Sampling the Summer

I was walking past the shops in my neighborhood the other day and saw a big sign for a Fourth of July sale, and for some reason, I forgot it was that time of year. Is anyone else feeling like summer is off to an odd start, or is it just me? And with the Fourth falling on a Tuesday, the holiday weekend vibe feels weird, too. But if you are headed out of town to a sandy shore, I’ve got some essentials to get you into the swing of summer.

First up, summer beauty.

I love the look of a good tan but am unwilling to die for it. So I fake it till I make it, and there is no shortage of fabulous fakes to help take you from blah to bronze.

For my money, I love Bondi Sands and their tanning mousse in Ultra-Dark. It doesn’t streak, smells great, and lasts about a week. I also love Vita Liberata’s Heavenly Tanning Elixir, a lovely luxe tanning lotion that gives that gorgeous glow. And if you just want to cover up that “lifetime” on your legs, Vita also makes a fantastic Body Blur, a leg makeup that doesn’t transfer and gets the gams so gorgeous. It even covers veins, which is ideal. We all got ‘em. But we don’t have to show ‘em if we don’t wanna.

I like a cream bronzer for the face, and nothing tops this classic from Chanel, but relative newcomer Saie also does a fabulous version. This is the perfect pop of pick-me-up, candlelit radiance. This loose powder from Saie glides on nicely and finishes the face beautifully. 

Let me take a minute and shout out clean beauty darling Summer Fridays and their CC Me Serum. It brightens the skin with vitamin C, and Niacinamide helps improve skin tone and texture and reduces the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I love this one, and it’s brightening and toning down a spot I’ve got on my cheek.

And that summer beauty routine can get kicked up with a mist and a spritz.

I was gifted this Caudalie mist, and I use it for everything from pre-skincare applications to post-makeup spritzing. It’s also great for hot face syndrome. I don’t know if that’s from menopause or tequila, but a spritz or two works wonders on steamy nights. As for fragrance, I’ve rediscovered my love for Mimosa-flavored fragrances, a throwback to the amazing days of the now-defunct brand Calypso resort clothing and their signature scent that smelled so good. This one is so divine and is so very classic summer.

As for hair, I’ve made the difficult decision (ha) not to get a keratin this summer since my hair is short, recently blonde, and I dig the texture, so that just means I need to work a bit harder to fight that frizz. I love Virtue’s smoothing shampoo and conditioner; this cream and spray are heat-activated but keep things relatively smooth. If you’re an air dryer, this cream from Jonathan Van Ness is terrific.

And if you need a cute bag to tote all those goodies around, this tote from Vans is so cool. I love it as a beach bag or to schlep around Brooklyn. And to stick with the black and white vibe, I caved and bought the trendiest sneaker this summer, the iconic Adidas Samba in white with black stripes. So good with an LWD (little white dress) or a cool, oversized linen suit.

On the clothing front, this breezy gauze jumpsuit from Mara Hoffman is excellent over a bathing suit or out to brunch. I love a summer stripe. And on white dresses, my latest obsession is vintage Eilleen West cotton nightgowns, I wear to walk my dog or work on the sofa on hot afternoons, that I find on Etsy. Yes, this is a very early pandemic “nap dress” vibe, but they are so pretty, laid back, and, most of all, cool. 

And since it’s my birthday in July, this Cancer girl is daydreaming and going big. I fell hard when I spotted these Spinelli Kilcollin linked rings at Elyse Walker’s Tribeca shop. They are a high-ticket item reserved for hedge fund bonuses or generational wealth, but ooh. And ahhh. I just love sparkly, shiny things.

And whether you are headed out of town or hanging out at home this holiday, I hope you are sparkling and shining and basking in your warm weather glow wherever you are —happy birthday to the USA, and happy bday to me. XO