Mini Photo-Diary: Lazy Life

I'm not that lazy. I did wash and vacuum my car (half-assedly) and I grilled up a really awesome lunch of salmon and veggies, but I did spend the majority of my day laying in the backyard. I wasn't really feeling up to doing a lot today, so I did one thing for an hour and let is count for the other 23! Being lazy for a day is fine as long as that day doesn't extend into like 8; but summer is made for lazing!

I started my morning off with a Pitaya (dragon fruit) smoothie with some granola for added crunchiness. I like Pitaya (available here) because it tastes like a strawberry mixed with a pineapple and it makes everything freakishly hot pink; just how I like it!

I loaded up my cooler bag with all sorts of drinks, fruits, snacks, and even my thermal water spray. I love this Foodland bag. My mom and I were kicking ourselves for not bringing some back when we went on our trip because they were all over the place and so cute. I actually found this one and another one at an Asian grocery store here in VA. Don't know how they got there, but thanks anyways! And no, I didn't steal them from under someone's shopping cart!  I'm also obsessed with Vita Coco's Coconut Water Lemonade. It's coconut water and lemon puree and it is sooo good. I've been on a huge lemonade kick lately and this made my summer even better.

Speaking of thermal water, a friend told me this La Roche Posay thermal water was available at Target ($12), so I hauled ass over there and got the biggest can I could find. Thermal water may just be mineral water in a can, but the mister on these things are stuff of legends. I stick this in the fridge, transfer to the cooler, and mist myself like some sort of Beverly Hills trophy wife whenever I get a little parched. I love it, darling!

Sorry for my nasty feet, but I love my new polish (which you can't see very well) from Sally Hansen called Make Waves. I think it's from their triple shine line and it's a rich turquoise with a lime green shimmer. Soooooo beautiful; it reminds me of the color of the water in Hawaii. I also like my hot pink, plastic Adirondack chairs. They're all over the place here in the southeast and I think they're great!

It was pretty warm today, and I'm also forcing myself to drink more during the day so I invested in a really nice water bottle.My boyfriend actually got one of these first and it has been a lifesaver on our backpacking and beach trips. This bottle from Klean Kanteen in insulated and can keep drinks cold for up to 24 HOURS. There's nothing better than taking a icy-cold sip of water after a long day backpacking when your Camel Back water is like drinking water that's been sitting in your car all afternoon. I highly recommend this bottle for anyone who like things to stay cold. It keeps warm drink warm for up to 6 hours. It says you can even keep soup and spaghetti in it. Hell yeah, spaghetti on the go! Today, I filled my bottle with ice cubes and some pink grapefruit flavored Perrier. Mineral water is good when you're out in the sun, because it helps replace any minerals you sweat out throughout the day. Plus, it's almost like a soda due to the fizz, but no calories!

And finally, you can't have an outside day without a good magazine. This one was all about moving to tropical island and was basically written for me. 

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and get some time outside! Bon weekend!

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Mineral Water: Ingestible and Investable!

Mineral Water: Ingestible and Investable! by elbonner featuring ahava

Wan to know something that is good for your skin, body, and all-around well being that requires little-to-no effort? Well the answer is WATER! For real dummies, water is so freaking important and you can definitely tell when you're not getting enough of it; you feel tired and bitchy,your skin looks wratched, and your pee is straight-up orange. NOT GOOD. Now,some people hate drinking water because it has no taste and isn't fun like fizzy drinks. My solution for you is sparkling mineral water. It can be an acquired taste, but add some citrus juice and it's so damn refreshing on a hot day! You can also get is flat if the fizzy stuff isn't for you, but make sure it's the good stuff! I've recently gotten into mineral water because of the skin and health benefits you get from drinking naturally mineralized water. When you drink normal tap water, most of the minerals have been filtered out at the water treatment plant, whereas a mineral water bottled from a spring has things like calcium, magnesium, and silica that make your water even more beneficial. Europeans are already all over mineral water, but it seems to be stuck in the realm of the snooty here in the states. My advice is try some out and reap the benefits!

Mineral/thermal water needn't only be ingestable, but is found in a ton of great skin care products that can benefit everyone! My favorite way to give my skin some thermal water love is to use a thermal water spray. I know what you're thinking, "Emily, you want me to pay to spray water all over my face? Have you lost your damn mind?". First of all, I'm not telling you to do anything, I'm not the boss of you! Second, thermal water sprays are sooo good for calming down burned, chapped, red, and sensitive skin. Aestheticians use thermal water sprays after harsh skin treatments and see reductions in redness upon contact. I like using this to wet my face before cleansing because it feels luxurious and just better than splashing with tap water (my city water suuuuucks). My second favorite way is to throw a bottle in my cooler and spray myself down at the beach/pool when I get hot and red. Anywho, I've talked too much, onto the products!

Ingest 
 San Pellegrino (Italy)- A little fizzy and widely available, I like getting this with lunch as a special treat.These can be purchased in big bottles, small bottles, and by the case at your local grocer! Has a decent mineral content and is used in some delicious citrus sodas made by the same company!

Gerolsteiner (Germany)- Has one of the highest mineral contents of any mineral water and I haven't had any trouble finding it at the grocery store. Fizzy and fun!

Apollinaris (Germany)- Probably my new favorite, this stuff has little bubbles of champagne and has the highest mineral content amongst the easily available mineral waters. I've only ever been able to buy litre bottles, but I mix it with a wedge of lemon squeezed in it and it's awesome!

Fiji Water (Fiji)- This water is special because it contains more silica than other mineral waters. Silica helps your skin regulate oil production and a bunch of other stuff. Don't know if that's true or just a bunch of nonsense, but this water is super smooth. 

Invest
Avene: Thermal Water Spray- My favorite of the thermal waters, this stuff calms my skin down after a good scrub or after a day in the sun. Comes in different sizes and even though it's not readily available in US drugstores, it's easily available on the internet (thanks, Amazon!).

La Roche Posay Thermal Water- Like the Avene spray, but available at CVS! La Roche Posay products are all good, ALL OF THEM and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I like using this at the pool or when I go backpacking and get sweaty and gross. Calms your face down after a hot run too!

Avene: Relief Concentrate for Redness- The corner stone of Avene's skincare line is its thermal spring and everything it makes contains it, which makes their products insanely good for people with sensitive skin or skin that's prone to redness. This serum is made to take the red out and is so gentle!

Ahava: Time To Clear All-in-One Toning Cleanser- Ahava uses the minerals from the Dead Sea to soothe upset skin and it does it beautifully. This cleanser goes on like a lotion and removes dirt, makeup, and oil to leave your face clean and soft. It can be tissued off for people with super dry skin or rinsed if you prefer. 

Avene: Thermal Water Soothing Serum- this serum soothes angry skin, removes redness, and makes you feel like you're blanketed in softness and security! Again, all Avene products are great for sensitive folk!

Ahava Honey-Herbal Mineral Bath Salts- Since most of us don't live near a mineral-rich hot spring, you can recreate one in your tub with these bath salts from Ahava. Harvested from the Dead Sea, they make bath time super relaxing. The best thing is you can usually find them at TJ Maxx for super cheap. I LOVE THESE BATH SALTS (I'm not the Miami Zombie)

Mineral water is good for you inside and out, and if you don't prefer the taste, you can still reap it's benefits from these great products! Get hydrated people! 

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Suncare Basics: Sunscreens Explained!

Suncare Basics by elbonner featuring l'oréal paris

The sun has finally made its entrance and it's hot as balls outside right now! It's reminding me how important it is to keep my face protected during the sunniest parts of the day when I can't escape to some shade. Now, there are different products for different times of the day, and I think a reason why people shy away from wearing a designated sunscreen during the day is because they're using the wrong kind. If you don't like wearing sunscreens during the day because of the texture or feel, this little post might help you out to see if maybe you're over doing it or if you just need to try something new!

Everyday Basics: what one would wear to work, to run errands, to sit outside and have lunch; anything that doesn't involve strenuous activity that could sweat off your sunscreen.

1: Milky& Light
 Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50- This is what I use daily in the summer time on work days and days where I won't be sweating or swimming. This sunscreen is light, non-greasy, mattifying, and broad spectrum. It is not water resistant, so not something you bring to the pool, but great for every day use.

 La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral sunscreen- Very similar to the Skinceuticals, but a bit cheaper and available at CVS! This sunscreen says that it is water resistant, but I tend to not use super light formulas when swimming because I feel like it comes off easier and I have to reapply more often. On the other hand, it is perfect for everyday use where you're not getting gross and sweaty!

2: Protective Moisture 
Origins "A Perfect World" Spf 25- A light, but powerful moisturizer, full of antioxidants that help keep your skin looking young for many years to come! They new make this moisturizer with an spf, so an extra sunscreen is not needed for non-water related activities. Good for people with dry skin.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer spf 30- Like the moisturizer above, this one has no scent and is gentle for sensitive skin. Because it has no scent, it's great for men and women and doesn't have an overly girly bottle. $20 and a high spf, you can't go wrong! This moisturizer in not formulated for use in the water.

Active Days: For days at the beach, long-haul outdoor runs, canoe trips, backpacking, hot beach volleyball matches, swimming, and all those fun activities you do during your time off that help you get your sweat on.

3: Moisturizing Outdoor
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream spf 50- This is what I wear to the beach when my face is being especially dry, so it's good for mature and dry skin, but not so much oily or acne prone. It's mineral based so it doesn't irritate your face and stays on without running into eyes after water activities or sweating.

Sun Bum Pro Spf 50- My all-time favorite active, facial sunscreen. This is a little less moisturizing than the Shiseido (and cheaper) , but not totally drying. Also mineral-based, so it doesn't irritate your skin. Made for people who work and play outside, so great for the beach or cutting the grass on a hot day!

4: Mattifying Outdoor

Coola Face Matte Organic Cucumber Spf 30- Smells like juicy cucumbers and keeps the shine away so you're not blinding fellow beach-goers with your shiny-ass forehead! This formula was made especially for oily skinned people who want the protection of a rich sunscreen without the glare. A lot of mineral sunscreens are oily and this was one of the first to develop an effective matte formula. Plus the tube is super cute!

L'Oreal Sublime Sun Sunscreen for Face spf 50- A great drugstore buy that is similar to La Roche Posay in formula, but better at staying on during water activities. This stuff is like nine bucks and is great for oily or acne prone faces.


I hope this post helped to clear up any confusion about what to wear and when. There are so many different formulas out now and not all sunscreens are made to be water resistant, so be vigilant in your label-reading! If you have any questions, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer them!

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Summer Skin Moisture Savers

Summer Skin Moisture Savers by elbonner featuring a la roche posay

Warm weather is great for the soul, but it can totally throw your face into an adolescent, oily, unmanageable breakdown. It's horrible, it's annoying,but it happens to the best of us. What we tend to forget when we get a little oilier in the summer is that we still need to moisturize because sun exposure leads to moisture loss! You're sweating out the water in your skin and it either needs to be sealed in or replaced. What can make the difference is a good moisturizer.

Combination Skin

 Juara Sweet Black Tea and Rice Moisturizer- This is my favorite moisturizer of all time. I use this all year round, but I feel like it was custom made for my summer skin. I used to struggle with oiliness during the day when in the sun, but dryness because of thin moisturizers I used to keep the oil at bay. This stuff works with me to keep me looking fresh, but not too moisturized. 

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream- This works a  lot like the Juara one. It's a bit lighter for those on the oily end of the combination scale and smells like cucumbers floating in cool water. Just that alone makes it great for summer. Layers well under sunscreen and BB creams also!

Oily

Korres Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer- At the height of my oil problem a few years ago, I was desperate for a moisturizer that didn't suck the oil from my face only to make it oilier out in the sun. I went out on a limb and tried Korres, a brand I'd never tried before and changed my skin for good! This stuff gives oily skin just enough moisture and packs in what can only be magic to keep all the shine away. I was blown away and recommend it to anyone with oil problems.

Alba Hawaiian Aloe and Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer- Great drugstore buy that I found very similar to the Korres moisturizer when I was low on cash and needed some oil control. It was very soothing if I'd had any sun exposure the day before and was very light/nicely scented. No breakouts and no problems!

Dry/Mature

Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream- French skincare is always good. ALWAYS. Which is why I wasn't surprised when this skin cream from Avene moisturized my overly sensitive, newly dry skin when I was first having to change face products. My skin when from out-of-control oily to dry in what seems like overnight. I figured my skin was mad and went for something made for sensitive skin. This entire brand is based on the benefits of French mineral water and its soothing properties. It helped calm things down and was very moisturizing. I went with the light because it was summer time and thought any more and I would have been shiny. Go with the whole shebang if you're super dry.

Kiehl's Abyssine Cream + SPF 23- Super rich, super luxurious, and complete with a sun protectant. Sometimes, I find that putting a mineral sunscreen over a moisturizing cream can actually suck out all the moisture (the minerals act almost like a mattifyer) and render your expensive cream useless, I say! Go with one with an spf. This cream is formulated with deep sea minerals that live in the most extreme and damaging conditions on earth (thermal vents moving boiling hot water from the earths core, science whoa!) and are able to withstand damage from extreme heat. Great for the summer! Super thick and luxurious, I would only recommend this to the driest of skins.

Wildcards! Summer Face-Issue Helpers:
Acne: La Roche Posay Effaclar DUO Dual Action Acne Treatment- Pimples and summer go together like family barbeques and drunken uncle speeches. This is a much-loved acne treatment for those unwanted guests that works without excess drying or peeling.

Irritation/Sun Damage: Korres Greek Yogurt Advanced Nourishing Sleep Facial- Get all the benefits of a greek yogurt facial at night without ruining all of your sheets and pillows. This super nourishing mask is great for a day spent too-much in the sun or just general irritation from over cleansing (which we all tend to do in the summer, i.e. removing sunscreen). Since it's used like a night cream, you get eight hours (ha! I wish) of treatment rather than, say, 15 minutes. Another great from Korres.You really can't go wrong with them!

I hope this helps prepare for the oncoming onslaught of skin-bummers that come along with the changing of the seasons.Just remember to sunscreen up, don't over exfoliate, and have fun in the sun without worrying about your face!