Summer is coming whether we like it or not (Wendy likes it, I do not.) As with everything, I enjoy things more if I feel prepared to face them, so I made a list of the summer essentials that I turn to year after year that help to make my summer great, and I’m here to share them all with you. Please know that I’ve built up some of these over time. I’m not here suggesting that you need all of these things for summer, simply that are the things that help me to enjoy the season and feel comfortable in the heat.
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SPF Favorites
Last year I discovered my one true love facial sunscreen in this Neutrogena Hydroboost Sunscreen. Wendy pointed out that it goes on a little blue, but it absorbs quickly, works well under makeup, isn’t greasy, and keeps me from burning.
For body, our family loves the everyday sunscreen from Supergoop. I LOVED this pump container for easy application and more than that we just loved the product. It absorbs fast and kept everyone sunburn-free. Yes, this is a splurge, but this bottle lasted a long time, it wasn’t annoying to use, and it worked.
They say your sunscreen should be a standalone product, but for daily summer use I love the SuperGoop CC cream. It has a good amount of coverage without looking like I’m wearing a full foundation. Plus, it has SPF 35 built right in. For a full day in the sun I’ll still opt for an SPF 50 on my face, but for everyday running around, this does the trick.
Reapplying sunscreen over makeup, or just over a sweaty face, used to fill me with dread. Sunscreen powders have changed the game. I’m staying brand loyal this year and sticking to the Supergoop translucent powder sunscreen for reapplication at the beach or pool.
Don’t forget SPF on your lips! I have tried some truly heinous lip balms with SPF, but I love this Aquaphor version. I use Aquaphor year round, so I love just switching to the version with SPF in the summer months.
Summer Wardrobe Favorites
We all know my favorite weather is sweatshirt and jeans weather, so it’s really important to me that my summer clothes be comfortable. You’ll notice a theme here. Everything is loose, flowy and nothing clings too tightly. If it’s tight, it’s not for me in the summer.
First up is my favorite Amazon maxi dress. This ticks so many boxes for me. I can wear a regular bra with it, it travels well, feels like pajamas, and can be a pool cover up, or can be dressed up with the addition of a cute necklace. I now own it in three colors.
Old Navy Linen Blend Pants take the place of jeans for me in the summer. I firmly believe that you should wear what makes you most comfortable, and you’ll definitely find me in shorts for quite a bit of the summer, but I am most comfortable in pants – I hate the feeling of skin on skin when it’s super hot outside.
Roll up hats – I’m not saying you’ll win any fashion awards with these but you can keep the sun off of your face and your hair up off of your neck. These roll up to easily store in a pool bag or to travel.
Old Navy Tanks – It’s pretty clear Old Navy is my first stop for summer staples. These tanks were on sale for $2 the last time I was in store. I bought four colors, but really I should have bought them all. They’re lightweight and loose and pair well with basically everything.
Floppy Hats – If you can’t quite bring yourself to don the visor above, grab this three pack of floppy hats from surprise recent favorite Walmart, and keep one in your car, on in your pool bag and one in the background for pretending you’re relaxing on vacation, rather than supervising backyard water fights.
Swing Dress – Yep, it’s from Old Navy. Available in a ton of colors and prints, wait until this goes on sale for $15 or less and then stock up. Add a jean jacket and it’s date-night wear, or just wear them like I do – with slip shorts and flip flops.
Stop the Sweat
(Or, at the very least, make it more bearable.)
If you’ve been around for a while you’ve heard me sing the praises of Gold Bond Spray. This $6 can will keep you powdery fresh, but make sure you get the fresh scent or you’ll be highly aware that you’re wearing something that was designed with balls in mind.
If you want something that was designed with a woman’s needs in mind, namely the need to stop thigh chafing, look no further than Megababe Thigh Rescue. Swipe this along your inner thighs and thank us when you’re no longer walking around with friction flames between your legs.
Megababe Bust Dust is Goldbond powder with better marketing (and a better scent, let’s be honest.) Both get the job done, but the user experience might be a bit different.
The Milk Makeup Blur Stick won’t actually do anything to stop you from sweating, but it will help mattifying your skin before makeup, and helps to keep your foundation from sliding off your face throughout the day. Highly recommend.
UnderSummers Slip Shorts – If you are a woman with thighs that touch and you want to wear dresses in the summer, it’s time to make slip shorts your friend. I tried the Jockey version that everyone raved about, but they just didn’t stay in place. I’ll be upgrading to these UnderSummers this year. BTW, these are NOT shapewear! They’re slightly smoothing, but not slimming. The idea is to keep your thighs from chafing, not to compress your intestines.
Poolside Must Haves
The key to keeping everyone happy all summer is a steady stream of snacks. This divided tray with a split lid can be loaded with whatever you like and will make you the queen of the poo.
You’ll want a summer bag for toting to the pool, the beach, the park, the library and this classic canvas tote from Lands End will last you forever.
For less of a splurge, I’m a big fan of this budget, basic mesh bag from Target. They come out with new colors every year, but ours is several years old and going strong. Keep it packed with towels, sunscreen and goggles and thank me later.
On Your Feet
Every year I buy myself a new pair of Havaianas. I’m partial to their thin strap style and I wear them to death for about four months straight.
I’ve seen so much hype about these Shade and Shore slide sandals from Target. Yes, they’re a direct knockoff of the plastic Birkenstocks, but let’s be honest – $12.99 is exactly the price I want to pay for a pair of plastic sandals.
And there you have it! The things I love and consistently repurchase, summer after summer!