Avon Summer Essentials: Mark Maui Bliss Collection Review

Hawaii is one of my favorite vacation destinations. The crashing waves, warm sparkling sand and lush rainforests that smell of fresh fruit are just a few of the amazing memories I have of exploring the coast. Now you can experience the island vibe with the limited edition Maui Bliss Collection by mark. These tropical bath, body and makeup products will whisk you away to paradise with uplifting scents and sunset packaging trimmed with swaying palm trees.

I took this cute pineapple beach bag/tote on my recent press trip to Turks & Caicos and it complimented my lounge wear perfectly!

Infused with a Hawaiian inspired blend of hibiscus, rich, glowing amber and refreshing coconut water this collection smells warm, soothing and delicious! The fragrant body wash transforms each shower into a relaxing escape and lathers well to foam away dirt, sweat and a sandy day at the beach. If you dream of swaying hammocks and fresh ocean breeze, the Wind Swept body wash is delectably sweet and fruity with a blend of sparkling grapefruit, orchid and cedarwood essence. Both these scents capture the spirit of summer and leave skin clean, smooth and moisturized. They retail for $12-$14 each.

The collection also includes the luxurious Maui Bliss Body Butter which is excellent for battling dry skin! The lush conditioning formula deeply moisturizes with aloe, shea, cocoa butter and coconut oil for soft, supple skin and protection from harsh weather. When it’s hot and humid, rich body products tend to make me feel warmer but when the AC is turned up high and the air is dry, I need extra hydration. Mark’s body butters are among my faves so if you haven’t tried them yet, you are definitely missing out! The butter retails for $14.00 and is also great for replenishing dry hands and rough heels.

Smelling irresistibly tropical may inspire you to get creative with your makeup and the Hawaii Five-Oh Eye Shadow Compact is the perfect mini size for vacation. With a beautiful array of shimmery blue, coral, lavender, champagne and glittery silver your beachy creations will match your floral prints and strappy sandals. The silky texture is non-creasing and fade-proof which is perfect for warm summer nights. The palette retails for $18.00.

Radiant skin is on-trend for the season and when you pair pretty golden highlight with a warm bronzer the results are gorgeous! The Maui Bliss Sunset Glow Powder resembles a stunning seashell embedded with rays of shimmer to brighten and illuminate while the soft brown creates a light sunkissed effect. The pigment isn’t deep enough to contour but it is designed for all complexions and I love how the multidimensional shimmer catches the light to make skin glow. The powder retails for $16.00.

The Maui Bliss Nailed it Mini Duo ($11) is also great for travel and the set comes with two shades - Heavenly White and Hula - a hip-swaying lavender. The formula is creamy with a high shine, gel-like finish and the subtle colors are soft and tranquil. 

I always carry some type of lotion in my beach bag and the Wind Swept Hand Cream keeps skin soft and moisturized so my manis can shine. After a dip in the salty ocean or lounging by the pool, my skin usually craves rejuvenation and this luscious formula fortified with elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid keeps dryness at bay and hands looking youthful. It retails for just $6.00.

That’s Beachy Texturizing Surf Spray ($16) helps create sexy, free flowing waves for a loose tousled look. You can simply pop it in your beach bag and whip it out after emerging from the water or before heading out for the evening. To use: spray on dry or damp hair, shape with fingers or scrunch and you’re done! The mist is lightly fragranced to mask that ocean or chlorine scent and it doubles as a decent leave-in. Since I have naturally curly hair I can only use the spray when my hair is flat ironed and dry so I usually wait until a couple days before wash day.  

You can find all of these fab products at avon.ca or through independent consultants

Summer Beauty Essentials & Beach Bag Must-Haves!

In celebration of warm weather, delicious patio lunches, sandy beach days and picnics in the park I have put together a collection of some of my favorite summer essentials. Whether you plan on spending some time in the Caribbean or lounging at the cottage with a good book sun protection, radiant skin and makeup that holds up in the heat will keep you on top of your game this season.

During the summer I usually do a lot of travelling, from Dubai, Paris, Spain, Italy and Hawaii, I love exploring! The My Tagalong travel organizer is available in trendy colors and keeps your essentials neat and stylish as you battle tiresome airport lines. 

The handy compartments secures your passport and travel documents including: boarding pass, baggage receipts, pen and hotel confirmation. I recently used it in the South of France and the chic pink folder slipped into my purse and carry-on for easy access keeping my valuables safe without having to struggle with loose papers. It retails for $12.00 and you can visit the website by clicking- HERE.

Avon Sun + Broad Spectrum SPF 40 is water resistant, lightweight and oil-free to protect your face against excessive heat.  I try to avoid sun damage, premature aging and sun burn so on days spent outdoors I go with a high UV spectrum and something moisturizing and light enough to wear under makeup. (retail prize $12.99) 

If you do forget to slather on or reapply the sunscreen then you might need the Dermalogica After Sun Repair. This lightweight gel cools skin on contact to help treat damage from exposure to UV sunlight. It also reduces irritation induced by sunburn and can even be used after waxing and hair removal to soothe and calm. It is safe for the face and body with natural ingredients like cucumber, aloe, algae, fruit and flower extracts compatible with sensitive skin. (Retail price $45.00) 

Picnics and patios may seem like a good idea but when the bugs come out, especially the mosquitos things can get a bit itchy. Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus will help keep the critters at bay for up to 7 hours so you can enjoy your starlit evenings without the hassle. The spray can be applied on clothing or directly to the skin without causing dryness. (Retail price $14.00) 

For an all over radiant summer glow the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Shimmering Dry Oil is infused with light reflecting gold sparkle to illuminate and perfume the skin with vanilla, coconut and floral notes. The light, non-greasy formula can be spritzed onto the body and rubbed in for a golden goddess glow that makes skin look dewy, healthy and sunkised. Infused with 6 botanical oils including: macadamia, hazelnut, borage, sweet almond, camellia and St. John’s wort the nutritive formula repairs, softens, and hydrates without preservatives. (Retail price $45.00) 

When it comes to fragrances I like scents that are fun, light and sexy. Currently I’m loving Amour by Avon with its fresh blend of citrus, jasmine petals and elegant musk. This is one of those trendy, modern aromas that appeal to many women and you can use it all summer long. If body sprays are more your thing then Bath & Body Works has a huge selection to choose from, some of my favorites are Twilight Woods and Pink Chiffon.

If you are ready to bare it all this season and show some skin Bliss has released the Hide & Glow Seek- their first tinted body spray. The formula combines luminous skin loving color with light diffusers to camouflage and smooth imperfections immediately! Infused with peptides and caffeine this lifting, firming spray tones and nourishes with natural oil, antioxidants and vitamins while reducing the appearance of cellulite for swoon-worthy bombshell legs! The spray is non-greasy so it doesn't rub off on clothing and retails for about $38.00.

When it comes to hair it’s all about keeping my tresses protected, soft and manageable so the Leave-In cream by Klorane is a must! This treatment is light and moisturizing so no matter how long you spend in the sun you can regain that smooth bounciness. The rich fatty acids and proteins strengthen and repair for softness and shine without build-up no matter how much you apply throughout the day! For more Klorane products click HERE.

When the humidity strikes my hair tends to get a little wild so I tame my strands with the Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Cream which seals hair to eliminate frizz and flyaways. This works well in the summer because it has a UV filter that protects against dryness and damage and it can be applied to dry or wet hair. It also works well on natural curls for shine and manageability.

The Got 2b All Star MVP Perfecting Cream is an all-in-one product that helps shape, smooth, shine and volumize with anti-frizz power for all your summer styles.

To keep your makeup fresh in the midday heat I have a few products and tips that can help. A makeup setting spray like the MAC Fix+ helps prolong your pigments and refreshes the skin. If you want something more budget friendly the E.L.F. Makeup Mist & Set gets the job done and only costs $3.00. The All About Matte Oil Control Paper by essence helps blot away shine and sweat to keep you looking dry and fresh and don’t forget to apply primer to your face and eyelids. I like the 5 Second Blur by Garnier and Urban Decay’s Primer Potion. Carrying some setting powder with you and a small travel brush can also help refresh your face; I like MAC’s Studio Fix Powder or Make Up For Ever’s HD Translucent Powder.

If you have any products that are essential to surviving summer leave a comment below and add them to the list!

*Press samples featured