If you don’t know, it gets hot and sunny where I am. We are talking like 100+. I am fat and pale so I am not exactly made for this. Here are the 5 things I need in order to get through being outside, ever, during the summer. I have also had spots of melanoma removed so it isn’t shocking that various sunscreens feature heavily.

My 5 Summer Essentials

Facial Sunscreen

Facial sunscreen is always a must for me. I have a variety of products that love and they work differently for different circumstances.

The Trader Joe’s Facial Sunscreen is a cult favorite for a reason but it is super hard to get ahold of. I did stock up a bit at the beginning of the season but by the end of May, I already was struggling to find it. This lays perfectly under makeup but can actually make you come off a little matte so you won’t get a dewy look.

Since you can only get a few bottles of Trader Joe’s a year, I have to look at other facial sunscreens. I really like the Amazon brand, Solimo Sheer Sunscreen Lotion. It is a little more dewy but there is no white cast so it wears very well under makeup or alone. I also like the fact it is under $6 a bottle.

Regular Sunscreen

Of course, I need sunscreen for the rest of me, especially my arms through the car windows. I can’t be the only one, right? I have been pretty consistently using 1 sunscreen for days I am not in the pool. That is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch sunscreen. I really don’t like the feel of sunscreen on my skin, especially “body” sunscreens. This melts into my skin pretty well. I still feel it but it doesn’t make my skin itch or crawl. When I swim I tend to use whatever zinc-based sunscreen we have on hand.

Bamboo Bra Liners

I mentioned that it is hot here, right? And I am clearly a well-endowed woman. That creates a conflict of comfort. Years ago I discovered a bamboo bra liner at Lane Bryant on clearance, which made them like $20. Well, that was a stellar $20 spend! You just place them in the band of your bra and it totally takes care of the sweat (glow, perspiration, etc). I have worn them to China, Disney World, and numerous church picnics;). Luckily I found some more on Amazon for under $20 and bought myself and my daughters some. Winning! Go pick up some bamboo bra liners over on Amazon.

SPF Lip Balm

My lips need sun protection too so I have picked up some SPF lip balm. I specifically picked up the Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm that is SPF 15. I chose this because it is tinted and so I can wear it without lipstick getting in the way. I can kind of look pulled together and be protected;). I am also looking at trying the Kiss Tinted Lip Balm from Revlon with an SPF 20. There are lots of colors to choose from with both brands and they are both about $5 regular price.

Waterproof Mascara

My struggles with mascara are real! I have to be really careful with what I normally wear because I tend to raccoon easily, even without heat or allergies. My current favorite is a Lottie London mascara but once it gets hot, everything melts! So I have 2 favorite waterproof mascaras right now. When I want dramatic, super fluffy lashes I go with ELF’s Big Mood Waterproof mascara. I admit it, I love the look of fake lashes and am way too lazy to actually wear them;). For a less dramatic look but still a look with a little bang, I like the iconic Lash Princess False Lash Effect waterproof in black. I know, I know, you are wondering why I don’t wear waterproofs all the time, right? It can be a pain to remove without a cleansing balm and I wear contacts;).

So there are some of my summer essentials!!!

Products List with Links!

• Solimo Sheer Facial Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch sunscreen
• Bamboo Bra Liners
• Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm
• Kiss Tinted Lip Balm from Revlon
• ELF’s Big Mood Waterproof mascara
• Lash Princess False Lash Effect waterproof in black