Beautiful Day on Daufuskie Island

Today was an absolutely wonderful day spent with old and new friends.  I left my house early this morning to meet up with my best friend Katie, our friend Matt, and Abby, who I've never met before (but she was lovely and I look forward to hanging out with her more over summer!)

We were very lucky and got to spend the day on Daufuskie Island, which is a little (and I mean little -- like, 5 miles long little) island off the coast of Hilton Head.  People can only get to it by boat, and no cars are allowed on the island, only golf carts to get around.  There is one church, one general store, two restaurants, one elementary school... you have to take the ferry to Hilton Head for anything else!  (I just keep thinking about what a hassle grocery shopping would be.  The ice cream would definitely melt during the 20 minute ferry ride!)  But regardless, Daufuskie is beautiful.  There are lots of golf courses and gigantic gorgeous houses all tucked away on this secluded subtropical island.

where the sky meets the sea...

the shell of a horseshoe crab

We also got to feel a little bit fancy and spend a couple hours at the clubhouse pool where we laid out, ate lunch, and had pina coladas... Mmmmmm.  I need to learn how to make these!

i could get used to this.

When we got done exploring the island, we hopped back on the boat and spent the rest of the day cruising around and soaking up the sun. 

We saw so many jellyfish and a ton of dolphins!  Some got very close to the edge of the boat.  I tried to snap a picture but no luck. :(

matt, me, and abby searching for dolphins... starring my big bum

One last crazy thing we saw was this woman on a jet pack... literally!  It uses water to push you up in the air.  Look how high she is!  I have GOT to try this one day!

So yes, today was lots of fun and I'm so thankful I got the chance to spend time on the lovely little island that I live so close to and hear so much about but never ventured, especially with great friends who make me laugh!  Although, I think we were all pretty tired from spending so much time outside and in the sun so I'm really looking forward to a nice sleep tonight (aka passing out on my bed and most likely waking up in a small puddle of drool.  Gross, I'm gross.)  Haha, until next time!

xoxox

Seven Summer Skin Tips

Summer is here, finally!  It is probably my favorite season.  I just love feeling the warmth of the sun on the tops of my shoulders, it's the best feeling!  As much as I love Summer and basking in some rays, this season can do a number on my skin.  Here are some tips for lovely, glowing Summer skin that will last well into Autumn.

*  Please note that in this post (as well as all of my future posts), if I feature a product, it will most likely be something realistically affordable for the vast majority of readers.  Let's be real -- I'm a young, broke college student with a part time retail job.  I can't afford luxury beauty items and designer clothes!  With the exception of the occasional splurge or gift, the items I feature on this blog will not break the budget.  Anyway... :)

Tip #1) I've found I've started to break out on my forehead lately, which is a place I don't usually get many zits... but I believe it's from the heat and sweating near my hairline (Yummm.)  Thankfully, there's this stuff:

source: http://www.cleanandclear.ca

Clean & Clear makes a facewash called Continuous Control that contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide.  Most facewashes made specifically for acne contains only around 2%, so this stuff is STRONG!  I use it on my face and also around my chest, back, and shoulders in the shower (because body acne is the absolute worst, bleh).  But because it is so strong, it's also quite drying, which brings me to my next point...

Tip #2)  MOISTURIZE!  Summer can make skin dry, especially if you're using extra acne treatments.  Make sure you moisturize pretty much aaaalllllll the time.  And not just your face, but your body as well!  Last summer, I got very tan but never had to worry about peeling because I made sure to moisturize my body multiple times a day.  And I'm sure we all love getting a nice slight tan, but the sun = dryness and dryness = wrinkles, so make sure you slather on the lotion to avoid getting severe/premature wrinkles.

Tip #3)  What is my favorite moisturizer, you ask?  Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a moisturizer, but more of a miracle worker... Coconut Oil has literally changed my life, haha.  I'm serious!  I am sure you've seen a million articles about it shared on Facebook or a million pins on Pinterest, but it really is so healing and full of nutrients for your skin and body!  Slather it on your face at night to lock in moisture and prevent wrinkles.  Spread it on dry, cracked lips as a chapstick.  Use instead of shaving cream in the shower (this is my favorite way to use it -- my legs are insanely smooth and soft!)  Rub over sunburns for relief, and use it before a day spent outdoors for an all natural sunscreen.  This doesn't even begin to cover what this stuff can do!  I use it for everything, from skin to hair to cooking It makes for an amazing and gentle eye make up remover, too.  It will take off the most stubborn mascara and I swear, it makes your eyelashes longer and prettier!  This is the exact kind I get below at the local grocery store, and it runs for about $7 a jar... but it will last you a good while!

source: www.walmart.com

Tip #4)  I live in a super humid area of the US (seriously, just step outside and it's like you're drinking the air instead of breathing it) and I know humidity is not so great for girls with oily skin.  If you're prone to oily skin or combination skin (oily on the T-zone of your face), then you should invest in some oil blotting sheets, especially during the warm summer months.  Gone are the days of over-powdering your face!  I would suggest a specific brand, but I have normal to dry skin (ugh, the worst) so I've never really needed to use these!  Any thoughts?

Tip #5)  Use a makeup mist to keep makeup in place all day long!  I use e.l.f.'s Makeup Mist & Set, which has aloe, green tea, cucumber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E in it so not only does it keep your makeup on, it soothes skin.  And for $3, the price really cannot be beat.

source: www.google.com (review)

Tip #6)  To help me get that healthy summer glow, I use bronzer on my cheeks, near my hairline, my nose, and near my jaw.  On days when I'm not wearing my Bare Minerals and use Warmth for bronzer, I use Rimmel London Sun Shimmer Shimmering Maxi Bronzer.  It has some sheen to it to illuminate your skin, but it's not glittery, which I love!  I try to stay away from face powders or blushes with glitter in them, as they accentuate any acne.  

source: www.us.rimmellondon.com

Tip #7)  For smooth legs that you're not ashamed to show during summer, you should definitely use a nice exfoliator while in the shower before you shave!  The beads in the exfoliators help remove dead skin and lesson the chance of any ingrown hairs.  You'll be amazed at how much smoother and silkier your lovely legs feel after shaving now!  

source: www.thebodyshop-usa.com

My best friend, Zandi, gave me the Brazil Nut Body Scrub from the Body Shop and it is AMAZING.  It is creamy and rich, but the grainy beads are great to exfoliate my skin.  It smells so, so, so good.  I definitely want to buy the rest of the Brazil Nut products!

BONUS TIP:  Always a good idea to invest in a fabulous big hat with a wide brim to protect your face and décolletage from getting too much sun.  Plus, it will make your outfit look 10 times more glamourous than it already is.  

source: www.wheretoget.it

So there you have it!  Seven summer skin tips, plus one extra. ;)  Do you have any tips for troublesome skin during these sweltering months?  I'd love to hear them!  Leave them in the comments, if you please.  Thanks for reading, until next time!

xoxox