2021 Summer Essentials Every Woman Needs!

After spending all last summer locked down in the house – trying to outlast a global pandemic – I’m savoring every bit of the season this year. I’m talking beach trips, brunch with the girls, cute swimsuits, family days at the park, and all my favorite summer products. To celebrate the first summer that we’ve been able to be outside since 2019, I’m sharing my summer essentials in beauty, skincare, hair, and fashion. Let’s get into it!

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SKINCARE

Sunscreen

As a born and bred Florida girl, there is no lack of sun for me year-round, however, the summertime does bring on the heat and the rays FULL FORCE from June through August. SPF is always needed no matter the season but in the summertime it is for sure an essential.

I’ve been loving Black Girl Sunscreen for over a year now and can’t recommend it enough. It is moisturizing and gives the face a nice dewy glow while protecting the skin from solar damage. If you’re an oily girl, don’t be alarmed. The company recently released a matte version for the ladies who want the protection without the extra shine. Even better, both formulations of the product dry down without leaving a white cast making it perfect for black and brown skin!

Body Moisturizer

The Brazilian Bum Bum Cream by Sol de Janeiro is my go-to summer moisturizer. The cream is super lightweight but still leaves my skin glowing and hydrated. Formulated with guaraná extract, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açaí oil, this moisturizer helps visibly smooth and tighten the skin – a must for those days you’re rocking your swimsuit or favorite denim shorts. To top it off, this body cream also smells AH-MAZING.

At $45 a jar it is a bit of a splurge. If you’ve never tried it before, I would start with the 2.5 oz mini size that retails for just $20.00 to determine if you like it enough to shell out the money for the full-sized version.

HAIR

Headband Wigs

Summer is always about relaxing and doing as little hair as possible for me so protective styling is my best friend during this time. Historically that meant I was rocking braids all season long, but this year I have fallen in love with headband wigs, this one in particular from Luvme Hair.

I love that my hair can be tucked away, protected from the sun’s harsh rays, without me having to fuss with braids or even lace front wigs with all of the gluing, blending, and plucking that comes with them. I just smooth my hair back into a low pony, put my wig and a cute headband on and go.

FASHION

Dresses

I’m really obsessed with dresses right now. A bright, vibrant dress is definitely one of my main summer essentials. This watercolor rope tie dress is so effortlessly feminine and eye-catching. It’s also very lightweight and comfortable, showing just enough skin to keep you cool and covering enough to keep you holy (haha).

This tiered off-the-shoulder rainbow maxi dress just screams summertime to me. It is easily one of the most comfortable dresses I own and easy to dress up or down depending on how you accessorize. This one I have on is currently sold out, but it comes in another color that I honestly think looks even better.

Ok so I’ve never felt the need to have a white dress – especially not now that I have a toddler – but when I saw this white dress from Dillard’s I just had to have it. Very simple and classic but it definitely gives major “girl boss, classy lady” vibes. And you can never go wrong with that.

A Cute Handbag

I didn’t know I needed this purse until I saw it (Ok, I didn’t need it per se, but I wanted it so bad it felt like a necessity). This Trapezoid Mini Satchel bag from Target is so cute and just the right size for a day out with the girls or a date night with your boo. Even better, at just $35.00 it is also an affordable dupe for the much pricier Rey Croc-Embossed Hobo bag by Staud which retails at $325.00. Get the look for less, sis. Summer essentials don’t have to break the bank!

BEAUTY

A Pink Lipstick and Dark Brown Liner

I have talked about this lip combo before in my Fall Favorites post but it deserves another mention here. There’s nothing like a nice pink lip for the summer and the Mac lip pencil in the color ‘Chestnut’ paired with Mented Cosmetics’ semi-matte lipstick in the color “pretty in pink” is a killer combo! Just, trust me on this. These two look sooo good together.

Even if you don’t get the lipstick, the liner in the color ‘Chestnut’ is perfect for brown skin. It is the only lip pencil I have found that actually shows up as a deep brown on my skin. I pray they never discontinue this color.

Bronzer

You can’t make a list of summer essentials and leave out the bronzers. My favorite right now is the Sunkissed Bronzer by Mented Cosmetics. This bronzer is very pigmented, easy to blend, and gives my skin a nice warm glow. Occasionally I will use this as an eye shadow and even as a blush, making this a multipurpose beauty staple that really gives me bang for my buck.

Press-On Nails

If nothing else good came out of the pandemic, me discovering press-on nails was heaven-sent. I’ve only been in the salon twice since 2019. All 2020 and this year I have been wearing press-on nails and I don’t see myself going back. They are cheaper, faster to apply, and easy to switch out when I’m ready for a new look.

My favorites are currently from Luxxi nails, Clutch Nails, Kiss nails, and these below which were custom-made by a friend of mine @teriwellsnails on Instagram.

Whatever you do this summer, friend, I pray you take time to really love on yourself. Connect with your loved ones, pamper your body, take time to rest and recharge, and build your best life while you’re at it. Happy summer, beloved!

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