With summer officially here, time to get your beauty routine in gear, if you haven’t started yet. I am THE WORST about wearing and putting on sunscreen. As I get older, this is something I can no longer ignore unless I want to be horrified everytime I wake up and see lines where lines are not supposed to be. Here is what is in my beauty bag for the summer months.

MASK UP

Besides my normal mediheal Collagen and NMF masks, I have invested in steam eye masks. I discovered this beauty addition in a Family Mart in Japan and am hooked. You can use them anytime and anywhere, plane, massage, when your camera is off during a zoom call, you know, the usual. I bought them out of curiosity, but ended up using them for the first time for a practical reason—a stye! I never had a stye in my life till last summer, chocking it up to all that was 2020. When the heat compresses weren’t working, I was super gratefulI that I remembered I brought them back from Japan! It worked like magic. Fact I learned is that the stye was a result of wearing face masks too close to underneath your eyes, especially in the hot and humid weather. Doing this clogs your pores and will give you one of these unwanted bumps —believe me, I’m more careful now.

The masks are not only for curing ailments—they help ease eye dryness, improve circulation and help with lines. I use them a few times a week now and my eyes have been looking better and brighter. I look and feel more alive!

Pro-Tip: When I’m having one of those insomnia nights, I pop one of these on, turn on a meditation track and drift into dreamland. Works like a charm.

BRINGING SEXY TO THE FRONT

So, I finally did it and did the ultimate beauty splurge and bought the La Mer Neck and Décolleté Concentrate. I’ve been noticing lines on parts of my body where they did not exist before—combination of tech neck, sleeping and lack of sunscreen. Was speaking to a friend, who told me that she and all her beauty coworkers swore by it. Well, she also said, “Ab, it isn’t just all marketing like you said. La Mer actually works and I am obsessed!” With a review like that, I had to try it. I’ve only been using it for less than a month, but have noticed that my problem areas have improved and on some days look better than the skin of my face. And yes, some days i do use it on my face because of it—aka on mornings after evenings when I have been overserved.

Pro-Tip: If you are a side sleeper like me, strongly suggest investing in one of these. You may laugh now, but you will thank me later.

HYDRATION NATION

So, I dabble back and forth with moisturizers during different times of the year. During the summer I like something lighter, but effective. Currently using the U Beauty resurfacing compound and their super hydrator, otherwise known as my dynamic duo. I started using this back in March and have recommended it to some friends and still remains to be a clear winner. It absorbs into my skin instantly and gives me that glow that I yearn for from my yesteryears.

Pro-Tip: I alternate between moisturizers every few weeks just to keep my skin awake—no one wants tired skin! I have recently started using La Mer Gel Moisturizer (yes, I have totally jumped on the bandwagon!) it’s super refreshing and is a great thirst quencher for my skin even on the hottest of days.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Since avoiding the sun is becoming harder and harder these days, especially when the sun doesn’t go down till after 8pm, it is extremely important to protect your skin. After I moisturize, I make sure to put sunscreen on any part of my body that will be exposed to the sun. My sunscreen of choice for my face is Shiseido Future Solutions LX Universal Defense. Yes, I know it is a little bougier than most sunscreens, but it is an all in one! On days I am in a rush, I don’t even do my normal moisturizer since the formula hydrates my skin as well. For me, this is the best everyday sunscreen because I live in a city where pollutants really irritate my skin and the weather changes constantly. Luckily for me, this sunscreen adapts to all weather conditions from extreme heat to crazy ass humidity.

For my body, I stay within the Shiseido family and use their Ultimate Sun Protector. Love that it absorbs easily into the skin and is not oily. Unlike other sunscreens, the scent doesn’t get into my clothes and I don’t smell like the tropics after putting it on!

Pro-Tip: Wear sunscreen Every. Day. Even on overcast days—I have learned this the hard way since my skin is so sensitive. And always make sure to apply on your shoulders, décolleté area or anywhere that would be exposed to the sun. Your future self will thank you.

POP OF COLOR

This brand for me is a Godsend! I have been a fan of no make up make up for YEARS—much to my former boss’ dismay. Imagine working in beauty and campaigning the “no make-up” look in meetings? Luckily, I never got fired and more importantly, we are still close friends today. I recently discovered MERIT Beauty and fell immediately in love with this brand because I believe in their mission and their products are the bomb. Yes, I said, THE BOMB. I love that they have a limited product assortment (only 7 skus and one is a brush), because, let’s face it, the beauty industry is oversaturated as it is, and who really has any time in their day to make any decisions. I have only tried their flush balm (their blush product) and their clean lash mascara and I love them both. They both are lightweight and last all day. I need to give an extra raving review for their mascara, as it is the only mascara I have used that actually doesn’t smudge or melt. I have super oily eyes and no waterproof mascara has ever stood up to the test and I wore this on hottest day in the city this year!

Pro-Tip: You can also use the flush balm on your lips for a pop of color because who wears lipstick in the summer anyway?