It’s a crazy, crazy thought, but it hit me yesterday while I was going around the house opening windows to let in some spring breeze: summertime is right around the corner.  After the winter (well, SoCal winter) that just wouldn’t end, I’m looking forward to warmer days ahead.  And with the warmer days comes more time outside – Is your skincare routine ready?

We all know by now that we should be wearing SPF every single day, but how many of us can say that we actually do it?  Obviously, I would always remember the sunscreen when headed to the beach or a pool, but how many times have I made it to an outdoor brunch, had to sit in the sun, and thought, well, here goes nothing?  And I’ve been more than guilty of taking the pup for long walks without thinking about sunscreen.  It really was something that had to become a normal, everyday part of my morning routine, and luckily these days, the SPF options are so good.

My everyday makeup routine includes a couple of items with SPF (still using and loving numbers three and five from this list), but in the name of saving face (and trying anything possible to keep my skin looking young-ish), I’m all about adding a little more protection.  So I thought I’d share a few of my favorite everyday SPF products that I use on my face.

Meaningful Beauty Environmental Protecting Moisturizer SPF 30 – I recently scored this one from Cindy Crawford’s line, and if it’s good enough for Cindy, it’s good enough for me.  It’s a medium-ish consistency (not too thick, not too thin) that disappears easily into skin and doesn’t make me oily.  My one and only little complaint about this one is that I don’t love the smell at first, but it quickly goes away.

Korres Suncare Nourishing Fluid Veil SPF 30 – I’ve been using and loving a cleanser from Korres for a few weeks now, so when I saw their suncare, I figured it was worth a try.  This one is definitely a thinner consistency but still blends in easily and doesn’t cause makeup to flake.  (Anyone else have that problem with some moisturizers and sunscreens?  My pet peeve.)

Julep No Excuses Invisible Sunscreen Gel – I think if I were going to buy just one product, this one would be it.  I’ve used this product since discovering it at a Julep event last year and have reordered it a few times.  The gel is cooling and completely grease-free.  I keep this one in my makeup bag at all times and think the name of this one pretty much sums it up – there really are no excuses not to wear your sunscreen.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal SPF 35 – If you saw this post, then you know that I’m obsessed with all things for the under eye area, so why not add a little extra SPF into the mix?  This one is tinted so it goes on like an under eye concealer, and a little tiny bit goes a long way.  I’ve been using it for a couple of months now (and actually just love it as a concealer) and will be really happy to have it for beach days ahead.

Supergoop Setting Mist SPF 50 – When it comes to suncare, Supergoop definitely makes some of my favorite products.  This SPF 50 oil is my favorite body sunscreen, and this one with a built-in lip saver is pretty great to have on hand.  I also love their CC Cream for a “no makeup” sort of makeup on those lazy summer days, but by far, I think the most genius product is their Setting Mist with SPF 50.  It’s so great for those days when you want to reapply SPF, but you don’t really want to rub sunscreen all over your makeup.  This one is a cool, refreshing mist that doesn’t make me oily and keeps me covered with SPF 50, and the mini versions are great for keeping in your purse, beach bag or car.  So, so smart.

xoxo

Hey hey, friends!  The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going way strong, and I’d be a total loser if I didn’t highlight one of my favorite parts about it: the beauty!  And the beauty section this year is GOOD.  It’s the perfect time to stock up on your favorites or to finally pull the trigger on that splurge product you’ve been eyeing.  (And if you want my number one splurge product, absolutely positively go with the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate.  It seriously makes your skin feel brand new.)  So today I’m rounding up my six top Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty picks, and I 100% recommend all of these products.  Light Blue has been my signature scent since my freshman year of college, and I don’t even want to tell you how many years that equals.  The little deodorant swipes are tucked into every single one of my handbags, and that Supergoop setting spray has SPF 50.  The Clarisonic is a skin-changing no-brainer, and the St. Tropez tanning mousse has a crazy cult following.  And if you want to shop any of the above, just click on the product above or below.  Or head over to the sale and check out all the beauty goodness for yourself.  Here’s hoping you find something you love just as much as I love these.

1. Tula Revitalizing Eye Cream – use code mystylediaries25 for 25% off – I really can’t even tell you how much I love Tula’s skincare line.  It’s probiotic-based and feels amazing on my skin.  How much do I love it?  I relied on it for my wedding day.  We stayed out really late the night before our wedding in New Orleans (How could I leave a dance floor packed with all of our family and friends and a live band?), and when I woke up on the morning of our wedding, my skin was definitely a little puffy.  I showered, applied this eye cream, the Hydrating Day & Night Cream, and the Advanced Neck Cream, and went back to bed for about an hour.  When I woke up, my skin felt refreshed, hydrated, and de-puffed.

2. 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Water Foundation – This one is a watery formula that you can apply as thin or thick as you want.  It dries quickly and leaves skin with a beautiful matte finish.  100 Percent Pure products are all natural, organic, and fruit-dyed so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.

3. IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Mascara – This one’s easy: big, fat, noticeable lashes. For anyone (like me) who’s constantly on the hunt for the next big thing in mascaras, do yourself a favor and give this one a whirl.

4. IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil – I love a good brow product, and this one is my current favorite.  It’s a universal shade that works just as well on me as it did on a couple of my brunette girlfriends.  The brush side of the pencil is super soft and comfortable – because what’s up with all of those painful, scratchy versions out there?

5. Supergoop SPF 30 Lip Balm – Because is there anything more annoying than sunburned lips?  I mean, maybe a couple of things, but I’d rank dry, burned lips up there with having someone tap dance around while I have a migraine.  Super fun.

6. Urban Decay Naked Skin One and Done – This stuff is SO good!  It’s a slightly thicker formula but feels weightless on my skin.  It creates such a smooth, flawless finish that is still noticeable at the end of the day.  It’s oil-free with SPF 20, and it’s supposed to improve the look of skin over time.  (I can’t really swear to that yet, but we shall see!)

7. Tula Volume Defense Deep Wrinkle Serum – use code mystylediaries25 for 25% off – See #1 above – I really, really love these products.

8. Pur Cosmetics Glow Together Bronzer – A big, fat compact of luminating, highlighting bronzer shades for your face, neck, shoulders, whatever.  Perfect for that “fresh off of a beach vacation” look that we all want, right?

9. Urban Decay Beached Bronzer – This one is great for the gal who loves a little bronzer faux tan without the shimmer.  It’s a matte finish, so you get a little sun-kissed color with no sheen.

10. Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Primer Pencil – Spring and summer are the best times to play with fun lip colors, but nothing says “summer beauty fail” like a smudged, melted lip.  A quick swipe with this baby prevents feathering, hydrates lips, and helps keep lip color in place.

11. bareMinerals Invisible Light Powder Duo – This is like the ultimate setting powder duo.  One side is matte and the other is luminizing, infused with rose gold pearls.  It’ll leave skin glowing and oil-free, with that little bit of something that’ll have them wondering, “how does she do it?”

xoxo