My 2020 Summer Essentials
It’s summer. Sorry, wait. It’s “summer.” I use quotes because this is not the summer any of us are used to. To be honest, summer hasn’t slapped since we actually experienced a true summer break during school. I don’t know about y’all, but my summers were full of sleep away summer camps where all I cared about was securing my 3-week summer boyfriend, refreshment time, and dance nights on the tennis court (which sounds bougie, but let me assure you there were nothing but painfully awkward).
For so long, we all tried to hold onto that feeling via summers spent in our college towns where there were no rules and planning summer vacations we couldn’t afford in our early 20s. But adulthood caught up to us eventually and we’ve learned how to adapt to “adult” summer ever since. It took a lot of trial and error, but I think we all figured it out for ourselves the best way we could. Corporate America helped a bit with “summer hours” (if you don’t get these at your job, raise hell), and being an “adult” often comes with more money so summer vacations (even if it’s just a weekend) can be pretty legit. All that to say, the majority of us aren’t doing shit this summer but WE STILL NEED TO LOOK CUTE AND HAVE FUN, GOD DAMMIT. Which is why I’m presenting you with my 2020 summer must-haves in hopes you’ll allow yourself to feel some semblance of joy over the next few months and have fun in the sun (even if most of the fun happens in your own backyard).
SWIMSUITS
God, swimsuits are truly a bitch, aren’t they? For some reason, I think every summer it’s gonna get easier and every summer, I’m wrong. I’m honestly very happy that I won’t be in public that much this summer because it means I don’t have to lose my mind over finding multiple cute swimsuits. Maybe just one. I already have this adorable polka dot number from Target (I took a medium bottom and XL top for these damn titties), which will be my go-to but I also just discovered that ModCloth has swimsuits AND THEY’RE CUTE AS HELL, Y’ALL (click on the pics to check them out).
SANDALS
It’s my belief you don’t need countless sandals come summertime. You need just a few good ones to rotate between and you’re set. I recently treated myself to the rainbow strap babies from Madewell and cannot wait to get them in the mail. I also LOVE the Lou&Grey slide-ons. They give me major sleepy California vibes or maybe even a general PNW vibe. I want to slip them on along with my summer caftan and sip coffee on my back deck that faces a desert. IDK. The yellow espadrilles I scored from Target two years ago, and they’re still a top seller. Love them. And, most importantly, my beloved rubber Birkenstocks. God, they’re just the best. I cannot recommend them enough for the house, the pool, the beach, and even out in public doing something social. All four are solid ass sandals if you’re in the market.
MAKEUP
The best part of summer is the makeup is incredibly minimal (in my experience, anyway). You don’t need much besides mascara, a tinted foundation with SPF in it, and maybe some blush if your face isn’t interacting well with the sun. In terms of waterproof mascara, the Lash Paradise from L’Oreal DOES NOT come off. This shit will stay on your lashes for a week straight, maybe longer. As for tinted foundation, I am loving ILIA’s super serum skin tint with SPF 40. It’s dewy. It’s hydrating. It protects your face from the sun while giving you the perfect amount of low key coverage. Plus, their multi-stick is phenomenal. You can use it on your cheeks and lips for a quick brush of sun-kissed color! And we can’t forget THE green lipstick. I’ve been using this stuff for YEARS, guys. It goes on pink and reacts to your skins natural temperature to create a custom pink perfect for your lips. It’s my go-to lipstick every single summer.
OTHER BEAUTY STUFF
During summer, every other type of beauty product is the hero while makeup takes a backseat for the most part. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw me try out the Trader Joe’s Cucumber and Citrus face and body wipes in real time today. A few followers suggested I keep them in the fridge for a real treat, so I listened and my nipples got hard from it. No, really. They smell delightful and are 100x better chilled, especially after an outdoor workout or some sunbathing. We also need to discuss vagina wipes because those are equally as important during the summer. You’re gonna want to get the ones that are individually wrapped so you can throw them in your purse. That way, they’re always on your person so you wipe your snatch wherever, whenever. And speaking of smelling good, I love roller ball perfume for the summer. Any perfume oil is more potent and really works itself into your skin rather than spraying a mist. Plus, it’s much easier to tote around! And lastly, we cannot forget sunscreen. Don’t be a fool—WEAR IT EVERY DAY. Ever since the Sephora sale (which seems like years ago), I’ve been using Supergoop!’s Unseen Sun Screen with SPF 40 and LOVE it!
THE FUN STUFF
Minnidip kiddie-adult pools are the cutest things in the world, and because of this, they’re sold out literally everywhere. Target, Urban, QVC—there’s a long line for restocks. However, Amazon is doing their best and we love them for that. I bought myself a sunbathing lounge chair this year with a face hole, and it’s game changing. My exact one is sold out and also marked up substantially, but I found this great alternative that comes in several colors! I’m also considering investing in a corn hole set, which is something I never thought I’d ever say or write out loud. But like, it’s pretty fun? And since going to bars isn’t a thing right now (and honestly probably never will be again for me. I think I’m officially “too old” to play corn hole at a bar without it feeling pathetic), why not put one in my own backyard?! Also, load up on some cute ass, low maintenance glassware for outside. I love this fluted acrylic stuff from West Elm. They’re fun and functional—our favorite!
Those are my suggestions to get started on your summertime. I’m sure I’ll have updates as I sit at home in this 100º heat ordering things online I don’t need, so stay tuned, stay hydrated, and STAY. THE FUCK. HOME.
xox,
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