I feel like summer time is a time to be a minimalist if there ever was one. You play outside, you read books, you watch less TV, you wear less makeup, and kids can be entertained with simple things instead of toys.
I wanted to share my summer essentials with you!
Makeup
I don’t like wearing much makeup in the summer time. I don’t have much time these days to apply makeup and I sweat a lot and I don’t like the feeling that I have on tons of makeup and then it’s covered in sweat. It makes me feel like a big break out waiting to happen. I also like to be able to wash my face as much as possible after being outside. So I just don’t wear a ton of makeup. These are the essentials. (I always always always wear eye liner, but feel like it’s too heavy looking on a sweaty, hot day, so I haven’t been wearing it this summer.)
Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer with SPF- This goes on after my regular moisturizer. It has SPF and just enough tint to even out my skin tone. But it feels light.
Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer- I use this in the morning and at night after I wash my face.
Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer- I brush this over my face for some shimmer and to get a little bit of a summer glow.
Diorshow Mascara- My favorite!
Urban Decay Naked Palette- All of these colors are so natural and beautiful. I think they add just enough color in the summer time without looking too “done.”
Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Blonde- I use this color to give my eyebrows some help. I have the lightest eyebrows you’ve ever seen!
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes- These are perfect for removing eye makeup. I still use all my Bliss products for washing my face.
Hair Stuff
I have a lot of hair and it takes forever to dry. And then I go outside and things get all frizzy because I have naturally wavy hair. So in the summer, I just use these products, let my hair air dry, and then do the curl down. I also use my Olivia Garden round brush to dry my bangs or they’d be ca-razy! Nina first told me about Olivia Garden brushes a couple of years ago and I bought a couple of different sizes. Then she recently told me about the Olivia Garden bamboo brushes. I love mine!
Olivia Garden Bamboo Brush in 3.5 inch- It makes my hair dry so fast. When I do dry all of my hair it cuts the time down by so much!
Aveda Brilliant Damage Control- This is a great detangler and heat protectant.
Aveda Phomollient- I put this on last and scrunch. Then I let it air dry. It is very light!
Conair Ceramic Curling Iron- It’s my favorite. It’s a great price and it lasts forever. Here’s the link to Amy’s post with the curl down video again.
Books
I read the most in the summer time. There aren’t may great things on TV, so I would prefer to just read. This is what’s left of my summer reading list! I kind of fell off the reading wagon at the end of my pregnancy and when Hayes was first born. I’m getting back on track though.
TV on DVD
Again, there’s nothing great on TV, so I’ve been using my Netflix Instant to watch all of Friday Night Lights this summer. I’m obsessed. TC and I just love every single character– well, almost all of them! My mom watched this show from the beginning and I’d catch the occasional episode with her. But I’m weird about TV shows. If I’m going to watch them, I have to watch them from the very first episode.
What are your summer essentials? Make up and hair routine? What are you watching this summer? If you say you spend every day at the pool with no one around, I’m going to be extremely jealous and ask if we can trade places for a day. I’m just kidding…
Hey, y'all, I'm Erin. Thanks for stopping by! I'm a Believer, a boy mom and former event planner turned stay-at-home mom. I blog about our lives, my family, my faith, fun finds, and kitchen disasters. You can read more on my 'About' page 
I just got in to The Hunger Games series…so good! It’s actually intended for teenage or young adult readers, but it’s fantastic. I just started the second book and I can’t get enough.
I love your summer “essentials” and I definitely need to try some of those makeup items pronto!!
I was OBSESSED with Friday Night Lights and found an adorable video of everyone’s favorite – Tami Taylor…check it out:
http://positivelypreppyinpink.blogspot.com/2011/07/yall-have-great-weekend.html
Happy Monday!
I’ve been wanting to try that Urban Decay Naked palette. Do you think it would be good year round? I’m also in love with all things Aveda. It’s good stuff. I also started watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix last week. I never saw an episode the first time around. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Phew– between The Kite Runner and Little Bee, you are in for some DEEP reading, my friend. They are both amazing books though- you’ll have to share what you think at the end of your summer reading! American Wife is wonderful, as well– I’ve read it probably three times. And I’m with you on staying as minimal as possible with hair and makeup- I try to deep condition often, lay off the hot hair tools every once in awhile, and moisturize like crazy. Also, is it odd if one of my summer essentials is guacamole? I am not ashamed if it is
I feel the same way about going light with the makeup in the summer…feels so gross to sweat while wearing a lot of makeup! I’ve heard so much about FNL…think I need to start watching it!
Love Diorshow mascara! I tend to go back and forth between that and Fresh. My hair stylist just told me about Mason Pearson brushes. It’s what she uses to dry my hair and it’s almost straight (I have crazy kinky curly hair) when she’s done. It took her hardly any time at all to do the finishing touches with a flat iron. They’re pretty spendy but she said with my wacky hair it would be totally worth it & will last 10+ years. I just ordered one on Amazon (Saks no longer carries them here) & am looking forward to trying it out. I’m fairly retarded when it comes to my hair so I’m hoping it was a GREAT investment. My hair Aveda products are: Smooth Infusion – Style Prep Smoother and Light Elements Smoothing Fluid. Now if only I could get my bangs under control
I love the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette – such pretty colors. I’m going to check out the Olivia Garden brushes because they sound wonderful. I love anything that will cut down on hair drying time in this heat!
A few of my summer essentials are Morroccan oil to keep my hair shiny and smooth in the humidity, Smashbox primer to keep my makeup in place, and MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (a great eyeshadow base color). I’m not watching anything fun on TV right now so I’m looking for a show to watch on DVD or Netflix. I’m contemplating Family Ties (old school!), Breaking Bad, or maybe rewatching Damages from season 1.
I always, always need some sort of foundation – right now I’m using Smashbox. I also love Clinique’s bronzer – those two things and Clinique mascara and I am good to go! I wash my hair at night and put it in a high, loose ponytail at night and I straight iron it if I need to in the morning. Putting it up gives it enough volume – and by the end of the hot Virginia days my hair is in a ponytail anyway!
I have to tell you, I am on of Friday Night Lights’ crazy fans – my husband and I watched the very first episode in our hotel room on our honeymoon! I had a terrible cold and couldn’t get out of bed – I have been in LOVE with this show since. I am 29 years old, but I just think Coach Taylor is amazing (and Tim Riggins isn’t too bad, either)!
So fun to see what you love during the summer! I agree about being a minimalist AND especially about less TV and more reading!
Friday Night Lights……… Seriously the BEST show to ever hit television!!!!! I just fell in love with each and every single character and the town of Dillon and everything about it!!! There are just not enough words to describe the awesomeness of that show. Texas forever!!!!
Great post, of course! Looks like you’re getting back into the routine of life! I’ve read Little Bee and it’s pretty intense, so just be ready for that! Are you on GoodReads? I need to look for you because I’m running out of things to read and need some ideas! Hope all is well!
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a stack of books that I have the hope of reading!!! I LOVE reading but time just isn’t always there. I’m a big fan of the idea of just turning the TV off and reading in the summer though..not sure how the hubs would go for that but I’ll give it a try
Question: Where do you buy those brushes and where do you get the smashbox??
I’m with you, the less makeup the better. I throw on a little bare minerals foundation and mascara, and I’m out the door.
I just chopped all my hair off. I also have thick hair, and I try to grow it out but always end up cutting it off.
My kindle is my best friend during the summer since I love to read, read, read.
I love my naked palette!! And to the poster that asked about it, it will definitely work year round. You can use it or very light, natural eyes or there are plenty of colors o darken it up or make it more dramatic. And I’m going to have to look at those brushes – I need a good new round brush.
And we got instant Netflix a few weeks ago and love, love it! We actually got a Roku and it is so much fun. I havent watched much tv for the past couple of years, so I’ve been catching up on series I used to watch. Right now I’m watching seasons 5 & 6 of Grey’s and I’ve added several other series to start later – Friday Night Lights being one I want to start from the beginning. And I find great documentaries too
Funny! I just put together a post of my favorite quick makeup essentials.
I’m with you on light makeup in the summer! There are some days when I don’t even wear it- if I’m not going out…I don’t want to scare people!
I find that my hair usually ends up in a ponytail when it’s humid. We have been watching Dexter on Netflix and love it! Other than that, there really isn’t much tv going on! It’s a nice break!
We like Friday Night Lights too and had friends over this past Friday for the series finale – no spoilers, don’t worry. I am reading Little Bee too. I liked American Wife, but didn’t love it. I am looking for a new de-tangler so I’ll look for the Aveda one that you mentioned.
We just got hooked on Friday Night Lights this weekend! My husband and I watched 10 episodes! I can’t believe I’m admitting that… but I’m going through withdrawals today! Going to have to rush home from work and see what Riggins and the crew are up to! haha!
I loved the American Wife and I just finished Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoyed it too!
What a great post. Seriously. I love the suggestions, especially the brushes. I’ve been in need of a “makeover” and this is perfect! Thanks!
I finally caved and bought the Naked Palette and I am so excited!!!
Okay, so I’m a genius…I’ve been using Olivia Garden brushes forever (like since high school forever), just didnt know the brand. I use the black and red ones and love them! I do need a replacement though so it’s good I saw your post
. It takes a few years, but mine always separate where the handle attaches – likely from all the heat. Anyway, I have been using a inexpensive fill-in since my last one died and it really doesn’t cut it!
I’m reading Lisa See’s On Gold Mountain, I saw it on one of your other blogs. When finished with that will read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I’ve read some other books by her and enjoyed them. I’ve read several books by Debbie Macomber and Kristin Hannah, love those authors also.
My husband and I just started watching Friday Night Lights on netflix as well! We are only on season 1, but we love it!
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS- best show ever!!!! reminds me of the small town I grew up in……
Trish M- love, love, love…. easy and quick- when I do wear makeup ……
Love to go to the CC and watch my little wild angel swim like a fish!!!
I LOVE the summer…… heading to the beach on and off the whole month of Aug…. yaaaa-
Not a big reader… love magazines House Beau. fave and all the trash mags…..
I also use the urban decay naked pallette and neutragena wipes and smashbox soft lights! I used to be obsessed with diorshow mascara but found it dried out too fast and switched to bad gal lash by benefit and I love it soooo much more! I am reading Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell. It is the follow up to The Carrie Diaries and I looove it! I live in the south so I know what you mean about all the sweat, it is a wast to even use makeup! Oh… and we go to our country club pool almost every afternoon and we are always the only ones there! It can get pretty boring but it is like having our own pool, so I guess it’s not so bad:) As far as tv we are watching a lot of real housewives and falling skies while we wait for the new seasons of Entourage and Dexter!!!
Amber
http://amber-bugsbarbiesandweddedbliss.blogspot.com/
love your summer essentials! we are currently watching FNL, too. We even considered the name “Lyla” for our baby, but all I could think of was Lyla Garrity (sp?) so we had to nix that idea.
my hair is thick/frizzy/curly-ish, too and i have a new product that i love! it is seriously changing my life. it is a great smoothing oil that smells good and is not heavy at all (which is a plus in the 100 degree temps!) it makes my hair so smooth or i can also just put it in my hair at night and go to bed with wet hair and wake up with nice waves. here is the link to it if you want to check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/ALTERNA-BAMBOO-Smooth-Kendi-Treatment/dp/B0045WBFAI
Love this!
I haven’t seen an episode of FNL but all of the Twitter hype lately makes me want to out it in my NetFlix queue.
Your books make me miss BOOKS. I say that because I recently bought an eReader but I miss getting the books and turning the pages and placing them neatly on the book shelf when I finish. *sigh* I do love the Kindle though
Glad to see I am not the only Aveda junkie. Love love love it!
I l-o-v-e-d Friday Night Lights and am so sad its over. One of the truly great TV shows. There is so much junk on.
Thanks for the recommendations! I really need a new round brush (one of mine came apart a few weeks ago!) so I’ll give the Olivia Garden brushes a try. And the Urban Decay Naked Palette looks really pretty
I read “American Wife” last summer and really enjoyed it, even though there were some tough parts to get through. “Little Bee” is on my reading list this year too
Great post – your nightstand/reading list looks a lot like mine. Sounds like I need to check out these Olivia Garden brushes you and ATN are fond of – I have insanely long hair right now and I’m too paralyzed to do anything about it.
Such a great list! We share a lot of the same summer essentials!
-I can’t wait to hear what you think of Little Bee, it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, but I’m glad I read it.
-I’ve managed to watch the first 4 seasons of FNL already this summer, and just started season 5 today. I always love having a TV series to watch during the regular TV lull over the summer as I get work done around the house.
I use Clinique Even Better makeup with spf. It’s light and still covers the freckles I’ve gotten from this summer. I also use Aveda Shampure shampoo and conditioner….love it!! I’ve been reading a lot this summer and I need to start reading what my students will be reading this upcoming school year.
Great post. I’m so glad you are enjoying the new Olivia Garden bamboo brush!!! I’m loving mine too! I have the ceramic ion flat brush in my Amazon cart. You already know I’m a Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer and Aveda fan too. The Damage Control & Phomollient are both MUST HAVES for Summer! The makeup towelettes were a lifesaver at the hospital last week. Love them! I wish they sold a larger tub of them. I always run out! And TV on DVD just reminded me that I have LIpstick Jungle to watch!!!! Thank you!!
Fantastic book choices! Hope you get to read them all!
I have loved every episode of The Good Wife (available on DVD), Lipstick Jungle (warning, it ends abruptly with Season 2), and the book Room was one of my favorites. PS: I ADORE your blog!
I am such a bad make-up buyer. I know I need something better than the mediocre drug store stuff I’ve got, but when I run out, I can never seem to take the plunge and get nice department store make-up.
Meanwhile I feel I can justify one of those brushes for times I straighten my hair to prevent a cloud of frizz in this stifling SC heat!
Just a caviat about The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in case you haven’t made it that far into the story yet- it’s got some (brief, but) mega disturbing parts that I wish for all the world I could un-hear (we listened to it on audio book on a long drive earlier this summer). I don’t want to spoil the plot or alarm anybody who hasn’t read it or cause unpleasant things to pop up in your comments, so I don’t want to get specific, but let me know if you want more info.