My Summer Essentials.

Here are some of my fave summer-time beauty essentials…

1.) Lemon Juice – This is perfect to squeeze into my palms and run through my hair when I’m at the beach. It helps maintain my blond color and gives it that natural lightening affect. Another plus? It takes the “green” out of hair that’s been tinged from chlorine pools.

2.) Aquaphor – This stuff has so many uses! Have a stubborn “fly-away” in your hair? Squeeze a pea size amount onto your finger and swipe it down. Have super chapped lips? Rub some onto your lips for instant relief. Knick yourself while shaving? Dab a little on the cut to speed up healing. Smear some on cuticles to soften them before you push them back. Heck, you can even smooth this stuff on leather furniture, shoes, or handbags to keep the leather moist and blemish free.

3.) Garnier Nutritioniste Eye Cream – I keep mine in the fridge and I apply each night before bed. It’s cool and it soothes puffy eyes instantly. It also eliminates dark circles. Love it!

4.) Garnier Fructis Leave-In-Conditioner – I use this stuff on the daily. Whether I blow dry my hair or let it air dry, I do not go a day without using at least a quarter-size amount in my hair if not more. It smells ah-mazing and keeps my hair soft and frizz-free!

5.) Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent – O.K. so some of you may not have a problem with gnat’s and mosquitoes, but here in the south you cannot spend an evening outside without getting eaten alive. This stuff is my go-to to keep those pesky flies away. Not only does it repel them, but it smells great and isn’t harsh on your skin.

6.) Sheer Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner by John Frieda -- I just started using this stuff about two weeks ago and I am hooked. It smells delicious, cleans the heck out of my hair without making it feel greasy, and really helps me maintain my blonde highlights between visits to the salon.

7.) Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick in “ #805 Pink Freeze” – My new fave lipstick! I already use Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in “#135 Make me Pink” everyday of my life, but this new High Shine lets me have the color I love, without having to apply gloss on top. It rocks! If you haven’t tried Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipsticks yet, you need to. They smell good, the colors are fab, and it leaves my lips feeling smooth without drying them out.

8.) Dove Revive Body Wash in Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena Scent – Bought this stuff a month or so on a whim, and it’s my new fave body wash. The smell is out of this world and it leaves my body feeling silky soft. Enough said!

9.) Olay Professional Pro-X – I’ve been using my Olay Professional Pro-X spin brush for about 2 months now and I am hooked. I really can’t believe I washed my face without it for so long. I always wanted the Clarisonic, but couldn’t bring myself to shell out $150 for it. This does the trick in under $50 and it leaves my face super smooth and blemish free. It also minimizes pores and exfoliates the skin like no other. I love it!

10.) Ocean Potion Ever Glow Lotion – I’ve been using this stuff for a couple years now and it does the trick. When I can’t make it to the beach, or in the fall and winter season when the beach is out, I turn to this stuff. It smells yummy and gives my skin a nice natural looking tan/glow. Doesn’t look orange at all!

11.) Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara – I’ve tried hundreds of brands of Mascara and this one just can’t be beat. I use the regular Lash blast daily, but when I’m heading to the beach or pool and don’t want tired looking eyes, I swipe on a couple coats of the waterproof mascara on the top lashes only. It separates perfectly and keeps my lashes voluminous. Never clumps either.

12.) Sally Hansen X-treme Wear Nail Polishes – I’m a big fan of Sally’s nail polishes. They help keep my nails strong and healthy and her colors are so perfect for the summer. I really love the X-treme wear polishes because it dries instantly.