“Happy Summer Solstice!” is a very unique intro I drafted when pretending to hold myself to any kind of planned posting cadence (my love of structure has limits). I didn’t make the start of the season, but since we’ve eased right in, I’m writing this with lived conviction rather than anticipatory excitement. Summer makes me giddy, despite the sobering reality of Bay Area weather 🥶 But sometimes God remembers this is California damnit, and the fog breaks to reveal warmth, sort of! Here’s my prescription to make the most of it.
Sunscreen, obviously.
The older I get, the more I find myself seeking shade, accepting my fate as a pale person, and asking everyone around me if they need the SPF I’m toting. Exhibit A: Supergoop mineral powder, which goes with me everywhere to protect the face. It makes burns inexcusable and reapplication unfussy—the Saie or Beauty of Joseon in my AM routine, both of which I’m OBSESSED with, only work for a couple hours (any sunscreen requires layers over time). Underrated off-label use for the powder: scalp ‘screen, because trying to put lotion in your hair feels like a 2 year old using finger paints.
Never have I ever been excited about body sunscreen until the Nuxe SPF50 spray I bought in France. The scent? Heavenly. It also gives a nice glow, a side effect that can be employed strategically when you’re feeling like J.Lo. The Nuxe Body Oil of the same fragrance is also a summer delight for post-shower skin.
Loving Tan 2 Hour Express Mousse: After riding hard for Bondi Sands for many years, there’s a new fave in town. I find the color richer, more believable, and longer lasting. Bondi Sands is still objectively great—it’s also half the price and requires only an hour to develop before rinsing to Loving Tan’s two, so you can’t go wrong with either.
Tiktok has been off my phone for months, but I’m still susceptible to its influence. The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops mixed into my morning sunscreen is a part of my routine that’s here to stay.
Smooth skin for summer—I like it! To help with that:
Amazon exfoliating mitt: Go to town, my friends. It’s also great for scrubbing off an old tan.
Oui The People razor: Let me reiterate that the sticker shock is warranted, but the cost of replacement blades is way more reasonable than, say, Venus refills.* Consider the long game! This razor has been capital-H Helpful in reducing irritation and burn. Bit of a learning curve to nail the technique, but worth it in the end.
Cremo Shave Cream: Still the GOAT, cheap, and challenges the notion that a formula must foam for a good shave.
And while we’re talking about shower stuff, another plug for Saltair body wash and dry brushing (several unsubstantiated claims surrounding its benefits but I like as an invigorating pre-rinse ritual).
Summer is the sweatiest season, although my anxiety makes it an issue year-round. I am therefore uniquely qualified to tell you that Alvera Aloe & Almonds (check your local health food store as it appears to be discontinued 😢) and Salt & Stone Santal are wonderful, and a new deodorant I’m testing based on general Internet fanfare, Lume, seems promising. I’ve been on the natural-only train for years, but is it necessary? Not sure.
A few other non-summer-specific, new-to-me things worth mentioning:
JVN Air Dry Cream: Texture products I’ve tried in the past have been fine—salt and sugar sprays, wave mousse—but haven’t merited a repeat purchase. This one broke the cycle. I rake it through damp hair, twirl and secure, sleep on it, and wake up to soft, natural-looking mermaid waves my usually straight hair was definitely not achieving without heat—until now. It’s the best $12 I’ve spent recently.
Make Beauty Brow Gel & Refillable Pencil: I bought these when I ran out of my Glossier Boy Brow and Sephora Collection pencil and am loving both, especially the gel. It’s strong but flexible, and won’t give you a crusty, matted look—you know the one. The pencil applicator is a little bigger than I typically like, but something about the formula and shade make it really easy and natural-looking.
Make Beauty Continuum Gel Eyeliner: I watched this video and am now a little less bad at eyeliner. Michael’s tricks plus the glide of this pencil make a sharp wing more possible at my unskilled hands. I love the tiny brush on the end to help blend or flick things out—a genius detail that adds to the list of reasons why I ❤️ this brand. Beyond its aesthetic mastery (helmed by the lovely Carrie Barber, my former coworker who is extremely cool), the products are thoughtfully considered and well-priced for prestige beauty.
Fable & Main Pre-Wash Hair Treatment Oil: It’s the scent over the function of this product that has me in a chokehold. I’m pretty sure it’s doing good things but I don’t actually care—the smell is like a runner’s high bottled (said as someone who’s never experienced a runner’s high), and anyone who says fragrance can’t have transformative powers needs to get a new nose. The mini has lasted me a while!
Torriden Dive In Sheet Masks: My kind-hearted coworker brought these back from Korea. If I’m using a sheet mask, I want instant gratification—glowy, dewy, and hydrated in 10-15 minutes, please. These fit the bill, they’re cheap, and I like them as much as my go-tos from Innisfree. I just bulk ordered more from Stylevana and my patience will be tested every day until they arrive, which is probably 10 years from now.
Vanity Planet LED Travel Mirror: Incredibly useful, even at home. This mimics sitting in front of a window, bathed in natural light, wherever you are—a game-changer for proper face-painting.
Earlybird CBD Gummies: Heavy on CBD (12.5mg) and light on THC (2.5mg) makes for a very chill combo. I like them on a night in instead of cocktails or wine, and am partial to the strawberry flavor. Since I’m such a fan, my friends there graciously supplied (at my request, this is not #spon) a 15% off one-time-use code KRISTI through 7/31 for any takers.
Wishing you all a very Dorinda summer of margaritas and bad behavior just short of forgetting your sunscreen.
*I might only know the most basic Excel functions, but that’s enough to assemble this illuminating breakdown of how much razors can cost, color-coded for maximum drama. If the math is wrong, blame Microsoft. Women in STEM!