summer beauty

Not all Summer vacations are created equal, especially in terms of packing. Different locations call for alternative beauty routines and products. So what are the essential things to back when you're headed for the ocean or lake?

1. Face moisturizer with SPF: Keeping your skin quenched and protected are top priorities when you're lying in the sun. Grab a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher, like Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 ($20), to keep your skin nurtured.
2. Waterproof mascara: Heat and humidity near the beach are public enemy number one when it comes to makeup. Try Maybelline Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara ($7) to keep your eye look from melting.
3. Frizz-fighting serum: Wrangling frizzy hair while you're trying to relax on vacation is the pits. L'Oréal Eversleek Precious Oil Treatment ($13) depoufs hair and adds instant shine.
4. Aloe vera spray: Fell asleep in the sun and woke up looking a little red? Keep an aloe vera mist in your beach bag, like Hampton Sun Hydrating Aloe Mist ($28), to soothe skin and aid in healing.
5. Lip and cheek stain duo: Sometimes all you need is a pigmented balm to complement your tan. Three Custom Color Lip and Cheek Stain ($24) does double-duty in case you want to add some color to your cheeks.
6. Dry shampoo: Between the salt water and sun, hair can take a beating after a day in the surf. Keep your beachy waves looking great by spraying Serge Normant MetaRevive Dry Shampoo ($15) instead of washing and drying your hair.

Source: Flickr user @yakobusan


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Coral nail polish is Summer's classic, go-to shade that spans generations, from grandmas to grad students. Peach, however, is giving the standard bright orange-yellow hue a run for its money. The tame cousin of coral, this rich pastel tone goes with everything from a crisp white frock à la Elisha Cuthbert (upper and lower left) to an edgier black ensemble, as seen on Khloe Kardashian (lower right). Of course, you can always keep things in the same color family like Ali Landry (upper right) did: the star paired her orange dress with a complementary peach polish. And for a touch of sparkle, a glittery golden lacquer on the ring finger provides a trendy finishing touch. Try American Apparel Nail Polish in Summer Peach ($6).

Thinking of ditching the sand dunes for the urban jungle? Summer is the perfect time to take in the sites of a city you've never seen before — or haven't visited in a while. Don't forget to bring these necessities along to keep you looking your best no matter what metropolis you're jetting off to.

• Oil blotting pads: Half the fun of touring a new city is wandering around for hours and taking everything in. Carry some oil absorbing pads in your purse, like Neutrogena Long-Last Shine-Control Blotting Sheets ($6.50), to avoid shine in your photos.
• Bright lipstick: Urban living lends itself to experimenting with trends. Bring along a bold lipstick you've been too timid to try at home. MAC Pro Longwear Lipcream in Love Forever! ($17) is a fluorescent pink that can transition from day to night.
• Specially formulated sunscreen: The sun isn't the only thing your skin need protecting from while you're hopping from tour bus to sidewalk. Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum ($20) does double duty by providing you protection from the sun and other environmental stressors, like smog.
• Smokey eye palette: Dramatic eyes are perfect for a night out in the city. NYX Eye Shadow Palette in Smokey Eyes ($10.99) does the work for you. It contains a variety of colors, so you can play around until you get the perfect look.
• Perfume: While smelling like the city streets may not sound so appealing, The Scent of Departure ($45) does it right. From LA to London, 15 scents evoke the feeling of 15 different cities. And at 1.7 ounces each scent is TSA-safe, so you can bring them in your carry-on.

And don't forget your hand sanitizer; subway poles and bus straps are a necessary evil in the big city.

Travel can do serious damage to your skin's equilibrium, with airplanes, sun exposure, and stress all contributing to a vacation breakout. But you can keep blemishes at bay during all your adventures. Travel light with these bare essentials for acne-prone skin.

• Ms. Clean: Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban recommends bringing along a face wash with glycolic and/or salicylic acid. Look for something with anti-inflammatory benefits, as well, like redness-reducing Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads ($36). Not only are these compact wipes easy to get through TSA, but they're perfect for freshening up on a road trip when water is scarce.
• Pimple destroyer: Select a spot treatment cream with at least two and a half percent benzoyl peroxide. "Benzoyl peroxide works as a preventative measure because it acts as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover, and clearing pores of dead skin cells," Dr. Shamban explains.
• Moisture mix: Look for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties in your moisturizer. Some of Dr. Shamban's favorite ingredients include black cohosh extract, iris extract, zinc, and green tea. Try Supergoop! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen SPF 50 ($37), which is under 3 oz., formulated with green tea, and includes another travel must have: sunscreen.

Still can't avoid a pimple while you're away? Keep aspirin in your back pocket to obliterate a spot before you can say "home sweet home."

Source: Flickr user Modestas J

If winged eyeliner is sexy — and, of course, it is — then twice the liner is a good thing indeed. Case in point: this double-your-pleasure look from the Dolores Cortés runway. Makeup artist Lottie created the cat-eye look by applying Make Up For Ever Aqua Black, a waterproof cream shadow, with a nylon brush. For the top line, start from the outside of the eye, working your way into the lash line. Connect the winged liner to the bottom lash line by drawing a straight line; starting from the inside out is easiest. Sound complicated? It's not, Lottie promises. "The best way is to do it with your eyes open," she says. "And look up, not down at the mirror. You can see the whole lid." Make the look pop even more with a neon lip. In this case, Lottie filled lips in with Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip in 16C, then layered a complementary fuchsia Aqua Cream (#7) to intensify the color. The result: two bold looks that go great together.

The so-called dog days of Summer have arrived. And with temperatures blazing and humidity rising, skin can sometimes take a beating, especially if your SPF is out of whack. But with a few sunscreen strategies on hand, hopefully your biggest worry will be limited to what flavor margarita to get while dining al fresco. Get three sun protection tips when you read more.

YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan always has smart tips for making life easier. This week, Michelle tells us her top lip gloss tips for Summer:

Is there anything worse than dry or burnt lips after a day at the beach? Well, spending too much time in the sun is definitely part of the problem, but your favorite shiny pink lip gloss may also be to blame . . .

Find out how to fix foundation and powder that's too light

Wearing lip gloss in the sun is like putting baby oil on your lips; it does the opposite of protecting and hydrating your lips by attracting the harmful sun rays! (Think about how tanning oils and reflective surfaces work under sunlight). Also, just like the rest of your body, your lips require hydration and moisture both during and after time spent in the sun, and not all shiny glosses contain those elements.

Instead, protect your lips at the beach by wearing SPF lip balm. There are a lot of awesome tinted lip balms out there now, too, so you don't even have to sacrifice any of your signature color. If you can't find one you like, click here to learn how to mix in your own color at home.

You can still rock the gloss if you really want to, just make sure it has SPF. Your lips will definitely thank you later . . . and besides, gloss looks best on healthy lips, anyway.

What's your favorite lip balm for the Summer?

<3 Mish

More from Michelle Phan:

• A quick and easy way to help your eyelash curler work better
• Learn the best ways to wear colored mascara
• Is this facial a little too extreme for you?
• How to use an egg for more than a delicious breakfast

You've been living out all your mermaid fantasies in and out of the water this Summer, but perhaps your body is suffering from chlorine overload (or salt saturation) as a result. Spending time at the pool or beach can wear down your hair, skin, and nails. If you follow these simple steps after your next dip, though, then you'll be sure to elude beauty disaster. Find out how to erase red eye, revive chipped polish, and more when you keep reading.

The shower stall can become crowded with all your beauty must haves. Well, now it's time for some Spring cleaning (even though it's still Summer). Find out the products that you should keep at arm's length this season, and everything else you can stow until Winter.

1. Scrub: Exfoliation is a key step to keeping your skin smooth and glowing year-round. Plan to do a scrub at least twice a week. It will help you shave away the smallest hairs, and if you plan to use self-tanner, you'll get a more even glow. We like Fresh Body Polish ($38).

2. Razor: Even though you should keep your blades dry between uses, you still want to have a razor nearby for a last-minute hairy situation. Store your razor in a plastic travel soap container to keep rust at bay.

3. Self-tanner: The shower is the best place to take all your sunless tan experiments. Why? It will minimize the mess and make it easier to repeat once a week. Try a water-activated formula like Diana B. 60 Second Miracle Tan ($50).

4. Conditioner: Now's the time to minimize your shampoo routine to keep strands from drying out. Skip washing your hair every day, and opt to cleanse with conditioner instead. You can also eliminate the blow-dry step in your hair routine. Spritz in a leave-in conditioner and air-dry for an easy, fuss-free look.

5. Pumice stone: Summer sandals can do damage to your feet, especially their soles. Remedy dry, cracked heels with a pumice stone. Use it on wet feet and follow up with a heavy cream and socks each night.

6. Body oil: Lotion can be too heavy for scorching temperatures. To avoid slick legs later on, reach for a body oil like The Body Shop Beautifying Oil ($14). Apply before you leave the shower while wet. Then pat dry with a towel to get a glistening effect.