Howdy folks!

Back in c. 2009 when “beauty guru” youtubers were just normal teenagers with social anxiety, I stumbled across a Taylor Swift hair makeup tutorial…and oh boy did that change the game for me. You see, without makeup I look like Gollum and Strega Nona from the Italian children’s books had a baby, but with it I can find at least one toxic relationship per year! Since then I’ve been obsessed with beauty and skincare stuff, but I’m not trained in any way. I’m just a massive nerd and have come out of this a decade later knowing a lot about the best of the best when it comes to makeup and skincare. I also can include some lifestyle stuff and activities in there. I’m not saying I lead a model life — these are just things I’ve been enjoying!

These products, some old some new, are the ones that I have been reaching toward daily as it’s been getting hotter, and I know I will continue to. I know this may not interest some of my readers, but I thought I’d put it out there.

Here are somelow maintenance skincare & natural beauty products, wardrobe staples, and more random ish that has been rocking my world.

1. the do it all powder — Bite’s “Changemaker Flexible Coverage Pressed Powder”

• Summer means hot, and hot means sayonara your hope of a good makeup day. The oils in your sweat will that break that foundation/powder right down if there’s enough of it. When you catch yourself looking all splotchy, the most effective method for fixing that in my experience has been a pressed powder foundation. I think they’re super underrated and quick to throw on in five seconds and just walk out of the door. Take a velour puff like the one it comes with or a sponge, coat a side of it with the powder, press it repeatedly and gently into the places you want to add a little bit of coverage/control shine/blend your whole look together and see what happens. You can thank me later. Why am I writing like gossip girl hahaha

2. the razor that has made my life a million times easier — Billie

• Okay I know subscription services are very trendy right now and can be seen as somewhat of a gimmick, but this razor one is really the bomb in my opinion (even though I’ve been trying to get away from plastic as much as possible). The first razor with extra blades and a holder is like $9 and then they charge you something like 5 every 1-3 months for four new ones. It has allowed me to release that worry from my brain hold and to spend a lot less money on freaking razors. Plus the razors themselves are good quality.

3. very quick-drying and hydrating bod lotion — Seed phytonutrients

• This lotion is relatively inexpensive compared to its fellow body moisturizers at Sephora, and it works ten times better than many I’ve tried. I’ve had to use Hempz for years because that was all that worked for my dry wrinkly old Skeletor hands, but thank goodness I found this Seed one and could move on to brighter pastures with much better smelling body lotion. It also has a biodegradable bottle and all natural ingredients which is cool.

4. tied for best lip products — Seraphine lip gel ($19, 2 for $29.95), tower 28 shineon jelly lip gloss

• I know this is just my opinion, but I strongly feel that the Seraphine lip gels are a dupe for the fenty gloss bombs while being made with natural/vegan ingredients.

• The tower 28 jelly is a fun, kinda similar idea — a lightweight, very sheer tinted jelly gloss. They only come in three colors, but they’re fun and easy and kinda stain your lips In a cute way.

5. the easiest cream contour — Huda Beauty Tantour

• I live and breathe this stuff. If I’m going to the pool or something and there’s a high chance of my makeup sliding off my face, I usually stick with liquid/cream products -A) because they’re quicker to use and B) because I can easily patch them up if things start to go haywire. This one is the best cream bronzer I’ve found, and its fair shade is hands down the best in the game.

6. rereading your old YA (I don’t want to say trashy but…) novels – Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, The Summer I Turned Pretty lol

• Those are just some of my faves lol, but this is one of my favorite summertime activities. It makes me feel nostalgic in all the best ways and gets me in the mood of the day like nothing else. It doesn’t have to be Moby Dick every day you know?

7. athleisure — Girlfriend Collective

• From here in out this will be my go to brand for running shorts, leggings, sports bras, etc. So comfortable, flattering on, and the best array of colors. Plus most of their product line is made with recycled water bottles, so what’s not to love?

8. my absolute fave swimwear — Skatie

• Okay I kind of hate to even bring this brand up because I love them so much and want all of their suits for myself, but Skatie is the sh*t. Whoever designed their Melly bottoms deserves a Nobel peace prize, and the CEO is just a cool girl in her twenties who started making bathing suits from home a few years ago. They’re committed to sustainability, and they’re cute in my opinion.

9. sunscreen – Coola Classic Face Sunscreen, white tea scent

• Pretty self explanatory, but it rubs in quickly and smells lovely. Plus it’s reef safe and never has clogged a single one of my porey pores.

10. tanning oil – Maui Babe tanning lotion

• Shoutout to my CA pals for showing me this elixir of the gods. You will look like a Brazilian tree nut by noon if you take this to the beach with you. Plus they sell it at Ulta now, so you can actually get your hands on it. It WILL get on your swimmy suit though, so consider yourself warned.

11. tinted moisturizer – Shiseido Waso Color Smart Day Moisturizer

• Okay I know the whole color changing thing is kinda gimmicky, but I really like this one. I got the oil free which I regret because the regular formula is perfect. Great to throw on with your hands in five seconds just to even out your complexion a bit but not look like you have on makeup. Less coverage than laura mercier’s.

12. the perfect makeup bag – Beis Cosmetic Case

• Okay honestly Shay Mitchell DID that with this whole brand in my opinion. It just has everything you need and nothing more cluttering it up. Perfect size and great magnetic brush sleeve.

13. plant some things in the ground

• Gardening is actually fun and pretty easy in this sub tropical climate of ours lol. Or even if you kill everything that’s okay too. Plants some stuff for bees and butterflies and hummingbirds and things!

14. going to the farmers market

• I went with my mom the other day and it was lit. Plus supporting local farmers is so important! I think quarantine has definitely shown that our complete dependence on this corporate commercial chain is not good in times of crisis. Being more self sufficient benefits everybody in Mississippi! Keep your wits about you — social distance, wear masks, be smart & safe ♥️

Okay with that I’ll stop! I know this may not interest some (or all) of you at all, but surprisingly I do get a lot of questions about stuff like this. And I always like to hear about what my friends are loving, please send recommendations if you want!

I know this isn’t my usual vibe, but some days you just can’t go to that heavy place. I can send links if anyone wants too!! Okay thanks bye!