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It’s officially summer!
It’s been pretty warm in Austin for a while now, and I started noticing the items I reach for on a daily basis in these hotter months.
So, I put them all in a list for easy reference; they are my must-haves of summer 2024.
Ice roller for face
I bought myself an ice roller years ago, but only in the last year have I really come to appreciate it. I use this thing EVERY single day! I wash my face, do a little facial massage, and end the routine with the ice roller.
I particularly focus on my under-eye area to help me wake up and along my jawline. Really, anywhere feels good when it’s 95+ outside. I just have a generic one (it was under $10) but there’s all sorts of options out there!
Under-eye gels
I’ve been using under-eye masks (patches, gels, whatever you want to call them) daily for a few years now. It’s the most indulgent part of my beauty routine! Buying 365 pairs of eye gels a year adds up, ha! But, they help me wakeup and start my day, I mean, how can I put a price on that?
Plus, I’m always looking for affordable options. For the last few months, I’ve been buying the Maree glitter eye gels (a little pricy but I tried the knock-offs and they are not as good) and anything from SpaLife (I always find these at TJ Maxx for around $1/pair).
I put them on after I do my ice rolling, and I leave them on for around two hours. I work from home, so I’m always doing skincare while working, unless I have a Zoom call 🙂 Since I’ve tried so many eye gels, I have a list of other favorites, if you’re curious.
electrolyte water
I’ve been drinking Liquid IV for four years(!), and it’s especially crucial in these hot months. Liquid IV is a powder that you can add to water, which puts electrolytes, vitamins and minerals in it. It also hydrates your body better than drinking just plain water.
All of these years, I’ve loved drinking Liquid IV for many reasons (outside of how it makes me feel) — it doesn’t have plastic packaging, it’s great for travel, and it’s a life-safer when you’re sick. I also love that the brand supports clean water around the globe.
But, whenever I see something new, I cannot resist trying it. I recently purchased Moon Juice Mini Dew, which is similar to Liquid IV in that it adds electrolytes and vitamins to water. I like Moon Juice as a brand, which is initially what drew me to this product! I’ve only tried it once, so I’ll have to report back after I’ve had more of it.
Based solely on the ingredients, both products support hydration but Liquid IV seems to be better for preventing and aiding illness, while Moon Juice is better for reducing brain fog and fatigue.
Regardless, I love using these water additives, especially in the summer when I go to the pool. I have a large jug (the 1/2 gallon retro Igloo) that I like to fill with ice, water, and the additive — sometimes I add fresh fruit to it, too — and I’m good to go!
Flying insect trap
Every summer, I have an issue with flies (house and fruit) and mosquitos. I don’t know if this is common for everyone, or if it’s something about where I live, but as soon as I open the sliding door to my patio, bugs fly in. If you’ve ever had this happen, you know it can lead to bigger problems.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, but I finally purchased a trap to help combat this problem! I went with the Zevo Flying Insect Trap (the plug-in base + cartridges).
I’ve caught so many bugs in this thing. It plugs in and emits blue light that attracts the bugs to it, and then they stick on the trap. The sticky part is hidden, so you don’t have to see all the dead bugs, which I appreciate.
It did take me a few days to find the right spot in my apartment to plug it in, and since the bugs are attracted to the light, it’s not necessarily something that works during the day (unless it’s in a permanently dark area, such as a garage). I keep mine plugged into my island which is a central location — not to far from either entrance, and not far from the kitchen sink or trash can — all areas that attract bugs.
Also, turning off any other lights at night (string lights, night lights, etc.) helped; then the blue light is the only thing attracting them. This product has eliminated my fly issue, and I nearly jumped for joy when I saw it also caught some fruit flies, beetles, and mosquitos.
Waxing Alternatives
I primarily shave to keep my body hair in check. In the past, I’ve used hair removal creams several times and have waxed a total of ONE time. But, I wanted to try something that would last longer and provide a smooth finish.
With that in mind, I started looking for top-notch waxing products I could use at home. But I was led to Sugardoh, a brand offering a waxing alternative called “sugaring,” which originated in ancient Egypt.
I bought a kit that included the sugaring paste, an applicator, and reusable cloth strips. I’ve used the kit on my pits and bikini line! I was nervous to try it, but I started with the understanding that it has a bit of a learning curve.
Luckily, there are tons of helpful tips and tutorials on their website. I’m still getting the hang of it, but I love how smooth my skin feels after using Sugardoh, and I appreciate that it’s vegan, clean, and eco-friendly — and it means less shaving and smooth skin for weeks!
Portable, Waterproof speaker
A portable, waterproof speaker should have been on my summer must-haves list years ago, because that’s how long I’ve had my JBL Bluetooth speaker.
I use it all year, but especially in the summer. I bring the speaker out on my patio and listen to podcasts, radio shows, or concerts. Sometimes I just sit in my chair and listen; having a beer while listening to a Dave Matthews Band concert is one of my favorite summertime activities.
I’ve packed this speaker in my pool bag, taken it to the beach, and put it in my shower. It won’t be bothered by splashes or rain, it holds a long charge, and it has a port to charge your phone. It’s a product I’ve had for years and will continue to use it for years to come!
Refreshing Non-Alcoholic drinks
I’ve been evaluating my relationship with alcohol for years — mostly since I moved to Austin in 2015. After my dad passed away in 2018, I went nearly two years without alcohol. For the last year, I only allow myself alcohol on Friday and Saturdays, and lately, I have only been drinking one of those nights, if at all.
But I very much love wine and cocktails, and thankfully we live in a time when there are delicious non-alcoholic options. Here are my current favorites:
Surely Sparkling Rose | Comes in cans or a bottle and tastes refreshing and delicious.
Athletic Brewing, anything! | They have canned N/A beer in all sorts of varietals and I’ve yet to be disappointed; even their hop water is fantastic.
Sayso C/Mocktails | These are craft cocktail (or mocktail) tea bags. Yes, teabags! I love the Skinny Paloma, and make it with a spirit alternative, but you can use alcohol or water. It’s insane how amazing these taste!
Ritual Zero Proof spirit alternatives | These are a 1-1 alcohol replacement, which is great if you’re looking for that experience of making a drink. I’ve tried the tequila, gin, and whiskey, and the tequila is my top pick (but they are all delish).
I’m always looking for new N/A options to try, and I recently bought a bottle of the Surely white blend, cans of DeSoi rose, and a pack of Blue Moon’s new N/A option, but I haven’t tried them yet — I’ll report back when I do!
Those are my summer faves this year. I love pulling out things for different seasons; and have come to appreciate the small changes in my routine depending on the time of year.
What are some of your favorite summer products?
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