My Signature Summer (into Fall) Look with Video {Tag}

Thanks to Nath at Beautycalypse for tagging me to do this “Signature Summer Look” post.  At first, I admit to laughing because style kinda went out the window with my first child.

Before kids, I paid closer attention to my clothing. After kids, I’m happy to wear something without any deviant stains. Few life events improve a person more than having a family. I see parenthood and marriage as a constant opportunity to raise my consciousness and whittle away at the parts of me that need to improve.

Though my priorities have shifted—with me changing my character more than I change my clothes—I still care about the way I look. Even when I don’t feel great about myself, self-care and making an effort to look good have an effect on the inside too.

In alignment with the temperatures of the season, my summer style reflects the need to wear clothing that’s easy, breezy, comfortable, and light. I gravitate to soft cotton, bamboo, or rayon fabrics and loose flowing skirts, maxi dresses, or knee-length skirts. Of course, I love anything organic and natural.

I tend to spend more money on accessories than clothing thanks to my changing sizes over the years. This summer I couldn’t resist splurging on a pair of Birkenstocks. I couldn’t get over that they were selling at J. Crew and loved their makeover (they sold out before I could nab a pair of white soled birks!).

Usually, though, I prefer supporting small businesses on Etsy and have found several lovely rings and bracelets made out of crystals and other natural stones at Drunken Mermaid Oddities and Wood Merkaba. My favorite handmade knits come from Etsy too.

Kari Jane (in the foreground of photo above) and Gage Huntley designed a couple of hand-beaded bracelets that adorn my wrists now. And I did make one visit to an outdoor craft show at Lincoln Center (cue classical music quartet) that produced the gorgeous kyanite bracelet in the upper right corner of the above photo. I think they can easily be worn year-round and were quite affordable.

Much as I love indulging in a few baubles (none cost more than $100 by the way), skin care and makeup are still areas where I enjoy playing the most.

Here are the top faves for this summer that will be continuing with me into fall

Cleanser

Cleansing with Stark Skincare grapefruit cleanse + hydrate balm* works miracles to sweep up clogged pores, treat scars, and keep my skin luminous. I’ve got a major post in the works on balms that will shed some light on why they are quickly replacing other products in my regimen.

Toners

The favorites (and now empties) for this summer were hands down: Pangea Organics French Rosemary with Sweet Orange, a travel companion in my car for all day refreshment, along with Cecilia Wong Rejuvenating Toner Mist. Sooo goood! Now that I finished those, I’m hooked on Stark Skincare White Willow Bark Perfecting Tonic.* My skin adores both the antiseptic properties of white willow bark and witch hazel, as well as the soothing effects of aloe vera and cucumber. It contains some surprises like watermelon, lime, and litsea cubeba fruit oil to further enhance the formula. [Picture a heart saying: Me + Stark Forever. Totally serious, here.]

Serums

Just when I was thinking that no oil would work on my finicky skin, these three oils stepped in. They work wonders to improve my breakout-prone skin: Jacq’s Organics Carrots con Leche reviewed here, Stark Skincare Cypress Purity + Defense Oil*, and Skinny Skinny Organic Skin serum for oily/congested skin*.

Masks

Whether it was a fun #MaskOff and giveaway with Huckleberry on Instagram or a slow-starting Sunday morning, masks were a huge part of my summer self-care routine and will continue to be a part of my routine going into fall and winter. A few standouts are Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask,  Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator*, and SO Balanced Detoxifying Clay Face Mask. Honorable mention: the limited edition R.L. Linden Whole Lotta Roses Probiotic Mask is incredible but was in the summer collection only. I’m savoring every use.

Whenever I had time, I’d prep my skin for a mask with a facial steam using the gorgeous flowers and herbs in the Fig + Yarrow blend shown here.

Body

I’ve done my share of testing out natural deodorants. It took a while before I found the ones that really work for a stinker like me. The deodorants shown here reliably stave off odor all day long even during extreme heat. I trust them with my pits. Shown here (top row): Meow Meow Tweet, Schmidt’s Deodorant, SOAPWALLA, Ambreblends, (bottom row:) Bubble & Bee, GREENBODY, Leaves of Trees, Primal Pit Paste, and Pollen & Wax. It’s always best to test them yourself as some people seem to have a reaction to the baking soda. I don’t have an issue with it at all in any of these formulas.

The Organic Bath Co. body scrub* in refreshMINT will be a summer staple. Going into colder weather, I’ll probably explore some of the other delectable options like Stress Less or Zesty Morning. There are more goodies from this lovely company that have caught my eye, so I look forward to my next shopping spree there.

Lately, I’m getting my morning java jolt thanks to a total immersion in Java Skin Care.* The Coffee Bean and Raw Sugar scrub, body wash, body soap, and body serum leave my skin smooth, soft, and smelling good enough eat.

Foundation

Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream, Pure + Simple Flawless Complexion, and Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation are my foundations of choice, though sometimes I did a mineral powder + balm combination too. Each contains sun protection and gives excellent coverage. A little goes a long way with these.

Even though these foundations include SPF, I still use these sunscreens all summer long.

Concealer

As important as foundation, concealer goes where I go! Dr. Hauschka is always and forever my companion, as well as Christopher Drummond (no relation to Philip Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes, which is what this concealer always makes me think of!), Vapour Organics illusionist concealer, Glory Boon, Jane Iredale, Silk Naturals, and all those shown in the photo above.

Color

When it comes to makeup, I like to keep things natural and fairly simple. I love “no makeup” looking makeup.

W3LL People mascara, benecos eyeliner in olive, rms beauty lip2cheek blush in demure and buriti bronzer, or the options shown in the photo above (from top rms beauty, Glory Boon in Georgia Peach lip gloss and Dawn Cream Blush, La Bella Figura in Just Jenna*, Kjaer Weis in Sun Kissed, Säf Organics in Gelato, and W3LL People in Universalist 1), Alima Pure Sombra contour powder* (when not using rms buriti bronzer), Jillian Wright Complexion Perfection finishing powder, and a pop of Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner or Tata Harper Lip Treatment.  That’s about it!

Creative Adventures

Part of my signature style this summer definitely had to do with my cellphone. Sure, the case is super cute thanks to Kerrie Hess Illustrations. But more than that, the camera opened a shutter into the world of photography. I do believe that people who feed their passions and interests are happier and more content. It is the same for kids—especially when they say that they’re bored. It’s a sure sign that their creative needs are not being met (too much computer time and TV time will do that to anyone).

Start a hobby. Learn something new. Take a walk outside (or a bike ride) without a destination but go somewhere different. Do something a little bit scary that pushes your limits. These are a part of my style too and give me joy.

I’ve also been reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron that I highly recommend to anyone who wishes to unblock their inherent creativity. There really is nothing as fulfilling to me as being in creative flow. It brings me into spiritual alignment too.

So that’s my spiel for today. Plus here’s a short video that captured a lot of my summer style.  You can find my other discoveries on Instagram.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I had fun making it with my son!

What was your summer like? I’d love to hear about any fun activities you did in the comments or any discoveries you made this summer.

 

*Received for review from the company. My reviews are always honest and unbiased. I receive no other compensation for the review and am very grateful to each of the companies for their generosity and trust in me. They are each working hard to change the face of beauty, business, and the environment.