Mahalo, Hawaii!
Anyone who has been within 10 feet of my personal space since 4 pm EST Tuesday knows that I have been to Hawaii. Evidence: Glowing tan, caramel highlights, lazy smile, easy walk and random declarations of “Aloha!”
The trip afforded me the opportunity to hang out with nearly twenty members of the Thomas-Shea family amongst turquoise water and sublime sunsets while also checking out some new summer time products. Here’s what I find worth sharing with you, lucky reader, and you’ll still have cash to spend on a Kukui nut necklace.
DDF Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30
I know that sunscreen saves lives yadda yadda yadda, but this sunscreen is life changing. It has these little color spheres that even out your skin tone so that you don’t get red or blotchy. And it works like Gangbusters! I have the best tan of my life and I didn’t burn one bit.
L’Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Lip Conditioner in Soft Bloom
Okay, so I stole this lippy from our beckoning beauty closet because L’Oreal Paris is one of our clients and I was working on a Saturday looking a mess and had to run to a date. Not only did I look super fine at my date, but I also put on one swipe each morning before beaching, kayaking, hiking, you name it and my lips were super soft all day long. Plus, it’s great for a natural, beachy shimmer that isn’t overdone.
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Take Charge Curl Boosting Mousse
I have been in denial that I have curly hair since I was 15 years old stemming from a very real fear of looking like Slash from Guns N’ Roses. I rise each morning and spend 30 minutes blow-drying it straight in multiple sections to keep up the farce. However, the humidity and heat of Hawaii render this process impossible. (Believe me, I tried and ended up as wet from sweat as I did from showering—futile!) Luckily, John Frieda was in my suitcase. It kept my curls in tip-top shape without the crunchiness that makes me cringe at the mere mention of the word “mousse.”
J. Crew Men’s Straw Trilby Hat
Two of my all time top pet peeves are wearing sunglasses while reading at the beach (the sweat makes them slowly slide down my nose) and sunglass tan lines. So, whilst at J. Crew I picked up this hat and it was a godsend. I was able to wear it for most of the trip for unobstructed views, uninterrupted beach reading and red nose prevention.
For under $50, these watches rock for an island vacation. I wore this watch body surfing at Three Tables on the North Shore, climbing Kailua’s Pillbox trail, running along Lanikai Beach, eating at Buzz’s, shopping at Long’s and everything in between. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking is right!
