10 Summer beauty essentials

Big floppy hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and beach friendly wine tumblers, oh my... Summer is here and is in full swing. At least in the Midwest it is. For how long? No one knows, but after the long winter we had, does it really matter? Ha!

So in celebration on the long awaited season, I wanted to share my 10 Summer beauty essentials. From mascara to tinted moisturizer and leave-in conditioner to bobble hair ties, the list includes my FAVORITES.

1 | Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

I am a mascara girl and just because it's summer doesn't mean that I won't wear it. What I will do is switch out my usual tube for a waterproof one and go about my day. After trying a few different waterproof mascaras, I finally landed on Too Faced Better Than Sex's waterproof formula. Not only does it give me mega volume and doesn't smudge, but it lasts FOREVER! This is something that I will probably keep after the season!

2 | Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Gel

I am fair skinned, which means I burn.... and sometimes this gal doesn't like to use sunscreen #oops. So in the summer, Aloe is my bestie. I finally found Sun Bum's cool down hydrating after sun gel on a trip at Ulta and haven't looked back since. With it's vitamin E, it's very hydrating to my fair skin and sun damaged skin.

3 | Coola Classic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray

I refuse not to wear makeup in the summer. Instead of dealing with a melted face, I use Coola's classic SPF 30 makeup setting spray. It has green tea, aloe, and cucumber extracts to help refresh skin, and it has a lightweight matte finish. Not to mention that it also smells good.

4 | First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

I am not a fan of foundation, but I am a fan of tinted moisturizers. I love how the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer helps blur my flaws and blemishes, all while providing a good SPF for my face.

5 | First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel

I hate oily skin in the summer.... it's a big turn off for me. SO I like to use First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel and I mix it with the tinted moisturizer I mentioned above. It's the PERFECT combination.

6 | Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Tri-Wheat Leave in Conditioner

My hair seems to get dry in the summer, so I have to use a leave in conditioner when I get out of the shower. I really like the Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Tri-Wheat Leave in Conditioner. It makes my hair feel so soft and healthy.

7 | Drybar Double Standard Cleansing + Conditioning Foam

Washing my hair more than once a week in the summer is irritating, but I have to because of all the swimming. My answer? Drybar Double Standard Cleansing + Conditioning Foam. I tend to use it between washes and all I have to do is wet my hair, rub it in, rinse, and I'm done. My hair is light, airy, and clean. It's like a gift from the Gods.

8 | Sol De Janerio Samba Mama Coco Cabana Trio

Oh my... I love the smell of coconuts in the summer and Sol De Janerio Samba Mama Coco Cabana is my go to. It smells SO FREAKING GOOD. The trio comes with a hand cream, lotion, and a body spray. I always have the hand cream in my purse and the body spray goes on before I leave the house; meaning that I smell like a walking beach wherever I go.

9 | Kiss imPRESS Press-on Manicure

The sun's rays and chlorine kills my nails, so I go with fake ones during the summer. Kiss imPRESS Press-On Manicure gives so many options and I love that they fit very well on my nails. Even though they do have a sticky underside, I use a nail glue to help them stay on for more than a couple of days. Using the glue, I can usually get about a week's worth of wear and in one box, there is enough for up to two applications.

10 | Kitsch Blonde Hair Tie Bobble 4 Piece

In the summer, my hair is usually in a braid, bun, or pony tail and I love using Kitsch for two reasons: 1) they are inexpensive, and 2) they have up to 4 colors in a box. When I discovered them, I was actually looking for the invisible bobble, but then I found Kitsch and their assorment of hair options. They also make some really good bobby pins!

So those are my 10 beauty essentials. Of course, I also rely on sunglasses, flip flops, and sunscreen (hello, redhead over here), but hey, doesn't everyone? :)