Summer is officially here and if you are like me trying to juggle life, schedule happy hours and beach days you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Staying on track can be easy with a little planning and a lot of flexibility.  Friends, just be kind to yourself. Choosing to mindfully factor in downtime for rest and recovery or meditation can be just what you need to find balance within your world.

Before you head out on your summer excursions, I thought I would share a few of my must-have travel favorites.  I focus my packing around skincare and beauty which probably does not surprise you!  Snacks also play a role in my packing and planning.

Are you a carry-on kind of traveler? Small bags and duffles, or do you travel fully loaded?  Which every way you explore I find a basic set skincare and makeup regime on the road is the way to looking fresh, rested and hydrated. I stick with road warrior product that assists in brightening and cellular turn over due to the fact when we travel we stress our bodies and skin.  Here is a peek at my skin care recommendations, of course as with all recommendations please take into account your own skin type and lifestyle. 

Skincare: Prescribed Solutions Glycolic Wash, Biopelle’s Tensage serum with growth factor and Vitamin C, and “Cream no Sugar” by Prescribed Solutions. This trio will keep your skin balanced, hydrated and comforted from all the stressors that can affect your otherwise clear skin. 

But what about “treatments”?  In some cases and depending on the time of year I do love to add in a few of these taskmasters to add a boost to my face.  STARE Cosmetics makes an eye revive serum especially for treating fine lines and wrinkles as well as de-puffing.  If I know I have a special occasion I may also throw in a few ampoules of Tensage 40, a super concentrated growth factor to help lighten, brighten and smooth my skin tonality.  This duo is a supercharged way to up your “face game” while on the road.

While moving around it sometimes becomes a struggle to know what cosmetics travel well and can withstand the long days and nights you may have in your plans.  I know for me I try to keep it simple by utilizing multi-tasking items like STARE Cosmetics cheeky palette or the highlighter palette.  You can literally do your whole face with these since the options on the palette tradition well to most areas of the face.  Lips for me should be long-wear, and nourishing I have found that utilizing the exfoliating lip treatment by STARE really helps to prep my lips for any liners or lippie I may be using.

Foundation is another important step for me.  I love a good long-wear blend.  STARE’s HD foundation is not only infused with incredible ingredients, like collagen it will offer you a non-transferrable medium to heavy coverage. I feel really comfortable with leaving it on my skin all day because it is Vegan and gluten-free. How about you?  What could you live without?  What is your most important travel product?  Skincare or Makeup?

As a snackavist, I spend a foodie fun bit of time planning out my snacks and juices.  I stick to those which are portable and travel-friendly.  Homemade granola and dried fruits are great for hiking and mountain biking.  I love homemade bars and gluten-free bread and muffins blended with fruits or nuts.  When I can I will cut up fresh fruits and veggies to take along with me as needed or a banana is a fantastic all around pick me up when hungry.

Great foods for summer are those packed with Lycopene.  Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits, including sun protection, improved heart health and it is also known to lower risk of certain types of cancer. Though it can be found as a supplement, it may be most effective when consumed from lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes and other red or pink fruits.

One recommendation at the top of my list I would be remiss if I did not mention is hydration inside and out.  Make sure whatever your travel plans are this summer you include drinking plenty of H2O.  It will make a difference not only in your skin care but your body’s overall recovery and repair process.  I wish you safe travels and wonderful adventures, happy trails my friends!

Summer Fresh Strawberry Salad Recipe: 

1/2 butterhead lettuce washed, drained and hand torn 

1/2 butterhead lettuce washed and drained set aside

1 cup of washed and drained watercress

2 tablespoons of Hemp Seeds

1 tablespoon of Sesame Seeds 

2 tablespoons of roasted sunflower seeds

1 1/2 cup of sliced and cleaned strawberries 

1/3 cup of chopped washed fresh mint 

2 regular-size cucumbers peeled and sliced in quarters

2 tablespoons of EVO

1-2 tablespoons of Ume Plum Vinegar

Mix lettuce, nuts and seeds, and mint together toss lightly.  Combine EVO and Vinegar and toss again.  Add Strawberries and Sea salt to taste, toss lightly and serve by placing butter lettuce cups on plates and scoop in the salad.  

** I will squeeze a little lime after I add the strawberries with the sea salt to brighten this salad.  Not too much but just enough for good measure. enjoy.

Happy Summer 2019

xx Coleen