2016 Summer Beauty Essentials

I have a love hate relationship with summer. I love being able to spend more time outdoors and partying with family and friends on the patio but when the heat waves begin and humidity blankets the city, I start longing for fall. To help get me through the season I rely on a variety of great products including skin treatments, body care and hydrating mists to keep me fresh and ready for anything.

The Avon Senses Collection incorporates a delicious array of fruity skincare for summer and the Sparkling Eclat Starfruit & Coconut blend is like breathing in the tropics! The lotion ($8.00) is light, fragrant, non-greasy and hydrating with a scrumptious infusion of coconut water, shea and vitamins for smooth supple skin. When you want to avoid heavy perfumes, the body spray ($10.00) has a sweet Caribbean scent perfect for a day at the beach and the shower gel ($6.00) is great for vacation. You can get these products at avon.ca or through independent consultants.

Tis the season to shed some layers and show a little skin which also means more shaving. To help reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs the Jack Black Bump Fix is a must! The effective blend of Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid penetrates deeply to exfoliate and free trapped hairs beneath the skin’s surface plus Aloe, Green Tea Extract, Witch Hazel and Chamomile hydrate, refresh and soothe razor bumps. You can use this product on your legs, bikini area or underarms and men can use it on their face. It retails for $30.00 at Sephora, The Bay and getjackblack.ca.

When it’s time to hit the beach or rock that cute summer dress, toned, beautiful legs may be top priority. There is always the gym of course but with a busy schedule and so many summer soirées you might stray from your workouts and need a little extra help. The Elancyl Slim Design Lotion is an anti-cellulite time-release treatment formulated with caffeine to smooth skin and firm. It may reduce the look of cellulite and dimpling in 7-10 days and the hydrating formula makes legs feel soft and silky. You only have to apply the cream once per day in the morning and it works round the clock to help burn fat and improve tone. You can find the lotion at Shoppers Drug Mart for $60.00.

After a long day in the sun my skin is usually in dire need of restoration which is where the Shiseido After Sun Intensive Recovery Emulsion comes in handy. This rich, alleviating formula drenches skin in layers of lush moisture to replenish and balance. You can use it on the face and body and it retails for $38.00 at Sephora or Shiseido.ca.

For a blast of dewy, cooling moisture that revives weather stressed skin and fights dehydration I use the Shiseido IBUKI Quick Fix Mist. The small bottle slips into your purse so you can refresh the skin anytime, anywhere with natural extracts and conditioning emollients. The formula also has an anti-shine complex that can be used over makeup to help prevent that greasy, sweaty look. The mist isn’t really designed to keep makeup from melting off but it feels wonderful so I also keep it in my beach bag and at my work desk. It for $32.00

Sandal season calls for some serious foot care and recently I’ve been enjoying Avon’s Foot Works Pineapple Chill Collection with a twist of lime. It comes with the Exfoliating Scrub ($8.00) to sweep away dead rough skin, the Cooling Lotion ($8.00) to moisturize and soften and a Cooling Spray ($8.00) which can be used on your feet or footwear to refresh and deodorize.