Summer Beauty differs from the rest of the year in a few key ways, mostly as a result of the heat and humidity. Products that work the rest of the year fall flat and make up can easily feel heavy and messy. Here are a few great options to keep yourself feeling as fresh as a daisy.

CLEANSING & MORE

Some brands make you feel cool just for owning them, or having the foresight to buy them. Sort of Coal is one of these brands. Made in Denmark (the coolest) and focusing on coal (tremendously cool), Sort of Coal crafts a terrific Kuro Shampoo that can be used on hair and body. Deep cleansing and purifying, this cleanser absorbs impurities, leaving behind sparkling hair and skin.

Clean skin is a big priority in the summer as oil can pile up and leave pores clogged, inciting pimples and blackheads. Another goal for warm weather is clear skin, thus lessening the need for lots of cover up. Vitabrid C 12 FACE makes an amazing brightening powder that mixes with water. In just a couple of days, your skin will have a more even tone. What a godsend!

Steaming can be a fantastic way to rid your skin of impurities without stripping it of much needed moisture. Mullein & Sparrow have upped the ante with jar of Facial Steam. Simply immerse the herbs in boiling water, put a towel over your head and let the heat do all the work. The combination of lavender, comfrey, licorice, nettle and chickweed smell like a slice of heaven.

Pangea Organics makes products that pull their weight. The Facial Mask, a mix of Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry, can be used up to three times a week for all skin types. One usage, after cleansing, manages to both nourish and exfoliate skin, leaving you with that feeling you get after a good facial.

Resurfacing skin can be tricky as you can take it too far and end up with blotchy, red skin. Pixi Skintreats’ Peel & Polish lifts just enough of the first layer of dead skin cells to reveal a fresher dermis underneath. Another product that eradicates the need for a lot of foundation, making summer that much more welcome.

Sometimes you just want to strip your face of all make up as quickly as possible, like after a late night, or a hot day. Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O does the job lickety split, leaving your skin moist, not dried out.

When beauty products look good enough to eat, you can be sure they are pure enough to put on your skin. Kopari Beauty’s Organic Coconut Melt, multitasks to soothe and moisturize your body, face and even hair.

 

DECORATING

The less is more ethos will serve you well as far as make up goes throughout the summer season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Jane Iredale’s Smooth Affair for eyes acts as both a primer and an eye shadow. The pretty, subtle shades, like naked and canvas give a polished look with just a hint of shine, perfect for an evening out. For just a little drama, Osmosis Colour Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Matte Eye Shadow Duos are richly pigmented enough to wear lightly or amp up the va-voom. The Truffle Bliss combo, with its smoky brown and ivory white, work perfectly together.

Antonym’s Cheek Crush Highlighting Blush has got to be the perfect shade of peachy pink for just about every complexion. The summery sheen leaves you sun-kissed and pretty, just in time for a last summer fling.

So cute, NuYU’s Sili Sponge applies make up like a pro and is easily washable. Made of medical grade silicone, this adorable applicator is nonporous and thus absorbs less of your foundation or blush, leaving more behind for you!

GIVING

The cuteness of Votre Vu’s Bebe Duette, combination lip balm and hand crème is impossible to overstate. Perfect to keep in your purse or car, this duo is genius.

With the luxury of Krigler behind you, ensconced in cellophane and finished off with a black ribbon, the Chateau Krigler 12 soap makes a terrific hostess gift. A favorite of Grace Kelly, this perfumed bar continues to impress with its notes of mimosa, rose and lily of the valley.