Stylish & Useful Summer Must-Haves by Green Living Expert Sonia Keuroghlian

Warm, sunny days somehow make life seem easier and lighter. In the spirit of easy-breezy summer livin’, I’ve rounded up the summer staples I can’t live without, from beauty products to clothing and accessories. Each one is stylish, practical, and travel-ready, so you’ll spend less time making decisions and more time enjoying everything summer has to offer.

1. Multitasking Sunscreen

Summertime skincare should be simple. Who wants to spend time layering products when it’s hot outside, or packing multiple creams and serums when heading to a beach vacation? My go-to product is Hynt Beauty’s SUN PREP SPF25: a 3-in-1 sunscreen, moisturizer and primer that seriously streamlines my beauty routine. SUN PREP provides broad spectrum (UVA and UVB light) protection courtesy of 9% titanium dioxide, with none of the potentially hazardous ingredients found in many conventional chemical-based  sunscreens. It has a non-greasy feel, doesn’t leave any whiteness, and creates a beautiful base for makeup. Plus, it feels soothing and protective with an Aloe Leaf Juice base (not water which can harbor bacteria) and 15+ types of antioxidant-rich plant extracts to make skin feel calm and comfortable. Contrary to common misconception, the subtle scent is simply a result of these botanical extracts and oils and there is no fragrance in this clean formula.

Sun Prep SPF25  hyntbeauty.com

2. UPF Clothing

There are times when sunscreen just isn’t enough protection and you need to bring out the big guns: UPF clothing. UPF is a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB measure for fabric, and it rates the amount of UV radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches the skin. SPF (“Sun Protection Factor”) on the other hand refers to sunscreen, and measures the amount of time it takes for sun-exposed skin protected with sunscreen to redden from UVB (“burning”) rays. I rely on UPF clothing when I’m outside between the peak UV hours of 11am and 3pm and the sun is particularly strong. Ditto when I’m in a rush and don’t have the time to properly slather the kids and myself in sunscreen. For anyone who’s fair skinned or has a history of skin cancer, you’re best off wearing UPF clothing whenever you’re in the sun. The two brands I’m loving right now are Coolibar and Mott50. Their clothing, hats and kids’ clothing are so well designed, you’d never know that UV-blocking minerals were woven into the fabric (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Both have you covered with UPF50.

Above: Mott50 "Sonja" swim dress  mott50.com

Above: Coolibar Baby Hooded One-Piece Swimsuit  coolibar.com

3. Lightweight Makeup

It’s tempting to want to ditch your foundation in the summer. I love the feeling of makeup melting on my face…said no one ever. But let’s be honest, we still want to look flawless no matter the temp. Enter Hynt Beauty’s Discovery Kit: a collection of powders and concealers that feels lightweight and breathable yet long-lasting and play well in the summer heat. There are seven different skin tones to choose from, ranging from very fair to rich deep shades. And like all their products, they’re made with skin-beautifying natural and organic ingredients. Here’s what’s in the kit:

1. DUET Perfecting Concealer

Multi award-winning, cult fave creamy concealer that doesn’t cause the appearance of cakiness or clogged pores. I sheer it out with moisturizer, or SUN PREP if I’m planning to be outdoors, and apply under my eyes and anywhere else I need color correcting. If I want full coverage, I apply it straight from the pot. It’s also a perfect eyeshadow primer to keep eye makeup in place in the heat and humidity.

2. VELLUTO Pure Powder Foundation

A fine milled powder that visibly evens out discolorations, minimizes the appearance of redness, and keeps skin feeling balanced throughout the day. Apply it after DUET to diminish the look of heat-induced redness and sweating at bay.

3. FINALE Finishing Powder (deluxe sample size)

Silky-smooth powder that color corrects and lends a feeling of balanced oils, so your makeup stays intact in the heat and humidity.

4. LUMIERE Radiance Boosting Powder (deluxe sample size)

This award-winning loose powder is the fastest and easiest way to a look of natural summer glow. I dust it over my cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose and even eyelids. You can also use it on the body, either alone or mixed with lotion, for a subtly sexy glow.

5. Vegan Mini Flat Top Brush

The perfect tool for expertly blending any of the powders in the kit.

6. Clear cosmetics bag

Cute and travel friendly.

Above: I’m wearing products from the Medium shade Discovery Kit. No filter, no editing.

DUET in Medium, VELLUTO in Soft Beige, VELLUTO in Medium Beige to contour, FINALE, and LUMIERE to highlight. Other products I’m wearing (all by Hynt Beauty): FORTE High Definition Eye Liner in Brown, PERFETTO Pressed Eye Shadow in Evening Wisteria, NOCTURNE Mascara, and ARIA Pure Lipstick in Pinkbelle.

Discovery Kit $49 hyntbeauty.com

4. Chic Accessories

Beach Towels Nothing says summer like a gorgeous beach towel. Recently, I discovered Stray and Wander’s collection of ethically sourced Turkish towels and I’m officially hooked. Each piece is handmade using traditional methods of production, and the subtle, classic patterns easily transition to everyday home use. Trust me, you’ll want to use them all year round.

strayandwander.com

Beach Bag A multitasking tote is a summer essential. It should be roomy and functional enough to take to the beach and pool, but chic enough for everyday wear. Antonello Tedde’s line of boho-chic totes and shoulder bags fit the bill perfectly. The whimsical patterns and no-fuss designs are perfect for summer, and the quality and timeless aesthetic make them super chic everyday bags. They’re just so adorable, you’ll even want to wear them into the Fall. These are definitely, investment-worthy pieces.

antonellotedde.com

5. Ice Cold Treats

Finally, no summer is complete without…popsicles! If you don’t have popsicle molds in your kitchen (gasp!) now is the time to stock up. DIY popsicles are so much better than store bought versions: you get to decide the ingredients (meaning they’ll be healthier) and they’ll be ready and waiting for you in the freezer (because who wants to trek to the store when the craving hits?). My favorite popsicle molds are these stainless steel molds by Onyx Containers. They’re fast-freeze, easy to clean, and will last you a lifetime. And since they’re not made out of plastic, they won’t leach potentially harmful chemicals like BPA into your ice pops. onyxcontainers.com So there you have it folks. You’re now ready to go forth and enjoy summer like a boss!