Garnier Summer Essentials

Summer in Toronto is quite short so I’m squeezing every last drop of fun out of the season and enjoying the great outdoors as much as possible. From road trips to amazing vacations, food festivals and patio parties – my weekends are always fabulously busy! While lounging by the pool or having picnics in the park, you need to stay protected and be prepared for any beauty emergency which is where Garnier’s collection of essentials comes in handy. 

Before I begin, I’m going to take a moment to highlight a couple things I’ve been shoving in my beach bag recently, including the Lualoha Towel in light grey tribal print ($55.00). You can probably tell that this isn’t a standard towel. The material is 100% Turkish cotton making it super absorbent, lightweight, fast drying and soft - the perfect travel companion! You can use it as a shawl, beach blanket, bikini wrap, hair towel or wrap dress and they come in many colors, patterns and designs. Visit the website at lualoha.com.

The stylish cat-eye shades (from Le Chateau) keep your pretty peepers protected from the sun while you strut down the boardwalk looking tres-chic! They retail for just $15.00.

To keep your skin healthy and shielded from harmful UV rays, Garnier Ombrelle offers a wide selection of broad-spectrum sunscreens so suit your needs including:

*Sports Endurance ($16.97) – Water/sweat resistant refreshing lotion with SPF 30. This breathable, weightless formula is fast absorbing and free of oils, fragrance and colorants with no white residue.

*SPF 60 Complete ($16.97) – All purpose, light and non-greasy.

*SPF 60 Ultra Light Advanced Tinted Lotion for face ($17.99) – formulated with natural filters and a light tint to prevent burns and enhance your natural skin tone.

*SPF 60 Ultra Light Advanced Body Spray ($19.99) – Provides up to 80 minutes of water resistant protection and prevents sand from sticking to skin.

It is always a good idea to pack some makeup wipes for the beach or weekend getaways and the Garnier Skin Active Towelettes are infused with the brand's popular micelle water to remove stubborn makeup, pore clogging dirt and excess oil. I still need to deep cleanse with face wash afterwards but the soft wipes remove blemish causing bacteria without burning the skin.

After a long day in the sun, or partying a little too hard, you may need to recoup with a good face mask. The Clean+ Pore Purifying Clay Cleanser + Mask ($8.97) is a great multi-purpose product for travel because you can use it to rinse away dirt, oil and makeup or leave it on for 5-10 mins to remove impurities. The charcoal absorbs bacteria and toxins to decongest pores and leave skin smooth and replenished.

Going from humidity and sun to air conditioning feels amazing but it can also be quite drying. For a boost of long-lasting hydration, the Moisture Rescue Daily Lotion ($9.97) has an antioxidant, fruit water complex enriched with Vitamin C and E to defend against external aggressors. The supple, oil-free formula (suitable for sensitive skin) works well under makeup for a lightweight matte finish but I usually need a generous amount to quench my thirsty skin.

For night care the new Moisture Rescue Recovery Gel-Cream ($9.97) with plant extracts is like a refreshing drink for parched skin. It conditions and restores vibrancy with active plant extracts and a fortifying complex that softens, tones and nourishes as you get your beauty rest. Usually I prefer rich night creams but this light formula is suitable for warm summer nights.

When humidity levels rise, I put away my flat iron and let my curls down. The Frizz Guard Dry Conditioner infused with argan oil tames poof, static and flyaways anytime, anywhere! Simply pop it in your weekend tote or beach bag and spray it on when your tresses need to be tamed. The light, fragrant formula does not weight down the hair or cause build-up so you can spritz away.

When you don’t have time to wash your hair, the Pure Clean Dry Shampoo with citrus extract absorbs oil and dirt on the roots and scalp with no white residue or stickiness. Hair looks and feels clean and refreshed with natural movement and softness.

Garnier is available at drugstores nationwide