summer faves: heavy emotions, thicc sunscreen

I used to write monthly favorites posts. I really enjoyed writing them and reading them back later, like a diary. I would talk about the beauty products, beverages, snacks and TV shows I was loving each month. I would tell you what I was up to in my personal life.

Then, January 19, 2022, my dad died. In a hospital bed, and I was there.

Not even 2 months later, March 9, 2022, our beloved, precious, truly perfect cat/son William died, without warning, in our home. He wasn’t even 3 years old.

I never wrote another favorites post again. Nothing, and I cannot emphasize this enough, nothing was my “favorite” for each month to come. Except Xanax. That was my favorite for a bit there.

I wrote a post explaining what had happened, but I could never hit publish. It lives in my drafts and probably always will.

Sometimes, I would feel that I owed you an explanation. Most days, I’d conclude that I didn’t want to burden anyone else with my sadness.

Instead of sharing about what I was feeling, in a way, I pretended that none of those awful things had happened here. I went on writing other posts, never mentioning that I was simply existing through unimaginable grief.

I share all of this now to say that I feel prepared to share favorites again. It is reassuring to be excited about things again, even if they are, just things. Thanks so much for being here. May you enjoy what I enjoyed, this summer.

Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash

I had to keep checking my local Target shelves for this because it was forever out of stock. I finally captured this body wash and I’m super glad I did. It cleanses and hydrates, a little goes a long way, I enjoy the scent and I have a feeling it’s going to be a godsend come dry winter. I use a silicone scrubby thing like this to apply it in the shower.

Glow On Girl Gradual Glow Tanning Lotion*

The only tan I’ve had this summer has been from a bottle or a spray tan gun, both from the hands of Amanda Hood at Glow On Girl Beauty. Amanda launched her own line of sunless tanning products this summer and I’m smitten.

This is the best gradual tanner. It smells so good, absorbs super fast and gives just enough color. It’s the easiest to apply tanning product I’ve tried and I cannot wait to try her mousse next.

e.l.f. Halo Glow Contour Wand

You don’t need the $42 Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand. Trust me, save your money and get this. The sponge tip stamp applicator is fun to use and it blends out without a thought. I use the color Light/Medium.

If you want to see it in action, I’m using it in this full elf tutorial over on my Instagram. Make sure to watch to the end to see the unique way I used it.

JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask*

I color my hair and I’ve been enjoying some saltwater pool time this summer. Those 2 factors considered, the strands need some extra love. This mask was recently reformulated and I prefer this new scent and more pudding like texture. It makes me hair look soft, shiny and bouncy and we love that for me.

Watch me use it and see how THICC it is in this video.

Vacation Whip Sunscreen Mousse

If you’re not great at reapplying sunscreen, I promise you’ll want to when it dispenses like whipped cream. This has the signature nostalgic 80’s sunscreen scent that is signature to Vacation. It’s not just for fun either; it really works. I reapplied every 2 hours and managed to not only avoid burn, but I didn’t even get tan! That is sorta sad, but honestly, that just means I sustained no sun damage.

I did see a TikTok the other day of a girl accidentally eating this sunscreen on a boat because she thought it was whipped cream. I can’t necessarily blame her given the packaging!

*Product was gifted for review purposes.