Inspired by my July Travel Favorites post from a few weeks ago, I have decided to share a round-up of all the winners from the entire summer! Covering face and hair with a side of fragrance, these formulas have been a constant in my routine for the last couple of months. Home and away. Whether your summer is ending or just beginning (jealous party of one), here are the Top Ten that have kept me looking on point at all times. Heat, humidity, jetlag, hangover, you name it. You. Are. Welcome.
No summer is complete without that perfect face cleanser and this year, it was dermalogica special cleansing gel that saved the day. Every single day. Clear and lightweight, it morphs into silky foam that removes dirt, oil, the most stubborn sunscreen, and hardcore concealer. Soap free and completely non-drying, it is pure magic on my combination skin. Infused with soothing and calming Balm Mint and Lavender Extracts, its relaxing scent is greatly appreciated. Major props for the clever packaging – it is the only bottle that works placed upside down to get that very last drop. $36 – 8.4 oz dermalogica.com, nordstrom.com, ulta.com.
While exfoliating is a crucial step of in any skincare regimen, I try to avoid acid peels and professional strength resurfacers during the summer months. Keeping things light yet effective, the Oatmeal Facial Scrub from Key West Aloe has been a frequent shower partner of late. Providing a deep clean feeling without harsh abrasives, this gentle formula is packed with soothing Oatmeal, exfoliating Apricot Seeds and renewing Papaya and Apple Extracts – all in a 20% pure Aloe Vera base. Recommended 2-3 times a week, I found it gentle enough for daily use. $16.50 – 4 oz keywestaloe.com
On mornings when a gentle cleanse just will not cut it, I have been reaching for the Rodial Super Acids X-treme Hangover Mask with fantastic results. Since picking up my first tube while in London last year, I’m confident that this is a must for anyone who excels at late night shenanigans. This once a week treatment revives and revitalizes dull, exhausted skin in need of a major wakeup call. The Kaolin clay base is loaded with resurfacing Glycolic Acid, Pomegranate, and Pineapple Extracts as well as nourishing Grape and anti-aging peptides. Apply to clean skin, rub it off gently when dry, and start looking like a human being again. $56 – 2.5 oz nordstrom.com, skintore.com
Hydrating. Refreshing. Smells pretty and goes with anything. That pretty much sums up the Glossier soothing face mist. A true multi-tasker, this facial spray cools, tones and extends your makeup lewk way past happy hour. The combination of Rose Water, Glycerin, Aloe Leaf, and Honeysuckle Extracts comes in a slim bottle with a spray nozzle, making it a perfect travel accessory. Keep it in the fridge for an extra hit of freshness. $18 – 4 oz glossier.com
File this one under ‘pretty impressive.’ This uncanny face serum from NIOD treats your face with an instant filter but OMG, it’s in real life. Photography Fluid, Opacity 12% has a light lotion consistency that goes from colorless to a champagne hue as you blend it in. Iridescent without being shimmery, it reflects light just enough and blurs imperfections, which gives an illusion of radiant, even-toned skin. Natural looking and never drying, this innovative solution has been an ace up my sleeve in the selfie game all summer long. Secretly hoping for a more pink or bronze toned option in the future, pretty please. $30 – 1 oz niod.com or £20 at lookfantastic.com, victoriahealth.com
Ideal on humid days and the dehydrated mornings after, the Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion from Dr. Dennis Gross is a fluffy gel cream and a total cornucopia of goodness in the ingredient department. The deliciously fresh and crisp scent aside, this ultra light face moisturizer is packed with time released Hyaluronic Acid to keep the skin plump and comfy at all times. With the help of Glycolic and Lactic Acids, fruit extracts (Watermelon, Coconut, Orange, and more), Collagen and Aloe, it conditions and resurfaces stressed, and tired complexions. Great under SPF or worn overnight, a generous layer makes for a fab mask when your skin needs a punch of moisture STAT. $58 – 1.7 oz dgskincare.com, sephora.com, beauty.com
The brand new TATCHA Silken SPF 35 is quite possibly the most luxurious broad spectrum sunscreen I have indulged in this summer. Driven by elegant botanical extracts of Wild Rose, Rice, Silk, Licorice, Green Tea and Mastic, this truly anti-aging formula is rich yet traceless upon application. Impressive all around, it melts into the skin and brightens it on contact with a slightly dewy finish. It is not easy for me to get excited over an SPF product but I actually look forward to wearing TATCHA Silken daily. Actives: Zinc Oxide 15%, Octisalate 5% $68 – 2 oz barneys.com or Sephora.com
When a bottle of the Rene Furterer Fioravanti hair rinse arrived at my doorstep, I had no idea it would turn into one of the most enchanting experiences of the summer. This clarifying and shine enhancing solution restored my hair after way too many hours spent in the pools with saline, chlorine and the sometimes, questionable waters in Costa Rica. This blend of Acerola Cherry vinegar and countless plant extracts (Myrrh, Aloe, Ginger, Clove, Laurel Berry, etc) actually has a delicious citrus smell and turns my dull, dry hair into Disney princess material with a single rinse. There will never be a summer without this gem in my shower. $27 – 8.4 oz renefurtererusa.com, dermstore.com, bigelowchemists.com
A game changer in body care, the Hyaluronic Body Mist from Hand Chemistry is ideal if, like me, you dread applying moisturizer. Fueled by the industry’s hottest ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, this uber hydrating body treatment takes two seconds and zero effort to deliver astounding results. Genius in execution, the continuous mist is cooling on contact and lemony crisp in the scent department. Almost deceiving, the light veil of moisture provides immediate comfort to parched, dehydrated skin that lasts up to 72 hours. Can we all please request a travel size and a green tea option? Kthxbye. $20 – 5 oz handchemistry.com, amazon.com
Who would have thought that a flight delay in Berlin and (consequently) way too much Riesling would result in one of my favorite fragrance discoveries at duty-free? Intoxicated or not, it was love at first sniff. L’Homme Ideal Cologne by Guerlain is clean with a polite edge. It’s casual yet eloquent and wears well day and night. The blend opens with Pink Pepper and Orange, lingers with a bit of warmth via Bergamot and Neroli, and dries down with the slightest hint of Musk. It’s a perfect balance of white and green with a unique twist. This appears to be a limited release with sporadic distribution – perhaps a travel retail exclusive?
