Be sun smart with a brimmed hat, shades and swim shirt from Hat Attack, Persol and Coolibar, respectively. Fake a blush with Milk Makeup’s lip and cheek cream stick, recharge skin with Vitamin C from Paula’s Choice. Finally, add a spritz of cool with Dior’s Eau Sauvage.
By Janet Kelly
THE 2022 summer solstice falls on June 21—when the sun reaches its highest point of the year, officially marking the first day of summer. That means school’s out (you know, figuratively speaking), and hot-weather activities are poised to go full blast. To that end, we’ve come up with a wanna-have list for the season. Our picks are below:
LEFT, NEAR LEFT: Advice about sunscreens constantly changes. Two we like are EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, which shields your complexion from harmful UVA and UVB rays with 9% transparent zinc oxide. It’s $39 at Dermstore. Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion ($7.97, Amazon) with broad spectrum SPF 55 gets points for being lightweight and fast-absorbing. A non-greasy, matte finish makes for a smooth application to face and body.
NEAR RIGHT, RIGHT: Don’t forget to protect your lips, particularly if you’re swimming, boating or playing pickle ball. Aquaphor’s SPF 30 Lip Protectant with Sunscreen ($3.97, Amazon) soothes dry pouts with shea butter and shields them from UVA and UVB rays. This Clear Zinc Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 30 ($10.99, Amazon) from Babo Botanicals is a handy way to apply sun protection not only to your lips, but also to your ears — frequently forgotten in the process. Pro tip: Reapply when you get out of the water, but also when you sweat.
LEFT: Look stylish and sharp while staying sun protected with Coolibar’s UPF 50+ Ruche Swim Shirt ($89). Cinch up the sides for a dip in the pool or wear longer as a tunic. The chlorine- and saltwater-resistant stretchy fabric keeps those stripes and white background looking fresh.
RIGHT: Prefer a whimsical print? Tommy Bahama has you covered (UPF 50) with its nylon-and-spandex Scrolls rashguard ($128 Nordstrom) when you want to linger in the surf. Wear it with matching bikini bottoms ($79.50) or pull-on shorts.
LEFT: Add a delicious pop of color and keep your face stylishly shaded under Frances Valentine’s Canvas Fringe Hat ($78). With a 23-inch circumference, it’s one size fits all. Stow it in your tote bag and/or pack in your suitcase for summer adventures.
RIGHT: Giddyup. Cowboy hats, like this one ($138, Saks Fifth Avenue) from Hat Attack, are everywhere this summer. Made of raffia and trimmed in leather, it has an adjustable sweatband to ensure the perfect fit. Add to your fashionable hat collection, but for sun protection, go wider, as in Wallaroo Hats’ Scrunchie ($78), which has a 4½” brim and a UPF 50+ fabric that blocks 97.5% of ultraviolet rays, according to the Australian Radiation Protection Agency.
ABOVE: Worn by pilots, race car drivers and mountain climbers to avoid glare, the 100-year-old Persol brand is known for its high-clarity crystal lenses and flexible design that allows the stems to adapt to the unique shape of the wearer. Unlike most of its competitors, Persol’s only business is eyewear. This narrow-fitting style, available in five lens colors, sells for $320.
BELOW: The acrobatic airplane moves in “Top Gun Maverick” were jaw-dropping, but what I really liked—and wanted to have—was a pair of aviators like Tom Cruise’s and Jennifer Connelly’s. These hexagonal-shaped Ray-Bans, a tweak of the traditional shape, sell for $163 at Sunglass Hut. Also, have a look at this pair, inspired by General Douglas MacArthur, and available at vintage retailer Fabulous Fanny’s. For a less pricey aviator option, check out this one from Specs.
LEFT, NEAR LEFT: Vitamin C is about the only product besides a retinol that dermatologists agree improves the look of your skin. Because you mix it yourself, Drunk Elephant claims that its C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum ($78, Sephora) stays fresh longer—that is, it doesn’t turn an unsightly orange. After many months of using my C-Firma, it’s just now losing its potency. I’ll either buy it again or give Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster (reduced from $52 to $41.60) a go. Known as the cosmetics cop, Paula Begoun began her truth-telling mission about beauty products well before she started making her own. Her book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me is in its eighth edition.
RIGHT, FAR RIGHT: I don’t much like bronzers or self-tanners (too finicky), but I do need a cream blush, not a powder one (it gets into wrinkles), to perk up my pale skin. About a year ago, I bought a sample of Milk Makeup’s Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick ($21, Sephora). I rarely used it on my lips, but it was heavenly to apply and blend. With ingredients like avocado and apricot oils, it never left my skin feeling dry. I’m also in like with the pink tint (it also comes in coral and red) and feel of this On-The-Glow Blush ($18, Pixi). My only beef is I wish the shape were rounder to make it less unwieldy to apply.
LEFT: Whenever I look for it, Diptyque’s L’Eau ($150) is always sold out. If you can sniff it out, you’ll breathe in a spicy blend of clove and cinnamon with ginger and geranium notes. Diptyque is also making an offer that’s hard to pass up: “Each fragrance purchase includes a matching sample. Use the sample to test the fragrance on your skin before opening the full-size bottle. We will gladly accept unopened returns within 14 days of original purchase, free of charge.”
RIGHT: I frequently sneak a spritz of my husband’s Eau Sauvage ($104, Sephora), particularly during hot weather when the citrusy scent with dashes of vetiver, jasmine and oak moss feels refreshing but refined, too. A classic scent, not to be confused with Sauvage, a more recent Dior fragrance for men.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
Love the fringe hat.
So cheerful!