Summer Beauty Game Changers
Summer may be sultry, but who has the time to wash hair every time you sweat? While I've always been a dry shampoo lover, Oribe's version takes it a step further by absorbing scalp oils with a patented blend of polymers that adds Texas-style texture and volume to roots, in addition to the line's signature feminine floral scent. You can literally spray and build up for days, giving that quick ponytail or chignon bun sexy texture and height that would do RuPaul proud.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
I had long heard about the Clarisonic craze, yet admit to feeling flummoxed that anyone would drop over $100 on what I figured was just a rotating brush. Oh, but how I have fallen to the dark side. The new deep pore brush gently exfoliates my large pores and oil-prone skin, buffing away even the post-retinol flakes that often annoyingly snag my makeup. All that's left is a smooth surface that glows. This one is worth the bite in the wallet -- but get the smaller Mia size, which performs exactly like the Classic -- and which saves you about $50.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
When I'm lucky enough to sneak a day on the beach, my lips are a crackly, dry mess by mid-day. Enter Lanolips, which combines over 60 percent medical grade lanolin oil and Vitamin E with sunscreen protection and pure pigment. I'm loving Rose for a non-tacky, rich moisturizing treatment that doesn't contain any of those weird and addictive lip ingredients. This is the only balm I've tried that stayed plush under sun rays, without thinning or turning into a caked-on spackle that settles into lip lines.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
Refreshing highlights and color during the summer can feel like you're throwing money out the window, with the way the sun changes your hue anyway. Yet Oprah's personal stylist of over 25 years, Andre Walker, showed me that a touch of his new mica-infused color wand could adeptly disguise my regrowth. I honestly doubted it would look natural, but the golden shade completely concealed my jet black roots. The formula takes only three minutes to dry, lasts until your next shampoo, and comes with a sponge tip applicator for deep coverage, or a mascara-like comb for a softer highlight effect. It just might be Labor Day before I see my colorist again!
Summer Beauty Game Changers
While new FDA regulations mean that this sunscreen will no longer be able to claim an SPF higher than 50 next year, the full spectrum formula is nonetheless a winner with the SPF trifecta it achieves: instant absorption for no grease, an easy spray applicator and a scent that doesn't scream 'sunscreen'! After spraying this all over like a mad woman at the beach, I was thrilled that the only thing left behind was sun protection -- and none of that stinky, oily slime that you can otherwise only get off with a shower.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
Am I the only woman who wears mascara to the beach? For my fellow lash sisters in crime, you'll be thrilled to hear that CoverGirl has substituted a smidge of beeswax in place of heavy synthetics in this formula, and whipped it up into a light mousse texture. Now, this isn't going to give you Diorshow drama, but it will give you a fluttery, full and defined fringe without the embarrassing raccoon eye-like smudges and flakes that a day under the hot sun can bring. Finally!
Summer Beauty Game Changers
Simple, mild and gentle sums up my philosophy on cleansing, and I've never seen the need to get fancy with something that you're only going to wash off. But from the creator of cult skin care brand Philosophy comes this new line of dermatologist-sold products, MyBody. The cleanser -- which I put on my Clarisonic -- uses antibacterial lauric acid blended with skin soothers like aloe vera, coconut and lime juice for an uplifting cleansing that transports me to a high-end spa every morning with its luxe scent. A girl can dream, after all.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
In the dredge of humidity, not only does the t-zone get shiny, but eyelids can oil up and instantly smear together shadow, liner and mascara you're wearing. My solution before had been to double up on lid base and then layer on powder shadow, but Bare Escentuals simplifies the whole dog and pony show. Launching in July, these waterproof bases are all you need to swipe across the lid for long-wearing hold. I'm all about the light-reflective gunmetal shade, for an instantly sexy smoky eye that would be otherwise impossible to pull off in the depths of July.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
Yes, I know the price is a jaw-dropper -- but if you're ever going to clunk down more than $100 for an eye cream (and please, do it during a shopping promotion when you can walk away with some free loot), this latest beauty from Hollywood's top esthetician is the one to blow the bank on. The Neiman's exclusive launches in August, and power punches peptides, caffeine and blackberry leaf extract to target puffiness, wrinkles and sagging. Color correcting pearls instantly help with dark circles, which this olive-toned girl deeply appreciates.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
Increased oil production mixed with sweat and heat can damper summer days with pore-clogging breakouts. Instead of obsessively blotting trouble away with sheets, I slap on this surprisingly non-stinky 10% sulfur mask twice a week to suck up excess oils and spread anti-bacterial relief deep into pores. If your hot weather breakouts always occur in the same area -- like along your hairline or chin -- you can apply the mask in only those prone areas to make that tube last and last.
Summer Beauty Game Changers
