Summer Beauty: Mind and Body

Welcome to Part 3 of my Summer Beauty mini series! As summer is winding down, so is this mini series -- this is the final installment. Part 1, which is on fueling your body during the summer months, can be found here, and Part 2, which is about hair and makeup, can be found here. 

So far I've been talking about ways to keep your body, skin, and hair healthy, but it is important to focus on mental health as well. Don’t forget to take care of yourself on the inside, too! Taking time for yourself is important but often overlooked by people who fall into the "busy" trap -- myself included.

Often, I will set myself a million goals at the beginning of the summer, eager for extra free time and a chance to finally do things I have put off. By the end of the summer, I will usually end up feeling defeated and frustrated that I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to. It's so easy for me to fall into the trap of just doing nothing.

This summer, before every other goal I had, I decided to try to take care of myself. As a result, I have been the most successful I have ever been, as well as the happiest! I now really believe that when you take care of yourself, everything else falls in place. So with that in mind, here are some tools that have helped me remember to be kind to myself.

Go on a Self-Love Date 

Self-love is simply the idea that you are worthwhile, and thus deserve some "me" time and positive self-talk. Gala Darling talks about it a lot on her blog! After a hard semester, the summer can be the perfect time to engage in a self-love date with yourself. Buy yourself a ridiculously extravagant coffee from Starbucks, go to your favorite bookstore, and spend an afternoon reading interesting books. Go to the park to people watch. Give yourself a spa day, complete with face masks, hair treatments, and a big bubble bath. Whatever you love to do but never have time to do -- schedule it in! You have definitely earned some relaxation time.

 

Creative Pursuits 

Take advantage of your free time by starting or finishing a personal project. Start a blog about baking, draw every day, start a Smash book, make some DIY wall art for your apartment or dorm – all of these are ways to express your creative side! I don't see myself as a super creative or artistic person, but if I take the time to do some kind of artistic activity, I still feel the benefits. Give it a shot, even if you're hesitant, and I think you will like the results!

 

Meditate, Practice Yoga, or Pray

Engage in some kind of spiritual practice and you will feel the results! Meditation, yoga, and praying are all linked to health benefits, mentally and physically. I've started meditating this summer and I love it! If you don't know where to start, there are plenty of meditation videos and yoga videos on YouTube, as well as all kinds of guides. I used Jessica Mullen's Beginner's Guide to Meditation when I started my practice. Remember, none of these activities are about being perfect. Let go of that expectation.

Start a Journal 

Journaling is one of the best ways to sort out your mind and document your life. I like to use Moleskine journals (hipster alert!), but any bound book will work, so pick one that suits you. Don’t feel pressured to write something insightful or perfect. Write poetry, doodle, make lists, paste in photos, whatever you like. Let it all come naturally. 

Stay Active 

Exercise ups your endorphins and keeps you in a good mood. I tend to run less in the summer since it’s hotter outside, but there are so many other ways to stay active! I love swimming, hooping, and exploring parks, especially in Austin where there are so many pretty parks and bodies of water. 

I hope you liked this mini series! I had a lot of fun putting it together and seeing what all you had to say!

How are you going to spend the rest of your summer?

Summer Beauty: Makeup and Hair

Welcome to Part 2 of my Summer Beauty mini series! Part 1, which is on fueling your body during the summer months, can be found here. 

This week, let's talk about makeup and hair! If you haven't noticed already, I'm pretty low maintenance (read: lazy) in the hair and makeup department. I typically use some foundation, mascara, and concealer, and that’s it. Sometimes I will wear lipstick and for special occasions, I attempt a smokey eye, but I’m just not that into makeup. Even so, in the summer, I switch up my routine a little bit to make life even easier on me and my skin. So let's dive into some of my personal summer hair and makeup tips!

Tinted Moisturizer 

I feel like this is the best-kept beauty secret! I have dry skin that needs to stay moisturized even through the summer, so in the summer I use a light tinted moisturizer on top of my regular one for basic blemish coverage. That way, I keep my skin hydrated but avoid any heavy foundations that tend to melt off throughout the day.

I’ve been using one I bought from Target, but the color isn’t quite right for my pale skin tone; it’s a little too orange. I’ve had great success using Smashbox in the past, but it’s quite a bit more expensive so we’ll see if I switch to something else -- I'm looking into different  BB Creams at the moment! You can also mix your regular foundation with some moisturizer for another alternative.

Sunscreen

I don't know about you, but I burn almost instantly whenever I go outside in the summer. I have an extremely pale complexion, so I have to be careful about wearing sunscreen. Even if you don't burn or tan at all, the sun is still extremely damaging to your skin, so be sure to wear sunscreen.

My hands-down favorite is Neutrogena's Dry Touch Sunscreen. It is the only sunscreen I have used that not only works, but feels more like lotion than greasy sunscreen. I have been a loyal fan for years and have converted many to the cause! Whatever your sunscreen of choice may be, apply it generously before going out into the sun and again every few hours (or, if you're like me, every hour).

Nail Polish 

Nail polish is a great way to look put-together without feeling over-done or running the risk of your look melting off. Plus, I personally love wearing more fun colors in the summer, since I am not at my office job currently!

My favorite nail colors for this summer are mint and nude-ish pink polish. I can’t get over China Glaze's Re-fresh Mint polish. I feel like I paint my nails that shade over and over, but it is just too cute. Of course, I do have a mint obsession, so that might be related. I also bought a light pink frosted polish from Target that I have fallen in love with when I want a more neutral (and chip-friendly) look.

Hair 

In the summer, heat styling can be annoying, extra damaging, and make you feel overheated. If you flat iron, blow dry, or curl your hair every day, try embracing its natural texture for a change. Updos, like cute braids, ponytails, and buns, also reduce the need for heat styling. Giving your hair a break, at least sometimes, can be really beneficial for the health of your hair.

I've definitely shifted to wearing my hair naturally since it is growing out somewhat awkwardly and it's so hot outside, and it has been great! I love having extra time in the mornings and not worrying about my hair staying straight and in place all day.

That's it for today! Next Thursday, I will post the final part of this series, which will focus on some inner-beauty goodness: mind-body health. Until then, I want to know...

How do you change your beauty routine in the summer?

Summer Beauty Part 1: Nourish and Fuel Your Body

The summer, especially here in Texas, can be brutal. High heat, humid days, and lots of outdoor activities can translate into damaged hair, melty makeup, and unhealthy habits if you aren’t careful. I’m going to share how I change up my beauty routine in the hotter months in a mini-series called Summer Beauty! Keep your eyes out for a new post on Thursday for the next few weeks.

Nourish and Fuel Your Body

I believe that what you fuel your body with has a direct impact on how you feel and how you look, so I try to sick to healthy, light foods in the summer. I definitely eat my fair share of ice cream and veggie hot dogs, but incorporating some lighter foods leaves me feeling good.

Green Smoothies

My favorite! These are delicious, absolutely packed with nutrition, and can easily be adapted for your dietary needs. I follow the same basic recipe every time but mix it up with different fruit, protein powder, and healthy fats. For a full meal, add more healthy fats and proteins. For a snack, stick to fruit, liquid, and spinach only. 

·         1 banana

·         1 cup frozen fruit

·         Vanilla almond milk (I eyeball it)

·         Handful of spinach

·         Scoop of protein powder OR coconut oil OR avocado (if making a meal smoothie only)

·         Optional: Sweetener of choice

Iced Tea

I love Tazo’s Passion Tea at Starbucks, and I just recently found out they sell iced tea bags for it at the store! I’ve been drinking it nonstop since. If you've never tried it, what are you waiting for? It tastes just like liquid summer to me. 

Tea is so good for you and each kind has its own health benefits, so make any kind of iced tea you like. If you need somewhere to start, my favorites are green tea, passion tea, and chai. I sweeten mine with stevia to keep it calorie-free, but agave nectar, honey, and sugar all work, too.

Prenatal Vitamins

I used to never take vitamins, but since I am trying to grow my hair out and my nails were in terrible shape, I decided to give some a shot. I bought these vitamins at Target and have loved them! First off, they are gummy vitamins, which means they are easy to take. They are absolutely delicious, too – I’ve caught Colby stealing a couple. Second, they have actually worked for me! Before, I would describe my nails as peely and bendy. They could not grow out long without breaking off since they were so delicate. So not cute. Now, they are much stronger and rarely peel. I’m very pleased with these results, and I highly recommend giving these a try if you have similar needs! Summer activities can be really harsh on your hair and nails, so it's a good time to load up on some extra protection.

Homemade Popsicles

The perfect summer snack! I picked up some popsicle molds at Ikea, but you can buy them online or at your grocery store. I sometimes use the same recipe as my smoothies, minus the spinach, for popsicles and they work fantastically. Another one I like to use is a banana, a spoonful of nutella, and a little bit of vanilla almond milk. They taste like lighter fudgesicles!

Banana Ice Cream

This is probably my favorite trick. By simply freezing a banana then blending it with a small amount of liquid, you can make a frosty dessert that has the same consistency of soft serve ice cream! It’s completely vegan and much healthier than regular ice cream, with a lot less fat. I like to add chocolate chips, cinnamon, cocoa powder, frozen fruit, or peanut butter to jazz it up. Here's a link to a step-by-step recipe. 

That's it for the first installment of my Summer Beauty series! I hope you liked it. The next installment will come next Thursday and I'll be talking about summer hair and makeup

What are your favorite healthy summer foods?