This winter Chicago had one of the most brutal winters on record. One day it was so cold it was actually too dangerous to take your dog outside for a “walk”. So it’s no wonder that residents of the Second City take summer VERY seriously. We come out of winter hibernation like no one’s business. Restaurants pack outdoor seating onto every inch of available pavement. Rooftop bars pop up everywhere. And sunbathing at any one of the beaches along Lake Michigan becomes almost a necessity to replenish the Vitamin D we lost during the darker months. So today I thought it would be helpful to share some of my “essentials” for summer.
1. The Perfect Sunnies
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Protecting your eyes while looking stylish is everyone’s goal, right? These Ray-Ban Wayfarers fit the bill perfectly since they actually fold up into a small pouch the width of one of the lenses. Perfect and portable!
2. A Sun Hat (like this one is from H&M – no longer available. Find Similar ones here, here, and here).
Let’s be honest, here in Chicago humidity can be a huge issue and baking in the hot sun never did any hair style any favors. A light and breezy fedora like this one camouflages greasy roots, transforming bad hair days into chic ones and can also provide shade for your shoulders.
3. Killer Summer Sandals (Like these Stuart Weitzman sandals)
It took me about four summers to find my perfect summer sandal but when I saw these Stuart Weitzmans (ON SALE!) I knew my search was over. Their gold detailing and cork pattern make them easy to dress up or down and because they have a small wedge, they lengthen the legs too. Take your time finding the sandals you will live in all summer. Classic designs are the most versatile but the most important factor is how the sandals make you feel when you’re actually wearing them. If you feel like a million-bucks wearing them, then you’ve found your sandal soulmate.
4. Sunscreen Stick (Like this Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen Stick. Find similar here)
Another self-explanatory essential that I used to be guilty of forgetting. Being about as pale as possible, sunscreen is especially vital for my summer routine. This little Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 Stick is small enough to fit in a teeny summer clutch, smells great, and won’t smear your make-up.
5. Versatile Beach Bag (Find it here. Also available as a backpack and as a duffle).
As much as I would love to bring a large leather tote to the beach, the humidity and sand make this cotton striped Baggu bag the smarter choice. Bonus: this bag is deceptive and holds a lot more than it first looks.
6. Portable Flats (Find similar ones like these here, here, here, or these sequined roll-up ballerina flats.
In summer, I get a lot braver and more daring with my shoe selection but again, the realities of the heat and humidity can often leave my feel miserable after a few hours in some strappy pumps. Unless I am carrying the tiniest of bags, you can always count on me to have a pair of cheap, flexible ballet flats in my purse. Topshop’s Vibrant line is my favorite since they are inexpensive, hold up well, and can fold up for portability.
7. La Mer Treatment Lotion (Find it here).
I’m sure you’ve heard about La Mer products working miracles before. The company even plays on it’s cult status by naming the secret sauce in their lotions “miracle broth”. In summer, when cream-based moisturizers can be too greasy and oily, this light lotion is the perfect solution. I like to think of this as my skin’s reset button. Summers here in Chicago, with the grime, sun, sweat, and (on beach day) sand, can take a toll on even the most hardy of epidermis’. This lotion gives summer skin a beautiful glow that doesn’t read as oily and won’t cause breakouts.
8. Malin+Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub (Find it here).
Nothing will energize your morning shower like a whiff of this minty scrub. The pumice beads slough off dead skin cells, leaving you glowing. This scrub also preps your skin for sunless tanning application. Pro tip: this scrub happens to pair amazingly well with my favorite summer shower gel, Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin (Find it here) – the zesty citrus and intoxicating peppermint have become my morning ritual.
9. Body Oil (Find mine here).
Summer is not the time to be slathering heavy creams on your body. Unless your goal is a sad case of adult acne, then heavy creams are perfect. To keep my skin moisturized and glowing, I use Jo Malone Nectarine and Honey Blossom Bath Oil (works perfectly as a body oil, Jo Malone also offers a dry oil spray which is fabulous too). The scent is perfect for summer and will linger for hours on a hot day, lending an aromatic whiff to your skin.
10. Burberry Beauty Golden Brown Eyeliner (Find it here).
While black is my color of choice throughout most of the year, this golden-flecked bronze eyeliner lends a much softer and more bronzed look for summer. Pro tip: Apply a golden eyeliner, like this one, in a thick line around your eye, then trace the inner rim of your eye with a darker brown or black eyeliner. This creates a smokey definition and will make your eyes pop!
11. Mac Bronzer (Find it here).
As far as I’m concerned, no one makes a better all-purpose bronzer than MAC. Their golden bronze is light enough to keep my pale skin from looking dirty or made-up and the formula is buildable, giving you good control over the color. Bonus: these cases are the champs of my make-up cabinet. I can’t tell you how many times I have dropped this bronzer and haven’t experienced a single problem with cracking or breaking.
12. Oribe Anti-Humidity Spray (Find it here).
As mentioned before, Chicago can have some pretty alarming humidity levels (we tend to get the most extreme weather year-round). This spray tames my fly-aways and forces my hair to behave. I like to carry the travel-size can around in my bag anytime I’ll be spending extended periods of time outside (very useful at rooftop parties!).
13. Nude Polish (not pictured, but here is one of my favorite nude polishes, ‘Don’t Pretzel my Buttons’ from OPI)
It’s sandals season and while I would love to be able to afford a weekly pedicure, my budget forces me to perform weekly maintenance at home. Nude polish is the perfect “starter” polish for those pedicure-challenged brethren out there. Nude polish looks clean, sophisticated and coordinated with most summer looks and also happens to camouflage any application mistakes.
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