Beauty
FROM AFTERSUN TO SUNBURN
A whole alphabet full of beauty goodies for the summer
One of my huge guilty pleasures are ABCs. Almost everyone finds them quite silly, but I always think it's a hysterical way to bring the truth to light. At weddings, I love to seize the moment to whip up an ABC on the spot and the bride and groom give them a reality check. The fact that summer is really on its way is also a pretty good reason to grab the alphabet and teach you a beauty lesson. Or actually, maybe just help you a little. Because panda eyes when you step out of the water, red skin from sunburn, and straw on your head, those things are not included in this ABC. It will be solved in 26 steps.
The A of AfterSun
An aftersun is not just an unnecessary luxury item that can actually be replaced by body lotion. It is packed with ingredients that help the skin's moisture level recover, which means you suffer less from sunburn, your skin stays radiant, and you get even more beautifully tanned. So, a very necessary luxury item.
Tan Maximizer, €27.46, Lancaster
The B of Bronzers
If the sun has disappeared on vacation or you're at home: bronzing blush is the solution. A swipe on the cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and the two little bones on your forehead and you look like you've just spent a week in Ibiza, you know.
The C of Good Haircut
Your hair needs a bit of extra attention in the summer. To avoid going to the beach with a bunch of straw (a beachy haircut is nice, but you don't want those tangles in your hair), treat your hair with a good mask and a nourishing shampoo. By the way, it doesn't hurt to rinse your hair under the tap after a day of chlorine or seawater, because then you wash it out immediately.
Restorative hair mask, €44.50, Moroccanoil
The D of Dry Shampoo
You can postpone your wash day with dry shampoo. It keeps your hair healthy, but you just spray out the smell of seawater.
Dry shampoo light, €29.90, Moroccanoil
The E of Vitamin E
It nourishes, keeps your skin supple, and protects. It's in many beauty products, there's a lot in fruit, and even a candy or a cookie contains some vitamin E. So it's allowed in the summer.
The F of Fix-it
If you a fixing spray used, then you immediately feel like a seasoned makeup artist. And maybe a bit of a snob, because it always looks a bit decadent. Still quite nice in your makeup ritual this summer. It refreshes AND keeps your makeup from running, because it sets. Double nice.
Studio Moisture Fix, €31.50, MAC Cosmetics
The G of Fragrance
Even if the sun isn't shining, with a good summer scent you always feel like you're in the tropics. The scents are like cocktails. And you know that you definitely don't just need a spritz and it works incredibly addictively.
The H of Hydrating
The skin really drinks up moisture in the summer. You can probably imagine that if you spend all day in the sun. Moisturizing keeps the skin very supple.
DDML+, €47.95, Clinique
The I of Intensive Nourishment
After the letter H, I'm just dedicating another letter to it. You really need to nourish the skin well. If you have a thin dry skin, you look about ten years older and the sun just adds a few more years. A mask every now and then gives a huge boost.
Hydraflash intensive mask, SISLEY
The J of Cheekbones
Cheekbones should be highlighted well. So really well with a nice gold shimmering powder. You apply bronzer on the spots that catch the sun and with the highlighter, you make the eye catchers of your face stand out more. Those cheekbones deserve to be seen.
Watt’s Up Highlighter, €33, Het gaat precies zoals ik wil dat een mascara is: heel subtiel. Ik begin met de fluffy kant, die geleidelijk mijn wimpers meer kleur, volume en lengte geeft. Met elke laag zie je letterlijk je wimpers groeien. Als een frequente gebruiker van een wimperkruller kan ik zeggen: met deze mascara is dat niet eens nodig. Na een paar lagen zijn mijn wimpers bedekt met een mooie zwarte laag, maar zonder de dikke, harde stokken die je met sommige mascaras krijgt. Vandaar de naam: Bounce, omdat je wimpers zacht en flexibel blijven. Dan draai ik de borstel om en gebruik ik de kam om mijn wimpers waar nodig te scheiden. Ik breng ook een dunne laag aan op mijn onderste wimpers met de kam. En voilà: mijn wimpers zijn gelukkig (dankzij de voedende ingrediënten), en ik ben gelukkig. Bounce, je maakt mijn dag.
The K of Keratin Treatment
With the products from Kerastase, you protect your hair, so you don't return with a bunch of straw on your head.
Where can you find keratin treatments? Look here
The L of Lips
You can keep them very basic or give them a pop of color, but what is often forgotten is that lips can also burn a lot. They need proper care. For example, choose a lip balm with color and SPF. Best of both worlds.
Lip care with SPF and color, €22.95, Elizabeth Arden
The M of Mindsetting
Work email off (really, May gives this as a tip), finish all deadlines in advance so there are no loose ends that disturb you and choose a place with poor wifi reception. Just make sure to clear your head as much as possible. You'll see that your skin becomes much calmer without stress and you'll glow even more.
The N of Nails
Naked nails or just a nice trendy color; make sure your nails are well-groomed. You just can't get away with chipped nail polish anymore. Beforehand, just a gel polish You have it for two weeks without having to look after it. Très relaxed.
Infinite Shine, €18.95, OPI
The O of Eye Cream
The sun gives a nice color to the skin, but you probably also see the wrinkles around your eyes popping up. Eye cream protects and keeps the skin supple. It’s just really a different skin that also needs some extra care. And if it has been a long summer evening, then an eye cream is the solution. An eye cream that reduces puffiness so you can confidently hit the boulevard again. Sunglasses are of course always an option.
Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Eye Balm, €53.90, Estée Lauder
The P of Pedicure
You really can't get away with that. With calluses on your feet, glitter nail polish remnants from Christmas, and a toenail that is almost torn off, you don't need to show your bare feet. It's better to take good care of your feet and step into your sandals with neatly polished toes.
Pedicure Soap Treatment Store, from €42.50, Soap Treatment Store
The Q of Quick & easy hair-do’s
Because we can't do a hair-do at The Building every morning and you still want to give your hair a nice twist. Just take a look here, then you’ll know how you don’t have to stand in front of the mirror for hours, but can still give your casual topknot a summer upgrade.
The R of Cleansing
Even if you wear little makeup or don’t do anything exciting, cleansing is a must. Even, or actually especially, in the open air, your skin gets dirty. Yes, even in the Seychelles. So cleanse. This way, sunscreen can do its job better and you will ultimately get a much prettier tan.
Cleansing Foam, €34.95, Chanel
The S of Shaving
No. No bush on the legs, arms, or bikini line. Please keep it neat in the summer. Just take a look at these tips for a smoother than smooth result.
The T of Sweating
Summer means sweat. I can't make it sexier than that. It can also be easily solved. Because with a good deodorant, you’ll fight off sweat droplets all day and smell like roses.
Miss Dior deodorant, €42.30, Dior
The U of Runny Eyes
Walking out of the pool with panda eyes? That won't happen to you. With this mascara, you can dive into the water carefree, because it really keeps everything in place.
Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara, €23.50, Smashbox.
The V of Nutrition
Nutrition can do a lot for your skin in the summer. Actually always, but watermelon, tomato salad, and a cocktail full of summer fruits are just too delicious to pass up. You’ll naturally get a nice color on your skin and dullness will just fade away.
The W of Eyebrows
Even if you don’t feel like a splash of makeup on your face and prefer to live as naked as possible, eyebrows really do give your face that shape. So before your vacation, go to a good brow bar and have them dyed. Sounds really scary, but it’s the solution to give your face a bit of strength without makeup. Then you really won’t need any foundation or mascara.
Eyebrow bar treatment via Benefit
The X of X-treme
’In the evening, you can definitely add some color to your face when you’re going for a nice cocktail. A lovely color on the lips or a little extra on the eyes; color should be seen. Extra nice bonus: your tan will look even better.
5 Couleurs Polka Dots, €61.90, Dior
The Y of Yoga
Why do people do a yoga retreat? To leave the troubles of daily life behind, but also because it really does a lot for your skin. A relaxed body also shows a relaxed skin. And you become incredibly flexible.
The Z of Sunscreen (and a drop of self-tanner)
I could give about 26 tips just on sunscreen. Believe me. The first necessity when you need to fill your toiletry bag. By the way, on the site smeerjein.nl, you’ll find an incredible amount of tips and bizarre facts about applying. A drop of self-tanner in that sunscreen can’t hurt either. Then you won’t scare all those people off the beach with your anxiously exciting milk bottles.
Face Bronzer Sunny SPF15, €18.95, Lancaster
P.S.: Is I still telling you on Friday how to go on vacation with as few items as possible, I’m now going to present you with 26 items for which you will need a bit more toiletry bags. Excusez-moi, but these are the 26 must-haves for vacation and it’s perfectly acceptable to reserve some space for this if you’re going on vacation by car.
