Bath and Body Summer Refresh

We’re definitely in the peak season for heat and humidity in Alabama! These days, we don’t even have to be working outside to feel it. Just cooking and cleaning inside can have us feeling like we’re melting. Oddly enough, I really don’t mind the heat and don’t even mind working in it as long as I can freshen up afterwards.

So when the work of her hands brings on the sweat of her brow, here are my summer faves for staying fresh! They are all $5 or less each!

Body Wash: For the second summer in a row, Softsoap Pink Peony and Sea Salt is once again my favorite body wash. I like its mild floral scent and salty texture. A shower with this after early morning exercise gets me off to a fresh start. Or, at the end of a work day, it washes away all the grime of the day before climbing into bed. Dollar General is the only place I’ve been able to find it both summers.

Body Sprays: I don’t do a lot of heavier perfumes during the summertime unless I’m getting spiffied up and going out (not happening much these days, haha!), but rather I use body sprays on the daily for just a lighter scent. Following my shower I like to use a body spray because it offers a cool mist with a mild clean scent. Anytime during the day, when I’m needing to freshen up and keep going with my housework, I’ll run back to the bathroom for several more spritzes. This year I wanted to try some new scents from Bath and Body Works, but hated to take a chance on a big bottle, so I ordered three small bottles of scents that intrigued me by their descriptions (I got them when they went on sale 3/$15). I chose Perfect Peony, At the Beach, and Gingham, thinking one would be my favorite that I would order in a larger size next summer. I like them all, but the Perfect Peony and Gingham are my favorites.

Cosmetics: Okay, I feel a little silly even talking cosmetics here, because I’m no makeup guru! I wear makeup, but I’m certainly no expert on the subject. But these two products are helping my makeup to not to melt five minutes after applying. ELF Shadow Lock Eyeshadow Primer keeps my eye makeup smooth all day. I have oily skin and when that’s combined with perspiration, my eyeshadow starts to slide and settle in the crease of my eyelid. Not pretty! That no longer happens with this primer!

I learned about this next product from my daughter who learned about it from one of her college friends. It’s so nice to get help from the younger generation, isn’t it! Heehee! I use ELF Matte Magic Mist and Set after applying all my makeup to help set it in place, and it works! I apply my makeup while my hair is still wet, so that when I spray my face to set it, if a tad sprays over into my wet hair, it’s okay. Then I blow-dry my hair. An added benefit to using this in summer (although I use it yearlong now) is that the mist is cool and feels really good before turning on the hot hair dryer.

Body and Facial Wipes: I’d already been using facial cleansing wipes during the summer, but this year I found these Burt’s Bees towelettes in Pink Grapefruit which sounded so refreshing! And they are. I love the citrus scent! I don’t use these to remove my makeup because I have sensitive skin around my eyes and the citrus causes that area to burn a little. Plus, I just want a heavier duty facial cleanser for makeup removal. I use these facial towelettes to wipe off sweat, grime, and sunscreen after coming in from outside anytime during the day. So for me, these are a touch-up and not a full face wash.

I’d never even considered purchasing body wipes before because I thought of them as only being used for medical care, but I found these Green Tea Cucumber Body Wipes at Dollar General this summer and thought I’d give them a try. When I’m working in the yard and need to come inside to get lunch but can’t go ahead and shower because I’m going right back out after lunch, these wipes are great! They’re also going to be great to keep in my van now that soccer has started back up. They are really large so one wipe gets good coverage. My daughter works at a grocery store and sometimes has to work outside, pulling in grocery carts and sanitizing them for literally hours at a time. On her break, she often goes to her car where she can enjoy a few quiet minutes with the AC blasting. I bought her a pack of these body wipes to keep in her car for when she wants the relief of a quick wipe down during her break. By the way, remember to THANK your grocery store helpers! They are working so hard to keep us fed safely during this pandemic, and under tough conditions!

So, I’d love to hear what bath and body products are helping you survive the summer heat!! Give me your recommendations!