I’m Hiding From the NYC Heat Wave and Shopping Bluemercury’s Summer Essentials Beauty Sale Instead
Feels like a rather productive use of my hibernation time.
While many people are looking forward to family time, sun, and fun this weekend, with the current heat wave ahead, I plan to be seen only by my cats, my husband, and the walls of my apartment. Of course, this means that I’ll be shopping all of the July 4th sales, the first of which has already started.
From June 30 to July 7th, Bluemercury is having its Summer Essentials sale on its website, and I will be front and center (virtually, of course). There will be a 25 percent discount on select sunscreens, body washes, self-tanners, and more. Plus, expect the discount to extend to everything from M-61 to Lune+Aster, Bluemercury’s in-house cosmetics brand.
I don’t know about you, but I am completely feral for a good beauty unboxing, so I will be placing an order as soon as I get some holiday downtime. In the meantime, I’ll be building my cart for easy checkout, and, luckily for you, I'll be sharing all of my picks that I think are worth grabbing. Think of this as being able to shop a beauty expert’s curated shopping cart.
The Makeup
A beauty haul is nothing without a few makeup products, and the items below should cover you for the rest of the summer.
With a radiant finish and a serum-like consistency, you wouldn’t think that this product was a foundation at first. But it is, and I adore it. Not only is the coverage buildable, but the consistency feels like an extension of my skincare routine. Plus, Bobbi Brown is one of the few brands where I don’t have to mix two shades together to get my perfect match.
Don’t sleep on the Lune+Aster line from Bluemercury, particularly this foundation stick. The shade selection can be better; however, if you can find a color that fits you, expect full coverage and a skin-like finish in easy-to-use, super-convenient packaging.
Not only is this little pot packed with pigment for your lips and cheeks, but it also has SPF 50. It’s an elite makeup-skincare hybrid.
Skincare
Whether you’re trying to protect yourself from the sun or just want to stock up on your sunscreen stash, the SPFs below will help protect you from those pesky UV rays.
Want to glow to the high heavens while protecting your skin from sun damage? Bloomeffects’ Sunscreen Serum might be right up your alley. Not only does it have a sun protection factor of 50, but it’s also super lightweight on the skin and a mineral sunscreen that acts as a physical barrier between your skin and harmful UV rays.
I’ve found that there aren’t many people who prioritize SPF on the body as much as they do on their face, and I’m campaigning against that agenda. To help with that, having a body sunscreen like this one from Supergoop! means you don't have to worry about constantly running out of your facial sunscreen. This bottle (that comes with a pump!) is massive enough to last a full summer.
The Body Care
Body care is one of my favorite parts of my beauty routine, so, of course, the products below are the best ones to pick up during the sale.
This oil from Augustinus Bader is one of my favorites, especially for someone who doesn’t love extremely thick, sticky body products. Olive fruit and argan oil are the stars of this lightweight formula, and not only does the oil absorb quickly, but your skin will feel as soft as if you were using a thicker and more viscous oil, all without the extra tack.
If you also love a shimmery oil to make your body glisten on a night out, this one from Victoria Beckham Beauty is stunning. Not only does it have the brand’s gorgeous Portofino '97 (think amber, musk, and patchouli), but it also has gold shimmers that aren’t chunky or gaudy. Instead, you’ll look well moisturized and healthy, like you’ve just gotten home from a summer vacation.
Your body care routine starts in the shower, so your body wash should set the stage. This one has the same scent as one of my favorite Byredo perfumes, so whenever I use it, I top it with the perfume, and my scent's longevity skyrockets.
The Tools
For some extra indulgence this holiday weekend, I will be incorporating the tools below into my routine. There’s nothing like a little at-home spa moment.
I have been obsessed with Trigger Point Release modalities, and not only does this Contour Massager help with lymphatic drainage, but it also targets trigger points to release fascial tension. I will be massaging myself into a puddle using this tool.
I’ve picked up my gua sha routine again, and I can’t remember why I ever stopped. This little tool can help sculpt the face and support lymphatic drainage when you’re feeling puffy.
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Ariel Baker is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS and briefly freelance, she has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.
Since she started out in the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, music, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.
When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her fiancé and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.