lips. It’s one of the few lip balms I own that even has an SPF. You can’t go wrong with this. They also have a ton of other yummy scents. If your lips are super dry and chapped, this won’t be much help, but it’s great for everyday.  Aquaphor Lip Repair  ($5 for .35 fl oz) 

Not only do I live in New England, but I basically live on the windiest street corner in the country. I needed something fierce (with all of the powers of Beyonce, but in a lip balm) that could shield my lips from the harsh weather. I had been using Josie Maran’s Argan Oil and Vaseline on top of it, but it wasn’t enough. Plus, I was getting tired of using an expensive oil as a lip balm. So, I went to the Internet, and turned to this. Oh. My. God. If your lips are the most painful kind of chapped, look no further! You’ll feel relief on contact, and the dryness will be gone before you know it. The cheapskate in me didn’t want to pay that much for a lip balm, but every bit is worth it. You’ll never have to deal with painful chapped lips again. This product is beautiful and if you get chapped lips you need this! Nivea Lip Butter in Smooth Kiss ($3 for .59oz)  

Another lip balm hit from Nivea! It’s pretty moisturizing and a tin will last you forever. I usually use this in the daytime, but if my lips aren’t chapped, I’ll use this at night, too. The open-tin packaging is a little unsanitary (re-dipping your finger into it every time), so make sure to wash your hands! It’s also an excuse not to share with other people (does anyone else have friends who always ask them for lip balm? Like girl go get your own, they’re only $2). Anyway, this gets the College Beauty Buff seal of approval as well, so check it out. That’s all for now! If you have any good lip balm recommendations, leave them in the comments below! I’m always looking for suggestions!