SUMMER MUST HAVES FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL BROWN GIRL

Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means: BBQ’s with spiked lemonade, rooftop parties, and constant praying that you don’t lose you job as a result of the beautiful weather! Summer is the perfect time to show off that beach body you have been working on all winter, impress your friends with your cocktail making skills, and debut your GloUp!

I have complied a list beauty, skin, and fashion products that I seem to gravitate towards every summer. These are just a few, I feel, essential items every brown girl should have in her arsenal this summer.

 Ray-Ban Aviator Classic Sunglasses, $150:

 

 I am a sucker for aviator sunglasses! After a long night of turning up and showing off that “one cheek, 2 cheek” you can bet good money that a pair of shades are going to come in handy the morning after.

Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 17, 2 oz., $24: Skin care is just as important in the summer as it is in the drier seasons. Since I’m not a fan of traditional sunscreen (there’s something about the gray cast it leaves on my face that’s just not appealing) I make sure my moisturizer has SPF so I am not damaging the skin I worked so hard to care for.

Uriomma Delicately Smooth Shea Butter, 8 oz., $18:

I DO NO WANT TO SEE NOT ONE ASHY ANKLE THIS SUMMER! It’s 2016, there is no excuse for the ashyness ladies and gents. Since my skin needs intense moisture I tend to go for Shea butter instead of body oils. I absolutely love the Coconut Lemomgrass Whipped Body Butter by Uriomma Delicately Smooth. It leaves my skin moisturized without being greasy, smooth, and the scent it divine.

Belara Eau de Parfum, 1.7 oz., $38: I think I first learned about this perfume through my grandma (Shoutout to Queen Gerty!). In fact, I’m positive I got this perfume from my grandma; y’all know old women love them some Mary Kay (don’t sleep on em’). This is one of my all time favorite spring/summer scents. I generally tend to wear warmer, more woody, and oriental scents as those seem to work best with my body chemistry. However, in the summer when I want something a little more fun and fruity, Belara is my first grab. It’s the perfect blend of florals and warm notes!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipgloss, $16: I love a good matte lipstick as much as the next woman but during the summer I tend to put those away and get my Lil Mama “Lip Gloss is Poppin'” on. I first apply a lip balm (in love with the C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Balm, 0.8 oz., $5.50) for moisture and go in with my ABH Lipgloss for color and that extra POP! Cracked lips are for the birds (Lip Gloss Color left to right: Sepia & Orchid).

Vintage Coach Crossbody Bag (Similar Option): Also a taken from Queen Gerty’s closet. The only time you should be carrying a tote bag or oversized purse is if you’re going to the beach. If not, put it away! Between events, parties, and day trips, I don’t want to walk around with unnecessary baggage. During the summer I like to be as hands-free as possible so I opt for a small cross body bag to hold my daily essentials. I.e. Phone, keys, mini wallet for cash, cards, & ID, compact mirror, and lipgloss. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides who wants to be walking around in the hot sun with a 10 lbs purse?

Welp that’s all she wrote! Let me know what your summer essentials are. Leave a comment below!