summer essentials

Yes we know you need a good sunscreen, sunglasses and a sturdy yet fashionable beach bag for summer. But what are other summer beauty essentials that you must have this summer 2014?

1. Warner’s No Side Effects Bra

Wearing a sleeveless dress this summer but hate the side bulge? You know, that underarm bulge you often get when you wear a bra? I know in the summer I’m wearing thinner fabrics in tops and dresses so having a bra that is both comfortable and doesn’t dig in anywhere, and is seamless, is a summer beauty essential!

Warner’s and Olga two new bra collections, No Side Effects by Warner’s and On Your Side by Olga which are both designed to battle the “side-bulge.” which is the pesky unwanted underarm bulge that women can experience when wearing a bra. The bras’ unique design element is an extra side-coverage panel along the cup that seamlessly smoothes side-bulge.

The two collections cover a wide range of sizes for women of all shapes and sizes. No Side Effects offered by Warner’s is designed for the average-figured woman, features a flexible foam cup for a perfect fit and is available in 34B-38D. On Your Side from Olga offers a custom bra experience and strong support for full-busted women, cushioned straps for added comfort, and is available in 36C-38DDD. Warner’s No Side Effects and Olga’s On Your Side are sold at Hudson’s Bay nationwide for $40.00.

2. Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Hair Therapy Repair Rescue

Your hair takes a toll with the sun, sand and chlorine, if you’re poolside. Schwarzkopf Professional has a new BC HAIRTHERAPY featuring Cell Perfector technology, bringing you the potential for hair that looks perfectly conditioned, healthy and beautiful.

This milestone in care performance by BC HAIRTHERAPY brings your hair closer than ever to natural perfection – strong, healthy and shiny. The Cell Perfector technology acts to rebuild the structure of the hair with hair-identical amino-acids chains.

The new BC HAIRTHERAPY range includes MOISTURE KICK with Hyaluronic Acid Derivate for normal to dry hair; REPAIR RESCUE with high concentration proteolipids for damaged hair; COLOR FREEZE with reactive silane for color-treated and bleached hair; SMOOTH PERFECT with amino smoothener for unruly, coarse hair, VOLUME BOOST with silicone-free formulations for fine hair; and TIME RESTORE with Q10 and Nutrifiller for mature hair, all repackaged to showcase their ultimate quality and modern hair sophistication.

3. Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex

I’m always on the look out for hand creams and treatments for my dry hands – and my eczema. Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex targets the eight signs of aging, providing visible results for the hands in as little as 10 days.

The cream acts as a barrier and improves the look and texture of your skin and its brightness. Concentrated multi- functional hand cream targets 8 signs of hand aging simultaneously. The extraordinary 19.5% active complex concentration visibly improves firmness, elasticity, density, evenness, brightness, texture, smoothness and hydration.

I’ve been using Hand Chemistry for several weeks now and when I use it often, my eczema improves dramatically. If only I didn’t have to wash my hands throughout the day, which only exacerbates the problem. I’ve already finished one bottle and will be buying this product again, which is why it’s a summer beauty essential!

Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex is available at Shoppers Drug Mart for $19.99.

4. OPI Nail Colours – Brazil

Not just because it’s World Cup and Brazil is in the semi-finals, but I love bright nail colours! Brazil by OPI brings the colors of tropical rainforests and warm sandy beaches to nails and toes featuring a palette ranging from bright hues of red, pink, coral, orange and yellow to earthy tones of taupe, sienna, mocha and jungle green. My personal favourites? Kiss Me I’m Brazilian (pink shade) and Toucan If You Try (tangerine shade).

5. Smooth Sphere Lip Balm: Lemon Drop with SPF 15

Pamper your lips while you protect them from the sun with this irresistibly refreshing Broad Spectrum SPF 15 lip balm that’s bursting with natural flavor by eos evolution of smooth, a lip balm I know I can’t live without. eos lemon drop is a summer beauty essential!

6. Aloe Vera Gel

After spending hours in the sun, your skin needs some TLC. This soothing moisturizer by Lily of the Desert is made with certified organic aloe vera juice/gel and has no parabens or artificial colors. Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly naturally replenishes and relieves skin after prolonged sun or wind exposure. It also refreshes and cools the skin surface on application, which makes it earn a spot on my summer beauty essentials 2014!

What summer beauty essentials are on your list?

There are a few summer essentials that I can’t live without. These are 8 summer essentials for you and your home that you must have this summer:

1. SodaStream.

Make your own soda and sparkling water at home with regular water? Sounds easy enough and it is. SodaStream provides a healthier option to sugary drinks made right at home. Their syrups are lower in calories, carbs, sugar, sodium and caffeine than national brands. Their clear, natural and sparkling water syrups provide natural flavours without the sugars and calories. It’s very simple to use too – just screw the bottle on, pump three times and your water is carbonated.

2. Nautical Beach Tote.

Ditch the designer bag for summer and throw all of your purse essentials into a stylish beach bag like the S.S. Brighton Beach Tote. This roomy canvas tote will fit your beach gear, and then some! My mom picked one up for me while visiting Florida – isn’t she sweet?

3. Colourful Nail Polish.

I’m a fan of OPI and the line inspired by the hit television comedy, Modern Family, is no exception. My favourite of these three colours has to be Alex by the Books. See the complete OPI Modern Family line.

4. Minimal Makeup.

The only makeup you need during the summer is under-eye concealer, clear mascara and a stick of eye shadow/pencil, like the Great Lash clear by Maybelline and a Cream Eye Shadow + Liner by Marcelle.

5. A good sun tan lotion.

Ombrelle’s moisturizing SPF 60 sun lotion has antioxidants and is dermatologist recommended. I like this lotion because it’s non-greasy and fast absorbing and provides protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

6. Cold Treats

Why buy ice cream when you can make it at home? This Hamilton Beach ½ Quart Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Maker makes ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet and more. I must have this ice cream maker.

7. Good Skin.

Showing off your skin during the summer means you need to exfoliate and moisturize. Moroccanoil Body Buff and Body Soufflé leave your skin feelings soft and silky.. Follow Moroccanoil on Facebook and Twitter @Moroccanoil.

8. Fresh local fruits and vegetables.

You need a home canning kit and jars to preserve all of summer’s goodness. All those fresh fruits and vegetables like peaches and raspberries, tomatoes – you need to save some for the winter! Canning is the only way and right now, we’re have a giveaway to get you started.

Other summer essentials? Let’s not forget vodka and fresh mint for Mojitos!

6 Summer Beauty Essentials