These towelettes for when you want something instant and on-the-go for your weekend lake house trips
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Sarah Stevens
Hyaluronic Acid
Sarah Stevens
Hyaluronic Acid sounds like a scary thing to put on your skin, but it's actually a naturally occurring compound in our bodies and locks in moisture. Hyaluronic acid serum on it's own can be a moisturizer for someone with oily skin. However, more than a moisturizer, it's actually a drug store's best-kept secret. Juvaderm, and other cosmetic filler is made from hyaluronic acid. The same product that people literally pay thousands for to get rid of under eye bags, or any type of wrinkle is available to you at any time, is safe, in a ton of Neutrogena products, and starts at around $6. Although using hyaluronic acid topically is not the same as getting it injected, that's probably a good thing. There's no chance of getting botched, and with no needles involved. But your skin will thank you, regardless.
Avoid products with alcohol.
GiphyOne of the biggest beauty hacks is to avoid products that have alcohol. Alcohol in beauty products is like the sugar of foods. You wouldn't believe how many products actually use a ton. It dries out your skin, but not in a healthy way. It ages your skin as it dries it. Finding sunscreen without it is even a challenge, but it is possible. A sad truth is that drinking alcohol ages your skin as well. Regardless of whether you drink or don't, stay hydrated!!
Retinol
Sarah Stevens
I don't know a ton about retinol, but just that it is anti-aging. Recently I picked up a rose mist with retinol, and it has no alcohol! I spray my face and body with it as an alternative to perfume, which is basically just scented alcohol.
Calamine Lotion
One of the key ingredients in Mario Badescu drying lotion is calamine. Although I think the drying lotion is a great product, the first ingredient is alcohol and isn't necessary. Calamine is sold in drug stores on its own and is marketed as a poison ivy treatment, but makes for an easy face mask. It's not in a pretty package, but it's better for your skin and you can put it in one if you want. It is great for oily skin and will pull the oil out while not overdrying it or making it flaky.
Lip Plumping
Sarah Stevens
Save a few hundred on lip injections and find out if you like the look first, or avoid them altogether with lip plumping gloss. Hard candy has some, as well as their clear "Max Pout", but Elf makes some pretty colors like this mocha twist which is my go-to. It is a pinky nude that doesn't distract, finishes with a gloss, and makes your lips a little bit bigger.
Tan!
Sarah Stevens
It wouldn't be a summer glow up without a good tan. One of the best on the drug store market is this foam from Jergens. It's a lot like LovingTan and Bondi Sands foam. I use this shade once a week for a few hours and people always ask me if I went somewhere on vacation. There's also a lighter option if you just want to look like you spent some time outside but not necessarily on a tropical island. Exfoliate, use a mitt, and wear clothes you don't care about as it dries.
Photo by Garett Mizunaka on Unsplash
1. Do Your Research
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Look up info about spray tans and research different spray tan companies near you. Look at reviews and talk to your friends who have gotten them.
2. Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
Photo by Amplitude Magazin on Unsplash
Exfoliate to get the dead skin off and help soften your skin. This will help prevent you from getting a splotchy tan.
3. Shave Beforehand
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
Shave beforehand because shaving right after can cause your tan to fade quicker.
4. Don't Wear Any Products
Photo by Glow Repose on Unsplash
Don't wear makeup, lotions, deodorant, or perfume going into your tan. This can leave a barrier on your skin and can cause streaking.
5. Decide What You'll Wear
Photo by Yuliya Kosolapova on Unsplash
Decide what you'll want to wear for the spray tan. Some people go nude while others wear a bikini or just a thong. It's up to you based on your comfort level and if you're okay with some tan lines.
6. Ask Your Spray Tan Technician About Colors
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
Ask them what they think will work best on you. Look at photos of people who got that color sprayed on them. If you have any concerns, talk to your technician about them beforehand. Don't be afraid to let them know it's your first spray and ask any questions you have!
7. Take Off Jewelry
Photo by Liana Mikah on Unsplash
Don't wear necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches, etc. These will leave tan lines and can also get your jewelry dirty.
8. Wear Loose Clothes After
Photo by Lauren Richmond on Unsplash
Wear loose clothing and preferably something dark colored. You don't want your clothes rubbing on the fresh tan. This can remove the color from your skin or possibly stain your clothes.
9. Try To Avoid Moisture
Photo by Ishan @seefromthesky on Unsplash
Try to avoid working out after because the sweat can mess up the color. Also try to avoid going in the rain, swimming, or showering for a bit.
10. Wait To Shower
Photo by Gregory Pappas on Unsplash
Different people will tell you different times of how long to wait. Try to wait at least 6-8 hours before showering and sleep in your tan if you want, and then shower the next morning. The first shower should be a quick rinse without using products or scrubbing.
11. Pat Dry
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
After showering, pat dry. Do NOT rub your skin dry with the towel.
12. Moisturize
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Moisture daily or even twice a day to keep your skin glowing. Try to avoid lotions with oils that may fade your tan.
13. Avoid Exfoliants, Harsh Soaps, and Oil-Based Products
Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
These can make your tan fade quicker so try to avoid them. Also avoid pore strips, waxing, etc.
1. Lush bath bombs
I know I just named the most expensive bath bomb brand ever, but if you've used a Lush bath bomb you know it beats out all the competition.
Lush's bath bombs will take your classic self-care bath to a whole new level with the gorgeous colors and irresistible scents!
2. Lush ocean salt
While you're at Lush picking up your bath bombs, be sure to grab the best face and body scrub on the market that will clarify and cleanse all skin types.
It smells amazing and it works wonders on your skin.
3. Clarisonic
Speaking of exfoliating, the Clarisonic is gentle enough to use everyday and leaves your face clean and polished.
The Clarisonic has different brush heads so it's perfect for every skin type and cleans your face so much better than washing your face with your hands would!
4. An electric toothbrush
Clearly I believe conventional ways of doing things just aren't cutting it anymore.
After using my electric toothbrush I could never go back!
There are so many different electric toothbrushes out there ranging in prices, so do your research if you're interested in getting one and I promise your dentist will thank you.
5. Crest whitestrips
Now this one is really a splurge because Crest whitestrips are expensive as hell, but nothing says self-care then whitening away all those coffee stains!
6. Glamglow face masks
These are another pretty intense splurge for a face mask but Glamglow has without a doubt the best face masks of all time, literally, celebrities use them!
Some of my personal favorites are Supermud and Bubblesheets.
7. The body shop body butter
These body lotions will leave your skin feeling baby soft and extremely hydrated.
8. Baby foot exfoliation foot peel
Speaking of baby soft... this product is kind of weird but trust me it's amazing.
Basically, you wear these disposable socks on your feet for an hour and a week later all your skin peels off.
It's weird, but your feet end up baby soft.
9. Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candle
What's a self-care night without a candle burning in the background?
Champagne toast and peach bellini are my all-time favorite scents.
10. Flawless-instant and painless facial hair remover
This will become your newest, best kept secret self-care product!
11. Macadamia deep repair masque
Because we're all more confident when our hair looks good.
12. The wet brush
I'm sure you already own a wet brush, but if you don't what are you doing!
This brush allows you to detangle your hair with over 45% less damage than normal hair brushes.
Of course, you're most likely not gonna go out and buy all of these extremely expensive items today, but I hope you consider splurging a little on yourself because you deserve it and you're worth it!
1. St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse ($18-42).
St. Tropez gives a deep, long lasting tan. You can find this at Ulta Beauty.
2. Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mouse ($39.95-59.95).
I've seen many influencers promote this product lately. It can be found at Ulta Beauty.
3. Fake Bake Flawless Darker Self-Tan Liquid ($18-30).
This product comes with an applicator mitt in each box. I currently use this one and love it. It can be found at Ulta Beauty but I get it from Amazon for almost half the price.
I have tried many different kinds of self-tanners, but these are the absolute best. These are guaranteed to make you many shades darker instantly. I would hate to tell you about a product that I do not have experience with, so these are going to be the best. Enjoy being darker in the winter without the sun or artificial sunlight!
1. Fake Tanning
I feel so much better and much more myself when I am tan. When the fall semester starts and it starts to get colder, it is hard to keep your summer glow. In order to stay my preferred color year round, I try to fake tan. I swear by Fake Bake Flawless Darker for a natural golden brown tan. This video talks about a plethora of other fake tans, some which are more of a red and some that are more of a yellow, so if you want to find a color that is best for you, I recommend watching this video.
Not only does fake tanning make me feel good, but I also find the process of fake tanning very relaxing. It all starts by exfoliating in the shower. Having soft smooth skin is so nice and it leaves you with a great base to tan.
Whenever I am feeling bad about myself or I am stressed out over school, self-tanning always has a way of making me feel like a new happier, healthier, and prettier person.
2. Crafting
When I was in high school, I used to draw all the time to de-stress. While I still love to draw, I have found that creating other crafts brings me the same kind of relaxation. This is a plaque I made for my Big last semester. Making it was so much fun and took my mind off of all the stress I had pilling up from assignments and other commitments. Sometimes it is good to put your energy into crafting because it is an excellent emotional outlet.
3. Working Out
Whenever I have any negative energy I really love working out because afterwards everything bad you were feeling before is replaced by endorphins. It is almost like pressing a reset button on your mood. Please enjoy this photo of my dog licking the sweat off my face mid workout.
4. Eating a Pint of Ben & Jerry's
This is 100 percent my roommate and I's favorite thing to do whenever anything bad happens in our lives. Whether we bomb a test, get into a fight with our friends, or are just feeling sad, we always break out a pint of ice cream and eat away our feelings. My go-to flavor is the Tonight Dough.
5. Online Shopping (but not buying anything)
Nothing relaxes me more than putting hundreds of dollars worth of clothing into a shopping cart and then closing the tab.
6. Putting on Makeup
Look good, feel good am I right? While not everyone likes wearing makeup, I find the process of putting on makeup very relaxing. 9/10 I will put makeup on to go out and just stay in instead, but my makeup will look so good I will feel on top of the world. There is nothing that a good foundation and fake eyelashes can't cure.
7. Listening to Music in the Shower
I will literally spend an hour in the shower jamming out to my shower playlist. Showers are relaxing, music is relaxing, and combining the two just makes everything all better.
8. Binge Watching TV
Sometimes it is nice to escape into a different world for a little while.
