How to Deal with Summer Heat | Hair, Skin, and Body Essentials

Reaching the extremes in weather, routine, stress etc. can totally throw off the health and quality of our skin and hair. Everything runs in sync where lifestyle and body are concerned, so I always believe that a good self-care routine leads to a happy, positive outlook on life ahead - and increased health overall.

Even though summer time is generally fantastic in all regards, intense sun, stifling heat and a busy schedule can leave us feeling burnt out - literally. Here are some products to make the last bit of your summer as amazing as possible, helping you take control of your hair health, quicken the length of your showers, and protect your skin from the elements.

HAIR - MOROCCANOIL

Moroccan Oil offers both in-home and salon products for hair colour preservation. Chromatech is their salon collection that helps to protect the scalp during hair colouring, and a post-colour treatment that helps repair the hair cuticle to prolong colour and shine. Find a salon here.

Most traditional shampoo and conditioners have surfactant systems that contain aggressive pH levels that can damage the hair fiber and strip color. Moroccanoil Color Continue Shampoo & Conditioner ($30 CAD ea, 8.5 fl oz) extend the results of the in-salon ChromaTech product through continuous repair with every use, restoring the quality of hair to better retain color. Using Colour Continue Shampoo & Conditioner will help maintain vibrancy, shine and luster.

ArganID™ is an exclusive Moroccanoil technology that uses the power of ionic attraction to infuse argan oil into the cortex of the hair for deep nourishment, while simultaneously helping to repair and seal for optimal color retention. 

 COLORLINK™ is a Proprietary Moroccanoil technology that helps rebuild and cross-link the damaged keratin structure to help trap color within, while forming a protective shield that prevents color washout.

Environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution and oxidation can all contribute to hair damage, weakening of hair fibers and color degradation. Oxidation—a chemical reaction that affects hair color pigment when molecules are exposed to UV rays—can especially cause hair color to lose vibrancy and appear brassy. Designed to combat color degradation is Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray ($34.50 5.4 fl oz) is a revolutionary leave-in conditioner formulated to prevent color fading and brassiness. Using the spray applicator, mist evenly throughout mid-lengths and ends. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute and style as usual. Try minis of the entire collection here for $30.

SKIN - INDEED LABS

Back in May I had the immense pleasure of visiting the Indeed Labs HQ to sit at a table with Caroline Hirons, Dimitra Davidson (President and COO of Indeed Labs) and 5 other beauty-obsessed friends for an exclusive lunchtime event. I still can't believe I was worthy enough to meet Lady H, and we all had THE BEST TIME talking about skin, our personal favourites, Caroline's experience and how Indeed Labs can help us achieve all of our #skingoals.



I took home some fantastic products, including the famous 10 Balm (19.99 CAD) sensitive skin soothing cream, which I keep in my handbag for moisturizing face, hands, nails, legs - you name it. The skinny little tubes are incredibly easy to use, and fit into your smallest handbags with ease. The name of this calming lotion comes from it's mix of 10 of nature's most powerful healing ingredients: arnica, honey, propolis, royal jelly, bisabolol, allatoin, vitamin e, baobab seed oil and buriti oil. I honestly can't be without it now, the fragrance-free reliable moisture it provides on face and body is 100% worth it - my skin always feels so soft when it's on.



Another product I love from Indeed is the new Hydraluron intense moisture lotion. At $24.99 CAD you get an intensely hydrating lotion packed with lighter ingredients than 10 Balm - this is perfect for underneath makeup, layering with serums and combo skin that can't be loaded down with too many oils. Including sodium hyaluronate, squalene, zinc, copper and magnesium, your skin will hold moisture in all layers of the skin to boost your moisture barrier and protect from damage. Who doesn't want a cream that promotes collagen and boost elasticity? Partner this daily lotion with hydraluron serum and hydraluron jelly to intensely hydrate. The sun dries out skin more than we know, and I find that my oil builds up when I don't drink and retain enough water. So hyaluronic acid juices up your skin and temporarily fills lines, providing a smooth canvas for makeup. Using Indeed moisturizers will help foundation glide on smooth, since SPF usually aggravates my combo areas causing flakes and oil - a good moisturizing routine (and lightweight makeup) fixes that.

I'm pretty new to Vitamin C serums and treatments, but I have to admit that the texture of Indeed's Vitamin C24 serum/moisturizer ($24.99) is really unique. This lightweight smoothing cream contains 22% L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) and 2% hyaluronic microspheres to help protect your skin from environmental damage. I like to use Vitamin C in the morning, and my retinol/lactic acid/salicylic acid at night. In their iconic 1 fl oz tube, this product doesn’t oxidize and leaves your skin brighter, younger and more radiant. I want to try smoothing some of this onto my legs where I have scarring from shaving woes, I'll report back on if the pigmentation lightens at all.

Finally, inDefense30 (17.99), the perfect product to follow up with after applying your morning dose of Vitamin C24. This moisturizing, mineral based broad-spectrum sunscreen has SPF 30 and absorbs into your skin to protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays and premature aging. It contains zinc oxide, a non-toxic and soothing mineral that increases skin’s stability and defends against hyperpigmentation and brown spots; and Pycnogenol®, one of nature’s most powerful natural antioxidants that rebuilds collagen and protects skin from harmful enzymes to rebuild elasticity for smoother, younger looking skin.

I am looking forward to trying the raved about Q10 booster Anti-Aging Serum with Coenzyme Q10, an awesome multi-vitamin for the skin that you can mix in with your moisturizer. Indeed Labs always has some kind of promo on their site like 15% off, but you can also use code SAVE25 for 25% off! If you prefer to shop in-store, check out their display at Shoppers Drug Mart.

10 Balm, SPF inDefense30, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

BODY - SEA BERRY THERAPY

I loved Sibu Beauty ever since Michele1218 started reviewing their products on YouTube back in 2012. I still follow Michele to this day, and I vividly remember being so intrigued by her nighttime skincare routine and drugstore hauls where she would almost exclusively feature Sibu products. I did a review on their products in 2016, so I was excited to try out their bar soap and body lotion now that they re-branded to "Sea Berry Therapy".

Cleansing Face & Body Bar $7.95

This face and body bar is perfect for quick summer showers, or throwing into your travel bag for a weekend getaway. It lathers thick and rich to cleanse, detox, moisturize and repair the skin while creating a protective barrier against cell damaging free radicals. The 100% natural formulation leaves skin feeling hydrated – no tight, dry feeling, and helps to diminish acne & breakouts through sea buckthorn oil. I always have a little bar of soap in my travel bag, and this one is ideal since it's suitable for the face too.

Moisturizing Body Cream $19.95

I looooove this body lotion from Sea Berry Therapy. It is so light yet incredibly soothing, not too thick but definitely lasts on the skin for hours on end. Formulated with meadowfoam, shea butter, aloe, and, of course, organic sea buckthorn oil. The healing attributes of Sea Berry (Sea Buckthorn) oil combined with the luxurious emollient properties of shea butter and aloe provide softer, healthier skin. I've been mixing this in with my Jergens Natural Glow for a subtle tan that's sun-free. The fragrance is amazing, and I never feel like I'm oily or covered in residue - even when I bring this lotion up on to my back and neck.


What are your summer essentials?

xx

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