Get Summer-Ready With These Beauty Essentials — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
The first day of summer may officially be June 21st but, here in Austin, we’ve already had a handful of days with triple-digit temperatures — and the season technically hasn’t even started! Between the blazing rays of the sun, the scorching heat, and the often-stifling humidity, the conditions are ripe for beauty blunders galore: think frizzy manes, sweat stains on shirts, melting makeup, unsightly (and painful) sunburns, and chapped and prune-y lips. But remember: it may be hot outside, but you don’t have to be a hot mess. There are some great beauty products out there that will not only safeguard us against common summer beauty blunders, but which will bless us with glowing skin, supple lips, smooth and hair-free legs, carefree beach waves, and fierce nails. I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” today to chat about Summer Beauty Essentials so make sure to check out the two-part segment above (or click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2) and, to learn more about the products seen on air, keep reading below!
DEFEND YOUR SKIN FROM UV RAYS WITH BANANA BOAT’S SIMPLY PROTECT COLLECTION
The sun is strong here in Texas but, even if you live in a place with more moderate temperatures and more overcast skies, sunscreen should still top your list of summer essentials. After all, the Skin Cancer Foundation has warned us that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70 — a harrowing figure. And, if you’re not looking forward to wrinkles, sun spots, or leather-y and tough skin, you should know that an estimated 90% of skin aging is caused by sun exposure. How’s that for an incentive to wear sunscreen? To protect your neck (and legs, arms, back, etc.), you can rely on the Banana Boat Simply Protect collection of SPF 50 sunscreens. All Simply Protect sunscreens are formulated with 25% fewer ingredients, and they contain no oxybenzone, no parabens, and no added oils or fragrances. Moreover, they offer broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and they’re sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The collection includes spray and lotion sunscreens for the whole family, with Baby, Kids, and Sport options available. Each 6 oz. sunscreen retails for $7.99 and is available at mass food and drug retailers nationwide.
MAKE SHAVING A DISTANT MEMORY WITH THE SILK’N INFINITY
If I kept a tally of how much money I spend on razors and shaving cream during the summer months, I’d probably faint at the staggering magnitude of the total sum. It literally feels like I shave my legs or underarms and, within hours, new stubble reappears. I mean, how great would it be if I could enjoy smooth and hair-free skin without the seemingly endless shaving and waxing routine?
With that end goal in mind, I’ve started using the new and groundbreaking Silk’n Infinity ($399 at Silkn.com and Amazon.com), a permanent hair reduction device that’s completely painless and irritation-free. It uses eHPL technology, which combines optical energy and galvanic energy. On the optical energy front, the device emits pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigments in hair and transformed into heat, deactivating hair follicles and inhibiting future hair growth. The galvanic energy, meanwhile, opens up pores, allowing the light to reach those deeply rooted hair follicles and eliminate stubborn hairs. And, because it opens up the pores and boosts circulation, that galvanic energy allows for better absorption of any lotions applied after your treatment so your hair removal treatments also help to improve your skin’s overall health.
Not only is this the fist and only hair removal device on the market to use galvanic energy, but it caters to a wider array of skin tones and hair colors than most at-home hair reduction gadgets. The device can be used on the upper lip, underarms, legs, arms, and bikini line, and men, too, can use it to remove any unwanted hair on their backs, shoulders, or chest regions.
You can treat your whole body in just 20 minutes, and a full treatment regimen involves 8 sessions: the first four should happen every two weeks, while the final four sessions should happen a month apart.
KEEP UNDERARMS SMELLING FRESH WITH SWEATWELLTH’S GOOD FOR YOU DEODORANT
Sure, you want people to go gaga over your radiant skin and your smooth and lustrous hair, but you don’t want them gagging over your smelly pits! You can be an absolute vision — a modern-day Venus on a half shell — and people will still run in the opposite direction if you smell like rotten onions. So, to avoid embarrassingly offensive body odor, you need a powerhouse deodorant that can keep up with your active lifestyle, and the all-natural SweatWELLth Good For You Deodorant ($16 at SweatWELLth.com) is just the ticket.
It’s infused with bamboo charcoal to absorb and neutralize any odor-causing bacteria and toxins your body naturally expels when you sweat. It also contains barley starch to absorb wetness and keep you dry and comfy. Moreover, SweatWELLth’s Fragrance Technology allows for fresh bursts of fragrance to be released when triggered by sweat or moisture so that you’ll smell right as rain. Most importantly, this deodorant doesn’t contain aluminum salts (found in most anti-perspirants), which plug up pores and don’t let skin breathe properly.
HYDRATE LIPS (AND COLOR THEM HAPPY) WITH SWEATWELLTH’S LIP QUENCH TINTS
Chapped lips aren’t just a wintertime woe so to keep that pout hydrated, check out SweatWELLth’s new Lip Quench Tints ($12.50 each at SweatWELLth.com). These moisturizing lip balms are infused with minerals like potassium and magnesium so as to replenish any lost electrolytes. Moreover, they offer SPF 25 protection and come in three shades: Barre, a perky pink; Hiit, a cool nude; and XFit, a deep plum shade. Whether you’re running errands, hitting the pool, or squeezing in a workout, you can protect your lips from the sun’s rays, keep them moist and supple, and add a touch of playful color to your pout with these tints.
TAME UNRULY STRANDS — EVEN ON THE MOST HUMID OF DAYS— WITH LIVING PROOF’S NO FRIZZ COLLECTION
Frizz is the Voldemort to my Harry Potter, the Lex Luthor to my Superman, the Ursula to my Little Mermaid — in other words, my eternal nemesis. And, in the hot and humid summer months, the battle against frizz is all too real! Luckily, while frizz is a worthy adversary, it’s no match for the Living Proof No Frizz collection. Unlike other frizz-fighting products, Living Proof scientists studied the causes of frizz in order to determine how to better address the issue. What they discovered was that humidity and friction are the main causes of frizz. See, the hair cuticle (the outermost layer of hair) is comprised of overlapping cells that resemble scales or, for that matter, shingles on a roof. When humidity levels rise, the moisture in the air can make its way into hair fibers, causing these to swell and, in turn, raising the cuticle scales and causing a frizz-tuation. To make matters worse, when these cuticle scales flare out, it causes increased friction between hair strands, exacerbating the problem. Safeguarding hair strands against humidity, then, is the logical solution to the problem, and yet for 30 years, brands relied almost exclusively on silicones to create this protective shield. The problem: silicones don’t adhere to strands in an even manner, so that some of that moisture in the air still manages to weasel its way into strands. Moreover, silicones can weigh hair down, leaving it looking limp and lifeless. Not ideal, right? Thankfully, the brainiacs at Living Proof found a much more effective alternative to silicones: their patented OFPMA molecule, also dubbed the “Healthy Hair Molecule,” which coats hair strands evenly, creating an invisible, seamless and weightless armor against humidity. And, since OFPMA also smoothes strands, it leaves hair frictionless.
All the products in the No Frizz collection, then, feature this key technology, and they’re all sulfate-free and silicone-free. The collection is extensive (and amazing) but I focused on 3 go-to products: the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil ($38 at LivingProof.com, as well as Sephora and ULTA), a fast-absorbing oil blend that nourishes and softens coarse hair without leaving behind any greasy residue; the Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream (at LivingProof.com, as well as Sephora and ULTA), a lightweight lotion-like styling aid that conditions strands and gives any hairstyle a polishes finish; and the new Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer ($26 at LivingProof.com, as well as Sephora and ULTA), a conditioning spray that’s meant to be applied to dry strands so as to refresh hair in between shampoos. The Instant De-Frizzer will be living in my purse all summer long since it does it all: replenishes the hair’s natural oils without creating any build-up, instantly smoothes strands and cuts down frizz by up to 92%, provides UV protection, and makes strands softer and more manageable. Take that, frizz!
FLAUNT SOFT BEACH WAVES WITH THE HELP OF THE CHI AIR SPIN N CURL
Whether you want tight ringlets or beach-y waves, the CHI Air Spin N Curl ($99 at CHI.com) is the key to achieving your summer hair goals. This device features a 1” rotating barrel that’s built into a curl chamber. To use, you take a 1” section of hair, lace it all the way through, and press the curl button. The hair will then be drawn inside that chamber, where it will be heated and curled perfectly. And, since the device has a built-in timer, it beeps four times once that strand of hair has been curled, letting you know your ringlet is ready to make its debut.
Not only does the Spin N Curl create flawless curls with just the push of a button, but it offers a ton of helpful features. For instance, you can choose between three pre-set temperature levels: Low (370 degrees) for fine hair, Medium (390 degrees) for medium hair, and High (410 degrees) for thick or coarse hair. It also features two directional buttons, so you can decide whether you want your curls to revolve clockwise or counterclockwise. And, for those of you who are terrified of your hair being trapped or snagged, let me assure you: this device is goof-proof! In fact, if you place too big a section of hair inside the curl chamber or you position it incorrectly, the device will stop and beep repeatedly while releasing strands, letting you know that it’s time to course correct — al without tangles, tears, or knots. It’s also great for those of us who are accident prone when it comes to styling tools since the outside of the chamber never gets hot as all the curling and heating is happening on the inside.
Think about it: you don’t have to fiddle with a curling iron, trying to figure out how to wrap your hair around its barrel, nor do you have to guess-timate how much longer you need to hold the tool in place or fret about burning your fingers. Also, the Spin N Curl kind of looks like an Olympic torch, which just makes it that much more fun!
For a great tutorial that shows how to use the device, click here.
BRIGHTEN YOUR COMPLEXION’S FUTURE WITH THE KIEHL’S GLOW FORMULA SKIN HYDRATOR
We all want dewy skin come summertime, and we can achieve it with the new Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator ($38 at Kiehls.com and Kiehl’s stores). This is a really lightweight moisturizer that features antioxidant-rich pomegranate extract to protect skin against free radical damage and prevent premature skin aging while also improving the skin’s radiance over time.Made for all skin tones and types, this paraben- and silicone-free moisturizer is infused with 95% naturally-derived ingredients and essential oils like acerola fruit extract (a rich source of vitamin C), soybean oil (a great source of linoleic acid and vitamin E), apple stem cells (which have amazing anti-wrinkle benefits), and willow bark extract (a natural anti-inflammatory and an anti-microbial).
Not only does this magical potion improve the skin’s natural glow over time, but it also offers some instant gratification thanks to the skin-illuminating minerals in the formula which immediately reduce any signs of fatigue and give the complexion a healthier, more luminous appearance.
FEEL LIKE A GOLDEN GODDESS WITH THE NOTE COSMETICS SUNGLOW FOUNDATION SPF15
To get a sun-kissed complexion without laying out poolside and risking sun damage, there’s the NOTE Cosmetics Sunglow Foundation SPF 15, available in three dazzling hues. This lightweight liquid highlighter, which is enriched with vitamin E to soothe the skin and protect it against UV rays and oxidative stress, can be applied to the high points of the face (such as your cheekbones, brow bones, the Cupid’s bow, and the bridge of the nose) or it can be mixed with foundation to achieve an all-over luminosity.
REJUVENATE YOUR POUT (AND ADD A HINT OF SHEER COLOR) WITH NOTE’S BB LIP CORRECTORS
And, since summer tends to be about laid-back, barely-there, minimalist makeup, you can give lips a sheer wash of color with the NOTE Cosmetics BB Lip Corrector ($16.99 at NOTEcosmetics.com), available in 3 natural-looking shades of pink and peach. Each lip product features shea butter and vitamin E to nourish and soften the pout, and it contains peptides that boost collagen production and make lips appear fuller and more youthful. The sponge-tip applicator, meanwhile, makes it easy to smooth this sheer balm onto lips.
As with all NOTE offerings, both the Sunglow Foundation and the BB Lip Corrector are paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
DETOX YOUR MANE WITH LIVE CLEAN’S APPLE CIDER SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
As consumers become more savvy about the ingredients in their skincare and haircare products, the demand for clean beauty offerings continues to increase — much to my satisfaction. Live Clean has been at the forefront of this movement, constantly innovating and creating top-notch products formulated only safe, gentle, plant-derived ingredients and containing no harmful chemicals, SLS, phtalates, or parabens.
Live Clean has a ton of exciting offerings for summer — all available at HEB stores — starting with its Apple Cider Shampoo and Conditioner collection. The Live Clean Apple Cider Detox Shampoo ($5.99 at HEB) is the perfect daily shampoo for those with oily hair, but it’s also great as a once-a-week detox for all hair types. The gentle shampoo contains Bragg organic apple cider to purify the scalp and to remove any residue on strands, as well as certified organic chamomile and sunflower seed oil to gently hydrate the hair and boost shine. The Apple Cider Refresh Conditioner ($5.99 at HEB), meanwhile, detangles strands and restores moisture and shine while helping to eliminate any dulling residue.
FEED YOUR SKIN WITH LIVE CLEAN’S BALI OIL NOURISHING BODY LOTION
And since we’re all baring a lot of skin this season, you can keep those arms and legs soft and smooth with the Live Clean Bali Oil Nourishing Body Lotion ($5.99 at HEB). This indulgent lotion contains coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and soy protein so that it leaves skin supple and silky, plus it smells like an island paradise.
PROTECT YOUR NAILS —AND ROCK A KILLER MANICURE!— WITH MAXUS
Sure, we all want to show off our pretty manicures on Instagram (preferably in pics where we’re holding frozen Margaritas with colorful paper umbrellas), but there’s actually a great reason to apply nail polish before heading to the beach or pool this summer. Since nails are porous by nature, they can easily absorb too much water (and chlorine) and, as a result, become dry and brittle. Applying a coat of polish (or at least a base coat), then, is a way of creating a protective layer.
For healthy-looking (and fabulous!) nails, I recommend Maxus Nails, a line of 11-free, PETA-certified, and eco-friendly nail products. If you’re here in Austin, you can find Maxus at Lacquer, which is Austin’s only certified safe salon, upholding the highest standards of safety and hygiene. Lacquer has two locations— Lacquer Downtown (in the 2nd Street District) and Lacquer North (near The Domain) — but you can find out more at ILoveLacquer.com. Those of you who aren’t in Austin (or who just love to do your own manicures at home!) can scoop up some Maxus products at MaxusNails.com.
I love the Maxus Strengthening Base Coat ($18 at MaxusNails.com), which contains amino acids and tea tree oil to naturally fortify nails. Angelina Jolie actually wears the Maxus Base Coat and Top Coat regularly. The Oscar winner wore them when meeting Pope Francis in 2015; since then, her manicurist, Emi Kudo, has been keeping the treatments handy for Angie’s red carpet appearances.
Nail treatments aside, Maxus also offers some stunning, full-coverage nail polish colors that are non-streaky and go on smoother than butter. Below, you can check out the four shades in the Empower collection: Adored, a dainty, near-nude, light pink hue; Inspired, a bold and classic red; Admired, a full-bodied Bordeaux shade; and Respected, and edgy and elegant Merlot color.
I wore the Admired shade on air (as well as the Base Coat and Top Coat) and I couldn’t believe how shiny my nails looked or how strong they felt. Polishes that actually fortify nails? Sign me up!
