By this stage of the game, you should already have your summer essentials. (If not, check out my roundup from June.) Sunscreen, beach spray and self-tanner are taking over my bathroom.
Fortunately, the best new beauty products launching in July are more like summer accessories than staples. They're deliciously indulgent (like the ultimate coconut body scrub), quick and easy to use (like a does-it-all serum) and flat-out pretty (like beach-inspired shadow palettes).
Fortunately, the best new beauty products launching in July are more like summer accessories than staples. They're deliciously indulgent (like the ultimate coconut body scrub), quick and easy to use (like a does-it-all serum) and flat-out pretty (like beach-inspired shadow palettes).
Nothing says summer quite like coconut -- it's refreshing, tropical and beachy. But not all coconut beauty products are created equal. Some smell too sweet; some are overly artificial. Yes to -- of Yes to Carrots and Yes to Blueberries fame -- just launched Yes to Coconut, and the scent is spot-on (probably because they use real coconut meat, oil and husks in the formulations). It's light and crisp with just a hint of sweetness. The entire collection is fantastic, but my favorite is the Yes to Coconut Polishing Body Scrub, $7.99. Unlike oily scrubs that get all over the tub, this one has a gel-like consistency that's easier to use, and it's a great exfoliator -- self-tanner streaks don't stand a chance.
Minimalist makeup is everything this summer. But that doesn't mean I'm not wearing any -- I just don't want it to look like I'm wearing it. Bobbi Brown's limited edition Surf and Sand Palettes, $65 each, are the epitome of un-makeup makeup. The shimmery and matte shadows create a sheer wash of color that's barely noticeable. And I'm completely obsessed with the linen-like packaging -- it's seriously chic.
While Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner, $24, may be getting most of the buzz, I'm more excited about Benefit They're Real Remover, $18. You see, I'm very happy with my eyeliner marker routine, but I've yet to find a makeup remover that truly obliterates my cat eye at the end of the day. Until now. This one has a consistency that's a cross between a cream and a gel, it doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes and it gets rid of mascara and liner in one swipe.
If you're anything like me, you have a million serums that do a dozen different things, and each night you layer them on and hope for the best. Wouldn't it be great if one serum could do everything -- targeting your worst problem (or problems) on a given day? Well, that's exactly the science that's built into Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum, $59.50. It has glucosamine and salicylic acid to brighten and smooth skin, red algae to calm irritation, vitamin C to lighten dark spots, whey protein to lift sagging, hyaluronic acid for moisture … The list goes on and on. The serum takes cues from your damaged skin cells and does the repair work you need -- like a handyman who comes to your house and addresses the biggest issues first. The other ingredients remain on call in your skin and do their work when it's their turn. I'm telling you: this stuff is high-tech -- and it will help you reclaim some serious medicine cabinet real estate.