Make The Most Out Of Your Summer Adventures With These Beauty, Wellness & Lifestyle Picks — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”

We’re right in the period known as the dog days of summer, when the heat can sometimes become downright oppressive. And yet, in a few short weeks, school will be back in session and our days of unlimited sun in the fun will come to an end. That means we’d be wise to take advantage of every second we have left of the summer season, to really squeeze the joy and laughter out of every moment. Yesterday, I chatted with me peeps at CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” about how to make the best out of our remaining summer days.

From radiance-boosting skincare serums, electrolyte-packed hydration sticks for post-outdoor activities, and frozen treats to help you beat the heat, I have plenty of tips on how to do summer right this year! Click here to view on CBSAustin.com and keep reading for the details on all my suggested products.

OLAY REGENERIST COLLAGEN PEPTIDE24 FACIAL MOISTURIZER

Do you find yourself walking with more of a spring in your step in the summertime? Well, you’re not alone — that’s why so many of us favor this season. There’s an exuberant energy in the air during summer, a sense of adventure and a playful vibe that’s positively palpable. And, of course, that means we want our complexions to exude this same type of lively energy, to appear vibrant and bouncier than the trampolines in our backyards. Luckily, you can revitalize skin with the Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide24 Face Moisturizer, which both hydrates and firms skin.

The facial cream is powered by Olay’s breakthrough peptide formula, which utilizes small peptide molecules that penetrate the skin’s surface, bolstering collagen production and visibly firming skin in just one use. It also contains ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin and snow mushroom extract to hydrate skin and improve moisture retention, resulting in 24-hour hydration.

The Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide24 Face Moisturizer retails for under $30 at Olay.com or you can contact your local retailer for curbside pick-up.

CATRICE COSMETICS HYDRO PLUMPING SERUM AND GLOW BOOSTER SERUM

You probably know Catrice Cosmetics for its high-performance but ultra affordable makeup offerings — especially its widely loved foundations. Well, the brand recently expanded into skincare, and two of its brand new facial serums are guaranteed to dial up skin’s radiance this summer season. And, considering we’re all wearing less makeup during these hot and humid days, healthy and luminous skin is all the more important.

First, if the sun’s harsh rays an the chlorine in your swimming pool have left your skin feeling tight and looking dry, you can quench skin’s thirst with the Catrice Cosmetics Hydro Plumping Serum ($10 at CatriceCosmetics.com). Crafted with 1.5% hyaluronic acid and panthenol, this lightweight serum helps to lock moisture in and leave skin visibly plumped. Moreover, the formula is so soothing and hydrating that it’s suitable for all skin types. It also leaves the skin’s surface perfectly smooth, creating an ideal canvas for makeup application

Another must-have is the Catrice Cosmetics Glow Booster Serum ($10 at CatriceCosmetics.com), which features vitamins C, E, and B3, as well as pineapple extract to bolster skin’s natural radiance while also smoothing skin and improving its texture. Vitamin C not only brightens the skin and helps to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation, but it also stimulates collagen production, thereby providing anti-aging benefits. Vitamin B3, meanwhile, is also known to brighten skin and reduce dark spots, and it works to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. Vitamin E, meanwhile, is rich in antioxidants that defend skin against environmental aggressors. Lastly, pineapple extract is both rich in vitamin C and contains an enzyme called bromelain that helps to slough off dead surface skin cells and unclog pores, thereby exfoliating skin and revealing a brighter complexion.

Like all Catrice Cosmetics products, both serums are cruelty-free, vegan, and alcohol- and paraben-free.

KATE SOMERVILLE DAILY DEFLECTOR MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF  40

We know UV exposure can have harmful health consequences such as an increased risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. But did you know just how much the sun’s rays affect your skin’s appearance? Well, get this: according to scientists, UV rays account for 80% of premature skin aging — from wrinkles to dark spots, a rough texture, sagging, redness, dehydration, and more.  In other words, if you want to help your skin retain its youthful appearance, you need to protect it from the sun’s rays. Enter the Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 ($50 at Sephora and Sephora.com). This lightweight and non-greasy mineral sunscreen is formulated with non-nano zinc oxide to form a protective shield that defends skin against harmful UV rays as well as blue light from our electronic devices (which can itself age skin).

The formula also contains skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants; a ceramide complex that supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier and helps your complexion stay hydrated and supple; and Tasmanian pepperberry extract, which helps to reduce inflammation and calm redness.

This sunscreen, then, goes far beyond skin protection, making it a multi-tasking powerhouse.

MAUI MOISTURE LIGHTWEIGHT HYDRATION + HIBISCUS WATER SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

You want your hair products to hold you down—not weigh you down! But, if you have fine or low porosity curly strands, you probably know first-hand that many shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in products can leave hair looking flat, limp, and lifeless. If you’re looking for products that gently hydrate strands but don’t leave any residue behind, you’ll swoon over the Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo and Conditioner ($8.99 each at ULTA, Target, H-E-B and more).

Both the shampoo and conditioner are vegan, silicone-free and sulfate-free, and they’re designed to deliver lightweight hydration, so that they nourish strands and leave hair smooth, healthy and shiny — all without stripping hair of its volume and bounce.

Like all Maui Moisture haircare products, they feature moisturizing aloe vera as the base ingredient. Many shampoos and conditioners use deionized water as the first ingredient, but Maui Moisture builds all of its formulas with that foundation of 100% aloe vera. This plant is known to  to hydrate strands while also helping hair retain moisture thanks to its high content of polysaccharides (low-chain sugar molecules that create a hydrophilic or water-loving environment). These particular products marry that powerful aloe with exotic hibiscus water, lush passionfruit and juicy watermelon — all of which beautifully quench hair’s thirst while capturing the scents of summer and mentally transporting you to a Caribbean paradise.

ST. MORIZ RADIANT GLOW TAN BOOSTING FACIAL SERUM & PROFESSIONAL TANNING MOUSSE

We’ve come a long way since the days when the Jersey Shore cast made GTL a pop culture mantra. Nowadays, we know that UV rays — whether emanating from the sun or from indoor tanning beds and booths — are harmful to our health. And yet we all still love to flaunt bronzed, sun-kisses skin from head to toe. So what to do? Well, the answer is to invest in great self-tanning products that allow you to get your glow the safe way — like these top-of-the-line choices from St. Moriz.

To customize your complexion’s glow, reach for the St. Moriz Radiant Glow Tan Boosting Facial Serum ($18.99 at Target.com), which is dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic. Crafted with salon quality active ingredients, this self-tanning serum delivers a made-to-measure glow. Just add a few drops to your moisturizer and apply the mixture onto skin. The more drops you add, the deeper your tan will be. It’s that simple!

For a head-to-toe bronzed look, you can try the Professional Tanning Mousse ($12.99 at Target and Target.com), which is available in Medium and Dark tones. Enriched with olive oil and vitamin E, this tinted mousse delivers a believable, natural-looking bronzing effect, plus it goes on smoothly and streak-free. It even has a guide color, so you can see exactly where you applied it, making it an easy-to-use choice for beginners. And now, you can get your glow on the go thanks to the new travel-friendly version of this best-selling product, which retails for just $5.99 and is available exclusively at Target.

ZHOU NUTRITION DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

To help you look and feel your best all summer long, check out these great supplements from Zhou Nutrition.

First, if you want to flaunt gorgeous beach waves, you’ll need to start by strengthening your strands. You can do so with Zhou Nutrition’s Hairfluence ($19.99 at Walmart, Amazon.com and ZhouNutrition.com), which is crafted with biotin, hydrolized keratin, collagen hydrolysate, B vitamins, and bamboo extract to support hair growth, strengthen strands and restore hair’s luster.

Next, for youthful-looking, glowing skin, reach for the Zhou Nutrition Collagen Peptide Gummies ($17.49 at Walmart, Amazon.com and ZhouNutrition.com).These gummy supplements contain 100% pure collagen sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle. Collagen not only helps skin appear more elastic and bouncy, but it also helps to support muscle  fibers, joints, and tendons, so these gummies are also a great addition to your diet if you’re working on getting back into a fitness regimen and achieving new health goals.

Last, you can help your body run more efficiently with the Zhou Nutrition Gut Guru Gummies ($19.99 at Walmart, Amazon.com and ZhouNutrition.com) which contain prebiotics and probiotics that help you maintain a healthy gut. We now know that gut health is critical in order to enjoy a stronger immune system, more effective digestion, improved cognitive function, and a better mood, so these gummies will help your tummy (and, as a result, the rest of your body) feel great.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS HYDRATION STICKS

When exercising in the scorching summer heat here in Texas, it’s crucial to replace the water and electrolytes you lose as you sweat. Now, in case you need a primer, electrolytes are essential minerals like calcium, sodium, and potassium that help the body perform a number of functions: they help to regulate muscle contractions, they help the body better absorb water, they balance our pH levels, and they regulate nervous-system functions. We primarily lose electrolytes via sweat and urine, which is why many sports drinks tout their high electrolyte content. And yes, there are many sports drinks that contain electrolytes but, unfortunately, they’re also packed with unnecessary sugars and calories.

To enjoy superior hydration and performance support without drastically upping your sugar intake, try the Essential Elements Hydration Sticks. Each stick pack contains a flavored powder designed to be mixed with 16 to 20 ounces of water. Each Hydration Stick, then, contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium, as well as 1500 mg of apple cider vinegar (itself a great source of electrolytes), and 800 mg of buffered vitamin C to help muscles rebuild and recuperate. What is buffered vitamin C, you ask? Well, it’s vitamin C that’s “buffered” with chloride, calcium and potassium, so that you can enjoy all the benefits of vitamin C without experiencing the stomach discomfort that can accompany a high dosage.

The Essential Elements Hydration Sticks are dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free, and contain only 10 to 15 calories. They’re available in 15- and 24-packs, and you can choose to buy them in one of three flavors —Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Watermelon-Cucumber, and Yuzu-Lime— or as a variety pack.

A 15 pack retails for $27.99 while a 24-pack retails for $44.99 at Ee.fit

BUBBIES MOCHI ICE CREAM

There’s nothing like a cool treat to beat the summer heat, and Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream is the perfect bite-sized option.

These soft mochi bites are filled with creamy, super-premium ice cream, and each perfectly portioned piece is just 90 calories or less, making it a guilt-free indulgence. Plus they’re gluten-free, non-GMO and made with only real, high-quality ingredients – no artificial anything!

You’ve probably seen Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream boxes at HEB, Sprouts, and Whole Foods. They’re available in fruit-forward flavors like Strawberry, Mango, Passionfruit, and Blood Orange as well as classics like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Green Tea, plus there are vegan flavors available like Vegan Strawberry, Vegan Mango, and Vegan Chocolate. Prices range from $5.99 to $6.99 for a 6-count box.

And get this: now, if you want a quick treat on the go, you can find individually-wrapped Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream bites in Whole Foods’ self-serve freezers, which are located in the bakery section. These individually-wrapped pieces are $1.49 to $2.
Visit BubbiesIceCream.com for more info.

PHILO

When the summer heat becomes insufferable, there’s nothing like cranking up the A/C at home and watching some great TV. With Philo, you can watch your favorite shows live or on demand through your TV, iPad, on a web browser, or on compatible streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV.

Philo costumers can enjoy over 60 channels including such as favorites as AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, History, Food Network, Paramount, Hallmark Channel, A&E, BET, and more for just $25 a month. That means they’ll never miss an episode of hit shows like Overhaulin’, Awkwafina Is Nora, Growing Up Hip Hop, 90 Day Fiance, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, Yellowstone, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

And for fans of popular series such as Run The World,  Power Book III: Raising Kanan or Godfather of Harlem, Philo also offers the option of adding premium channels EPIX and STARZ Networks and their streaming libraries for an extra $6 and $9 dollars per month respectively.

Philo also has a library of more than 60,000 on-demand movies and shows, plus unlimited 1-year DVR. That means you can save all your favorite shows for a full 365 days, and they’ll be there waiting for you to watch at your convenience (and bonus: you can fast-forward through commercials!).

With your Philo account, you can stream on up to three devices simultaneously and create up to 10 profiles. New users can enjoy a 7-day free trial by visiting Try.Philo.com