SUMMER!!!

Summer essentials, opening up the chat, Amigo & some tips for when things get heated.

First of all let’s have a moment of gratitude for Samantha’s comeback before we get into it.

Ok I am so! excited and happy about my newsletter and all the love its been receiving. Thank you thank you <3 With that being said there are some things I’d love to share without writing an entire post.. So for small things like a sample sale, online sales (ssense going on rn which is v good!) or any last minute thoughts, I plan on throwing them in the substack chat without making it an entire thing. Stay tuned for that.

!Hot tip!

If you’re traveling this summer or just looking to try new places nearby get the Amigo app. It’s an invite only travel app that has so many recommendations for food, stays, spas, places to go etc. You get to see people’s profiles with their suggestions but also post your own recs. It’s really well organized with photos and tips on each place. There’s a helpful map (huge plus for moi) so you get to see how far everything is from one another. I would say its like if instgram and raya had a baby but for recs. A cute cheatsheet for traveling. Use the code “nataliesbs” to get on. Also it is freeee. :)

If you’ve been enjoying please feel free to share with others.

Here are a couple of items I believe are summer essentials & some thoughts on them:

Bikinis 

I truly believe in investing on swimwear. 1 because it’s all up in our private parts and we’re sensitive flowers if you know what I mean. But also because good materials just last longer! I don’t buy swimsuits every single year unless it’s a trendy print or something I feel like I absolutely need. You want something that lasts. Again my opinion! I know so many people that love getting cheap bikinis to change up the looks all the time but that’s just not how I roll. My mom has deeply embedded into my brain quality over quantity. Also I have a hard time finding cheap bikinis that don’t look like you got them off the boardwalk (I’m a jersey girl so I get the pass to talk smack) so if you know of any cute brands please share :)

I always think of swimwear as: one pieces, trendy bikinis, and the classics.

Everyone needs a one piece for physical activities, the spa, or just any moment when you wanna be a little more covered up. As mentioned before, this Nu Swim one has been my current go to for the past two years.

If! you want options I also have this fun piece from paloma wool that doesn’t feel too plain. I’ve had my eye on this Collina Strada one if you want more of a moment.

For cute & trendy I usually reach towards iNAMORATA. (I love how easy their site is to navigate through all the different styles & prints) Also! being able to purchase a different size top & bottom is godsent.

I don’t know if animal print is back or if I just watched the Sopranos too much this winter but this micro cheetah print is speaking to me. The style of the matching bottom is one of my favorite fits btw.

For the classics that are fun I absolutely love love LOVE… Clemence Mountain. My close friend Jen is the genius behind it and let’s just say she really knows what she’s doing. Clemence Mountain does the best classics that aren’t boring and are super flattering. Right now Clemence is getting a fun refresh with some very!!! exciting new things that I cannot wait to share with you guys. Please keep your eyes peeled. Worth the wait. 

Sunglasses 

I think we’re all guilty of having too many sunglasses or buying unnecessary ones. But! what has worked for me lately is just being realistic about what I’m actually going to wear almost everyday or all year round. My go to for over a year have been these YSL sunnies that are pretty standard if that is the proper word to describe? Easy, simple, clean. Also I love a good gas station shades moment. Especially for outdoor activities.

Here are some easy go to’s I have saved on ssense that might be helpful. My trusty YSL are sold out at the moment but I swear they look good on almost everyone if you happen to find elsewhere.

these bad boys are under $150 & very cute.

these remind me a little bit of the YSL & old celine for a fraction of the price. they also come in a fun lavender color.

Stylist Thistle Brown just launched his own line of sunglasses that I’ve seen all over instagram. Though I have not tried them apparently they’re supposed to be flattering on just about everyone.

there’s a couple of different colors but these seem to be my favorite.

 

My thinking on sunnies is you need your basics and thennn if you’re like me & basics are not enough go & splurge on the random stuff! For example these Chanel aviators scream summer imo & are classics. Realistically speaking I always reach for the same pair no matter how cute some of the others are. 

For sunglasses I really love ssense, a good department store!!! (I’m a sucker for a rewards system) Bloomies, Neiman marcus, Bergdorf's, etc. Department stores just have a great selection of everything. TRR & Lara Koleji & Vestaire are my go to’s for vintage.

Bags

I love a fun little bag moment. I know big bags are supposed to be making a comeback but I just love tiny things. Could never go wrong with some vintage Fendi, a nano speedy LV moment. Or! A good ole tote. I’ve really reentered my tote phase again. It’s a love hate relationship. Right now I can’t seem to stop using this mini tote from a bookshop in London. I think it’s just the perfect size. I can throw so many things in there right now without lugging a huge bag around. Im in a practical era (for bags at least) for now. Although I did just purchase this bigger Fendi baguette hoping it’ll keep the tote away.

Flip flops/slides

I’m a die hard Havaiana thong sandal girlie (the ones with the Brazilian flag). They’re just my jam. Also a classic Adidas slide sorry not sorry. These one’s though not the middle school gel things that make your soles hurt.

For nicer flat slides I have these Pucci one’s in blue that are quite colorful but I can surprisingly wear with many things. My mother swears by the classic YSL ones when she’s not in ugg slippers but in my humble opinion.. they take too long to break in. Let’s just say blisters galore for a hefty price tag. But! I do borrow her’s when I’m home sometimes hehe.

I love these platformed Teva’s for running around. Also anything that gives me a height boost I’m here for. If you wanna spend some unnecessary money, Prada made a fancy version that you can search for.

MNZ makes this elevated leather version of a thong sandal that I have been meaning to get. I have my eye on the black or the mustardy ones but they come in lots of colors.

These Prada pumps were a nice gift to myself that I justified by thinking I could wear all year round (which I have!). Throwing these on with any outfit really makes it look like you tried. My cheat for any outfit. Throw on a heel. (MNZ is my favorite for that vibe, easy to dress up or down)

For clothes I’ll keep it short. I really prefer to be as naked as possible during the warmer months. I end up in big tee’s and some sort of nice shoe or a tank top and shorts most days. 

Linen pants: 

My bestie is obsessed with the reformation linen pants. She literally does not take them off. It’s become a running joke. This year she’s gotten the black pair as well. These are nice because they have a drawstring. 

If you don’t want a drawstring that ties, Donni has really simple ones but I think they don’t have pockets. 

If you know me you know I will try to get away with no pants when possible which is why if! I have to wear pants during the summer it’s linen or my true loves the Assembly simple pant. (which are on sale!)

I end up in a white tank top almost everyday and I hate to admit but my favorite ones are Brandy Melville. Mostly because of the price. I get them online and get a bunch at a time. Going to the store is a recipe for a mental breakdown and or fighting a 12 year old. Enter at your own risk.

Summertime= moisture moisture moisture!

Makeup wise less is more: i love a blush and mascara moment. 

I have discovered the ilia mascara since we’ve last spoke (?) I think it’s a great summer mascara. Lengthening and dark but not too thick. I will admit I enjoy a thicker mascara but the ilia seems nice and light and does not smear/passes my warm water removal test. 

My favorite skin moisturizer right now is Dieux. Yes the hype is real. I’ve also been really into the delievance serum they make. 

For facial spf im sticking to Tizo this summer but I used to be a Supergoop glow stan and I still love but I feel like the Tizo is better spf. 

If your skin is out of wack, go get a facial. I got one right before summer and I’ll probably get one at the end of summer to get all the gunk off of my face. 

Body 

Deo? I love aesop. Yes it did take a little for my body to get used to but now I’m obsessed. Also warning it goes on kind of wet so it’s an interesting sensation if you’re used to aerosol, gel etc. Girlies please drop the deodorant secrets we need to know. 

Exfoliating your body is important after so much sunscreen & sweat & just grimminess. I like the Ouai stuff and the First Aid Beauty stuff for those little random bumps on your arms/legs.

For all over body lotion I’ve been into the La Roche Posay lipikar lotion for a pump situation. It’s nice and light/absorbs quickly. You can find it at target or duane reade or dermstore.com.

Sunscreens 

At the beach I usually reach for the La Roche Posay sunscreen. Goop has some nice options as well but I personally hate spending a lot on body sunscreen.

Zoca sunscreen is an amazing thicker option which I love. This I use on face & body. Sunscreen is cheaper than botox :) just saying! & their sun soothing salve is a must.

Summer haircare: 

Moisturizing is our bff. Yes there is humidity but between the sun making our hair brassy, chlorine/saltwater drying everything out and or making your hair green, extra precaution should be taken. But also live your life. Summer! 

A leave in conditioner is always key especially if you’ll be in the sun/water a lot or just want some extra hair love. (leave in does not replace regular conditioner) 

The Rahua hydration detangler with uv barrier is nice and so is the R and CO sun ray. They’re both great and quite similar. The Rahua has cleaner ingredients & you get more for your money because of the size. The R & Co is around same price point but less product. I will say I do enjoy the scent of the R and Co more it’s a bit more earthy & musky opposed to Rahua being a little fruity. 

Oils: I love the 14th night. Lightweight oil. Good for reapplying throughout the day, at night. Day 2 or 3 hair. 

Roz styling oil: smells divine. I put this stuff on my arms as well. A bit richer than the 14th night. You can still use everyday but remember a little goes a long way. 

My favorite masks right now: the Shu Umera ultimate reset for very dry hair. Virtue repair for a normal amount of dryness. Once a week would be amazing but sometimes if you don’t have time for that skip your conditioner and reach for your mask in the shower every once in a while. 

Clips! Be gentle with your hair especially when it’s wet and or in any fragile condition. Reaching for a clip instead of an elastic really makes a difference. Everyone is loving a slick back moment but when you’re pulling your hair back super tight with gel, hairspray etc you’re tugging at your baby hairs. Opt for a leave in conditioner, maybe a mask, some oil and a clip or a gentle elastic like the silk ones. 

Remember to rinse your hair of saltwater/chlorine if you can’t wash it right away & make sure you’re brushing it.

Get a gloss at some point of summer!!! 

Almost everyone can benefit from a gloss during the summer. Especially if you’re feeling like the color has shifted a bit. 

If you want to maintain or just feel dry come in for a gloss. So many people ask me how do I know when it’s time? I usually say when you feel like you need something but you’re not due for your usual color appointment. Or! If you feel like you need something but not sure what it is. It’s a good in between service that kind of ties everything together and makes your hair shiny/addresses any tonal concerns.

Thank you for reading :)

Xo

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