I don’t know what summer is like where you live, but this summer in Florida is the hottest ever on record. (Disclaimer: No records were checked in the writing of this blog post, but my personal wilt-o-meter has confirmed that it’s a bajillion degrees. At least. Which is pretty hot).
Because it’s so hot, you’d think I spend my days lounging in the air-conditioned indoors, eating peeled grapes and being fanned by my adoring children, but alas, that is not the case. My girls have spent virtually every waking moment this summer swimming, while I fetch towels and snacks and goggles and sunscreen. It’s not nearly as glamorous as it sounds, but it’s summer, and I love it.
I also love summery scents and (quick, affordable) DIY Beauty treatments, like these.
Sunshine-y Scents and Hues
I love light, bright happy scents in the summertime, when anything heavier can seem stifling. For years, summertime has automatically signalled a switch to something refreshing, and in the past I’ve loved everything from Crabtree & Evelyn Cucumber Water to Fresh Lemon Sugar to Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo “Arancia.” That’s why I was excited to try this fresh new fragrance from one of my all-time favorite brands, Molton Brown. It’s pretty and zing-y and totally puts a smile on my face. It may just be my new favorite. It goes great with my sunny new pedicure. Yellow just seems so right for summer toes, especially when you tire of coral and pink. My current favorite is Lauren B. Beauty Coachella Valley Sun, below. (For a paler hue, try Lauren B. Beauty Zuma Beach Bum).
And since summer is soo hard on feet, try these tips from Skyy Hadley of As U Wish Nail Salon for an easy at-home pedicure!
- After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.
- Lightly shape the toenails by cutting nails back slightly and massaging toes and feet with cream or oil. After feet have soaked for a few minutes, push back the cuticles – do NOT cut them. Cutting them creates more hangnails and can even lead to infection.
- Lightly buff the nail plate while it is still moist with a cuticle cream or conditioner. Then buff the skin on your feet by applying a foot scrub and massaging the formula deep into the skin, concentrating on trouble spots. To really smooth things over, use a diamond file (avoid pumices as they trap bacteria) on particularly rough patches like the heel and ball of the foot.
- To maintain and prolong color, use a primer on the nails first. This step actually dehydrates the nail by bringing the natural oils out, making color grip longer. After applying color, add a top coat. Three days later, apply a top coat again to prevent color from chipping.
DIY Natural Skin Care
When I was about 10 or 12, I liked nothing more then mixing up homemade beauty treatments in the kitchen, using anything I could get my hands on, so it shouldn’t have surprised me when Eva (yes, Eva, who is not even my fashionista) whipped up an anti-aging skin treatment when we were visiting my in-laws, and proceeded to apply it to everyone’s arms. It smelled lovely, too, and I chalk that up to what I suspect was the secret ingredient—liquid hand soap.
That’s why I was so excited to receive a copy of Sumbody Founder Deborah Burnes’ new book, Natural Beauty Skin Care: 110 Organic Formulas for a More Radiant You ($14.99, or $2.99 for Kindle version, Amazon). There are so many fun recipes to try I had the hardest time narrowing it down! For Lola’s fashion club, I chose Cocoa Cleanser (yum—one of her friends actually tasted some of it!), Mint Toner and the Apricot, Pistachio and Avocado Lip Balm. We thoroughly enjoyed mixing up the ingredients and, of course, I loved that the girls were learning to care for their precious almost-tween faces. Now I’m back to my old tricks again, mixing up potions and lotions in my kitchen, but this time, I know what I’m doing. These two easy recipes are next on my list!
Bath Vinegar
According to Burnes, this recipe can “soothe sunburn, detox the body, boost the immune system, ease aches and pains, help fight bacteria and fungus and restore the skin’s pH level.” And it couldn’t be easier!
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup rice wine vinegar
1/8 cup white wine vinegar
Mix well, add to bath, and relax. 🙂
De-Frizzing Shine Spray
I will definitely be trying this frizz fighting spray, too, but I plan to make about 10 times this recipe. Because, well, you’ve seen my hair.
1/2 tablespoon palm oil
2 tablespoons vodka
1 1/4 tablespoons glycerin
1/2 tablespoon camellia oil
1/2 tablespoon jojoba oil
On the stovetop in a small pot, melt the palm oil over low heat. Remove from the heat.
In a mini food processor, combine the remaining ingredients and the melted palm oil. Blend for 15-45 seconds.
Using a funnel, transfer to a spray bottle.
Hope you find time in your hectic, hot summer to spray on some sunshine and pamper yourself a little!
Nada Manley says
Great tip! Thank you!
Beauty says
After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.